Maria Island Active Day Tour from Hobart

Step back in time, slow down and enjoy a big day out on this island National Park. Maria Island has a diverse range of highlights including convict history, spectacular coastal cliffs and deserted beaches. Access to the island is by Ferry for foot passengers only (no cars on this island). Bring your comfortable walking shoes ready to stretch your legs and explore this island paradise.

Highlights

• Explore Maria Island National Park (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 walk to the “Fossil Cliffs”
• Explore and discover the geological history amongst the exposed fossils
• Discover and the convict history at the Darlington World Heritage convict site
• Be amazed at the abundant wildlife enjoying life on their extraordinary island
• Relax and take in all the stunning secluded bays and beaches in this paradise setting

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 from Triabunna, 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. The World Heritage listed Darlington settlement 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 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 kilometers. From Darlington we walk the Fossil Cliffs trail and return.

Then we walk the Painted Cliffs trail and return.

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. 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.

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, 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 out. Maria Island is a special wild island accessible by boat. There are no cars, shops, charging stations for devices etc. Facilities are limited.

• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Minimum age to participate in tour is 8 years
• Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
• This is an active tour. A suitable level of general health & fitness and physical abilities is essential
• 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 minimize negative impacts.
• We depart Hobart promptly at 6.45am. If you are late we can not wait. It is very important to be on time for your pickup, as we have a time line to keep to ensure we do not miss our ferry to Maria Island.  We have very limited capacity to wait for late passengers and we may have to make the unfortunate decision to depart without you!  If you have any concerns about your pick up – our phone line is open at 6.30am, please call us promptly on 03 6231 5390.
• There are no shops on Maria, and limited drinking water, so make sure you bring enough water and food 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.  And there is normally a chance to buy some takeaway food on the return trip back to Hobart.

• Maria Island Active Day Tour from Hobart
  Add

• National Park entrance fees
• Small, friendly groups
• We offer pick up from Limited hotel locations.
• Professional guides and interpretive walks
• Return Ferry crossing fee

• Food and drinks (Bring your own lunch/snacks/water bottles, there are no shops on Maria Island))
• We do not offer pick ups from Air BnB’s and private residences
• No luggage on board, only your day pack
• No airport drop offs

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• Please make sure you bring a large refillable water bottle, closed sturdy shoes for walking. We recommend runners, sneakers, hiking boots and sensible clothes for outdoor conditions. Warm layers are a great idea! A waterproof rain jacket, just in case.
• Please remember that the island is a National Park. Much of your time on Maria Island will be spent out in the open, and the weather can be changeable. Check the forecast before you travel and come prepared for the conditions.
• 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 at a bakery for some last-minute food purchases – sandwiches/rolls etc.
• The ferry trip will take 30 minutes to get to the island and there is tea, coffee and snacks available on board at your expense.
• We aim to walk around 10kms of easy-style trails on this day. There are 2 main walking trails we will complete. It is possible to sit out a walk – it will be a couple of hours wait, if you feel this is too much for you. It is a lovely place to sit and relax and pass the time.
• We kindly ask that you please respect the environment and our National Parks and keep Maria Island the way you found it.

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Tours Tasmania.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Australia/Hobart.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 24 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.