Flinders Island, Australia Cruises

Flinders Island, Australia Cruise Port

Located within the Bass Strait slightly to the northeast of mainland Tasmania, Flinders Island is a 528 square mile island. Officially part of Tasmania, it is the largest island in the Furneaux Island Group. These 100+ islands on the eastern end of the Bass Strait were first discovered by the Europeans in the late 18^th century and today contain five settlements, all on Flinders Island which also serves as the islands’ administrative center. Today, the island’s population is on the rise with around 900 people, many of whom are descendants of the European settlers since the aboriginal people were relocated in the early 19^th century, never to return. There are two Important Bird Areas (IBA) on the island, one in central Flinders and the other to the east. The eastern site is much larger with room for numerous species to live and nest, while the central site contains more endangered species.

• The Central Flinders Island Important Bird Area has three breeding colonies for the endangered forty-spotted pardalote. It also protects several of Tasmania’s endemic bird species.
   
• The Eastern Flingers IBA is special because it contains over one percent of the entire world’s population of pied and sooty oystercatchers, along with the chestnut teal.
   
• Strzelecki National Park is a grand plot of land with a pristine forest filled with unique specimens of flora and fauna.
   
• Castle Rock is actually a field of many small rocks surrounding one gigantic boulder. The oceanside scenery, including the rocks themselves, is a sight to behold either under the sun or the moon.