Maria Island, Tasmania
Wildlife, Walks, and a Bandicoot Named Biscuit
Because apparently, missing it is a crime against wombats
“You have to go to Maria Island if you’re in Tasmania,” my friend in Cairns told me in December.
“Definitely go to Maria Island,” echoed everyone I met in Tasmania in March.
It still didn’t happen.
Then in May, while raking the grounds at Bonorong Sanctuary, surrounded by kangaroos, the volunteer coordinator joined the chorus: “Have you been to Maria Island yet? You have to go!”
I finally caved. I only had time for a day trip, and I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it without staying overnight—but Maria Island, Tasmania’s wildlife paradise, is the kind of place you can’t keep ignoring.
About Maria Island, Tasmania
Maria Island is a national park and UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict site off Tasmania’s east coast, reached by ferry from Triabunna. Covering 115 square kilometres, it has no permanent residents, no cars, and no shops—just rugged coastal cliffs, quiet beaches, eucalyptus forest, and a remarkable concentration of wildlife. Wombats graze the open grasslands, Cape Barren Geese patrol the convict settlement of Darlington, and the surrounding waters form a marine reserve rich in fish, seals, and seabirds.
Declared a national park in 1972, the island blends natural and cultural heritage. The well-preserved Darlington Probation Station is one of eleven Australian Convict Sites recognised by UNESCO, while the Fossil Cliffs and Painted Cliffs showcase striking geological history. With over a dozen walking tracks—from the tide-dependent Painted Cliffs walk to the scenic Fossil Cliffs Circuit—it’s a favourite with birdwatchers, photographers, and hikers looking for an unforgettable Tasmanian day trip.
My Maria Island Day Trip Story
I started with an early drive from Hobart to Triabunna to catch the Maria Island ferry. If you don’t have a car, there are shuttles, though they run on limited schedules. Even with my ferry tickets pre-booked, I still had to check in at the terminal—something I almost forgot after being distracted by the coffee cart. It worked out well: I got a map, chatted with staff, and found out the best birding spots for the day.
The ferry was bigger and comfier than expected, with a small café for a second caffeine hit before stepping onto an island with no shops, no cars, and only toilets for facilities. The 30-minute crossing offered the chance to spot gannets and seals before arriving at Darlington Harbour.
Maria Island’s walking tracks are a case of “choose your own adventure,” but for day-trippers it’s often either-or. Some highlights, like the Painted Cliffs, are tide dependent—staff will advise on the best time to visit. I, predictably, tried to do everything.
My first stop was Darlington Probation Station, where I immediately encountered my first wombats of the day. The jokes about them being tripping hazards are real—I nearly fell over one while chasing a honeyeater. After finally getting decent wombat shots to replace my lost ones from earlier travels, I headed for the Fossil Cliffs. The views were spectacular, and wallabies seemed to pop up around every corner.
Next, I looped around the Reservoir Circuit, a great birdwatching route where I spotted honeyeaters, thornbills, yellow wattlebirds, and yellow-tailed black cockatoos in the middle of a tree demolition project.
By 2 p.m., I was back in Darlington among more wombats and Cape Barren Geese. It was later than ideal to start the Painted Cliffs walk, but after some questionable time estimates and risk calculations, I decided to go for it. The Oast House Track ended up being my favourite of the day, and I made it back in time without needing to sprint.
My final stop, on the advice of a friend, was the Darlington campground to look for Biscuit the Bandicoot. Incredibly, I found him—tiny, adorable, and the perfect final flourish to a day that was already unforgettable.
Maria Island at a Glance
Fact Sheet
Location
Off Tasmania’s East Coast
1h 15min drive from Hobart to Triabunna, 30min ferry ride
Costs
Return ferry $54, National Park Pass $24
Facilities
Toilets only. No shops, no cars—bring your own supplies
Widlife Royalty
Wombat, Bennett’s Wallaby, Pademelon, Bandicoot, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Yellow Wattlebird, Cape Barren Goose, Wedge-tailed Eagle
Best Walks for a Day Trip
Fossil Cliffs Circuit
Sweeping views + wallabies and wombats
4.5 km / 1.5 hrs
Painted Cliffs
Tide dependent, worth the timing
4 km return / 1–1.5 hrs
Reservoir Circuit
Great birding trail
4 km / 1–1.5 hrs
Oast House Track
Changing scenery, old buildings
2 km return / 30–45 mins
Helpful Resources
Ferry bookings & info: Encounter Maria Island
National park details: Parks Tasmania – Maria Island
Track maps: Maria Island Walks & Map PDF
Tide times for Painted Cliffs: Bureau of Meteorology – Triabunna Tides
Final thoughts
Maria Island isn’t just a day trip—it’s a condensed Tasmanian experience. In a few hours you can walk through convict history, hike along wild coastlines, and share space with wildlife that barely notices you’re there. Whether it’s the sight of wombats grazing against a backdrop of Painted Cliffs or the surprise appearance of Biscuit the Bandicoot, this is the kind of place that sticks with you long after the ferry ride home.