Maria Island

[tastrekker]

On Australia Day LWE, my family enjoyed 3 days on Maria Island. This is a fabulous destination with scenery that is similar to the Freycinet, Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas. The peaks rise to a dramatic 700 metres very steeply out of the sea. The massive Fossil Cliffs and the decorative Painted Cliffs were a treat. A highlight was the delightfully deserted beach at 4 mile creek.

While we were there for a push-biking holiday, these notes are equally relevant to anyone wanting to walk on the island. A detailed account with pictures is on my blog at www.blognow.com.au/tastrekker.

Our itinerary was as follows:
Sunday morning - Drive from NW Coast to Triabunna via Hobart to pick up a new Trailer Bike acquired from e-Bay.
Sunday arvo - Ferry to Maria, settle into Penitentiary and swim at Darlington Beach
Monday morning - Fossil Cliffs circuit (anticlock-wise from Darlington, returning via the air strip)
Monday lunchtime - Ranger activity looking at the island's history
Monday arvo - Cycle south to Four Mile Creek (as far as we could cycle with young children and have some chance of being back for dinner)
Tuesday morning - Cycle to the Reservoir and back
Tuesday arvo - Cycle to the oast house and back then ferry back to Triabunna ready to drive home

Strong cyclists or over-night walkers could make it south to the isthmus and the remote southern parts of the island. We have this to look forward to when our children are older. We were really struck by the island's history and beauty and it will also be great to tackle the mountains another time.

Sadly a recent hike in ferry fees has made the island less popular. The upside of this was a long weekend with barely 50 people on the whole island at any one time.

If anyone has questions, I may be able to shed some light or there may be more info from people who have explored further afield than we did.

[Son of a Beach]

Thanks for this info, Tastrekker. I've only been to Maria Island once as a day trip from a Scripture Union camp at Spring beach when I was a young teenager and too foolish to appreciate the opportunity I had to explore the island freely. To my shame I ended up visiting the fossil cliffs, feeding the emus that used to be numerous around the village and chasing the cape barren geese around and that's about it.

I've since regretted it, as I've not had an opportunity to go back again yet. I'll have to remedy that. Your description and photos do make it sound like an appealing place for a family holiday, or for bushwalking or exploring.

How much does the ferry trip cost now?

[tastrekker]

How much does the ferry trip cost now?

Return prices are $50 per adult, $25 per child 3-16years and under 3 free. Apparently the commercial operator doing the job now is a temporary arrangement which is twice the price of the old slow ferry.

Check out details at http://www.seawingsecotours.com.au/mariaferry.html

[Mickeymoo]

Dam about the price I was planning on going for 6 days in 2 weeks time. A mate is still at uni and is doing a course that goes over for 3 days, I was going to tag along and do some walking/photographing, but with the price of the ferry I may have to rethink. Whilst it may be a good thing that there are less people it's also a shame as its such a magic place.

Michael.

[Joe]

ferry == a lot! Its the main thing that is stopping me doing maria at moment.

http://www.seawingsecotours.com.au/mariaferry.html

$60 per person return with a bike at moment. $120 for a couple to hit the island is a touch much imho...thats a night accom somewhere in a decent room! The beauty of maria is that anyone can boat across....just waiting on a family members yacht to arrive from Dubai so i can hit him up for a lift

I have a couple of nights planned on the island as soon as i get chance. Hoping to make it as far south as haunted bay for a night.

[ben.h]

$60pp on a bike, that's insane!
Bruny Island ferry on the other hand is only $3pp return on a bike!
http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/bruny_island_ferry

I've created a thread with some detail about Bruny Island here:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=474

[Julafreak]

Going to go Maria Island on Monday. Any tips of what to do and which part to go?

[dee_legg]

Hi Julafreak,
definitely head up Bishop and Clerk if you get the time.. i think it's a great peak with amazing views north to Freycinet in fine weather.
The Reservoir Circuit leaves from Darlington and goes to a little waterhole (the reservoir).. takes about an hour and is a really beautiful spot and is great for seeing the bird life.
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=3503
This should lead you to lots of information on the island's walks and other things to do.
Have fun!

[Son of a Beach]

I always regret that I didn't visit the Painted Cliffs while I was there.

[Nuts]

Kayaked across a few times. Its been a while but it is definitely a nice way to go. Only takes an hour or so via the little island (south of Orford). While circumnavigating the island is a bigger commitment, a trip over for a few days on the western coast can be achieved easily (the distances are short so weather is only really only a problem on the return).

[Joe]

I really want to do the island by MTB though...so while kayaking is really appealing it would be rather hard to combine the two

[Robbo]

There's lots to do on Maria. If you are walking you could spend 5 or 6 days exploring its many aspects: the 2 mountains, painted cliffs, Frenchs Farm and Encampment Cove and the convict ruins east of there, Robey's Farm, Haunted Bay, and then all the other lesser known places to see and explore - just need to carry water for these.

If you are riding a bike you could do most of it in a couple of days.

Enjoy...

TR

[Julafreak]

Thanks guys for the information! As I know, the ferry ride is 30 minutes.. It must be REALLY hard to kayak across??? I've never been on a kayak before.. but Im still considering borrowing my friend's.. more so because the timing is really a problem.. the only way to get there from hobart is via tassielink which brings us to triabunna (the only bus of the day reaches at 5pm) whereas the only ferry of the day leaves at 4pm... This means we need to spend a day in triabunna in order the catch the next day's ferry ride.. hmmm.. realistically speaking, d'you reckon it's okay for a first timer to kayak across?

[dee_legg]

Nooo, definitely not ok for a first time paddler to even consider doing alone.
I've done it before, and I don't know what sort of boat or what sort of muscles Nuts has but it tooks us a least 3 hours, maybe even four in your standard perception double sea kayaks loaded with gear.. That route was from Orford to Encampment Cove and back on a different route to Rheban. The channel has the potential to be rough and the wind direction is hugely influential on the conditions. Our trip over would've been about 15km, and a bit less on the return journey (around 10km)
To give you an idea of the conditions, our trip was over the Anzac Day weekend; the first day was perfect weather with some chop near the coast of the mainland but generally great kayaking conditions. Our trip back 2 days later was rough with a 30 knot wind tending southerly so was a bit of a struggle to stay on course as the wind pushed us towards Marion Bay.
Anyway, short answer is no, not suitable.

[Julafreak]

Got it.. Thanks!

[corvus]

Got it.. Thanks!

Really good advice from d_l Julian ,sheesh I want you back next year to fry those dumplings and don't forget there would be no OLD Strollers with you on that type of excursion
corvus

[Speculator]

I was thinking of having a couple of days on Maria in January. The Ferry fees do kinda suck, but them's the breaks.

I was thinking of spending a night or two camped on the island so I can finally settle a score I've got with Mt. Maria. It ought to be really nice there at that time of the year. I guess I'll be looking for walking companions sometime, as soon as I have my holidays locked in.

L8r.

[Julafreak]

Got it.. Thanks!

Really good advice from d_l Julian ,sheesh I want you back next year to fry those dumplings and don't forget there would be no OLD Strollers with you on that type of excursion
corvus

ahh.. the Gow gees. I just found out that Gow gee is actually dumplings in mandarin. haha not a problem, Ive found a way to keep them in shape this time. I didnt make it to maria island as was planned. The only bus from hobart to triabunna was via tassie link and it arrives at 5pm while the only ferry of the day departs triabunna at 4pm. None of my friends like the idea of spending a night at triabunna and besides our schedule was quite tight as one of them is to head back to the states after the trip. So yea, well there's always next year!

[tazz]

Must go there again, last time I was over there was in the early eighties.Is it worth taking a MTB ?

[Ent]

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[GerryDuke]

I have taken many backpacker tours to Maria as a day trip. There are many walks around Darlinghurst which can be done easily before the last ferry back.

Convict Reservoir 1 and a half hours, round trip
Fossil Cliffs 2 hours, round trip
Bishop and Clerk 4 hours, round trip
Hopground Beach 45 minutes
Hop Kilns 1 hour, round trip
Painted Cliffs 1 and a half hours, round trip
French's Farm 3 and a half hours, one way

You need to pretty energetic to fit Bishop & Clerk in!

There ferry operator from Triabunna used to provide a trip to Painted Cliffs as an add on for $5 between trips to Triabunna in the afternoon. A very worthwhile trip.

There is a public phone on the island also (power for Park staff!!)

We would have lunch overlooking Fossil Cliffs with a show being put on by The Forty Spotted Pardalote

'The forty spotted Pardalote is one of the smallest and rarest birds in Australia. It is only found in Tasmania and is classified as an endangered species. It is found only in six locations in eastern Tasmania.

They live in eucalyptus trees and eat insects and sugary stuff that is produced by white gums. You need binoculars to see this bird properly'
I understand they turned up near Taroona a few years ago.

(see: http://www.orford.tased.edu.au/maria_1.htm or my site - Google it - Bluff River is also an interesting place to visit on the way - near Buckland)

A great place.

Gerry

[Snowzone]

Looking forward to 5 nights on Maria Island in mid February. I can't decide whether to have 3 nights at Darlington Bay and 2 nights at Encampment Cove or vice versa.
What would you do
Can anyone tell me how much time to allow down at Haunted Bay and is it worth going to Robeys Farm.

[matthias]

I would spend 3 at Encampment Cove. Darlington has much better facilities, but Encampment Cove is a nice location. However Encampment Cove is also very popular as a weekend/public holiday destination for sailing people, so it's sometimes very crowded there. An alternative would then be French's Farm which has a large water tank.
Haunted Bay, I don't know, it took me several hours to walk there from French's Farm, then I had lunch there, walked around a bit, and went back. There's a chilly breeze down there so I didn't stay long. But you may see penguins.
Robey's Farm is nice if you're into history, but if not, then it's just an old house with an asbestos warning, a broken-down shed and a lot of old stuff around. It's not a particulary scenic place and walk but I thought it was nice and I took the time to read the stories in the visitors book.

I spent a week on the island last year, there's a complete diary on my blog where you might get some inspiration for your itinerary. Also got lots of pics here where you can see Robey's Farm: http://picasaweb.google.com/matthiassiegel/MariaIsland

Just a hint: if you decide to camp at French's Farm, better place your tent near the farm house, don't go down into the 'valley' where most people pitch their tents. It's so sheltered from the sea breeze that it can get surprisingly cold down there at night.

[Snowzone]

Thanks Matt.
Some really great photo's in your blog, The Painted Cliffs at sunset look like a definate must!
I think Bishop and Clerk and Mt. Maria will both be on the agenda as well. The views over the isthmus from Maria were great.
I also don't think I realised how many ruins there are still to poke around. Robeys farm house looks like everything was just left and they've up and walked out.
Thanks for all your info and the look at your photo's. Can't wait to get there now.

cheers, Vicki

[north-north-west]

The forty spotted Pardalote is one of the smallest and rarest birds in Australia. It is only found in Tasmania and is classified as an endangered species. It is found only in six locations in eastern Tasmania.

They live in eucalyptus trees and eat insects and sugary stuff that is produced by white gums. You need binoculars to see this bird properly'

Piffle. I had one conducting part of his courtship from my left shoulder on my second visit to Maria. You just need to know where to go.

[Liamy77]

You can hire a sea kayak for 40 to 60 per day near the bruny island ferry - i havn't yet but its on my to-do list near the top.... i wonder if they would deliver it up there? i'll be my own operator!

[Snowzone]

You can hire a sea kayak for 40 to 60 per day near the bruny island ferry - i havn't yet but its on my to-do list near the top....

Looking at my map I can see the attraction in paddling Maria Island. Lots of great looking coastline to explore. I'm still looking forward to exploring on foot though.
When we planned our trip to Maria I thought 5 nights would be about right but I now think 7 would have been a better amount. Oh well maybe that means I'll just have to go back again!

[matthias]

Robeys farm house looks like everything was just left and they've up and walked out.

That's actually what happened there. According to the history book in the house (as far as I remember) they left it in a hurry with dishes left on the table and a cake in the oven.