Ben Backhaus took a resource that’s all around us on this island – nearly as ubiquitous as the gulls and the geese – and turned it into a business and a life. Kunzia, a humble shrub that’s everywhere on Flinders, yields a potent medicinal oil with an endless array of uses, including in our bathroom products. But it’s the story of Ben’s wonderfully eccentric father that will captivate you here.

Ben has a way of making people look twice at what is growing underfoot.

Driven by a passion for native botanicals and the landscapes they call home, Ben has built a career around exploring the potential of Flinders Island’s natural environment. His work combines innovation with deep respect for the island’s climate, rugged terrain and native species, revealing how much possibility can be found in places others might pass by.

That sense of close attention shapes every experience he shares through Outscape. With Ben, a patch of scrub, a scent on the wind or a plant underfoot can shift the way guests see the whole island. His enthusiasm is infectious, not because it is polished, but because it is genuine. He encourages visitors to look a little closer and notice the quiet abundance of the place.

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