Past Encampment Cove you’ll find the isthmus which heads out to Point Lesueur, where you can see ruins of a convict-era probation station built in 1821 and Robey’s Farm near Haunted Bay. Whether you are here on a day trip or plan on staying for a few nights, our list of what to do on Maria Island is guaranteed to help you make the most of your time here. Blending extraordinary landscapes with teeming wildlife, this island park also happens to have one of Tasmania’s most fascinating histories. Well it all depends what you are into – history, hiking, biking, animals? Please say animals. Because there’s lots of them!

Maria Island Home - Encounter Maria Island

Maria Island has a rich history. Before the colonial era, Aboriginal people of the Tyreddeme band of the Oyster Bay tribe journeyed regularly to the island and much evidence of their presence remains, particularly around the bays on either side of the island's isthmus. [5] In 1802 the French expedition led by Nicolas Baudin encountered the Aboriginal people of Maria Island, as did the whalers of the early 19th century. René Maugé, the zoologist on Baudin's expedition, was buried on Point Maugé on south Maria Island. You can leave your vehicle in the carpark over at Triabunna. Having bikes are by far the best way to get around Maria Island. Where to Stay on Maria IslandIn 1825 fifty convicts were taken to Maria Island by English soldiers. They built a little settlement called Darlington, where they would be imprisoned and sentenced with hard labour in agriculture. The 115.5-square-kilometer (44.6 sq mi) island is about 20 kilometers (12 mi) in length from north to south and, at its widest, is about 13 kilometers (8.1 mi) west to east. At its closest point, Point Lesueur, the island lies approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) off the east coast of Tasmania.

Maria Island | Tourist Attractions | Discover Tasmania Maria Island | Tourist Attractions | Discover Tasmania

I adored this book. It is a real treasure. But please, have the box of tissues to hand. There will be tears, both of sadness and joy. Now that you now how to get here, where to stay, what to bring and a bit of history, let’s dive into the most exciting part – exploring all the incredible things to do on Maria Island! Declared a National Park in 1972, there are no permanent residents on Maria Island except the Tasmanian Parks rangers that care for the island.

Praise for Maria’s Island

If you found this guide useful, or have any of your own tips for places to visit or what to do on Maria Island, leave a comment below and let us know! In 2012, rangers released 28 healthy devils on Maria Island so they could thrive and repopulate without risk of the cancer. It’s a 5.2km return trip along the road or you can do a big circuit to include the Oast House Circuit which is about 6km (see details below). Alesha walking along the Painted Cliffs. Such stunning colours. 7) Oast House Walk

Maria Island - Maria Island Walk Maria Island - Maria Island Walk

Tasmanian devils are suffering from a contagious facial cancer calledDevilFacial Tumor Disease (DFTD), which is decimating the species. Ludeke, M (2005). Tasmania's Maria Island: A Comprehensive History and Visitor's Guide (2nded.). Hobart: Ludeke Publishing. This building is a great place to visit when you first get to the island. You’ll learn a lot about the area, the buildings and the history before you start exploring.

Fires set by careless visitors or the introduction of animals such as goats, rats or mongooses could have a devastating effect on the islands’ ecology. To protect the unique fauna and the more than eighty plant species that are found there, the Maria Islands, were declared a Wildlife Reserve in 1982. Islas Marias Archipelago, Mexico. A Missing Piece to Reconstruct the Paleoposition of Baja California", Valerie Pompa-Mera, et al, Researchgate, 2011 Despite its size at 3km west to east and 20km north to south, there are no cars on the island, which helps look after the wildlife. Watching the sunset on the beach on Maria Island Maria Island History If you are staying on the island for a few days, you can walk to Frenchs Farm and Encampment Cove. This is a great place to camp and get away from everyone. By Bicycle

Maria’s Island – Victoria Hislop Maria’s Island – Victoria Hislop

Maria Island is a perfect destination for world-class bird watching, and has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The island supports significant numbers of endangered swift parrots and forty-spotted pardalotes, over 1% of the world population of Pacific gulls, as well as populations of most of Tasmania’s endemic bird species. In fact, eleven of the state's 12 endemic species can be seen here, including the rare Cape Barren goose. Convicts sent to Maria Island worked in a number of different industries including timber-cutting, tanning, shoe-making and cloth production. Due to rampant disciplinary problems, Maria Island was closed down and much of the remaining convict population relocated to Port Arthur in 1832. You are allowed to take 7kg of carry-on luggage for free. Anything above this incurs a fee, as does taking a bicycle with you.The enormous Cape Barren Goose also wanders around the historical grounds at the convict settlement, grazing on the grassy slopes near Darlington. There are a set of toilets near the ferry terminal and at the camps. These toilet are flush toilets, but the more remote you get on the island, there are drop toilets Standing 711 meters tall and much more remote than Bishop and Clerk, not many people make it to the summit which is a shame, because the panoramic views from the top are next level.