Maria Island Walks

Walk Overview

There is not a generally accepted ‘classic’ multi-day walking route on Maria Island, but most people who are on the island for three or four days of walking tend to do similar day walks. The walks covered by the itinerary set out below follow the walks that the guided walk tour operators cover.

The ferry from the mainland departs from Triabunna and arrives at the northern end of Maria Island, near to Darlington. Darlington was the focal point of the convict settlements on Maria Island and is now the focus of most visitor activity. The Darlington Bay Penitentiary, together with other historic buildings and ruins, form part of a World Heritage listed site.

The whole of Maria Island, an area of 115 square kilometres, is National Park. It is naturally divided into two sections by McRae’s Isthmus, a narrow sand isthmus that is only 250 metres wide at its narrowest point.

The northern section of the island is the larger and more mountainous section. The southern section of the island is quite remote and untouched. There is only one track that ventures down to the bottom of the island and that track reaches the south coast at the intriguingly named Haunted Bay.

The coastline comprises stretches of secluded white sand beaches, remote bays and coves, pristine aqua water as well as dramatic limestone sea cliffs. Heading inland, walkers can explore grasslands, forests and giant blue gum woodlands inhabited by rare birds, wallabies and wombats. The mountainous interior offers hiking along ridge lines and boulder scrambling to rocky summits. 

Possibly the best day walk on Maria Island is the walk from Darlington to the summit of Bishop and Clerk, a mountain so named because its shape is said to resemble a clergyman with clerk in tow. This walk takes you across the grasslands at the northern tip of Maria to the top of its precipitous and famous fossil cliffs. The path then climbs through tall forest until it reaches the rocky slopes of the bishop’s head and shoulders. The views from the 620 metre summit are excellent, covering the whole island, the Tasman Sea and the east coast of the mainland.   

Accommodation on the island is very limited, with the main option being the former Penitentiary and a period home in Darlington. Otherwise, there are several campsites. There are no shops or food outlets of any description on the island.

Further information:

• A four day itinerary is described below.

• For more information on walking on Maria Island, click the button below.

Itinerary

A four day itinerary that includes the day walks typically covered by the tour operators is shown below.

Day 2

Darlington to Encampment Cove

Distance: 13km

Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Camping

Day 3

Encampment Cove to Haunted Bay (Return)

Distance: 21km

Time: 6 hours

Accommodation: Camping

Walk Options

Guided

Several tour operators offer three or four day guided walking trips on Maria Island. The walks covered on these trips are similar to those in the itinerary above, although the longest distance covered in a day is 17 km.

Each of the tour operators uses both camping and built accommodation. Generally, the tents are safari style tents with stretcher beds. In all cases, the tents are in place prior to your arrival and you carry a light daypack only.

Typically, the package offered by these operators includes:

• Transfers to and from Launceston

• Accommodation

• Professional guides

• All meals

• Transfers between the track and the accommodation

• National park entrance fees

One operator provides as an option accessing Maria Island by means of a one hour sight-seeing flight from Hobart.  

Assisted self-guided

We are not aware of any tour operators offering self-guided services.

Independent

There are three National Park campsites on Maria Island with minimal facilities. The only built accommodation for independent walkers is the historic Penitentiary at Darlington. The accommodation at the Penitentiary comprises basic bunkrooms.  

The track campsites have bush toilets, rainwater tanks, picnic tables and seats. Shelters are not provided, walkers must bring their own tents.

Essential Information

Access

The starting point for walks on Maria Island is usually the harbour near to Darlington at the northern end of Maria Island. This harbour is reached via a 30 minute ferry ride from Triabunna. Public transport to Triabunna is available but infrequent. Private cars can be left at Triabunna.

Park entry

As Maria Island is a National Park, an entry pass must be purchased. Passes may be purchased through the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service website. 

Best time

The walk can be done year-round. Some people will prefer the warmer months of December to April, particularly if the trip involves camping. The walk tour operators tend to operate from October through to May.

Difficulty

This walk is rated at an easy to moderate level of difficulty.

Accommodation

There is limited accommodation on Maria Island. For those not doing a guided trip, the only options are camping and the former Penitentiary at Darlington.

On the mainland, in the vicinity of Triabunna, there a number of very good accommodation options.

We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.

Other activities

As a popular tourism destination, Maria Island and the Triabunna region of the east coast offer many attractions in addition to walking on Maria Island. Many walkers choose to add extra days to their trip so that they can experience some of these attractions.

Assistance

We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.