Killiecrankie to Old Man’s Head & Stacky’s Bight
- August 24, 2026
A demanding loop over Mount Killiecrankie to the remote Stacky's Bight and Old Man's Head rock formation.
The Wybalenna Historic Site and Settlement Point Walk combines one of Tasmania’s most significant Aboriginal cultural sites with a gentle walk through the open landscapes of Flinders Island. Located on the western side of the island, Wybalenna is an important place of reflection, remembrance and learning, while the surrounding area provides peaceful rural and coastal scenery. The walk around Wybalenna and towards Settlement Point is relatively easy, making it suitable for most visitors. Rather than being a strenuous bushwalk, this is a place to slow down, explore the historic precinct and appreciate the stories connected with the Aboriginal people who were forcibly removed to Wybalenna during the nineteenth century.
| Location | Wybalenna Historic Site, Flinders Island, Tasmania |
| Distance | Short walk around the historic site and surrounding area |
| Time | Allow approximately 1–2 hours to explore the site properly |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Track Type | Short return and exploratory walking around the historic precinct |
| Track Surface | Grass, formed paths and generally level ground |
| Best Time | Year-round in suitable weather |
| Suitable for Children | Yes – particularly suitable as an educational visit |
| National Park Pass | Not required |
Wybalenna is one of the most historically important places on Flinders Island. During the 1830s, Aboriginal people from mainland Tasmania were forcibly removed from their traditional lands and taken to the settlement at Wybalenna. The settlement was presented by colonial authorities as a place of protection and Christianisation, but conditions were poor and the Aboriginal people held there suffered enormously from disease, loss of country, cultural disruption and confinement. Today, Wybalenna remains a place of deep significance to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community and should be visited with respect and sensitivity.
One of the most prominent surviving buildings at Wybalenna is the historic chapel. Built during the settlement period, it is one of the few remaining structures associated with the nineteenth-century Aboriginal establishment. The simple stone building stands as a powerful reminder of the people who lived at Wybalenna and the broader history of Aboriginal dispossession in Tasmania. Visitors should treat the chapel and surrounding grounds as a cultural and memorial site rather than simply as a tourist attraction.
The broader Wybalenna area extends towards Settlement Point, where the open landscape provides views across the surrounding country and coastline. Walking through the area gives visitors a sense of the isolation experienced by the Aboriginal people who were removed to Flinders Island. The peaceful landscape today contrasts strongly with the difficult history associated with the settlement.
The walking around Wybalenna is generally easy and relatively level. Most of the historic precinct can be explored using formed paths, grassy areas and short tracks. This is not a rugged bushwalking destination, and there are no significant climbs or technically difficult sections. The main purpose of the visit is to explore the historic site and surrounding landscape rather than complete a challenging walk.
The Wybalenna Historic Site is suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Visitors can adjust the amount of walking depending on how much of the surrounding area they wish to explore. Allow plenty of time to stop, read interpretation and reflect on the history rather than rushing through the site.
The surviving chapel is the best-known physical reminder of the nineteenth-century settlement. Its simple stone construction and isolated setting make it one of the most memorable buildings on Flinders Island.
The most important aspect of visiting Wybalenna is learning about the experiences of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people who were forcibly relocated to Flinders Island. The site provides an opportunity to better understand a difficult and important chapter of Tasmania’s history.
The surrounding landscape is quiet and spacious, with broad views across farmland, low hills and the Flinders Island countryside. The sense of isolation is an important part of understanding the location and its historical context. Top Tip: Allow more time than you would for an ordinary short walk. Wybalenna is a place where reading the interpretation and understanding the history is just as important as the physical walk itself.
Wybalenna is not simply a collection of old buildings. It is a place of continuing cultural significance to Tasmania’s Aboriginal community. Visitors should behave respectfully, stay within designated visitor areas and avoid disturbing graves, archaeological material or other culturally significant places. Photography should also be approached respectfully, particularly around memorial and burial areas.
Yes. The walking itself is easy and the site can provide an important educational experience for older children. Parents may wish to explain some of the history before visiting, as the story of Wybalenna involves forced removal, dispossession, disease and death. Children should be encouraged to treat the site quietly and respectfully.
Because Wybalenna is a culturally significant historic site, visitors travelling with dogs should check current access conditions before arrival. Even where dogs may be allowed in surrounding areas, they should not be permitted to disturb cultural sites, graves or wildlife.
Wybalenna Historic Site is located in the central-western part of Flinders Island. From Whitemark, follow the island’s road network north towards Emita and Wybalenna. The drive takes approximately 20–30 minutes, depending on your starting point and road conditions. The route is signposted, and parking is available near the historic precinct.
Visitor facilities at Wybalenna are relatively basic, so it is best to arrive prepared.
Facilities and features may include:
Carry your own drinking water and other essentials.
Wybalenna is easy to combine with several other attractions and walks on the northern half of Flinders Island. Nearby options include the Castle Rock Walk, Killiecrankie Bay, Stacky’s Bight and the northern beaches around Palana. This makes Wybalenna a worthwhile cultural stop between longer coastal walks.
Wybalenna is very different from the beaches, granite mountains and coastal walks that attract many visitors to Flinders Island. Its importance lies in the stories connected to the place and the opportunity to better understand the experiences of Tasmania’s Aboriginal people during the colonial period.The walking is easy, but the history is profound. For anyone interested in understanding Flinders Island beyond its scenery, Wybalenna is one of the most important places to visit.
A demanding loop over Mount Killiecrankie to the remote Stacky's Bight and Old Man's Head rock formation.
An easy coastal walk between granite headlands, with Mount Strzelecki as a backdrop.
