King Island History

King Island's maritime history reveals a story of shipwrecks and tragedies which have all played a key part in the island's culture.

The infamous Roaring Forties gales which even today bring westerly winds of 100km per hour are said to have caused more than 60 shipwrecks along the island's treacherous coastline during the 1800s. According to legend, straw mattresses containing dried grass seeds were swept ashore from French and English shipwrecks and germinated in the rich soils, creating lush pastures.

Discovered in 1791 to be the most geographically isolated island in Bass Strait and located on 40 degrees latitude between Tasmania and the Australian mainland, King Island to this day retains its pristine environment. The 110,000 wind-swept hectares are extremely fertile, enjoying moderate temperatures and year round rainfall, making it an ideal location to support the island's beef and dairying industries. More than 9,000 cows and 80,000 head of beef graze on some of the cleanest and greenest grass in the world and produce the best quality beef and most pure and sweet milk.

While beef and dairy are its primary industries, King Island is also renowned for its seafood, in particular crayfish, oysters and abalone while bull kelp, that's washed onto the island's shores, is farmed, dried and exported.

Today, in addition to the island's agricultural and maritime trade, King Island is a sought after destination offering peace and tranquility due to its remote location and population of just 2,000 people. Visitors can enjoy beach, forest and bush walking, fishing, sailing, surfing, golf, horse racing and tours of the historical museum.