Maria Island Walk

An island walk like no other

A short boat ride from Tasmania’s east coast, pristine Maria Island is a haven of untouched beaches, secluded coves and striking mountains. The whole island is a National Park – home to wallabies, wombats, kangaroos, fairy penguins, the Cape Barren goose and several other rare and unusual bird species. The island, which is 19 kilometres long and 13 kilometres wide, is also a refuge for marine life including dolphins and whales.

This four day guided walk follows secluded beaches and bays along the Maria Island coastline before heading inland through forests to the world-class Fossil Cliffs and the convict settlement at Darlington. Accommodation is provided in beachfront wilderness camps for the first two nights and heritage-listed Bernacchi House for the final night.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Departing from Hobart’s Salamanca Arts Centre, head eastwards through rolling countryside to Triabunna, where you will board your charter boat and cross the sparkling waters of the Mercury Passage to Maria Island. After an alfresco lunch, choose to visit Haunted Bay with its dramatic granite outcrops or just leisurely make your way along the beautiful beaches to Casuarina Beach Camp (3kms / 2 hours or 12kms / 4 hours with Haunted Bay).

Day 2

This is ‘five beaches day’! Walk across the isthmus to Shoal Bay where a string of five dazzling beaches will unfold before you (13kms / 6 hours).

Day 3

Head inland, away from the stunning clear blue waters into the rich greens of the forest today. Gaze in awe at the giant Tasmanian blue gums, meander through the forest and enjoy lunch at the Painted Cliffs with their extraordinary rock pools. If you are feeling energetic, climb to the summit of Mt Maria or Bishop and Clerk for breathtaking views. Explore the restored convict settlement of Darlington before enjoying a sumptuous banquet in historic Bernacchi House, your accommodation for this final night (8kms / 4 hours or 15kms / 7 hours with summit climb).

Day 4

A leisurely morning to explore this convict settlement (which pre-dates Port Arthur). Savour a Champagne lunch overlooking the Freycinet Peninsula before boarding the ferry back to Triabunna (from where you will then return to Hobart).