So, how will you spend your time on King Island?
Whether you’re here for world-class golf, a foodie escape, a wild coastal adventure or just to breathe in the fresh Bass Strait air, there’s no wrong way to spend time on King Island.
Stay in boutique accommodation with a fireplace and wallabies outside your window, get lost in the stories of our shipwreck-strewn coastlines, or taste your way around the island, from freshly caught crayfish to handmade cheese and small-batch spirits and don’t forget to head to the restaurant with no food!
Feeling adventurous? Surf Martha Lavinia’s legendary break, hike to ancient limestone formations, or climb a lighthouse at sunset. Keen for culture? Meet the artists, spot penguins at dusk, or visit the museum for tales of shipwrecks and settlers.
Whatever kind of escape you’re craving…laid-back, gourmet, windswept or all three, you’ll find it here. Just remember to wave to every passing car and book ahead, especially during golf and summer seasons.
The Boathouse – The Restaurant With No Food
The Boathouse sits on the edge of Currie Harbour, with the lighthouse standing watch over it. Locals call it The Restaurant With No Food, and the name’s stuck for a reason. This quirky coastal cottage is more than a lookout, it’s a moment of pause.
Step inside and you’ll find hand-picked artwork for sale via honesty box, a wood fire ready to be stoked on cooler days, and journals filled with messages from fellow travellers.
There’s no menu, no maître d’, and no rush. Just bring your own snacks, soak up the view, and let the charm of the place work its magic.
It’s one of the few places in the world where you’re invited to slow down, stay a while, and simply enjoy where you are.
Located in Currie Harbour – open anytime
King Island Dairy – A Must for Cheese Lovers
Just 10 minutes north of Currie, King Island Dairy is a delicious stop on any island itinerary. Its award-winning cheeses are made from milk sourced right here on the island.
Drop in for a complimentary tasting and discover why King Island brie, blue, and cheddar are renowned across Australia. Settle in with a cheese platter or baked brie, paired with a glass of Tasmanian wine or local beer. The relaxed, scenic setting makes it easy to stay a little longer.
In a hurry? Grab a takeaway platter and picnic your way across the island. However you slice it, King Island Dairy is a must-do for anyone who loves great food, local stories, and proper cheese.
Located off North Road, 10 mins from Currie
Seal Rocks
Serving up one of the most dramatic views on the island, Seal Rocks is a must for sweeping views across the wild ocean. Though there are no seals as the name suggests, it’s the perfect place to appreciate nature and the beautiful, rugged surroundings. Nearby you can tak the Copperhead Walk along the rugged cliffs and see the remarkable remains of the 7000-year-old Calcified Forest.
Disappointment Bay
Long stretches of white sand, broken occasionally by large rocks, make for good walking, swimming, surfing or paddling. Easily accessible from Cape Wickham Road at the north of the island, this beautiful beach is well worth the small diversion on your way to Cape Wickham Lighthouse or Cape Wickham Links.
Art & Culture
King Island punches well above its weight for creative people, given how few of us there are. King Island Arts & Cultural Centre at Currie Harbour and The Boathouse are great places to visit.
King Island Historical Museum
This well-stocked and informative museum, staffed by local volunteers from the King Island Historical Society, is located in the old Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage in Currie. Step back in time and learn more about the shipwrecks, soldier settlers, sealers and other early pioneers who strove to tame the wild forests of Kings Island and to whom the present day residents and visitors owe so much. You can also view the original Cape Wickham Lighthouse lens which is more than 150 years old.
Open Tuesday & Thursday & Saturday & Sunday 2-4pm
03 6462 1512
Cape Wickham Light House
At 48 metres tall the Cape Wickham Lighthouse is both the tallest in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. Made from locally quarried stone, the lighthouse celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2011 in the company of Her Excellency Quentin Bryce, the Governor-General of Australia.
Visitors are not currently permitted to enter the lighthouse.
PLATYPUS EXPERIENCE
Meet your friendly local guide and set off for this walk just after dawn or before dusk. The trek to the hidden waterhole is short but it’s steep and challenging. Only about 5% of the population have been lucky enough to see a platypus in the wild. The serene destination of our walk is home to several happy platypuses of different sizes, so be sure to join us for this unforgettable and rewarding experience!
CURRIE LIGHTHOUSE TOUR
On this tour, you will have exclusive access to climb Currie Lighthouse, where you’ll climb the 93 spiral steps to the top. Get your camera ready for the incredible, uninterrupted views. During this tour you will enjoy historical commentary of the lighthouse and shipwrecks from an experienced local guide.
Either choose a daytime tour or one to coincide the sunset. Nowhere is there a sunset quite like the top of Currie Lighthouse!
Penguins
Every night when the sun goes down the penguins come up to shore to rest. This is a self guided must do activity on King Island. Just drive down to Grassy Harbour just before dusk, follow port road down to the end of the breakwater.
