When people think of Tasmania, places like Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, and Port Arthur usually come to mind. Maria Island, however, often flies under the radar. We almost overlooked it ourselves, but it turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of our Tasmania adventure.
The weather does not look good. Our adventure began with a choppy ferry ride across strong winds and rough seas, but the excitement of exploring this unique island made it worthwhile.
Once ashore, we were welcomed by Cape Barren geese wandering freely around the historic Darlington settlement. Maria Island has a rich past as a convict settlement, but today it’s better known as a wildlife sanctuary. It even plays an important role in conserving Tasmanian devils, with a disease-free population established here in 2012.
As we explored, it became clear who the real stars of the island were. Wombats grazed peacefully across open fields, completely unfazed by visitors, while wallabies quietly peeked out from behind the bushes. Watching them go about their day in the wild was one of the highlights of our visit.
With only a day on the island, we focused on its coastal attractions. Unfortunately, the high tide and ongoing safety maintenance meant we could only admire the famous Painted Cliffs from a distance. Thankfully, the Fossil Cliffs more than made up for it. Looking closely at the limestone, we could see countless ancient marine fossils—a fascinating reminder that this landscape was once beneath the sea around 300 million years ago.
The weather remained cloudy and windy throughout the day, with rain arriving just as we boarded the ferry Triabunna. A pod of dolphins appeared in the choppy sea, swimming in the opposite direction of our ferry.
Maria Island may not be Tasmania’s most famous destination, but that’s exactly what makes it so special. Peaceful, uncrowded, rich in history, and surrounded by incredible wildlife, it’s a hidden gem that’s well worth adding to your itinerary.
Final Notes
· Plan ahead if you’re visiting on a day trip—there’s more to see than you can fit into one day.
· Check the tide times before visiting the Painted Cliffs, and be aware that parts of the area may occasionally be closed for safety maintenance.
· The ferry can be rough on windy days, so bring motion sickness medication if needed.
· Keep your camera ready for wildlife—and don’t forget to watch where you step! Wombat and wallaby droppings are everywhere.
#underratedspots
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