Safe Travel and Tour Services Maria Island National Park - Nature & Wildlife Adventure

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A guided day on car-free Maria Island from Hobart: wombats, wallabies and Cape Barren geese along the tracks, the Painted Cliffs at the end of Hopground Beach, shell fossils in the Fossil Cliffs and the old convict village of Darlington.

Days

About 10 hours

Group size

Guided group tour

Start / finish

Hobart / Triabunna / Maria Island / Hobart
Hobart, about 5:20pm

Return

Hobart, about 5:20pm

Transport

Air-conditioned vehicle to Triabunna, then passenger ferry

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Safe Travel and Tour Services Maria Island National Park - Nature & Wildlife Adventure

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Included experiences

Darlington — convict history with your guide
Fossil Cliffs — walk to cliffs full of shell fossils
Painted Cliffs — beach walk to the cliffs and rock pools
Maria Island — wombats, wallabies and Cape Barren geese
Ferry crossing — watch for dolphins and whales

Safe Travel and Tour Services Maria Island National Park - Nature & Wildlife Adventure

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: HOBART TO TRIABUNNA AND ACROSS

Pick-up is at 7am in Hobart, then about an hour north-east to the fishing town of Triabunna, with a stop on the way to buy lunch and snacks, because Maria Island has no shops or cars. The ferry crosses the Mercury Passage to the island, and dolphins, and in season whales, are often seen on the way. Maria Island has been a national park since 1972, and the whole island is yours on foot.

LATE MORNING: DARLINGTON AND THE FOSSIL CLIFFS

The ferry lands at Darlington, a convict station set up in 1825, earlier than Port Arthur, and now World Heritage-listed. Your guide starts with its story among the old brick buildings, where wombats graze on the open grass. From there a track leads out to the Fossil Cliffs, made of layers of limestone packed with the shells of sea creatures that lived about 290 million years ago. From the cliff top you can see north across the water to the Freycinet Peninsula.

AFTERNOON: THE PAINTED CLIFFS

After lunch a gentle, mostly flat walk follows Hopground Beach to the Painted Cliffs at its far end. Here the sandstone has been stained by iron-rich groundwater into swirls of orange, cream and purple, then sculpted by waves. There's time for photos and the rock pools. Along the way look for Forester kangaroos, Bennett's wallabies and Cape Barren geese; Tasmanian devils were released here in 2012 to keep a disease-free group.

LATE AFTERNOON: FREE TIME AND HOME

About an hour of free time lets you swim, sit on the beach or watch the wildlife before the ferry back to Triabunna and the drive to Hobart, arriving about 5:20pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Hobart CBD hotels, or meet at Brooke Street Pier. Be ready 10 minutes before departure; your pick-up is confirmed by email the day before.
Departure time: Around 7am from Hobart; the exact time is confirmed when you book.
Finishes: About 5:20pm in Hobart, roughly 10 hours later.
Fitness: A moderate level of fitness. Around 10 km of walking at a relaxed pace, mostly easy to moderate. Not recommended for people with spinal injuries, poor heart health, or during pregnancy.
Please note: Maria Island has no cars, shops or places to charge devices, and tap water on the island must be treated before drinking. Building works at Darlington run until November 2026. Runs daily.

What to bring

Sturdy walking shoes
A day pack with all-weather clothing
Swimwear
Your own lunch and snacks
A full water bottle

What is included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off (Hobart CBD)
Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
Guided walks on Maria Island
National park entry fees
Bottled water

Not included

Breakfast, lunch and snacks (buy them at the morning stop)
Additional drinks
Personal purchases

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.