Maria Island has been described as a Noah’s Ark for Tasmanian wildlife, this tour day is the best tour for enjoying our unique wildlife in their habitat.
Tour Highlights
Travel to Maria Island National Park via ferry.
World Heritage Darlington settlement.
The island is teeming with native wildlife including wombats!
Admire the stunning colour of the Fossil Cliffs
Tour Pricing & Departures
$225
per adult
$215 per child (8 to 15 years)
1 May to 30 September
Departs Hobart 8am
Returns Hobart 5pm
Days: Monday, Wednesday & Fridays
1 October to 30 April
Departs Hobart 6.45am
Returns Hobart 5.00pm
Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Fridays
Maria Island National Park
Active Day Tour
Just one hour’s drive from Hobart to the ferry and 30 minutes across the water, brings us to Maria Island - a stunning island National Park. An island, off an island, off an island!
This is a tour for the active traveller who is keen to walk and enjoy this unique island. There are no cars on Maria Island and the only way across is on the passenger ferry. We have time to cover the main hiking highlights the Painted Cliffs circuit, the Fossil Cliffs circuit, and of course the wildlife, history and amazing scenery.
A nature lover’s delight!
Maria Island has a fascinating history, which our tour guides will share with you as 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. Today the only permanent residents here are the wildlife.
Fossil Cliffs & Painted Cliffs
We enjoy a series of easy walks exploring the history and the natural highlights of the island. Setting out on foot we have 2 main walking trails for the day, covering a total distance of around 10-12 kilometers.
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 features, and discover the many rock pools and beautiful nature in the area.
The Fossil Cliffs walk, takes us to amazing cliffs that drop sheer into the ocean. The views from the top are sensational. You don’t need to be a geological fan, to be fascinated by the sheer abundance of the shell fossils exposed in the cliff face. It offers a fascinating insight into the past environments of Maria Island along with expansive views of the Freycinet Peninsula.
A must for wildlife enthusiasts
The island is a haven for wildlife, and one of the best places in Australia for viewing wombats, Tasmanian Devils, Cape Barren Geese, Kangaroos and Wallabies. The bird life is also an attraction with 125 species including all of Tasmania’s endemics including the endangered Forty-spotted pardalote and Swift parrot.
Even the ferry ride is part of the highlights of the day, the waters we cross are also abundant in sea life, we keep our eyes peeled for dolphins and seals along the way.
While on the island, you have an opportunity to swim, photograph, observe the wildlife, and soak up the island life as Maria works its magic on you.
Join us on this active day of discovery rich in environmental and cultural history, the perfect island playground for an adventurous day out.
01 October – 30 April: “Summer tours”
Operates: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Fridays
To make the most of Tasmania’s long summer days and to beat the crowds, we depart Hobart early. This allows for our full, active walking program, typically covering the Painted Cliffs & Fossil Cliffs circuits, time to explore Darlington, and a relaxed lunch break.
Departs: 6:45 AM (Prompt).
Experience: Full day on the island with our complete walking program
01 May – 30 September: "Winter tours"
Operates: Monday, Wednesday & Fridays
To accommodate Tasmania’s shorter days and cooler temperatures, we run an amended winter itinerary. Time on the island is slightly shorter, and the specific walks completed will depend on the speed and comfort of the group.
Departs: 8:00 AM (Prompt).
Experience: A flexible, guide-led day. Your expert Tour Guide will tailor the day’s options and opportunities to best suit the group and the conditions on the day.
-
Explore Maria Island National Park
Watch for Dolphins & Whales on the ferry journey (30 mins each way)
Walk to amazing “Painted Cliffs” and explore the unusual rock formations
Enjoy spectacular views as we walk to the “Fossil Cliffs”
Discover the geological history amongst the exposed fossils
Walk through the convict history at the Darlington World Heritage convict site
Be amazed at the abundant wildlife enjoying life on their extraordinary island
-
Return ferry to Maria Island
National Parks Fees
Professional Guide and interpreted walks
Limited hotel pick up options
-
Meals, Snacks, Drinks
-
Sensible shoes for walking
A variety of warm clothing, beanie/hat/gloves
Weatherproof jacket if possible
Hat/Sunscreen
Water Bottle, Snacks, Lunch (or buy it on the day)
Sense of adventure
-
Our standard Terms and Conditions are available here.
-
You’ve got questions! We’ve got answers! Most of the usual questions are answered on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
If there’s a question not listed, please feel free to contact us!
An Important Note
Maria Island is a special, beautiful and wild island National Park accessible by boat. There are no cars, shops, 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 wear comfortable footwear for walking, runners/sandshoes/hiking shoes will all suit. The walking on Maria Island is graded as easy-moderate walking. However, we are on the island for around 6 hours, with around 10 km’s of walking trails to explore. Please wear and bring clothing and footwear suitable for this type of activity in the great outdoors. There is time to swim and relax should you choose to.