A magical Maria Island day trip you’ll rave about after

Maria Island Day trip adventure

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Tasmania’s weather is controlled by 3 converging climate systems – the SAM, IOD and SO – unlike the rest of Australia. There are micro-climates across the island. So weather changes on a dime no matter the season.  Come prepared for all weather, all year and you’ll have a great holiday!

There are some places that leave you speechless. Maria Island is one of them. From the moment we boarded the ferry from Triabunna, we knew we were in for something special. The crisp, salty air and vast stretches of Tasman Sea greeted us as we sailed toward this remote Tasmanian paradise. Trust me, the island doesn’t disappoint. Our Maria Island day trip turned into a love affair with untouched landscapes, abundant wildlife, and pristine beaches. Here’s everything you need to know (and some insider tips) to plan an unforgettable Maria Island experience.

What we cover

To help you plan a magical day trip to Maria Island you’ll rave about after, we share:

  1. Why to add a Maria Island to your Tassie itinerary
  2. The best Maria Island day trip itinerary from Hobart
  3. Your Maria Island day trip – must see sites
  4. How to get to Maria Island – 3 options with costs
  5. What to know before you go – insider tips, weather, what to take & should you hire a bike.

3 reasons to add Maria Island to your Tasmania itinerary

1. It’s a wombat wonderland

Maria Island tours
Wombats roam free on the island

As soon as we set foot on Maria Island, we spotted its most famous residents — the wombats!

These adorable little hug-puggles roam freely across the island, and there are loads of them!

Every few steps, there was another wombat, lazily munching on grass or waddling across the trails. If you’re a fan of wildlife (who isn’t?), this is an experience that will stay with you forever.

I managed to snap a few photos of these furry locals, but honestly, the joy of just watching them in their natural habitat was one of the highlights of our day trip adventure.

2. It’s an untouched island paradise

But it wasn’t just the wombats that had us in awe.

Maria Island’s landscape is something out of a dream — towering cliffs that drop off into the Tasman sea, sweeping white beaches, and untouched rugged wilderness. It felt exactly like stepping into a postcard.

The beaches, in particular, stunned me with their beauty. Crystal-clear waters lapping against soft, white sand, and not a single footprint in sight. We spent as much time as we could walking along the shoreline at Rutherford Beach, feeling completely disconnected from the rest of the world.

Rutherford Beach Maria Island
Rutherford Beach looking towards Painted Cliffs

The best and most surprising thing?

There’s no development – no shops, restaurants, cafes, roads or cars – to disturb the natural beauty over there.

Rare right?

3. It’s still under-discovered

A Maria Island day trip takes you off the beaten track. A detour from the usual Tasmania travel trails. The island is still under-discovered by most tourists that come here.

And I don’t know about you, but that made me really want to go explore!

If you travel in low season, you can find spots on the island where it’s just you, the wombats, and nature. In today’s world of over-tourism, that’s a rare privilege worth striving for.

The peacefulness of the island is something I’ll never forget. It’s hard to find places that are so unspoiled by modern life. No cars, no shops, just you and the raw beauty of nature. If you’re someone who thrives on escaping the hustle and bustle, a day on Maria Island is exactly what you need.

Just get there soon…

Maria Island day trip itinerary

Next, we’ll run through the ideal Maria Island day trip itinerary from Hobart, with times.

It’s a self drive itinerary, but if you don’t want to drive you don’t have to. You can take the Maria Island Shuttle from Hobart, or join a Maria Island tour from Hobart. We’ll run through all options to get to Maria Island below 👇🏽.

But first, let get you oriented,…

Maria Island Map

Our Maria Island Map 👇🏽 shows the main sites, and spots worth visiting.

You won’t be able to get to all of these in a day trip. But don’t worry. We’ll share the best spots to absolutely make sure you do fit in. Including where to see all the wallabies and wombats!

Maria Island day trip itinerary – self drive

  1. 7 am – Leave Hobart for Triabunna – driving
  2. 8:30 am – (10am May to Aug) – Depart Triabunna for Maria Island
  3. 9 am – Painted Cliffs & Rutherford Beach return (on low tide only)
  4. Lunch
  5. 12:30 pm – Fossil Cliffs & wallaby wander
  6. 2:30 pm – Darlington & wombat wander
  7. 4:15 pm – Depart Maria Island
  8. 5 pm – Depart Triabunna for Hobart

What about sites like Bishop and Clerk, MrCrae’s Isthmus, and south Maria Island?

To be honest, you can’t see the whole island in a day trip.

These sites are further afield. To include them, you’d have to give up one or probably two of the must see destinations in our itinerary.

The Bishop an Clerk Track is a popular site for the views from the top. They’re incredible! But you do need to hire a bike if you want to make it there and back in a day. You’ll spend at least 4 hours but more likely 6 hours getting there, up and back. And you’ll also need to factor in time to pick up your bike. All of that doesn’t leave time for other exploring.

The upshot? If you’re fit and confident you can power through the ride and the climb, go for it! But it’s better for an overnight stay site in our view.

A rave-worthy Maria Island day trip from Hobart

These are the spots that you MUST SEE on your day trip, for a full Maria Island experience.

Painted Cliffs & Rutherford Beach

Maria Island Day trip Itinerary
Painted Cliffs at low tide

Distance: 2.6km | *Walking time: 35 min (one way) | Total time: 3 hours

After disembarking the ferry at 9am, the first destination on your itinerary is the Painted Cliffs.

One of the must-see spots on Maria Island is the Painted Cliffs, and trust me, they live up to their reputation.

The swirling sandstone formations, washed in hues of gold, orange, and red, are only really visible at low tide when you can explore up close. Walking along the base of these cliffs, I was amazed by how nature can be such an artist.

The cliffs are a photographer’s dream, and I couldn’t resist capturing the unique patterns etched into the stone by centuries of wind and waves. The beach was also pretty, and a great spot for an early lunch.

While the walk to the Painted Cliffs is only 35 minutes, allow an hour to get there, because you’ll want to stop and look at the wombats and the scenic vistas along the way.

There’s a detour track up to Oast House opposite Rutherford Beach. Also worth a wander on your return journey towards Darlington.

📌 Note: You can only see the Painted Cliffs at low tide. So plan your itinerary and your day around the tides. Switch the Painted Cliffs and Fossil Cliffs on your itinerary. It may mean you do Painted Cliffs in the afternoon instead of morning.

There’s good reason to plan the day of your trip to Maria Island around the tides too. You’ll need low tide to fall between 10am and 3pm ideally, to see the Painted Cliffs.

*All walking times and distances are from the ferry terminal on Maria Island

Fossil Cliffs walk & wallaby wander

Maria Island
Famous Fossil Cliffs

Distance: 4.2km | *Walking time: 1 hour 5min (loop) | Total time: 2 hours

For something a bit more rugged, the Fossil Cliffs Walk offers some of the most scenic views of and from the island.

The Fossil Cliffs Walk is best tackled in an anti-clockwise direction, so that you’re facing the stunning views as you walk. There’s also more downhill than up, in this direction. So start the walk from Darlington. The trail head begins behind the Penitentiary building.

Once you reach the cliffs, the views are breathtaking, with dramatic drops into the ocean below. But walk past the cliffs and up the hill and you’ll be picking your jaw up off floor as the vista unfolds.

📸 This is the first of two incredible spots for expansive landscape photography

There’s a perfectly placed bench on the trail here. Sit a while and soak up the astounding beauty of the expansive surrounds.

Maria Island Day trip from Hobart
Expansive views on the Fossil Cliffs Track

On the second half of this loop circuit, its worth climbing up the hill away from the sea to explore the old Millers Cottage.

There’s loads of kangaroos and wallabies in this area and they let you quite close, for some amazing shots. Check out where on the island to find the most wildlife below 👇🏽 (also marked on our Maria Island Map).

The iconic Maria Island scenery continues as you head down the hill back towards the Probation Station and Darlington to finish this walk.

Darlington & wombat wander

Maria Island Penitentiary
Views from Darlington

Distance: 2.6km | *Walking time: 20 min (one way) | Total time: 1 hours

Darlington is village central of Maria island. It’s where you pick up your bike, if you hire one, where the overnight accommodation is, and where the toilets water taps are!

Darlington has had a checked past and is a fascinating spot to explore.

The first convict settlement here was from 1825 to 1832 and was when the main buildings like the Commissariat Store and the Penitentiary were built. You’ll get to explore these restored heritage buildings, along with others that haven’t fared so well, as you tour the area.

Eventually, the convict settlement was closed and prisoners moved to Port Arthur. But Darlington then reopened in 1842 as a probation station, focusing on agriculture, before being closed again in 1850. After another failed attempt (in the 1880s) to revitalize the area Maria Island was left to farming, until it became a national park in 1971.

Darlington is a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like a replica, but is real. And it’s very cool to explore. If you head just up the hill from Darlington towards Painted Cliffs, you’ll find a paddock full of grazing wombats to wander among!

📸 This is the second spot you’ll want to grab some incredible photos of the wombats and the views.

Where to see wildlife

best place to see wombats in Tasmania
Maria Island is the best place to see wombats in all of Tasmania

Everyone wants to know where the best place is to see wombats in Tasmania.

Our answer is always Maria Island.

The wombats own the joint! The best place to spot them is after Darlington, on the way up the hill towards Painted Cliffs. This seems to be a favourite spot for wombat grazing. For you, that means they’re too busy eating to run away! So you can get some great photos, without getting too close.

This is also an excellent spot to throw down your picnic blanket and grab lunch, if it works in with your itinerary.

Aside from wombats, Maria Island is home to kangaroos, wallabies, and even Tasmanian devils. On our visit, we encountered a mob of kangaroos grazing and hopping around the Airstrip on the Fossil Cliff walk. Again, there’s good grass here and the kangaroos and wallabies are too distracted by food to worry about you.

We’ve marked both wildlife viewing spots on our Maria Island map 👆🏼.

I should also mention the ferry, for wildlife spotting.

We spotted dolphins zipping through the waters of Spring Bay as we powered towards Maria Island. It was like nature was showing off, and we were the lucky one getting to witness it all. At the right time of year (May to July and September to November), you can also spot a migratory whale or too.

How to get to Maria Island

Maria Island Ferry

Every Maria Island trip involves a ferry trip (or a cruise)! The Maria Island Ferry departs from Triabunna on the south east coast of Tasmania. It takes about 30 minutes one day to get to the island.

It’s best to buy your ferry tickets ahead of time, especially in peak season. The ‘same day return’ ticket is the one to book. Ferry tickets are $54 per adult, same day return.

You collect your tickets at the Maria Island Gateway before boarding the ferry. The Gateway is right beside the Maria Island Ferry Terminal in Triabunna.

Maria Island Ferry
Board the Maria Island Encounter Ferry after you pick up your ferry tickets nearby

But… before you can get on the ferry, you have to get yourself to Triabunna! There’s two options from Hobart:

1. Drive to Triabunna

Triabunna is an easy 1 hour 10 minute drive from Hobart, and if you have hire car for your Tassie trip, this is your best option.

There’s parking at the Maria Island Ferry Terminal, and it’s free!

It’s also quick to get on the ferry, once you’ve collected your ferry tickets from Maria Island Gateway. Allow about 1.5 hours for the drive and check in process. A bit more if you have kids.

2. Maria Island Shuttle Bus

If driving isn’t your thing, or you’re on a strict travel budget, you can catch the Maria Island Shuttle Bus from Hobart.

The Shuttle Bus departs from Brooke Pier at Constitution Dock at 6:45am, arriving in Triabunna in time for the first ferry. It connects with the last ferry of the day for the return trip to Hobart.

At $55 for the return journey, the Shuttle Bus is the lowest cost option to get to Maria Island, for solo travellers and for couples.

It’s important to note that the Maria Island Shuttle Bus only runs from October to April. If you’re visiting in the off season, you’ll have to hire a car.

Maria Island tour

For a no-hassle Maria Island day trip, it’s best to take a Maria tour. This is the day trip version where everything is done for you. Tours are run from Hobart by some of the best rated operators in Tasmania.

Each tour offers something different, and gives you different amounts of time on the island. The best thing about a tour is that you get the local stories and insights from knowledgable guides. You also get to see things and experience perspectives that day trippers don’t.

Given the intriguing history of Maria Island, that’s a massive bonus that will enrich your experience beyond any self guided day trip.

Tours are priced between $200 to $300 per person, with the more expensive ones including lunch, drinks and snacks. Well worth it, if your judging by the number of 5 star reviews these tours get from guests.

Here’s the three different tours we recommend for their immersive experiences of Maria Island:

1. Maria Island Cruise:

This highly rated Maria Island Cruise is also the most popular. It’s a cruise that circumnavigates Maria Island and then takes you ashore, to explore.

Day trip to Maria Island
The Maria Island Cruise gives you time to explore the island independently if you want to

You’ll take in breathtaking bay and island views, relax on pristine white beaches, and enjoy a guided tour of UNESCO-listed heritage sites. It’s a fantastic chance to spot Tasmanian wombats, wallabies, and an array of marine life and birds. It’s run by knowledgeable local guides, and comes with included snacks, drinks, and lunch.

It’s perfect for you want a bit less walking, without missing out on Maria Island’s big attractions.

This one sells out often, so book early to avoid disappointment.

2. Maria Island Walking Tour

This immersive, full-day tour takes you straight to Maria Island’s top spots, including the Painted Cliffs, Fossil Cliffs, and the historic Darlington settlement. All with guided walks offering rich local knowledge and stories of the island’s past.

Maria Island walking tour
Walking is without doubt the best way to experience Maria Island

You end up covering about 10 kilometres on foot for the day, so it’s definitely one for the more active traveller. You’re also guaranteed to encounter wombats, wallabies, and pademelons up close with all that walking.

The tour includes the ferry ride and a Parks Pass (bonus!), so there’s no need to organise these. All you need to bring are your own snacks, lunch, and water for the adventure.

Check availability of the guided walking tour for your dates.

Maria Island and seal colony tour

This tour is a wildlife lover’s dream, offering the chance to spot dolphins, whales, wombats, and wallabies. It’s also the only cruise that visits the breathtaking seal colony at Ile Des Phoques. Highlights include exploring the stunning Rainbow Caves by sea.

Maria Island Cruise 1
The Maria Island and seal colony tour is a wildlife extravaganza

After lunch on board, you can either take a guided tour of Maria Island’s historic Darlington Village or enjoy free time on the island’s scenic trails and pristine beaches.

From all of the 5 star ratings, wildlife lovers should definitely get in early and reserve a seat on this tour.

What to know before you go

When is the best time to go?

Planning the perfect day trip involves choosing the right season. Each time of year brings something unique:

  • Summer: Bright, sunny days perfect for swimming and beachcombing. But more tourists and bigger crowds.
  • Autumn: Fewer crowds, cooler temps, and autumn colours. Chilly, so you do need to rug up.
  • Winter: Crisp, quiet days that feel like you have the island to yourself. But it gets cold and your time on the island is shorter (less daylight and fewer ferries).
  • Spring: Bursts of wildflowers and active wildlife. But Spring is windy as hell on the island and the ferry crossing can be rough.

For us, Autumn was ideal. We still had long days, the weather wasn’t too cold or windy, the crowds were small, the wombats were out in full force, and the island felt like it was bursting with life.

Really, no matter when you go, Maria Island’s beauty will blow you away.

10 insider tips for an incredible day

  1. Book your ferry tickets beforehand. Especially in peak summer travel times.
  2. Make sure you have a valid Parks Pass with you. National Parks and Wildlife may ask to see this as you collect your ferry tickets at Triabunna Maria Island Gateway.
  3. There is tap water on the island but it is not potable. You can’t drink it from the tap without treatment, despite what other folks on the internet might say.
  4. There’s one toilet on the island, at Darlington. Plan your schedule accordingly.
  5. The ferry to Maria Island can get rough in windy weather. The good news is, it’s only a short 30 minute ride.
  6. If you forget to pack your lunch or bring snacks, the Maria Island Ferry sells food, drinks and snacks. Remember – there’s no shops, cafes or vending machines on the island.
  7. Take a plastic bag in your day pack for all of your rubbish. There are no bins on the island.
  8. The Maria Island Ferry runs at different times in the off season from May to August. And it doesn’t run on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the off season.
  9. A return ticket on the Maria Island Ferry only includes 7kg of baggage. So don’t bring your luggage or backpack. A day pack is all that’s allowed.

What to bring to Maria Island

Maria Island is remote — there are no shops, restaurants, or even cars. Being prepared for your trip is key to having a great day. Here’s what to take with you:

  • A day pack, to carry everything. There’s no left luggage storage.
  • Sturdy shoes for the hiking trails or bike hire.
  • A packed lunch and snacks, you won’t find food on the island).
  • A picnic blanket, to rest and eat lunch along the way.
  • Plenty of drinking water, 2L per person minimum.
  • A camera, you’ll want to capture the wildlife and views.
  • Sunscreen and a hat, even on cooler or cloudy days.
  • A wind proof rain jacket, for Tasmania’s four-seasons-in-one-day weather.

Should you hire a bike a Maria Island?

hire  bike on Maria Island
You can hire a bike and pick it up on the island

Bike is the only way to explore locations further afield on Maria Island. You can hire one before your day trip, and pick it up at Darlington. But do you need to hire one for a day trip? Here are the pros and cons:

Pros

  • You’ll get to see more attractions on your day. And you’ll be able to explore more remote sites, with less people.
  • It’s loads of fun to be on your Mountain Bike, zipping across the dirt trails that criss cross the island.

Cons

  • Maria Island by bike is a less immersive experience. You won’t see or experience the scenery and wildlife as deeply you do on foot. You’ll be too busy zipping on by…
  • It’s hilly. If you’re not moderately fit, you’ll be walking your bike to most sites anyway. So why not just walk?

You don’t need a bike for the itinerary we’ve shared here. But if you want to cover more ground, then a bike is the only way to do it.

A day you won’t forget

Our Maria Island day trip exceeded expectations. It’s a place that feels frozen in time, where the wildlife is king, and every corner of the island offers something new to discover.

Whether you’re keen to hike, snap photos of the stunning scenery, or simply sit and watch wombats wander by, Maria Island is the kind of place that stays with you long after you’ve left its shores.

If you’re ready to explore and want to know more costs, or plan on staying on Maria Island overnight, check out more info in our Maria Island guide.

Or if you want all of the unforgettable fun with none of the hassle, book one of the Maria Island tours.

FAQs

Is Maria Island Tasmania worth visiting?

100 percent yes, Maria Island is worth visiting. It’s our second favourite place in all of Tasmania to visit. If you love gorgeous landscapes, rugged feels, nature walks and up-close experiences with wombats and wallabies, Maria Island is where it’s at.

Can you drive to Maria Island from Hobart?

You can’t drive to the island itself. You have to drive to Triabunna, a small town on the south east coast of Tasmania. From there, you catch the Encounter Maria Island Ferry over to Maria Island.

Can you do a day trip to Maria Island?

Yes you absolutely can do a day trip to Maria Island. If you’re in Tasmania’s south or on the east coast, we highly recommend a day on Maria Island. If you need help planing a day trip, check out our post about how to plan an incredible day here 👆🏼.

How much does it cost to go to Maria Island?

It’s about $150 for an adult to go to Maria Island. This includes the ferry ticket and Parks Pass, as well as bike hire and food and water. It doesn’t include the Maria Island Shuttle Bus cost from Hobart, or car hire to get to Triabunna.

If you include the Maria Island Shuttle Bus cost, it’s around $200 per person for a day trip to Maria Island from Hobart.

Couples with a hire car should expect to pay around $400 for the day, including ferry tickets, parks pass, bike hire, food and their hire car costs.

Maria Island tours cost between $200 and $300 per person and include your ferry and parks pass. The more expensive tours also include lunch, drinks and snacks.

Tasmania Trails travel blog about us

Written by Tara

I'm a Chinese speaking, semi-retired ex Australian Diplomat reinvented as a renewable energy and climate change advisor to governments in the 2000s. I now live in rural Tasmania and love it here, spending all my spare time exploring and adventuring this gift of an island with my partner. And sometimes my 2 Hungarian Vizslas come along too!

10 Oct, 2024

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