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Hobart: Maria Island National Park, Nature & Wildlife active tour

42 Reviews 4.83 out of 5 stars Based on 42 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 95% of reviewers | Hobart, Australia

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On average, this is booked 18 (0) days in advance.

10 hours (approx.)
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Offered in: English

Overview

Maria Island is a National Park off the East Coast of Tasmania. The only permanent residents are the abundant wildlife. There are no cars or buses, and we explore this wild island on foot. Following a series of trails, expect at least 10km of hiking across this day.
We hike to the Painted Cliffs, beautiful sandstone sculpted and stained into swirling patterns by millennia of tidal action. We continue our hike to the Fossil Cliffs, which drop sheer to the ocean, their faces packed with ancient marine life and with sweeping views across to the Freycinet Peninsula. We explore Darlington, one of the world's best preserved convict probation settlements, predating Port Arthur and every bit as compelling.

• Explore Maria Island National Park on our active day tour
• Hike to the Painted Cliffs and explore the unusual rock formations, hike to the Fossil Cliffs and discover the geological history in the exposed fossils
• Discover the convict history at the Darlington World Heritage convict site

What's Included

  • National Park entrance fees
  • Small groups, maximum 15 guests
  • Return Ferry crossing fee
  • Food and drinks (Bring your own lunch/snacks/water bottles, there are no shops on Maria Island))
  • No luggage on board, only your day pack
  • No airport drop offs
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

20 Davey St (and Elizabeth Mall Information Hub
Elizabeth Street, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

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Triabunna

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 from Triabunna, 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!
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Maria Island National Park

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. The World Heritage listed Darlington settlement is beautifully preserved. The Darlington convict settlement pre-dates the more widely known Port Arthur. The island was declared a National Park in 1972.
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4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Fossil Cliffs Circuit

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 kilometers. From Darlington we walk the Fossil Cliffs trail and return.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.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Painted Cliffs

Then we walk the Painted Cliffs trail and return.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.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Maria Island

The island is a haven for wildlife, and one of the best places in Australia for viewing wombats, Tasmanian Devils, Cape Barren geese, kangaroos and wallabies. The bird life is also an attraction with 125 species including all of Tasmania’s endemics including the endangered Forty-spotted pardalote and Swift parrot.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 out. Maria Island is a special wild island accessible by boat. There are no cars, shops, charging stations for devices etc. Facilities are limited.
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Minimum age to participate in tour is 8 years
  • We depart Hobart promptly . If you are late we can not wait. It is very important to be on time for your pickup, as we have a time line to keep to ensure we do not miss our ferry to Maria Island. We have very limited capacity to wait for late passengers and we may have to make the unfortunate decision to depart without you! If you have any concerns about your pick up - our phone line is open at 6.30am, please call us promptly on 03 6231 5390.
  • There are no shops on Maria, and limited drinking water, so make sure you bring enough water and food for your day out. There will be a brief stop on the way to the Ferry for some last minute food purchases - sandwiches/rolls etc. And there is normally a chance to buy some takeaway food on the return trip back to Hobart.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: Will I get seasick on Hobart: Maria Island National Park, Nature & Wildlife active tour?

A: If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy. Read more Feb 2023

Cancellation Policy

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

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Activity code: C-26836P7

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Reviews

4.83
42 reviews

Average 4.83 out of 5 stars based on 42 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
38
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On average, this is booked 18 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • National Park entrance fees
  • Small groups, maximum 15 guests
  • Return Ferry crossing fee
  • Professional guides and guided walks
  • Food and drinks (Bring your own lunch/snacks/water bottles, there are no shops on Maria Island))
  • No luggage on board, only your day pack
  • No airport drop offs
  • Children under 8 years.

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Minimum age to participate in tour is 8 years
  • This is an active tour. A suitable level of general health & fitness and physical abilities is essential
  • We provide accurate interpretation, and keep wildlife disturbance to a minimum by viewing from appropriate distances and informing our guests how to view wildlife with patience and respect. Activities are always confined to tracks and boardwalks to minimize negative impacts.
  • We depart Hobart promptly . If you are late we can not wait. It is very important to be on time for your pickup, as we have a time line to keep to ensure we do not miss our ferry to Maria Island. We have very limited capacity to wait for late passengers and we may have to make the unfortunate decision to depart without you! If you have any concerns about your pick up - our phone line is open at 6.30am, please call us promptly on 03 6231 5390.
  • There are no shops on Maria, and limited drinking water, so make sure you bring enough water and food for your day out. There will be a brief stop on the way to the Ferry for some last minute food purchases - sandwiches/rolls etc. And there is normally a chance to buy some takeaway food on the return trip back to Hobart.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • Operated by a business

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This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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