Maria Island Tourist Guide

Your tourist guide for Maria Island provides you with the essential travel resources to plan your holiday!

Maria Island National Park

A place where time slows, wildlife wanders freely, and Tasmania’s layered history unfolds in the sea breeze. Just off the east coast of Tasmania, north of Orford, Maria Island (pronounced Mariah) feels like a world apart—untouched, serene, and wonderfully wild. Protected as a national park since 1982, the entire island is a sanctuary of dramatic landscapes, rare wildlife, and stories etched into cliffs, ruins, and quiet forests.

A Journey Through Time and Nature

Maria Island is often described as a microcosm of Tasmania itself—its natural beauty, its deep cultural roots, and its colourful past all concentrated into one remarkable place.

For thousands of years, the Oyster Bay Aboriginal people visited the island as a winter hunting ground. When French explorer Nicolas Baudin arrived in 1802, he documented an Aboriginal burial mound and discovered that the island’s First Peoples cremated their dead—an insight that still shapes our understanding of Tasmanian Aboriginal culture.

By 1825, Maria Island had transformed into a convict settlement. Today, visitors can sleep in the former penitentiary at Darlington and wander through the Commissariat Store, imagining the lives of those who once lived and laboured here.

In the late 1800s, the island took another unexpected turn. Italian entrepreneur Diego Bernacchi envisioned a thriving Mediterranean-style settlement, complete with vineyards, mulberry plantations, and a bustling village he named San Diego. He built a grand guesthouse and the still-standing Coffee Palace, remnants of a bold dream that ultimately faded when the vineyards failed. Bernacchi returned in the early 1900s to establish a cement works—its old silos still rise like ghostly monuments above the landscape.

A Wildlife Haven Like No Other

Maria Island is one of Australia’s most extraordinary places to encounter wildlife in its natural habitat. With no cars, no shops, and no permanent residents, the island is a peaceful refuge for:

Forester kangaroos
Bennett’s wallabies
Pademelons
Cape Barren geese
And often, the elusive Tasmanian devil

The animals roam freely and unhurriedly, offering unforgettable close encounters for patient travellers.

Things to Do on Maria Island

Walk the Fossil Cliffs
Stand on the edge of geological time. These towering cliffs reveal fossils more than 250 million years old—an open-air museum carved by wind and sea.

Marvel at the Painted Cliffs
At low tide, the sandstone cliffs glow with swirling patterns of gold, amber, and rust. It’s one of Tasmania’s most photographed natural wonders.

Climb Bishop & Clerk
A challenging but rewarding hike that leads to panoramic views across the island and the Tasman Sea.

Explore Darlington Probation Station
A UNESCO World Heritage–listed convict site where history lingers in every stone.

Venture to Chinamans Bay and Beyond
For seasoned walkers, longer treks reveal secluded beaches, sweeping grasslands, and quiet coves perfect for reflection.

Stay Overnight
Choose from basic backpacker accommodation in the old penitentiary or pitch a tent at Darlington’s scenic campground. With no light pollution, the night sky is spectacular.

How to Get There

Maria Island is accessible only by ferry from Triabunna, a 1.5‑hour drive from Hobart. Ferry bookings are essential, especially in peak seasons. Once you arrive, you’ll explore on foot or by bicycle—there are no cars on the island, adding to its peaceful, untouched atmosphere.

What to Bring

There are no shops, cafés, or supplies on Maria Island. Visitors must bring all food, water, and essentials. Think of it as stepping into a simpler world—one where nature provides the entertainment and tranquillity is guaranteed.