Flinders and its 51 surrounding islands are all that remain of the land bridge that once connected Tasmania to mainland Australia.

This is an island of dramatic and varied landscapes, from the pink and grey granite cliffs of Strzelecki and Killiecrankie to the gentle, green farmland that rolls through the northern part of the island. Flinders is an island of prolific bird life and wildlife. By the eastern lagoons and inlets, thousands of migratory birds rest on their long flights to breeding areas north of the Arctic Circle.

On many nearby islands are the rookeries of the southern hemispheres most numerous bird species, the amazing shearwaters, which make an annual journey of thousands of kilometres to the Arctic circle, then return to exactly the same burrow each year. The islands dense coastal scrub shelters wallabies and wombats. Its an island of friendly locals - take a stroll through the towns of Whitemark and Lady Barron or the little settlements of Emita and Killiecrankie - youll meet people with time to stop and chat.

Its an island with a rich heritage, both sad and boisterous - at Wybalenna, the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, relocated during the 19th century, pined for their homelands.

On offshore islands, rough and ready sealers camped. On hidden reefs, ships foundered and sank.

It s an island of cosy beachside cottages, a couple of local pubs and friendly bed and breakfasts.