Maria Island – Tasmania, Australia
Maria Island, located in Tasman Sea is accessible only by ferry. This inhabited Island has a rich history , beautiful fossil cliffs, native wildlife , rugged bay and untouched beauty. The island is 115 km and was believed to be inhabited by Aboriginals before colonial era who used this place as penitentiary as its accessible only by Sea.
Maria Island is a must visit when you are in Tasmania. The ferry to Island starts at Triabunna which is 85km from Hobart. Ferry travels multiple times a day for a return fare of 45$. The price includes a carry-on luggage of 7kg. One must need a park pass to visit the island. Tickets can be booked online. Since the Island is inhabited one must arrange for food and water, normally there are multiple take-ways in Triabunna ferry terminal.
Island is best explored by foot , however you can carry your own bicycle at the cost of 10$ or can be hired at Darlington penitentiary , a short walk from the Maria Island jetty. You can camp overnight and cabins are available at Darlington penitentiary a UNESCO World Heritage. But if you are doing a day trip please keep one whole day.
A relaxing 1.5km walk towards the right of Darlington takes you to the beautiful painted cliff with amazing colors of swirling pattern. This can be experienced only during low tide, check the tidal time if not they provide all the information at the ticket counter in Triabunna. You can also relax, swim, snorkel at the Hopground beach.
If you walk to the left you get to experience the fossil cliff which is 7km circuit walk and one can experience a lot wildlife like wombats, kangaroos, rugged bay, beautiful mountains , grasslands and majestic shoreline fossil cliff.
There is also a visitor information centre an oldest bilding in the island which displays information and history about the island. Darlington penitentiary depicts the colonial era of convicts and industrial past. Toilets are located at Darlington.
