King Island Council Annual Report 2011-2012 (1921 kb)

King IslandAt the western entrance to Bass Strait lies anidyllic place known as King Island. An island richin history, with shipwrecks, lighthouses and jaggedreefs, bountiful with long stretching sandy beachesand lush green pasture. Midway between Victoriaand mainland Tasmania, 120 kilometres or fortyfiveminutes flying in either direction, the island hasbecome an ideal destination for that weekendescape.The Kelp Industry is a major part of the Islandeconomy with tourism becoming the growthindustry over recent times.The Island offers a great number of attractionsand activities which include visits to the museum,lighthouses, Sealers’ Wall, Calcified Forest,pheasant shooting and mutton bird seasons,horse racing, a 32 kilometre coast to coast footrace, recreational fishing, diving, bushwalking,beachcombing and much more.The Island, which is 64 kilometres north to south,and 27 kilometres east to west, has a population of1,638 permanent residents, of which 800 reside inthe township of Currie which is situated on thewest coast. There are two other towns-Naracoopaon the east coast, and Grassy to the south east.Tourists appreciate the Island’s naturalattractiveness, exquisite cuisine, the surfing,fishing, challenging golf course, maritime historyand the relaxed way of life.From our little paradise some of Australia’s finestnatural foods are produced. We are probably bestknown including the production of fine beef,superior dairy produce, magnificent seafood andpremium rain water products. King Island Dairieswith its award winning cheeses and creams, theabundant seafood and King Island Beef have allhelped to establish King Island’s reputation for finefoods.King Island has aninteresting history,commencing withits discovery in1798. Itsgeographic locationin Bass Strait hasresulted in a richmaritime historyassociated oftenwith shipwrecksand tragedies that are well documented.King Island Council – Annual Report 2011-2012Page 4