Crashing waves and unspoiled views, burrowing penguins and total privacy – that is what people can expect from a new tourism venture off Tasmania’s East Coast.
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The owner of Picnic Island is looking for partners for this unique overnight destination, situated about 500 metres off the coast of Coles Bay.
Melbourne planning consultant and former politician Clem Newton-Brown bought the private sandstone island, dotted with penguin and shearwater burrows, about 10 years ago.
He and his family have enjoyed the picturesque location during the past decade, with views of The Hazards, Richardsons Beach and the Coles Bay township. They decided a few years ago to turn it into a tourist destination.
But there is controversy surrounding the development.
Concerns for the birds on the island were raised in 2016, with BirdLife Tasmania withdrawing its support for the project.
The organisation’s convener Dr Eric Woehler said the original proposal for a standing camp and much smaller construction project on the island was changed, which could impact the habitat of penguins and shearwaters.
"We are working through the concerns of BirdLife with amendments to the management plan to address all the issues,” Mr Newton-Brown said. “The birdlife and environment are our star attractions so we certainly intend to ensure that the natural values are protected.”
Dr Woehler sited a number of issues BirdLife Tasmania had with the updated plans, which he said came after the organisation had signed off on the bird management plan.
“Given the scale of constructions on the island that have been built, which are significantly different to what we were shown as planned and proposed in 2009 and on which we based the management plan, we have removed our endorsement of the management plan.”
Glamorgan Spring Bay Council natural resources manager Melanie Kelly said the objective of the project was to revise and update the bird management plan.
“Council hopes that BirdLife Tasmania will be involved in this development in the future, as there is much opportunity for the island to be a place of great learning.”
Picnic Island is now fully set up for tourists, with accommodation for 10 people. It includes two jetties, two swing moorings, generator and solar power, and a desalination plant.
“My family has had some amazing experiences on this island. We now want to share it with others and create an iconic Tasmanian tourism destination,” Mr Newton-Brown said. “The build has been extraordinarily difficult but all the work has now been done and I am looking for a local partner to operate the business either on a long-term lease or a profit-share arrangement.
“I know there are many people out there who are trained in guiding wilderness experiences - this could be a great business opportunity for someone to be part of creating an iconic Tasmanian tourism attraction.”
One of Australia’s best known sculpture artists, Patricia Piccinini, has also become involved in the project, and will be creating environmental works around the island.
“Patricia exhibits her works all over the world - it will be a great coup for Tasmania to have an artist of her calibre with a permanent base to showcase her works in such an incredible setting,” Mr Newton-Brown said.
Access to the island is available through the new water taxi service operated by Freycinet Experiences, and the two jetties on the island provide safe all-weather access.
Mr Newton-Brown, along with family and friends, spent two weeks on the island during the Christmas break.
“We love the connection to the water, the prolific wildlife, and the close proximity to Coles Bay, where we can get to in the tinny. Once you have enjoyed the diving, boating and swimming, when it gets dark, there is a colony of penguins and shearwaters that come home to their burrows. It’s a great place to unwind and spend time just connecting with nature.”
