Located in the Bass Strait off the coast of Tasmania is a collection of four islands known as the New Year Group, the largest of which is King Island.

Only a 35-minute flight from Melbourne, King Island was once part of a land bridge that connected Tasmania with the Australian mainland – more than 12,000 years ago.

Due to the treacherous waters that surround it, the island is also the site of more than 60 known shipwrecks.

Despite being just 1098 square kilometres, and home to only 1617 people (according to the 2021 census), tiny King Island packs a punch when it comes to quality food, golf courses and surfing.

A produce wonderland

Much like its big sister island, Tasmania, King Island is known for its incredible produce – particularly its cheese, beef and crayfish.

Established in 1892, King Island Dairy is one of the island’s largest businesses and employers. It is known for making highly acclaimed and awarded specialty cheeses such as blue, cheddar, brie and camembert.

For an island known for its food, you might be surprised to discover that there is also a destination known as “the restaurant with no food”. It’s a bright yellow boathouse that provides tables, chairs, cutlery and even an old piano – all you have to do is bring your own food.

A golf lover’s dream

According to its tourism website, King Island is also a hotspot for golf, being home to “three of Australia’s most acclaimed links golf courses”. The courses offer golfers dramatic coastlines, rugged surroundings and panoramic ocean views.

Cape Wickham Golf Links has even been ranked at the top of Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses in Australia.

The island’s world-class golf courses and rugged coastline are twin drawcards. Photo: AAP

Surf’s up

For surfers, King Island also provides excellent conditions. Popular spots include Martha Lavinia, Colliers Beach and Seal Bay, British Admiral Beach, Porky Beach and Disappointment Bay.

Discover Tasmania reveals that Surfing Life magazine once rated the waves on Martha Lavinia beach as “among the 10 best in the world, and world-champion surfers such as Kelly Slater, Sunny Garcia and Tom Carroll have dropped in to surf here”.

Republished from View.com.au