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Maria Island, Tasmania - Day Trip to see Wombats, History & Stunning Cliffs
- Wander * Explore * Discover
- Oct 14, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
Maria Island, Tasmania - Day Trip to see Wombats, History & Stunning Cliffs
Maria Island is one of Tasmania’s most extraordinary destinations, offering a rare mix of abundant wildlife, long sandy beaches, dramatic painted cliffs, fossil-rich coastline and fascinating convict history. Located just off Tasmania’s East Coast in the Tasman Sea, the entire island is protected as Maria Island National Park, creating a truly wild and unspoilt experience.
Roughly 20 kilometres long and 13 kilometres wide, Maria Island sits just 4 kilometres offshore at its closest point near Point Lesueur. With no cars, no shops and no crowds, visiting Maria Island feels like stepping back in time and reconnecting with nature at a slower pace.
Wildlife Encounters on Maria Island
One of the greatest joys of visiting Maria Island is seeing wildlife roaming freely in its natural environment. Wombats are everywhere — grazing in paddocks, wandering along walking tracks and lazing near the ruins of Darlington. You may also spot pademelons, Forester kangaroos, Bennett’s wallabies and, if you’re lucky, Tasmanian devils. Please remember to keep a respectful distance from all wildlife and never feed or touch animals, helping them remain wild and healthy.
The waters surrounding Maria Island form a Marine Nature Reserve, regularly visited by seals and whales. With clear water and rich marine life, the island is also a popular destination for diving and snorkelling.
Our Maria Island Day Trip Experience
On our visit, we arrived on the 8:30 am ferry and departed on the 4:15 pm ferry, which gave us plenty of time to explore. During the day, we completed the Painted Cliffs and Fossil Cliffs walks, wandered through Darlington (the former convict settlement), enjoyed a picnic and spent hours watching wildlife and taking photos. It was the perfect introduction to Maria Island and a great example of how much you can see on a single day trip.
What to Bring for a Maria Island Visit
Maria Island offers a truly remote island experience — there are no shops or cafes on the island. Visitors need to be fully self-sufficient and bring everything required for the day.
Be sure to pack:
Plenty of food and snacks
A refillable water bottle
Sturdy walking shoes
Warm and waterproof clothing (including a beanie)
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses and sunscreen)
A small first aid kit
Mobile phone
Backpack to carry your gear
Please take all rubbish back with you when leaving the island, as there is no rubbish collection service.
A valid Tasmanian National Parks Pass is required, and pets are not permitted. You can bring a bike on the ferry or hire one on the island — all roads and tracks are gravel.
Getting to Maria Island
Maria Island is accessed by a 30-minute ferry ride from Triabunna, approximately 1.5 hours from Hobart and 2.5 hours from Launceston. The ferry is passenger-only, and there are no cars on the island.
Best Short Walks on Maria Island
The Painted Cliffs
4.3 kilometres return | Around 2 hours | From Darlington
The Painted Cliffs are beautifully patterned sandstone formations sculpted by the sea. Although not especially tall, the cliffs feature stunning colours, swirling patterns and honeycomb textures created by groundwater staining and wave erosion.
Tip: Visit within two hours of low tide to access the rock shelf in front of the cliffs.
From the ferry terminal, walk towards Darlington, cross the bridge and follow the road past paddocks (often filled with grazing wombats) to Hopground Beach. Continue until you reach the sandstone outcrop marking the start of the Painted Cliffs. You can return the same way or detour via the Oast House, the atmospheric ruins of an old hop kiln slowly being reclaimed by nature.
Fossil Cliffs
4.5 kilometres return | Around 2 hours | From Darlington
The Fossil Cliffs line the northern coastline of Maria Island, where towering limestone cliffs plunge directly into the sea. The walk leads to an old limestone quarry, where you can see fossils embedded in the rock, including scallop shells, sea lilies, coral-like forms and ancient sea fans.
Leave Darlington behind the penitentiary, pass the remains of the 12 Apostles, cross the creek and climb the gully (this section is steep). At the top, take care near the unfenced cliff edges — the views are spectacular.
To reach the base of the cliffs, follow the track past a stile and down a concrete drain. After exploring, return via the road past the airstrip back to the ferry terminal.
Other Walks on Maria Island
For those with more time or an overnight stay, Maria Island offers many additional walking options:
Reservoir Circuit – 4 km (1.5 hours return)
Bishop & Clerk – 11 km (5 hours return)
Mount Maria – 16 km (8 hours return)
The Visitor Centre at the ferry terminal provides maps and information on walks suited to different fitness levels.
Facilities & Practical Information
Parking (including buses and motorhomes) is available at the Triabunna Ferry Terminal
Public toilets are available at Triabunna, on the ferry, on Maria Island and in Darlington
Picnic tables and BBQs are available on the island
No cafes or shops — bring everything you need
Limited mobile phone coverage
Camping is permitted on Maria Island National Park and must be booked through the Visitor Centre
Is Maria Island Worth a Day Trip?
Maria Island is one of Tasmania’s most special places, offering wildlife encounters, dramatic coastal scenery and rich history in a completely car-free environment. Even as a day trip, it delivers an unforgettable experience packed with walking, wildlife and wonder.
If you’re exploring Tasmania’s East Coast and want a destination that feels truly wild and timeless, a day trip to Maria Island is an absolute must.
Another Way to Experience Maria Island
Another great way to explore Maria Island is on an award-winning Cruise & Walk day tour from Hobart. This experience combines a scenic cruise with a guided walk through the island’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed convict settlement, wildlife encounters and stunning coastal landscapes. Along the way, you may spot seals, dolphins, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies and, during migration season, whales, before enjoying a delicious lunch.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. It helps us cover website costs and continue sharing real travel experiences from the road.
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