Ten top things to do when visiting King Island
So you have arrived in Grassy Harbour after ten or more hours - mostly beating to windward - and after a quick kip in your now comfortable bunk you are ready to see the sights and sounds of King Island before the dash back to the ‘Heads’ the next day. Alternatively you might like to just kick back and relax after a long punishing race and head to the boat club to enjoy the hospitality of the King Island Boat Club. For those energetic and restless souls here is a list of the top ten things to do while visiting King Island.
First you will be needing a shower to sluice off all that Bass Strait salt. Crew can enjoy a warm wash down in the unique bathroom facilities provided by the King Island Boat Club. Here water tanks have been repurposed to create a circular ‘Guggenheim-esque’ shower block where the colour of the water resembles coca-cola, without the bubbles.
After getting clean, wander up to the boat club in Grassy for the breakfast race presentation and photo shoot opportunity with the winners and experience the wonderful island welcome that awaits you. Don’t forget to try one of the famous King Island steak sandwiches cooked by the members of the King Island Boat Club.
Take a short stroll along the breakwater and say hello to the ORCV staff located in the radio van which will be parked near the end of the breakwater in Grassy Harbour. Don’t forget to bring one of those famous King Island steak sandwiches with you - for the workers inside. Be careful not to trip over the flotilla of fairy penguins that come ashore at dusk each night to rest in their burrows along the breakwater.
If you are still feeling hungry – catch a lift up to Currie to the wonderful King Island Bakehouse. The Bakehouse has an extensive range of gorgeous gourmet food, including crayfish pies. At $12 each these pies are well worth the trek as they are packed full of delicious fresh King Island crayfish wrapped up in a buttery pastry shell. Eat in or takeaway. Open daily 7am-5pm. Phone: 6462 1337
If you want more than just a taste of King Island crayfish why not purchase a whole cray to take back home. Foodworks, in Currie will be selling crayfish over the long weekend. Orders need to be placed at least 24 hours in advance. The crayfish will be priced at the market rate on the day. To place an order contact Rose at
If the sailing has not been punishing enough how about an additional physical challenge on Sunday morning. You could enter the King Island Imperial 20- the only coast to coast footrace in Australia. The event is now in its 19th year. The King Island Imperial 20 has an event for everyone. The main feature is a challenging 32 kilometre footrace. For the not so energetic there are support events which include a 32 kilometre walking race as well as team walking and running races that can involve the whole crew. This is not just another run... be prepared to indulge in the truly unique King Island lifestyle, generous hospitality and incredible food. ALL ENQUIRIES please phone: (03) 6461 1219 or email:
There is lots of great things to eat on King Island and none more so than a selection of dairy products from the King Island Dairy. The King Island Boat Club has again organized a range of ‘Cheese Bags’ that can be purchased at the club. They include delicacies ranging from wonderfully ripe King Island brie to the delicately flavored cinnamon King Island yoghurt. These goodies usually don’t last longer than the first ‘happy hour’ onboard on the return trip – so why not buy two bags- one to enjoy with your friends when you get home!
King Island also has a great reputation for producing Australian s premium natural beef. A number of packs of King Island Beef, either scotch fillet or porterhouse steak, will be available for purchase at the boat club. The packs are "cryovaced" so they travel well onboard and if allowed to age make sensational eating. Many of these packs never make it back as far as the "Heads". If the weather is fine the temptation to enjoy a large juicy steak on a leisurely cruise back to Port Phillip Bay overcomes many crews.
King Island is one of Australia’s undiscovered island retreats. Wildly rugged, windswept and attractive it boasts over 145 km of untouched coastline. To experience this rugged coastline and breathe in the freshest air in the world - and perhaps take a dip in the water - a visit to the Lavinia State Reserve located on the north east coast of the island is not to be missed. The reserve was named after the 52 ton schooner Martha Lavinia that, in 1871 travelling from Tasmania to Adelaide struck a reef offshore near the Reserve. Within the northern section of this reserve lies Lavinia Beach and two fresh water lakes: Lake Martha Lavinia and Penny’s Lagoon. With white sand seeming to stretch forever and a world class surf break Lavinia Beach is one of the most popular surfing and fishing locations on the island. Penny’s Lagoon is a rare perched lake found in only three locations in the world. It’s freshwater is held by compacted sand and organic matter. The lagoon is a favourite swimming spot for locals and visitors.
No trip to King Island is complete for a sailor without seeing the famous Cape Wickham Lighthouse from a landlubbers perspective. Situated at the northern tip of the island and surrounded by the Cape Wickham State Reserve, the lighthouse stands 52 meters above sea level and is the tallest in Australia. The lighthouse was constructed in 1861 and still guards the entrance to the strait today. Also within the reserve are the gravesites of some of the crew of Loch Leven, a ship that was wrecked nearby. A cairn shows a map of the old Victoria Cove settlement that used to exist here, and interpretation boards tell the story of numerous wrecks in the area.
If you are after a more leisurely sightseeing activity closer to Grassy a visit to the Calcified Forest in the Seal Rocks State Reserve located in the south-west of the island might be on your agenda. An easy 30 minute walk from the reserve car park takes you to the fascinating calcified forest, where you can view the 700 year old calcified root systems of an ancient forest. Look out for Bennets wallabies, echidnas, blue tongue lizards and an abundance of bird life along the way.
Just outside this top ten list- is another activity to do if you are staying longer than the weekend. The island is also famous for kelp harvesting and the best place to view the workers harvesting the kelp is on the west coast of the island directly out front of the Golf Club. You can also visit the Kelp Industries Visitors Center located at 89 Netherby Road Currie during a normal working day to find out more information about the harvest and view a collection of photographs.
