Remote, rugged, and oddly ignored, King Island—an island off an island—sits in the center of the wild Bass Strait like a sentinel of the Southern Ocean. Battered by wind and climate, it’s lengthy been one thing of an enigma: simple sufficient to attain in beneath an hour, with direct flights from Melbourne and mainland Tasmania, but with remarkably few locations to keep. And there’s loads of cause to go, thanks to a frothy shoreline, wealthy dairy heritage, and extra wallabies than individuals—not to point out three spectacular coastal golf programs, two of that are often ranked amongst the world’s greatest.
For years King Island felt like a vacation spot hiding in plain sight. The turning level got here with the arrival in 2019 of Kittawa Lodge, a few good, one-bedroom luxurious hideaways on the fringe of salt-licked cliffs. In early 2025, Kittawa expanded its footprint with a brand new, two-bedroom retreat that carries the similar signature traits—fireplaces, deep-soaking tubs going through the thrashing ocean, and floor-to-ceiling home windows that routinely draw curious wallabies’ noses to the glass—however with a number of elevated extras, together with an out of doors magnesium scorching tub, a top-shelf wine cellar, and more room to settle in. The island’s even larger information comes in late 2026: Ocean Dunes golf course, ranked one in every of the greatest public programs in the Asia-Pacific, will unveil its new restaurant, clubhouse, and on-course lodge rooms—64 smooth, glass-fronted rooms and suites simply off the first and ninth fairways that may have clean-lined field home windows framing uninterrupted ocean views. Stretching alongside the island’s wild western edge, the course is a sea-sprayed, wind-lashed affair—greatest adopted by a dram of Tasmanian whisky and a plate of native cheese. Don’t miss a spherical at Cape Wickham to the north, or a tasting at King Island Dairy, one in every of Australia’s most iconic producers, which was just lately returned to Australian fingers. By 2026, guests to the manufacturing unit can look ahead to a wider vary of experiences. The cheese retailer will increase, including a wine bar that includes premium Tasmanian wine vintages. Plus, King Island Dairy farms will open its gates for a brand new “farm experience”; company will likely be in a position to witness the cutting-edge automated milking system in motion. Once full, it’s anticipated to be amongst the world’s largest for a pasture-based, free-range dairy herd—providing a uncommon, behind-the-scenes paddock-to-plate expertise. —Chloe Sachdev
Margaret River, Australia
Go for: winery hopping, epic swells, and meals festivals