Day 1 (L,D) HOME, FLINDERS ISLAND
Meeting at the designated AAH departure lounge for departures from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, we board our comfort plus Fokker 50 charter aircraft for our flight to Flinders Island. Morning refreshments are served by the cabin crew as we fly. Brisbane departures enjoy lunch at Merrimbula on the NSW south coast while we refuel. 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, with time to stroll in the village and enjoy an afternoon cuppa, 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 ensuited rooms at the 1911 Whitemark Interstate Hotel, 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, safe, sheltered swimming beaches 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. Illness and home sickness caused the tragic loss of most inhabitants. Later the few remaining Aborigines moved to Oyster Cove in southern Tasmania. The chapel, restored by the National Trust, is the only remaining building. Our guide will briefly give some details of this tragedy. 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. You may find an attractive “diamond” on the beach. 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 Fokker 50 awaits for the flight of approximately 1 hour to King Island. We depart Flinders Island for King Island flying over Franklin Sound and Cape Barron Island, location of the first settlement south of Sydney. On a clear day, view the wreck of the Farsund in Franklin Pass on route to King Island, 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, home to an usually high steel lighthouse prefabricated in England in 312 pieces and completed in four years in 1879. 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, visit the award-winning King Island Dairy – taste the large variety of tempting cheeses, purchase if you wish. 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. We land at Essendon Airport and, following a quick refuelling, our flight continues to Adelaide, Sydney or Brisbane to conclude a first class weekend in the less visited Bass Strait Islands.