Maria Island National Park Small Group Tour
Highlights
Explore Maria Island National Park (5 - 6hrs)
Watch for Dolphins & Whales on the ferry journey (30 mins each way)
Walk to the amazing “Painted Cliffs” and wander amongst the unusual rock formation
Enjoy spectacular views as walk to the “Fossil Cliffs”
Explore and discover the geological history amongst the exposed fossils
Discover the convict history at the Darlington World Heritage convict site
Be amazed at the abundant wildlife enjoying life on their extraordinary island
Relax and take in all the stunning secluded bays and beaches in this paradise setting
included with
• National Park entrance fee
• Return ferry crossing fee
• Professional guides and interpretive walks
• Small, friendly groups
• Central Hobart Hotel & Backpacker Hostel pick up and drop off
• Airport drop offs on request with prior arrangement
excluded by
Food and drinks - You may bring your lunch with you or we will stop to give you an opportunity to purchase a bakery style takeaway lunch on the day. You will need to carry all food and drink with you, in your day pack, on this tour day.
Essential
Information
Important Note:
Maria Island is a special, beautiful, and wild island National Park accessible by boat. There are no cars, shops etc. on the island. Facilities are limited. Please ensure you can carry everything you will need for the day. You will need a day pack to carry warm clothing, as necessary. A jacket suitable for walking in light rain conditions. Equally, you will need adequate sun protection should it be a warm sunny day. Please ensure you have a large water bottle. You will have an opportunity to purchase lunch/sandwiches in the morning, but we recommend you buy your snacks prior to the day if you prefer a wider choice or have special dietary requirements to consider. Please ensure you wear comfortable footwear for walking. The walking on Maria Island is graded as easy-moderate walking. However, we are on the island for around 6 hours, with around 10 kilometers of walking trails available to explore. Please ensure your clothing and footwear is adequate for this type of activity in the great outdoors. There is time to swim and relax should you choose to.
What to bring/wear • Sensible shoes for walking • A variety of warm & weatherproof clothing • Hat & Sunscreen • Large water bottle, snacks, lunch (or buy it on the day) • Camera • Sense of adventure Blackout Dates There are no tours available/operating on: 25 December, 26 December, and 01 January There are no BIG 3 tours available that run across any of the non-operational dates Child/Infant Policy We do not travel with children under 8 years of age on our Active Day Tours and BIG 3 Tour programs, we retain the right to refuse to carry passengers under this age without prior arrangement. No refunds will be given in this instance. Child fare is for children aged 8 up to 15 years at the time of travel. HOBART starting tours: Our general meet point is 7.25am at the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre, 20 Davey Street, Hobart Hotel pick up and drop off may be available. To enquire on this service please contact your tour operator directly at least 48 hours prior to travel on the following email address: bookings@tourstas.com.au
Detailed Description
Maria Island is a special place, rewarding those that visit with World Heritage convict history, abundant wildlife, spectacular coastal cliffs and deserted beaches. Boasting a diverse range of highlights, our active day tour takes it all in! Maria Island is just a 30 minute ferry ride, but it feels like a world away....
Just one hour’s drive from Hobart to the ferry and 30 minutes across the water, brings us to Maria Island - a stunning island National Park. An island, off an island, off an island!
This is a tour for the active traveller who is keen to walk and enjoy this unique island. There are no cars on Maria Island and the only way across is on the passenger ferry. The main highlights are the Painted Cliffs, the Fossil Cliffs, and of course the wildlife, history and amazing scenery.
Maria Island has a fascinating history, which our tour guides will share with you as walk the trails. Many cultures have once been to the island, including the Tyreddeme Aboriginals, Dutch, English, French and Italians. The island has been home to explorers, whalers, sealers, convicts, fishermen, farmers, and industrialists. More recently, the island was declared a National Park in 1972.
We enjoy a series of easy-moderate walks exploring the history and the main highlights of the island. Setting out on foot we have 2 main walking trails for the day, covering a total distance of almost 10 kilometres.
The walk to the Painted Cliffs is gentle, mostly flat and leads us to Hopground Beach with the Painted Cliffs at the far end. We have plenty of time to explore the cliffs, photograph the unique features, and discover the many rock pools and beautiful nature in the area.
The Fossil Cliffs walk, takes us to amazing cliffs that drop sheer into the ocean. The views from the top are sensational. Even the non-avid geological fan, will be fascinated by the sheer abundance of the various shell fossils exposed in the cliff face. It offers a fascinating insight into the past environments of Maria Island along with expansive views of the Freycinet Peninsula.
We explore the buildings of The World Heritage listed Darlington settlement. This is beautifully preserved and is one of the best examples of Probation Convict Settlements in the world. The Darlington convict settlement pre-dates the more widely known Port Arthur.
The island is a haven for wildlife, and one of the best places in Australia for viewing wombats, Tasmanian Devils, Cape Barren Geese and Kangaroos. The bird life is also an attraction with 125 species including all of Tasmania’s endemics.
Even the ferry ride is part of the highlights of the day, the waters we cross are also abundant in sea life, we keep our eyes peeled for dolphins, seals and penguins along the way.
While on the island, you have an opportunity to swim, photograph, observe the wildlife, and soak up the island life as Maria works its magic on you.
Join us on this day of discovery rich in environmental and cultural history, the perfect island playground for an adventurous day o
We walk as a group to the Wineglass Bay Lookout; this is a moderate uphill walk of around 60 minutes. Once at the top you are rewarded with that world famous view of Wineglass Bay and the surrounding Freycinet National Park. Enjoy the moment, take in the views, and let our tour guides help you with those sought-after photographs. The walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout is one of the Great Short Walks of Tasmania and requires good mobility and adequate fitness. It is 1.3 km uphill, before returning downhill.
From the Lookout you have the option to return to the start of the walk with our tour guide, or for the keen hikers you can choose to spend the rest of your time completing the walk down to Wineglass Bay beach.
Wineglass Bay Beach return walk – This is a 2.5 hr return walk and moderate fitness is required. Our tour has ample time for you to do the full walk to Wineglass Bay Beach and return. Once on the beach you can enjoy your lunch in this stunning setting, head into the water for a swim, or wander along the white sands. This is one of the most rewarding walks in Tasmania in a truly stunning location.
If you prefer to walk to the Lookout and return, this is the shorter walking option, then you will return from the Lookout with our Tour Guide and explore other areas of Freycinet National Park. Visit Honeymoon Bay, Cape Tourville Lighthouse & Great Short Walk & Sleepy Bay.
We re-group ready for the onward journey to Launceston. While still on the East Coast we make a final stop for the day, where you can refresh and refuel in a friendly and relaxed location. Try the local hand-crafted Ice creams or perhaps a famous Tasmanian Scallop Pie!
Then it is onwards into Launceston arriving around 6.30pm.
