Wybalenna Historic Site & Settlement Point Walk
- August 25, 2026
An easy, reflective walk around the historic Wybalenna settlement and chapel on Flinders Island.
The Killiecrankie to Old Man’s Head and Stacky’s Bight Walk is a spectacular coastal adventure on the north-western side of Flinders Island. Beginning at beautiful Killiecrankie Bay, the route follows the beach and rocky shoreline towards secluded Stacky’s Bight, beneath the enormous granite formation known as Old Man’s Head. Along the way, walkers encounter white sandy beaches, weathered granite boulders, rocky coastal platforms, fascinating geology and opportunities to search for the famous Killiecrankie diamonds – clear topaz crystals for which the area is well known. Stacky’s Bight provides a particularly memorable destination, with its small beaches, dramatic rock formations and distinctive natural arch.
| Location | Killiecrankie, north-west Flinders Island, Tasmania |
| Distance | Approximately 7–8 km return |
| Time | Approximately 3–4 hours return |
| Difficulty | Medium – approximately Grade 3 |
| Track Type | Return coastal walk |
| Track Surface | Beach sand, rocky shoreline, coastal track and rock platforms |
| Start | Killiecrankie Beach / Killiecrankie boat ramp |
| Destination | Stacky’s Bight beneath Old Man’s Head |
| Best Time | Low tide and settled weather |
| Suitable for Children | Best suited to active older children with bushwalking experience |
| Facilities | Basic facilities available around Killiecrankie; none along the walk |
The walk begins at the Killiecrankie boat ramp and initially follows the beautiful sweep of Killiecrankie Bay. The combination of pale sand, clear water and the huge granite slopes of Mount Killiecrankie immediately makes this one of the most scenic coastal walks on the island. Beyond the beach, the route continues along a more rugged rocky shoreline towards Diamond Gully and Stacky’s Bight. This section introduces some of the fascinating geology for which northern Flinders Island is known. The destination is Stacky’s Bight, a small and remarkably picturesque bay lying beneath the huge granite tor of Old Man’s Head.
The route combines beach walking with rocky coastal terrain. The first section along Killiecrankie Bay is relatively straightforward, but the coastline becomes progressively rougher as you approach Stacky’s Bight. From the end of the main beach, walkers follow the rocky shoreline for around 700 metres. Some sections require careful footing and can become hazardous when wet. The walk is therefore best attempted during settled weather and around low tide, when negotiating the shoreline is generally easier.
The walk is best regarded as a medium coastal walk. There are no major sustained climbs, but the rocky shoreline makes it considerably more demanding than an ordinary beach walk. The Furneaux GeoTrail recommends allowing around 3–4 hours for the approximately 7–8 kilometre return journey. Good footwear is strongly recommended, particularly for the rocky sections between Killiecrankie Beach and Stacky’s Bight.
The walk begins beside one of Flinders Island’s classic beaches. Killiecrankie Bay is surrounded by granite mountains and rocky headlands, with a long sweep of sand providing an impressive start to the walk. The bay is also famous for the semi-precious topaz crystals traditionally known as Killiecrankie diamonds.
Old Man’s Head is one of the most distinctive granite formations on northern Flinders Island. The enormous weathered tor rises above the coastline on the western slopes of Mount Killiecrankie and dominates the landscape around Stacky’s Bight. Its extraordinary shape is the result of millions of years of weathering and erosion acting on the ancient granite landscape.
Stacky’s Bight is the highlight of the walk. This secluded rocky bay lies at the foot of Old Man’s Head and contains two small beaches surrounded by granite and coastal vegetation. The bay feels wonderfully isolated despite being only a few kilometres from Killiecrankie.
One of the most photographed features is the spectacular natural arch at Stacky’s Bight. Interestingly, the arch is not granite but has formed within much younger calcarenite – ancient wind-blown sand that eventually became cemented into rock. Wind, salt and waves continue to reshape the formation, making Stacky’s Bight an excellent place to appreciate the constantly changing geology of the Flinders Island coastline.
Another unusual feature of the walk is the opportunity to search for Killiecrankie diamonds. Despite the name, these are not diamonds but attractive topaz crystals that occur naturally within the granite country around Mount Killiecrankie. A designated fossicking area is located near Diamond Gully, where material washed from the surrounding granite slopes can contain topaz crystals.
Top Tip: Plan this walk around low tide. The Furneaux GeoTrail specifically recommends low tide because sections of the route follow rocky shoreline and coastal platforms.
This is one of the most geologically interesting coastal walks on Flinders Island. The granite around Mount Killiecrankie formed approximately 390 million years ago and has subsequently been fractured, uplifted and exposed by erosion. These processes have produced the enormous cliffs, rounded boulders and granite tors that characterise the landscape around Old Man’s Head. Closer to Stacky’s Bight, younger calcarenite formations reveal a very different chapter of the island’s history. These rocks began as wind-blown sand dunes before being compacted and cemented into stone.
Yes. More experienced walkers can continue beyond Stacky’s Bight and Old Man’s Head along the coastline towards The Dock. The full coastal traverse between Killiecrankie and The Dock is approximately 6.5–8 kilometres one way, depending on the route used, and generally takes around 3–4 hours one way. This longer walk passes beneath the dramatic cliffs of Mount Killiecrankie and through some of the most spectacular granite coastal scenery on Flinders Island. If completing the walk one way, arrange a vehicle shuttle or pick-up before setting out.
The walk is best suited to active older children who already have some experience walking on natural and rocky tracks. The distance itself is manageable for many families, but the rocky shoreline requires careful footing and may not be suitable for younger children. Children should be closely supervised around rock platforms, water and exposed coastal sections.
The small beaches at Stacky’s Bight can look extremely inviting in calm weather, and the bay is relatively sheltered compared with some of Flinders Island’s more exposed coastline. However, there are no Surf Life Saving patrols at Stacky’s Bight. Anyone considering swimming should carefully assess the conditions before entering the water.
The walk begins at Killiecrankie Beach on the north-western side of Flinders Island. From Whitemark, follow the main road north towards Emita and Killiecrankie, then take the signed turn towards Killiecrankie. Continue to the beach and boat ramp area, where the coastal walk begins. There is no regular public transport on Flinders Island, so visitors generally need their own vehicle or a hire car.
Facilities along the walk itself are extremely limited. Walkers should therefore be self-sufficient and carry everything required for the trip. Basic visitor facilities are available around Killiecrankie, but there are no toilets, drinking-water points or other developed facilities at Stacky’s Bight.
This is one of those Flinders Island walks where the journey is every bit as interesting as the destination. Beginning on beautiful Killiecrankie Beach, the route gradually becomes wilder as it passes granite boulders, rocky platforms and the topaz-bearing country around Diamond Gully. Then comes the reward: Stacky’s Bight beneath the extraordinary granite bulk of Old Man’s Head, complete with secluded beaches and its remarkable natural arch. For walkers who enjoy rugged coastlines, unusual geology and places that still feel genuinely remote, Killiecrankie to Stacky’s Bight is one of the standout coastal walks on Flinders Island.
An easy, reflective walk around the historic Wybalenna settlement and chapel on Flinders Island.
A coastal walk along Marshall Bay to a dramatic granite sea boulder, best at low tide.
An easy coastal walk between granite headlands, with Mount Strzelecki as a backdrop.
