Maria Island National Park

Maria Island is a special place, rewarding those that visit with World Heritage convict history, rare and endangered wildlife, spectacular coastal cliffs, remarkable geology, and white sandy beaches.  Maria Island is a stunning island National Park, an island, off an island, off an island!

It’s hard to put the magic of Maria Island into words.  Just an hour’s drive east from Hobart plus a 30 minute ferry ride, this otherworldly island keeps its own time, far from the demands of modern life.

As soon as you step off the boat you’ll notice the quietness, the wildness, the sense of history. There are no vehicles here but plenty of traffic.  Maria Island is a haven for wildlife, home to wombats, wallabies, Cape Barren Geese and Tasmanian Devils, this is one of the best places in Australia for viewing these special animals in the wild. The island is also home to all Tasmania’s endemic birds including one of Australia’s rarest and smallest birds the endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote which has only five remaining population groups, of which Maria island is the largest remaining stronghold.

Walk with us to the Painted Cliffs, an easy 4.5 km round trip.  The walk to the Painted Cliffs is gentle, mostly flat and leads us to Hopground Beach with the Painted Cliffs at the far end. We have plenty of time to explore the cliffs, photograph the unique sandstone formations, and discover the many rock pools and beautiful nature in the area.

Maria Island has a fascinating history, which our tour guides will share with you as we walk the trails. Many cultures have once been to the island, including the Tyreddeme Aboriginals, Dutch, English, French and Italians. The island has been home to explorers, whalers, sealers, convicts, fishermen, farmers and industrialists. The World Heritage listed Darlington settlement is beautifully preserved probation convict camp that’s consider the best in the world and pre-dates the more widely known Port Arthur.  

We finish with the Fossil Cliffs walk, another easy grade, 4.5km circuit, we traverse the western side of the island over windswept hills to discover the cliffs of 300 million year old fossils.  The prolific fossils visible at the base of the Fossil Cliffs drew David Attenborough to the island. 

This is a tour for the active traveller who is keen to walk and enjoy this unique island.  

Join us on this day of discovery rich in environmental and cultural history, the perfect island playground for an adventurous day out.

Important Note:  Maria Island is a special, beautiful and wild island National Park accessible by boat.  There are no cars, shops, electricity, charging stations for devices etc. on the island.  Facilities are limited.  Please ensure you are able to carry everything you will need for the day.  You will need a day pack to carry warm clothing as necessary.  A jacket suitable for walking in light rain conditions.  Equally, you will need adequate sun protection should it be a warm sunny day. Please ensure you have a large water bottle.  You will have an opportunity to purchase lunch/sandwiches in the morning, but we recommend you buy your snacks prior to the day if you prefer a wider choice or have special dietary requirements to consider.  Please ensure you wear comfortable footwear for walking.  The walking on Maria Island is graded as easy walking.  However, we are on the island for around 5 hours, with around 10 km’s of walking trails to explore.  Please ensure your clothing and footwear is adequate for this type of activity in the great outdoors.  There is time to swim and relax should you choose to.

Highlights

• Explore Maria Island National Park (5-6hrs)
• Watch for Dolphins & Whales on the ferry journey (30 mins each way)
• Walk to amazing “Painted Cliffs” and wander amongst the unusual rock formation
• Enjoy spectacular views as we walk to the “Fossil Cliffs”
• Explore and discover the geological history amongst the exposed fossils  
• Discover the convict history at the Darlington World Heritage convict site
• Be amazed at the abundant wildlife enjoying life on their amazing island
• Relax and take in all the stunning secluded bays and beaches in this paradise setting

Inclusions

• National Park fees
• Return Ferry fees
• Friendly and knowledgeable tour guides
• Informative tours and guided walks
• A small group limit of 20 people per tour
• Pick-up and drop off from selected hotels

Exclusions

• Meals, Snacks, Drinks - There are no shops on Maria, and limited drinking water, so make sure you bring enough food and a large refillable water bottle for your day out.  There will be a brief stop on the way to the Ferry for some last minute food purchases - sandwiches/rolls etc.  There is coffee and snacks available on the ferry, just nothing on the island itself.  

• Airport drop offs not available

What to bring/wear

• A day pack
• Refillable water bottle
• Closed, sturdy shoes for walking (runners, sneakers, hiking boots)
• Sensible clothes for outdoor conditions (warm layers are a great idea)
• A waterproof jacket, just in case
• A sunhat and beanie
• Sense of adventure!

Special considerations

Our tours are active and visit National Parks and wild areas that involve some walking. We focus on the great short walks of Tasmania.  Although most of the walks are classified as easy, a suitable level of general health & fitness and physical abilities is essential.  All tour participants will be participating in outdoor, active activities and therefore subject to the outdoor weather conditions of the day.

We educate all our guests on Minimal Impact Bushwalking and the Leave No Trace policy’s before entering our National Parks. We provide accurate interpretation and keep wildlife disturbance to a minimum by viewing from appropriate distances and informing our guests how to view wildlife with patience and respect. Activities are always confined to tracks and boardwalks to minimise negative impacts.