KING ISLAND,TAS

King Island, a rugged, windswept beauty in the middle of the Bass Strait, has become foodie shorthand for stunning produce, most famously the rich, creamy cheeses that bear its name. By rights, not much should thrive here, isolated as it is in a constantly churning sea, but King Island’s remove has somehow contributed to its collective determination to make a name for itself on a world stage. And it has succeeded spectacularly: its wares are sought after by chefs and gourmands from Hong Kong to Spain. The best way to sample all the island has to offer at one time is by pulling up a chair at the King Island Long Table Festival (held in April each year), a weekend of farm and produce tours, cooking demonstrations and experiences, culminating in the namesake feast of seasonal dishes and accompanying Tasmanian wines.