Maria Island National Park

About

A car-free island national park 15km off Tasmania's east coast, accessible only by ferry from Triabunna, renowned for extraordinary wildlife density including Tasmanian devils, wombats, wallabies, cape barren geese, and introduced bettongs in numbers rarely seen elsewhere. The island has a rich human history as a Convict-era penal settlement at Darlington, now a UNESCO World Heritage site with intact colonial buildings. Two mountains dominate the island — Mt Maria (711m) and [Bishop and Clerk](/au/trails/tas/bishop-and-clerk) (620m) — offering superb walking.

History & Significance

Maria Island was used as a convict probation station from 1825–1832, with Darlington the main settlement. Hundreds of convicts worked in quarries and farms; the penal period was brutal but the site is now remarkably well-preserved. The island was later a grazing property and was gazetted as a national park in 1971. Darlington's colonial buildings are now a UNESCO World Heritage site within the broader Australian Fossil Mammal Sites property.

Video

Getting There

Visitor Tips

• •Book ferry tickets in advance, especially in peak season — services fill quickly. Bring sturdy walking shoes, water, and sun protection; the island has limited shade and no shops. Start with Mt Maria or Bishop and Clerk early to avoid afternoon heat and crowds. Wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk — plan your spotting time accordingly. Camping or staying in historic accommodation lets you experience the island properly; day trips are rushed. Bikes are excellent for covering ground between walking tracks.