Maria Island National Park

Maria Island is a special place, rewarding those that visit with World Heritage convict history, abundant wildlife, spectacular coastal cliffs and deserted beaches. Boasting a diverse range of highlights, our active day tour takes it all in! Maria Island is just a 30 minute ferry ride, but it feels like a world away....

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. The main highlights are the Painted Cliffs, the Fossil Cliffs, and of course the wildlife, history and amazing scenery.

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. More recently, the island was declared a National Park in 1972.

We enjoy a series of easy-moderate walks exploring the history and the main highlights of the island. Setting out on foot we have 2 main walking trails for the day, covering a total distance of almost 10 kilometres.

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 FALL sheer into the ocean. The views from the top are sensational. Even the non-avid geological fan, will be fascinated by the sheer abundance of the various 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.

We explore the buildings of The World Heritage listed Darlington settlement. This is beautifully preserved and is one of the best examples of Probation Convict Settlements in the world. The Darlington convict settlement pre-dates the more widely known Port Arthur.

The island is a haven for wildlife, and one of the best places in Australia for viewing wombats, Tasmanian Devils, Cape Barren Geese and Kangaroos. The bird life is also an attraction with 125 species including all of Tasmania's endemics.

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, seals and penguins 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 day of discovery rich in environmental and cultural history, the perfect island playground for an adventurous day o
We walk as a group to the Wineglass Bay Lookout; this is a moderate uphill walk of around 60 minutes. Once at the top you are rewarded with that world famous view of Wineglass Bay and the surrounding Freycinet National Park. Enjoy the moment, take in the views, and let our tour guides help you with those sought-after photographs. The walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout is one of the Great Short Walks of Tasmania and requires good mobility and adequate fitness. It is 1.3 km uphill, before returning downhill.

From the Lookout you have the option to return to the start of the walk with our tour guide, or for the keen hikers you can choose to spend the rest of your time completing the walk down to Wineglass Bay beach.

Wineglass Bay Beach return walk - This is a 2.5 hr return walk and moderate fitness is required. Our tour has ample time for you to do the full walk to Wineglass Bay Beach and return. Once on the beach you can enjoy your lunch in this stunning setting, head into the water for a swim, or wander along the white sands. This is one of the most rewarding walks in Tasmania in a truly stunning location.

If you prefer to walk to the Lookout and return, this is the shorter walking option, NEXT you will return from the Lookout with our Tour Guide and explore other areas of Freycinet National Park. Visit Honeymoon Bay, Cape Tourville Lighthouse; Great Short Walk and Sleepy Bay.

We re-group ready for the onward journey to Launceston. While still on the East Coast we make a final stop for the day, where you can refresh and refuel in a friendly and relaxed location. Try the local hand-crafted Ice creams or perhaps a famous Tasmanian Scallop Pie!

Then it is onwards into Launceston arriving around 6.30pm.