Caroline Kininmonth: Devils Gap Retreat
October 17th, 2011 | 
Author: Caroline Kininmonth: A King Island Wonder
by Roger Findlay
Caroline Kininmonth: thank you for giving Roger permission to
submit this article. We are all keen to visit King Island to meet you!
On our first visit to King Island we were sitting in the small departure lounge at Moorabbin airport when an eye-catching lady arrived with half fastened bags containing anything you could imagine for the purpose of art and craft (visualise Patsy & Eddie of Ab Fab returning from a shopping trip in Paris)!
King Island Artwork is displayed at the Pottery Shed
She was welcomed by the guy at the check-in and by those travelling on the small plane. Their conversation clearly indicated that she was an islander returning home after a short stay on mainland Australia.
The Pottery: the Lights Are On, but Nobody’s Home!
The following day, a Monday, I discovered that I had failed to pack underpants and also found the only clothes shop in Currie to be closed! We made our way down the street, past the post office, and came across a brightly painted shed that resembled an album sleeve from the era of the Moody Blues.
The brightly coloured Pottery Shed in Currie, King Island Tasmania
The door to The Pottery was closed but not locked. A small hand written sign begged us to enter and, once inside, another note invited us to help ourselves to tea, coffee and biscuits as well as the use of the stove for heating tinned food from the cupboard.
Caroline Kininmonth shares her King Island Pottery Shed with visitors
We looked around and had a cup of tea while waiting for the owner to arrive. Nobody showed so, to be polite, we left a note saying that we had visited and that we would return the following day.
Roger waits patiently for the return of Caroline Kininmonth to the Pottery Shed
The Thunder Stone!
On arrival the next day, we again found the gallery unattended and again we helped ourselves to refreshments. A few minutes passed before a ute pulled up outside the door and we were not too surprised when the lady from our flight got out.
The absolutely fabulous Caroline Kininmonth, at home on King Island
Through the window, we could see that she was in a frenzy of excitement and a gentleman was lifting a large stone from the back of the ute. Crash, smash, bang! The stone fell to the ground from the man’s intentionally careful hands.
Undeterred, the lady proceeded to pick-up the major pieces before entering the gallery. For the next few minutes we became her helper and before introductions she told us the story of the newly acquired (now broken) Thunder Stone!
Caroline Kininmonth… that’s her name. Her art speaks for itself but there is so much more to this fabulous lady. She seems unconcerned about selling her works and prefers to promote King Island as a place that could operate entirely on an honesty system.
Caroline Kininmonth promotes an honest system at her King Island Pottery Shed
King Island Boat House
Several years ago, Caroline decided to renovate a derelict boat shed that sits perched on the edge of Currie harbour. It became known as the restaurant with no food and operated on the basis of honesty where patrons prepared their own food inside the fully equipped facility.
Just before we visited in 2009, the Boat House restaurant had been gutted by a fire. Arson was suspected and Caroline became resolute in her intentions to re-build.
Caroline Kininmonth has rebuilt the Boat House Restaurant on King Island
In recent correspondence, Caroline was excited to tell me that the Boat House is re-built and operational and is better than before. She also informs me that “the Island plods along in it’s wild Bass Strait way”!
Visit Caroline Kininmonth: Devils Gap Retreat
Anyone needing accommodation for their visit to King Island should take a look at the Devils Gap Retreat where Caroline Kininmonth will make you feel so welcome in her own Bass Strait way.
It should be noted that art works shown are
not necessarily those of Caroline Kininmonth.
Map: Currie, King Island Tasmania…
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Oh the day you forgot your undies!!! I remember hearing this story on the phone at work, and laughing a lot about it!!
Caroline looks lovely, and very interesting. The people you meet on your travels add to so much richness to your life.
Great story!
Stories that involve Roger’s underpants are probably a bit out of my comfort zone, Carly! He never said what he did when he couldn’t buy new ones at the only clothes shop in Currie. Wore Jeanette’s maybe?
The day Rog forgot his undies was very funny for me but embarrassing for him. To see his face was priceless and I had the best laugh in years.
Great article though Rog and I can’t wait to get back to King Island and meet Caroline again.