Shipwreck, Lighthouse History Trail

“We take you were other can’t”
4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS - 4WD GUIDED EXPERIENCE - view images

Coastal experiences that will see you step back in time! You will be met by your local guide, Ian Johnson, who has more than an insight to the shipwrecks of King Island.  He has dived on many of the wreck sights.  He has also sailed on the Endeavour replica from King Island across Bass Strait through Banks Straight into Port Arthur and up the Derwent River to Constitution Dock.  He was part of the crew and assigned to the Mizzenmast.

DAY ONE: The first day will see you step of the plane and straight into your discovery tour taking in the wreck site of the British Admiral in 1874.  At the Can find out what good came out of the ship wreck for William Hickmott.  Depending on the tide we journey along the beach to the memorial plaque to pay our respects to those that went to their watery grave. From there to the Netherby,  Blencathra and to the Currie Lighthouse which was a pre fabricated  construction in 312 separate pieces which was assembled onsite as it stands today.  This Lighthouse will share some amazing stories with you.  A short walk from there will see us at a focal point of History, the Museum which has designated rooms assigned to the ship wreak history.  From there we make our way to our accommodation with King Island Holiday Village. This evening meal will be at one of King Island's Restaurants.

DAY TWO: After breakfast we travel south through private property for the large part of today’s journey, hugging the coastline. Our first wreck site, The Southern Cross, 256 tonnes built 1891 as a steam Yacht Sunk 1920.  From there we make our way through some picturesque scenery onto the wreck of Carnarvon Bay, Steel full Rigged Ship built Scotland 1894.  Lost 1910.  From here depending on time we will visit the incredible formation of the Calcified forest and view Seal Rocks , a rugged piece of coastline that can’t help you conger up all the sorrow  for the poor souls that perished along the west coast of King Island . From here we travel to the wreck of the Cataraqui 1845, Australia’s worst maritime, peacetime disaster still today.  We will wonder this part of the coastline and ponder the huge losses of life when you consider she was only 100 yards of shore.  We will discuss the burial sites of those poor souls and leave this terrible place of disaster with some insight into that tragic day.  Returning to our accommodation tonight’s meal is a Pioneer Dinner.

DAY THREE: Sees us journey up the Bicentennial road on route to the tallest Lighthouse in the Southern Hemisphere which will give us a broad brush picture of our Lighthouse, early settlement and the ship wreck history in this area.  A place to reflect and take photo’s for your memorabilia.  From here we visit a place of interest, the smallest suspended lake in the world and on to Martha Lovinia Beach, another wreck site and  more often than not a beach to be marvelled at for its great wave action.  Depending on time we may take a detour from our schedule, a little of the beaten track to break for our lunch.  From here a short journey will see us arrive at Yellow Rock, the wreak site of the Shannon .  We will leave our vehicle and take a well constructed walk over sand dunes where we also get to look out over Yellow Rock River on to the rolling pastures of farm land.  In reaching the wreck I will explain how it ended up here and the history of where it  came from.  From here we visit Whistlers Point and Disappointment Bay From here we will have a better insight into the wreck of the Whistler and Maypo, both total wrecks within 2 hours of each other.  From here reflecting on our days excursion we head for home.  Dinner tonight is a farewell King Island BBQ.

DAY FOUR: We journey to a picturesque Bay where a bad storm ended up being a good luck story for a bunch of Gold diggers. From this site we travel to Naracoopa, that unfolds many stories in our shipwreck history.  In fact it could have easily been that your guide today would have been speaking to you in French if it wasn’t for a quick thinking British Captain Lt. Charles Robbins in the Cumberland claimed King's Island as a British possession right under the nose of the French Explore Captain Baudins.  Also we learn about the fate of the Bronzewing on her maiden voyage.  From here we journey to the famous King Island Cheese factory for your cheese tasting and purchasing prior to your departure.

Cost Per Person: $ 1676.00

Inclusions:

• Return Airfare from Melbourne
• 4 Day fully guided & hosted 4WD touring.
• 3 nights accommodation at King Island Motel based on twin share and private facilities
• Continental Breakfast Daily
• 2 Dinners
• 2 Lunches
• 2 Morning Teas
• 1 Afternoon Tea

Minimum 4 – Maximum 12 People per departure
* This tour is conducted in a 4WD vehicle for your comfort and access to some of the wreck sites*

For more information, or to book this tour please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it