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Maria Island National Park

Maria Island National Park

Sparkling like a jewel off Tasmania's eastern coast is its treasure isle, Maria Island. Here, nature has painted an exquisite landscape of aquamarine bays, sculpted cliffs and verdant mountains. Declared a national park in 1972, Maria Island is a sanctuary for fascinating wildlife. Home to several thrilling trails and bike paths, the island is also one of the most captivating snorkelling spots in Tassie, featuring numerous shipwrecks.

Attractions

Wildlife

Maria Island is home to kangaroos, wallabies, and Tasmanian devils, carnivorous animals the size of a small dog. The park also serves as a sanctuary for endangered bird species. These include swift parrots, orange-bellied parrots, forty-spotted pardalotes, and Pacific gulls. The rare Cape Barren goose is also protected here. Maria Island has eleven species of birds found nowhere else on earth.

Painted Cliffs

Painted Cliffs features sculpted sandstone patterned in orange-brown. The cliffs are breathtaking, carved by wind and waves and painted by mineral water. The serene beach and shoreline features rock pools of sea anemone, shellfish, and seaweed. For safety, take the walk within two hours of low tide. Tidal information can be obtained at the Commissariat Store and the Ranger Station Notice Board. The hike takes about 2 hours round trip.

Biking

With cars not permitted on Maria Island, there is ideal opportunity for cycling. Many of the roads are suitable for mountain bikes, which can be rented on the island. Remember to play it safe though—helmets are required by law.

Hiking

Several hiking trails offer insights into Maria Island's history and spectacular views of its landscape and wildlife. The Reservoir Circuit traverses open woodland and fragrant eucalyptus forest, and Fossil Cliffs offers an exploration of a limestone quarry, where you can see the fascinating patterns of shell creatures embedded in rock, dating back 300 million years.