Austevoll - Verdt å sjå

Bekkjarvik
A bustling trading and seafaring community rich in tradition, featuring Bekkjarvik Guesthouse, shopping centre, post office, net hanging facility, sheltered marina berths for visitors and a beach for bathing. Every summer, the old net hanging shed plays host to celebrations of coastal culture including veteran boat visits. The shopping centre has been carefully adapted to the old sea houses and there are many traces of times past when herring was salted, barrels were made, fishing boats were kitted out and fishing gear was maintained and repaired.

Storebø
Municipal centre featuring a large fishing harbour, shopping centre, restaurant, marina berths for visitors, swimming beach and outdoor recreational area. There is a doctos surgery, a bank, shop, post office and church. The harbour environment features fishing boats and cargo boats for the local fishing industry, which is one of Norway´s largest for salmon, herring and mackerel.

Coastal culture
Austevoll is a lively and thriving coastal municipality which generates great wealth from fisheries, fish farming, industry and offshore activities. Coastal culture includes both the old and the new and Austevoll offers a great deal of both. There are fine boat houses and harbours, splendid seahouses for equipping fishing boats, all kinds of boats, smallholdings, coastal scenery, fishing, beacons and a lot more to take in from the open road or from the sea in your own boat or as a passenger on a car ferry or fast ferry.

Marstein lighthouse
Well-known landmark at the seaward approach to the Korsfjorden fjord and Bergen. The lighthouse is unmanned, but visits can be arranged by advance agreement. Mooring conditions are poor. Access by helicopter. Contact Fonnafly.

Wild sheep
The wild sheep at Austevoll are an old Norse breed which has lived along the Norwegian coast for more than a thousand years. The wild sheep are not really ”wild”, but are managed as part of agriculture. The wild sheep stay out all year and are a feature of the forests and hills of heather. The wild sheep are herded twice a year for shearing and for the selection of animals to be sent to the abattoirs. Wild sheep meat is different from other sheep's both in terms of taste and quality. The wild sheep has a stronger flavour and is more like game. You can see the wild sheep grazing along the road in the South West on Huftarøy Island or along the walking trails. Please see Villsaulaget Vest (the western wild sheep co-operative website) for more information.

Hufthamartunet farm
Hufthamartunet is an old farmyard situated right by the ferry quay in Hufthamar. The oldest house dates from the 1600s. The last permanent residents moved out in 1970 and the farm complex is now maintained as a rural museum and is open for tours and several cultural events in the summer. Click here for more information.

"Out to the sea"
Do you feel the pull of the open ocean, the skerries, the wind, the taste of salt, seagulls crying, waves lapping against the shore? These are all around you in Austevoll! By car across the bridges or by boat you can go west towards the sea to experience these things, free of charge and all year round and the experience will be just as intense every time! You can choose a calm day or a rough day and combine your trip with a visit to the fisheries exhibition in Bakkasund or a walk along the marked trails which are part of the North Sea trail.

The Pilot’s cottage in Kalve, in Bakkasund, right by the North Sea trail
I In the old days the harbour pilot had to keep a lookout for arriving boats and ask if they needed a pilot on board. The pilot’s cottage is a small building in Kalve with a great view of the sea. The cottage has been renovated and access is by masonry steps.

Kolbeinshamn
Old trading post featuring a proper old-fashioned general store, a café and a large visitors’ marina for berthing and accommodation. Good harbour. See www.kolbeinshamn.no for more information

Stolmen
Austevoll was one of the first places where the ice melted about 10, 000 years ago. There have been many finds in Stolmen confirming that the first hunter gatherers settled here in this island kingdom. Birdlife is rich and there are many good fishing spots around the island. Anyone is free to roam the countryside outside farmland and gardens, and camping is permitted.

Kvalvåg, Stolmen
A distinctive old trading post and fishing harbour with an interesting boat house environment, church and cafe. The passenger ferry does not stop there anymore, but the pier and the area is in good condition. There are summer events celebrating coastal culture every year. Good and sheltered harbour.

German radar and radio receiver installation
The Germans built a radar facility and radio receiver on Stolmen for keeping an eye and an ear on the traffic during World War II. The installation ruins give us an impression of what went on there. The facility is situated along the North Sea trail.

The bridge experience
Austevoll is an island community and bridges are very important in keeping the municipality united. In fact, the bridges are an interesting feature of the landscape in themselves. Stop off next time, and bring a fishing rod and swimsuit. The sea is not far away! See also www.vegvesen.no

Birdlife/Hills of heather
Austevoll supports a rich bird life. Find more information on www.bof.no