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Maria Island Walk

There are few places on the planet that offer the total tranquility and unspoiled natural beauty of Maria Island.

Maria Island is a short boat ride from Triabunna, on Tasmania’s east coast. Scheduled trips leave Hobart on Mondays,  Wednesdays and Fridays,  from October 2010 - April 2011, with additional trips in peak months.

ITINERARY

Day 1: We start with a hotel pickup in Hobart. After a short drive to Triabunna, we board our boat and explore Mercury Passage en route to Shoal Bay on Maria Island’s isthmus,  arriving in ample time to enjoy stunning views and walk through beautiful forests with abundant wildlife. Relax at the delightful Casuarina Beach Camp, take a swim in the sheltered bay and enjoy fresh Tasmanian food and wine.
Day 2: Walk from Riedle Bay across the rare land formation of the isthmus to Shoal Bay to stroll five fabulous beaches. Explore the convict cells at Point Lesueur and visit an ochre pit at Bloodstone Point – one of the original ochre sources for the Tasmanian Aborigines. Put your feet up at White Gums Camp, where native birds will entertain you while you sip wine on the deck and anticipate dinner.
Day 3: Head inland to green forests that are a prime habitat for the endangered 40-Spotted Pardalote.  Take the gentle inland track to Hopgrounds Beach and the Painted Cliffs or continue to the 711-meter summit of Mt. Maria for breathtaking 3600 views. Or save the mountain climb for Bishop and Clerk, with its fantastic sea and coastline vistas. Finish the day with a sumptuous banquet and accommodation in the historic colonial home once occupied by Italian entrepreneur, Diego Bernacchi.
Day 4:  A chance to relax and enjoy the serenity of Darlington and walk through the tall Blue Gum forest, to the convict brickworks and heritage reservoir and around to the world class Fossil Cliffs.  Enjoy a champagne lunch overlooking the distant Freycinet peninsula,  followed by a gentle tour around the convict settlement and industrial ruins of Darlington and soak up the atmosphere. Return to Hobart for a last farewell followed by a drop off at your hotel. A transfer to Hobart airport is available, connecting with flights departing from 5pm.
 
** On the rare occasions when sea conditions make the crossing to Maria Island uncomfortable, there may be delays or alternative arrangements will be made.

MARIA ISLAND NATIONAL PARK

The island has a Mediterranean-style climate and a varied landscape that includes rugged coastline, untouched beaches, striking mountains, 15 forest communities and diverse geology.  As a national park, it is home to wallabies, wombats, kangaroos,  fairy penguins,  the world’s second rarest goose -  the Cape Barren goose - and several other rare and unusual bird species, including 11 of the 12 endemic Tasmanian species. The surrounding waters harbor diverse marine life such as dolphins that chase baitfish through Mercury Passage and whales on their migration path to the Antarctic. The island is 11,550 hectares and is 19.3 km long and 13 km wide.