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Flinders Island Tasmania History & Location of Flinders IslandFlinders Island is the largest island of the Furneaux Group, a group of 52 islands situated off Australia's southernmost state, Tasmania in the Bass Strait. Some 65 Km long and 30 Km wide at it's widest point, the island is situated some 20 Km from Tasmania's mainland by sea and approximately 100 miles (160Km) by air from Launceston, Flinders Island is an integral part of the Furneaux Group of islands off Tasmania. Situated in the 40 degrees south latitude in the relatively shallow (25 meters) Bass Strait, the island offers a wondrous array of flora and fauna, with over 200 bird species able to keep the most avid ornithologist absolutely delighted. Its historical significance is well documented and Flinders Island offers the tourist an amazing array of historical delights. Flinders Island provides a wonderful temperate climate that attracts the most discerning visitors all year round. A beach-lover's delight in the warmer months, Flinders Island also offers scintillating bush walks & beach walks during the cooler seasons too. Access is easy via plane (or boat) and hence the island is an affordable and accessible piece of temperate heaven, just waiting for you to visit! The skies are breathtakingly clear and hence the ability to view the heavenly bodies without problems associated with city smog and other pollutants presents amazing evening displays of shooting stars. Just lie back on a pure white pristine beach and gaze up into the clear skies devouring the stars and soaking in utter peace and tranquility. You are only a phone call away from making this dream your reality. Initially inhabited by Tasmania's indigenous population, these gentle native islanders were first discovered by Tobias Furneaux, a commander of Captain James Cook's support ship, which had became separated from the mother-ship by thick fog and during its attempt to regain contact with the Endeavour, discovered the Furneaux group of islands during March 1773. The post-European influence on the history of the island is simply horrific. Colonial explorers and settlers, sealers (the main European influence on the island) and the like demonstrated utmost cruelty to the indigenous people. Rape, murder, assault, and rampaging disregard for the aboriginal inhabitants abounded, unabated for years. As the mainland Tasmanian aboriginal population rapidly declined due to murder, rape, and imported diseases (to which the native population had no natural immunities), the government of the day decided to attempt to “save” what remained of the Tasmanian aboriginal population by placing some 150 aborigines on the island under supposed official protection. Even military personnel sent to “guard” the population against many sealers who used the island continued to allow unspeakable atrocities. These atrocities eventually resulted in the island settlement being written off as a complete and utter disaster by mid 1800s. Hence by 1847 the settlement was formally closed and the remaining 45 Aboriginal survivors were sent to the South of Tasmania to Oyster Cove. Following the sealers, grazing leases were established and agricultural efforts were kindled around cattle & sheep (both wool and fat lambs), along with a vibrant fishing industry. In 1977 the Furneaux Fishing and Processing Company was opened and established itself as a powerful industry member. The island is renowned for its native-inspired mutton-birding enterprise. Flinders Island Mutton-birds The mutton-bird, more correctly defined as a "short-tailed shearwater", has been hunted for commercial purposes since the early nineteenth century. The official mutton-bird season lasts for a little over one month (from 27 March to 30 April) and is largely carried on as an indigenous business. Hunters must negotiate a labyrinth of dangers burrows often offering shelter to large black tiger-snakes and the mutton-bird hunter must be alert as to the dangers associated with this enterprise. Young birds captured at the rookeries are subjected to a sophisticated process, that procures their oil (which is typically used for pharmaceutical purposes), their fat, feathers and flesh, which is usually salt-cured. Scientific monitoring of the mutton-bird population on the island ensures that sustainable ecological balance is maintained. With a density of up to 3,000 burrows to an acre in a rookery it is unlikely that low level culling will seriously affect the population. In recent times a sanctuary has been established on Flinders Island. Tourist Activities on Flinders IslandFlinders Island offers some of the best temperate water fishing anywhere in the world and there is a plethora of fishing charters available. From shallow coastal fishing to full blue water fishing, Flinders Island can satiate the desires of the most demanding angler. It's pristine clear blue waters are renowned for their productive fishing. Shellfish, crayfish (now called rock lobster), tailor, salmon, flathead and many more species abound. The crystalline white silica sand is reputed to be the cleanest in the world and provides an ideal environment to produce the most alluring turquoise colours. The waters off Flinders Island are simply stunningly beautiful and extremely inviting, offering amazing opportunities to fish the best waters in the world and amazingly, at some of the best value-for-money rates available. An island made remarkable by its pure water, clean air, unique animals, a disease free environment and vast numbers of fascinating wild-life makes it an attractive and exciting destination catering for a wide range of tourism, camping, and angling experiences.
The pristine environment offers a plethora of delectable
vistas and experiences for the most demanding or discerning tourist. The deep
clear Bass Straight waters offer an amazing and unique hue of turquoise/blue.
The air is so clear and when combined with an absence of city lights and city
smog, allows for some of the best "shooting star" viewing in the world. Imagine
taking your evening supper down to one of the beaches, hearing the roar of the
waves crashing onto the clean white sands, lying back, and viewing the clear sky
and stars. You'll most likely be treated to an astronomical delight of
monumental proportions!
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