REGION: King Island

Perched above the east and west of Tasmania's north coast, Flinders and King islands were once centres of the long-banned sealing industry, but now support celebrated agricultural industries of their own.

King Island lies on the western edge of Bass Strait and covers 1260km2. The mining of gold and tin were once the island's primary industries; this has shifted to dairy products of international repute, livestock farming, crayfishing, abalone harvesting and even kelp processing. With more than 145km of picturesque coastline and abundant natural attractions, King Island is an idyllic holiday destination.

History of King Island: The first European thought to have discovered this island was Capt James Black. He named it after Phillip King, the Governor of New South Wales in 1801. There were once thriving fur seal and sea-lion colonies but these have suffered from extensive sealing and hunting in the past.