National park · Australia
Maria Island National Park
Go for one full day if the ferry is running: land at Darlington, walk the 4.5 km (2.8 mi) Fossil Cliffs circuit and the Painted Cliffs at low tide, and check the day's last sailing time before you set out; sleep over only if you have booked the penitentiary or a campsite.Go for one full day if the ferry is running: land at Darlington, walk the 2.8 mi (4.5 km) Fossil Cliffs circuit and the Painted Cliffs at low tide, and check the day's last sailing time before you set out; sleep over only if you have booked the penitentiary or a campsite.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
115 km² (44 sq mi)44 sq mi (115 km²)
approximate
Established
1971
Best months
Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 115 km² (44 sq mi)44 sq mi (115 km²)
- Roughly 115 km² including the marine reserve; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1971
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Maria Island is a car-free island off Tasmania's east coast, reached only by a 30-minute ferry from Triabunna. It holds two very different cliff walks, a UNESCO-listed convict station at Darlington, and wildlife — wombats, Forester kangaroos, Tasmanian devils — that is unusually easy to see because there are no vehicles and few people. There is no shop, no fuel and no drinking water supply on the island, so everything you need comes over on the boat with you.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2010Darlington Probation Station, part of the Australian Convict Sites listing.
Size and age
115 km² (44 sq mi)44 sq mi (115 km²) · national park since 1971
Roughly 115 km² including the marine reserve; figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Two cliff walks in one day: Fossil Cliffs for 300-million-year-old fossils, Painted Cliffs for banded sandstone at low tide.
- Wildlife you do not have to hunt for: wombats graze around Darlington in daylight.
- A convict station that is largely unchanged, and is part of a World Heritage listing.
- No cars on the island — you walk or push a bike, and the quiet is the point.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanWarm, long days; book ferry and beds early
- FebWarm and settled; busiest weeks
- MarMild, fewer people, calm sea
- AprCooler; good walking, shorter days
- MayQuiet; wetter and windier
- JunCold, short days; sailings can be cancelled
- JulColdest; rough crossings possible
- AugCold and windy; wildlife still active
- SepSpring; wildflowers and fewer visitors
- OctMild, drier, good light
- NovWarm and clear; wombat young out
- DecWarm but school holidays fill the ferry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WombatsAll year · Common around Darlington; keep distance and never feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Forester kangaroos and wallabiesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tasmanian devilsAll year · Present on the island; sightings are chance, mostly at dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Seabirds and shorebirdsSep–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Whales offshoreMay–Nov · Migration season; seen from the ferry or the coast. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Triabunna
Ferry from the Triabunna wharf to Darlington, about 30 minutes; five sailings a day in peak season.
30 min
From Hobart
Drive or bus to Triabunna on the Tasman Highway, then the ferry.
1.5 h drive
From Launceston
Drive via the Midland and Tasman highways to Triabunna, then the ferry.
2.5–3 h drive
From Eastern Tasmania plan
Where Maria Island fits with Freycinet and the east coast.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Darlington | Ferry landing, convict station, ranger station, penitentiary and the main campsite. | Open to all arrivals; the historic buildings are walk-in. |
| Fossil Cliffs and the north | Cliff-top circuit over fossil beds and the old quarry area. | Open on foot; no vehicles. |
| Painted Cliffs and the south | Banded sandstone cliffs reached along the beach from Darlington. | Open on foot; best within about two hours of low tide. |
| Encampment Cove and Frenchs Farm | Remote southern campsites and the long southward walking route. | Open on foot or by bike; no water supply. |
Sketch map
- 1Triabunna wharf · Ranger station≈-42.508, 147.912Ferry departure point on the mainland.Map ↗
- 2Darlington · Headquarters≈-42.582, 148.067Ferry landing, ranger station and convict station.Map ↗
- 3Fossil Cliffs · Viewpoint≈-42.573, 148.079Map ↗
- 4Painted Cliffs · Viewpoint≈-42.593, 148.052Map ↗
- 5Encampment Cove · Sleep≈-42.663, 148.037Map ↗
- 6Frenchs Farm · Sleep≈-42.651, 148.048Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the ferry landing to the southern campsites, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No separate entry fee for day visitors arriving by ferry; a Tasmanian parks pass is required for camping and for some park areas (check current pass prices). |
| Return ferry, Triabunna to Darlington | AUD 45 (≈ US$30) | adult | 2026 estimate from the operator's published adult fare; child fares lower. Book ahead in summer. |
| Penitentiary accommodation | AUD 44 (≈ US$30) | room for two | 2026 estimate; bunks in the former convict building, book through the parks service. |
| Darlington campsite | AUD 7–15 (≈ US$5–10) | person per night | 2026 estimate; pay at the ranger station. |
| Encampment Cove and Frenchs Farm campsites | Free | person per night | Free with a valid parks pass. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Tasmanian parks pass no permit
Ferry booking permit or guide
Penitentiary or campsite booking permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$45≈ US$30
- A$44≈ US$30
- A$7–15≈ US$5–10
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parks Tasmania — Maria Island National Park before you go.
Park rules
- No vehicles
- Cars are not allowed on the island; bring a bike on the ferry if you want one.
- No food or water supply
- There are no shops; carry all food, and treat or boil tap water before drinking.
- Take all rubbish off the island
- There is no waste disposal; pack out everything you bring.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach animals; keep food secured from wombats and birds.
- Fires
- Open fires are not permitted; use the provided cooking facilities at the penitentiary.
Where to stay
In the park
Maria Island Penitentiary
Bunk rooms in the former convict building at Darlington; gas stoves provided, booking required.
In the park
Darlington campsite
Tent sites near the landing; pay at the ranger station.
In the park
Encampment Cove and Frenchs Farm campsites
Remote southern sites, free with a parks pass; no water.
Near the park
Triabunna
Motels, caravan parks and holiday rentals by the ferry wharf.
Safety
Ferry cancellations in rough weather medium
Tides at the Painted Cliffs medium
Exposed walking on Bishop and Clerk high
No drinking water medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The ferry and the Darlington area involve boarding a vessel and walking on uneven ground; ask the operator about assistance before booking.
- The Painted Cliffs beach route and the Fossil Cliffs circuit are rough and not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- There is no vehicle access on the island, so distances must be covered on foot or by bike.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; the island has no waste collection.
- Keep to marked tracks to protect burrows and nesting birds.
- Do not feed wildlife; human food harms wombats and birds.
- Book with operators that follow the park's wildlife and waste rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Maria Island National Park?
There is no separate entry fee. You need a Tasmanian parks pass, which covers park entry and camping, and you pay for the return ferry from Triabunna — around A$45–55 per adult in 2026. Penitentiary rooms and the Darlington campsite are booked and paid separately.
What are the best hikes in Maria Island National Park?
The Fossil Cliffs circuit, about 4.5 km and 1.5–2.5 hours from Darlington, and the beach walk to the Painted Cliffs, which must be timed for low tide. The Bishop and Clerk route is the hard option, four to five hours on exposed ground.
When is the best time to visit Maria Island National Park?
October to March gives the mildest, driest weather and the longest days. December and January are the busiest, so book the ferry and any overnight stay well ahead. Winter crossings can be cancelled in rough weather.
Can I stay overnight on Maria Island?
Yes. The penitentiary at Darlington has bunk rooms, and there are campsites at Darlington, Encampment Cove and Frenchs Farm. All overnight stays must be booked or paid for, and there is no drinking water supply.
Is there food or water on Maria Island?
No. There are no shops or restaurants. Carry all your food and enough water, and treat or boil any water from the taps before drinking.
Can I take a car to Maria Island?
No. Vehicles are not allowed on the island. You walk, or bring a bike on the ferry.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go