Three Hummock Island, Australia
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For many centuries the island was a summer subsistence place for aborigines
of the north west tribe who gained access by swimming from adjoining Hunter
Island across five kilometres of racing tides.
Its European discoverers were Bass and Flinders who named the island
in 1798. More explorers, shipwrecked mariners and sailors followed.
Guiseppe Garibaldi, the famous uniter of Italy, landed on the island in
1852 and left us with this accolade:
“O desert island of the Hunter Group – how many times have you pleasantly
excited my imagination. When tired of this civilized society, so full of tyrants
and gendarmes, I have often transported myself in my imagination into your
gracious bosom where landing, for the first time, I was received by a flock of
very beautiful partridges and where among ancient plants with tall trunks the
most limpid and poetic rivulet was murmuring at which we quenched our thirst
with great pleasure.”
By the 1890s, the Burgess family was so well established that they were
building sizeable ships at Chimney Corner, the protected cove on the island’s
Southwest coast. In 1951, the Alliston family, made their home on the island. In
1965, Eleanor Alliston wrote Escape to an Island, her classic description of
island life. In 1978 the majority of the 7,400 hectares was declared a Nature
Reserve.
Lodging
Eagle Hill Lodge: 2 bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, large sitting
room with beds for 2 to 3. Ocean views and private beach. The lodge sleeps 10,
with single and double beds available.
Retreats
Self-Directed Retreats and Guided Retreats
Individuals, couples, friends, or families: The Island is a haven
destination for rejuvenation. Walk in nature, pursue your own thoughts, read,
rest. You can unwind while walking the beaches or the many bush tracks. There is
surfing, snorkelling, bird watching and hiking. 4-Wheel-drive tours are
available.
Groups: The island is an ideal venue for special interest groups including
bird watchers, naturalists, artists, photographers, writers, meditators,
healers. The Island’s natural beauty, isolation, quiet, animals, scenery,
beaches, and forests create a perfect setting for individual or family retreats,
vacations, or getaways.
Guided 4-Day Retreats
The program for the retreat will be based on your own desire for the
regeneration of your nature through Nature. We provide the environment and the
additional resources.
Retreat Offerings:
- Jungian dreamwork (individual sessions available)
- Healthy eating information
- Tibetan longevity yoga
- Guided hikes
- Vehicle tours
- Quiet time, walking, being with nature and yourself
Nature and Environment
In the open areas, Tasmanian Forester Kangaroos graze fearlessly in
family groups and can be readily observed in a way unique to Tasmania.
Distinctive Cape Barren Geese wander and feed among the Kangaroos, as do purple
swamp hens.
Bird Watching
Over 90 species of birds have been recorded on the Island. Wild ducks,
black swans and eagles frequent the small lakes behind the sand dunes which line
the beaches. A wide variety of sea birds can be seen around the coast including
international visitors that come to the island to breed. Shearwaters (Moonbirds)
are a spectacular sight as they return in thousands to their rookeries at dusk
during summer. Penguins can be observed making their nightly trip up the beach
to their nests.
Location / Getting There
Three Hummock Island lies off the northwest tip of Tasmania in the Bass
Strait in the path of the “Roaring Forties”.
It’s a magical place of granite coastlines, private coves, sweeping beaches,
and surprising diversity. Naturalist, E.D. Atkinson, the first European to scale
its highest hummock in 1889, noted “...we found the view from this culminating
point of the group one of exceeding beauty. At our feet lay stretched a
miniature continent, with its mountains, plains, forest, lakes and bays. I have
often seen greater distances from higher altitudes but never a prettier or more
comprehensive view than this.”
The Island is 15 miles from the Baseline Clean Air Station for the world at
Cape Grim. The area is one of the purest, non-toxic, environments on the planet.
Air, water, and beaches remain unsullied. Three Hummock Island is pesticide
free.
Transportation
Access from Tasmania is via Burnie-Wynyard, with 35 minute air charter
flights. Plane capacities are 3 or 5 passengers.
Access from Victoria, Australia, is also air charter from Morrabbin and other
airports, with flying time about one hour. The planes hold 4 to 9 passengers.
Boat Service from Smithton: Circular Head Marine, Proprietor Capt. Kerry
Edwards, takes 5 passengers
Price: From $455 AUD per week
Size: 9999 Acres
Location: Off the northwest tip of Tasmania in the Bass Strait,
Tasmania, Australia
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