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