Restoration of an historic landing at the base of Tasman Island.  

 April 2019

Tasman Island sits at the end of Cape Pillar on Tasmania’s Tasman Peninsula and is part of the Tasman National Park. It’s a natural fortress featuring 300m high sea cliffs and is notorious for cold, strong south westerly winds. It makes one of the most challenging environments in Tasmania you can fly a helicopter. Osborne Aviation Services have been flying Wildcare – Friends of Tasman Island volunteers out to the island twice a year since 2017.

We were tasked by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to provide helicopter support in the reconstruction of the historic landing platform on the island. All crew from Tasmanian construction firm, AJR Construct were flown out to the island for the duration of the project and all building materials were carefully positioned using a 150ft long line to the base of the cliffs. Construction waste and parts of the old landing were also packed and removed from the island by helicopter.

Work has now been completed and the site has been stabilised to maintain its important historic value. It can be witnessed from above on a 30 minute scenic flight with Osborne Heli Tours or from the water with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys on their Tasman Island Cruise.

How to get on and off Tasman Island. The landing in use back in 1970.

Image courtesy of Lisa Ikin, former Tasman Island lighthouse kid.

The view of Cape Pillar from the base of Tasman Island.

The landing in use back in 1969. The Blade of Cape Pillar looming large in the background.

Photo courtesy Michael Jenner former Tasman Island Keeper.

Re-clad structure that forms part of the Tasman Island landing with bulka bags rigged and ready for removal.