PRE-TOUR JOINING ARRANGEMENTS

Passengers from Canberra fly to Melbourne the day prior to the tour commencing. You will receive transfers to the Citigate Melbourne, 270 Flinders Street (or similar), overnight accommodation and full breakfast (dinner own expense). The Citigate Melbourne is brilliantly positioned in the city centre opposite the historic Flinders Street Station. There is easy access to the beautiful Yarra River, Southgate leisure precinct and Crown Casino. The following morning you will be transferred to Essendon Airport to join the tour.

(Fare includes:  airfare to/from Melbourne, transfer to/from hotel, full breakfast).

Day 1 (L,D) MELBOURNE, FLINDERS ISLAND
Morning refreshments are served by the cabin crew as we fly.  As we approach Flinders Island we descend to fly “low and slow” over Stanley Point and lighthouse, Killiecrankie and along the spectacular west coast to the main town on Flinders Island.  We are welcomed by our local guides who over the next two days join us for a delightful journey of scenic exploration of the island.  We visit nearby Trousers Point with its spectacular orange lichen-covered rocks prior to lunch at Vistas (Brisbane passengers arrive after lunch) and, after a short tour of the town of Whitemark, we head south to the village of Lady Barron and nearby Yellow Beach.  Some time to explore this pristine coastal reserve before continuing to our home for two nights.  Accommodation on Flinders Island is somewhat limited but in providing comfortable “country” accommodation, Australian Air Holidays chooses either modern ensuited cabin style rooms at Lady Barron Tavern at Furneaux or nearby fully equipped holiday house/cottages accommodation.  Dinner tonight at Furneaux Tavern or the Interstate Hotel.

Day 2 (B,L,D) FLINDERS ISLAND
Following a hearty breakfast we visit Emita and Port Davies on route to Wybalenna, site of the settlement of the Tasmanian Aboriginal settlement between 1833 and 1847, when all Tasmanian aboriginals were moved to this site.  The chapel, restored by the National Trust, is the only remaining building.  Morning cuppa today at Allports Beach before visiting the Furneaux Museum.  Today we enjoy a picnic lunch (weather permitting) at the beach at Killiecrankie, home of Killiecrankie “diamonds”, a form of white topaz.  During the afternoon we journey to the northern part of the island to visit Palana, where evidence of WWII surveillance is still visible, North East River and the beautiful Sawyers Beach.  Enjoy afternoon cuppa at Sawyers Beach as we return to our accommodation and dinner.
Day 3 (B,L) FLINDERS ISLAND, KING ISLAND, HOME
Following breakfast we return to the airport where our Metroliner awaits for the flight of approximately one hour to King Island.  We fly over Franklin Sound and Cape Barron Island, location of the first settlement south of Sydney.  King Island is famous for beef and cheese and a favourite fishing destination.  We land close to Currie, the main town, where our local guide and coach awaits.  A short introductory tour of the township of Currie.  A highlight of the weekend is a King Island crayfish lunch (alternatives available).  During the afternoon we learn a little of the kelp industry, spend some time browsing in the town and visit the award-winning King Island Dairy.  Afternoon tea at beautiful Portside Links, view their newly established gallery, the property the former Grassy Golf Course, which closed following the closure of the Scheelite mining operations at Grassy in 1990.  We rejoin our aircraft for the return journey, flying low to Cape Wickham, with its famous lighthouse, 52 metres high, completed in 1861 after the loss of 400 lives on the Cataraqui which followed the loss of convict women and children on the Neva.  We cross Bass Strait detouring to see the spectacular Twelve Apostles and Cape Otway Lighthouse, making a double pass so passengers on both sides of the aircraft can enjoy this iconic landmark.  Enjoy drinks from the bar as we fly.  On arrival at Essendon Airport, Canberra passengers are transferred to Melbourne Airport for flights to their home ports.  So concludes a memorable and most enjoyable Australian Air Holidays visit to Bass Strait Islands.