Maria Island National Park is a 30min ferry ride from the east-coast town of Triabunna, which is a 75min drive (86km) north-east of Hobart. More detail

Maria Island | Tourist Attractions | Discover Tasmania Maria Island | Tourist Attractions | Discover Tasmania

The island’s toughest challenge on foot is its highest peak. Rising 711m above the sea, Mount Maria peers down onto McRaes Isthmus and along Tasmania’s east coast. From Darlington, the 16km walk will take about 8hr. Guided walks Short walks will allow visitors to explore the buildings and ruins of Darlington. The Reservoir Circuit is sheltered from the coastal winds and provides a glimpse of Maria Island's wildlife and history as you wander through open woodlands into a tall eucalypt forest. From the 1880s, the Italian entrepreneur Diego Bernacchi set up island enterprises, including silk and wine production and a cement factory, quarrying limestone deposits at the Fossil Cliffs for the raw material. [8] A substantial cement works was built at Darlington in the early 1920s, with a 2 ft gauge tramway [9] linking the quarries to the cement works and a new jetty. At the height of its fortunes in the early 20th century, Darlington had hundreds of residents and several hotels. The design and layout of the company town established by Bernacchi reflected prevailing ideas of paternalism, though archaeological survey found that the workers cottages had been individualised by their inhabitants. [10] By July 1930, all of those ventures had failed for a number of reasons, including the Great Depression, poor quality limestone, and competition from mainland producers who were not burdened with high costs of transport. There is a magical underwater world waiting to be explored. Plunge straight in as you arrive. or wait and cool off when you return from your hike up the hillside trail to enjoy the spectacular views of the island. The water here is warm and crystal clear and the offshore coral reef was declared a marine reserve in 1986 to protect the many marine species that inhabit it. Ryan, Lyndall (1996). The Aboriginal Tasmanians (2nded.). Allen & Unwin. pp.13–44. ISBN 978-1-86373-965-8.Despite its size at 3km west to east and 20km north to south, there are no cars on the island, which helps look after the wildlife. Watching the sunset on the beach on Maria Island Maria Island History If you really want to conquer the list of things to do in Maria Island, then you need to set aside a day to climb the island’s highest peak, Mount Maria! Maria Island is a perfect destination for world-class bird watching, and has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The island supports significant numbers of endangered swift parrots and forty-spotted pardalotes, over 1% of the world population of Pacific gulls, as well as populations of most of Tasmania’s endemic bird species. In fact, eleven of the state's 12 endemic species can be seen here, including the rare Cape Barren goose. At dusk keep your eyes open for wombats, Bennetts wallabies, pademelons, Forester Kangaroos, and even Tasmanian Devils. In November 2012 captive Tasmanian devils were introduced to the island to quarantine them from the deadly facial cancer impacting the mainland population. They are cared for by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service staff who live on the island. Other animals include common brushtail and ringtail possums, short-beaked echidnas and three species of snake. The strait between Maria Island and the east coast of mainland Tasmania is called Mercury Passage and was named after HMS Mercury, commanded by John Henry Cox, who charted the area in 1789. There are two towns of size in this part of the east coast: Orford at the mouth of the Prosser River and Triabunna, some eight kilometres (5mi) further north at the head of Spring Bay.

MARIA ISLAND - The Best Things to Do and Travel Tips [2023] MARIA ISLAND - The Best Things to Do and Travel Tips [2023]

While not the highest mountain on the island (that accolade goes to Mount Maria), the climb up to Bishop and Clerk is by far the most rewarding and scenic hike you can do here. This article is about the Mexican islands. For the Falkland island known as Isla María, see Bleaker Island. For the small islands of the coast of St. Lucia, see Islands of Saint Lucia. For the Czech card game known as Mariáš which is similar to a German game, see Sixty-Six (card game). Islas Marías S, 148° 06' 51.8" E" (Map). Darlington 5828. 1:25 000. Tasmania: Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment. 2000. You may spot some wombats, forester kangaroos and wallabies along the way so keep an eye out. As you are walking down the road you will also see Howell’s Cottage, which is a cottage that was built in 1924. It is such an amazing and special place, and despite its tragic Aboriginal and convict history (which is important to learn), there is also great walks, biking, sightseeing, snorkelling, animal spotting and more to be done on the island.Narrowing down our highlights to a select few is an almost impossible task. But one place that truly stands out to us is Maria Island. Triabnunna is 1 hour and 15 minutes north of Hobart, which is the closest major airport. The Maria Island National Park

Maria’s Island – Victoria Hislop Maria’s Island – Victoria Hislop

The Maria Island Ferry leaves from Triabunna on the east coast, taking tourists and workers on a semi-regular schedule. Maria Island is a destination of pristine untouched beaches, lapped by crystal clear waters, and with a surrounding Marine Reserve. Its scenery is incredibly majestic, with vantage points like the magnificent Mt Maria and Bishop and Clerk peaks that can be summited for a view that is guaranteed to take your breath away.Maria Island has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it supports significant numbers of endangered swift parrots and forty-spotted pardalotes, over 1% of the world population of Pacific gulls, as well as populations of most of Tasmania's endemic bird species. [13] Tasmanian devils [ edit ] That’s it for our epic travel guide and list of things to do on Maria Island, Tasmania! If it’s not already clear, we absolutely loved our time there and highly recommend everyone to visit!