Walkers on 4 Mile Beach on Maria Island
Explore the stunning Maria Island on this guided walk | Tourism Tasmania and Rob Burnett
Stunning coloured rocks on the Maria Island walk | Tourism Tasmania and Rob Burnett
Walking on Riedle Beach, Maria Island
Every corner has picture-perfect photo opportunities on Maria Island | Tourism Tasmania and Rob Burnett
Walk along white sandy beaches with gin-clear water | Rob Burnett
4
Introductory to Moderate
Activities
  • 4 days walking
Accommodation
  • 2 nights luxury tented camp
  • 1 night accommodated
Meals
  • 3 Dinners
  • 4 Lunches
  • 3 Breakfasts

4 Days$AUD

View Inclusions
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: SOG5829

Trip highlights

  • The Maria Island Walk is a trip of the Great Walks of Australia
  • Explore this extraordinary 'garden of Eden'
  • Stay at the elegant colonial Bernacchi House
  • Get an insight into the convict past of the island
  • Spot a Tasmanian Devil!
  • Delicious meals featuring Tasmanian food and wines
  • Discover the remarkable fossils at Fossil Cliffs

The magic of walking on Maria Island will mesmerise all who come to experience its World Heritage listed ruins, rugged cliffs and mountains, sweeping bays and abundant wildlife. Located just off the East Coast of Tasmania, the island is a walker's paradise with no motor vehicles or shops to distract you from the island's unspoiled wilderness. This personalised guided walk showcases the very best of Maria Island. Carrying only a light pack and travelling in small groups of ten, your two experienced local guides will bring your walks to life as you explore the pristine beaches, ancient Blue Gum forests, convict settlements, ancient Aboriginal sites and even an optional climb to the 711-metre summit of Mt. Maria for breathtaking panoramic views over the area. The walks are set at a gentle pace so there is plenty of time to observe the amazing Tasmanian bird and wildlife or to discover the fascinating history of the island.

Activities:

Itinerary

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We start with a hotel pickup in Hobart. After a short drive to Triabunna, we board our boat and explore Mercury Passage en route to Shoal Bay on Maria Island’s isthmus, arriving in ample time to enjoy stunning views and walk through beautiful forests with abundant wildlife. Relax at the delightful Casuarina Beach Camp, take a swim in the sheltered bay and enjoy fresh Tasmanian food and wine. In the evening, after a fine gourmet dinner, stroll along the beach at sunset with a glass of wine, delighting in the day you’ve had and excited by what lies ahead. Distance - 8kms

Meals:  L,D

Walk from Riedle Bay across the rare land formation of the isthmus to Shoal Bay to stroll five fabulous beaches. Explore the convict cells at Point Lesueur and visit an ochre pit at Bloodstone Point – one of the original ochre sources for the Tasmanian Aborigines. Put your feet up at White Gums Camp, where native birds will entertain you while you sip wine on the deck and anticipate dinner. Distance - 13kms

Meals:  B,L,D

Head inland to green forests that are a prime habitat for the endangered 40-Spotted Pardalote. Take the gentle inland track to Hopgrounds Beach and the Painted Cliffs or continue to the 711-metre summit of Mt. Maria for breathtaking 360 views. Or save the mountain climb for Bishop and Clerk, with its fantastic sea and coastline vistas. Finish the day with a sumptuous banquet and accommodation in the historic colonial home once occupied by Italian entrepreneur, Diego Bernacchi. Distance - 9 - 17kms

Meals:  B,L,D

A chance to relax and enjoy the serenity of Darlington and walk through the tall Blue Gum forest, to the convict brickworks and heritage reservoir and around to the world class Fossil Cliffs. Enjoy a champagne lunch overlooking the distant Freycinet peninsula, followed by a gentle tour around the convict settlement and industrial ruins of Darlington and soak up the atmosphere. Return to Hobart for a last farewell followed by a drop off at your hotel. A transfer to Hobart airport is available, connecting with flights departing from 6pm. Distance - 4kms PLEASE NOTE - On the rare occasions when sea conditions make the crossing to Maria Island uncomfortable, there may be delays or alternative arrangements will be made

Meals:  B,L

Inclusions

What's included

  • Professional guides
  • 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners and wine
  • 3 nights twin-share accommodation
  • Bus/boat transfers between Hobart and Maria Island
  • National Park fees
  • Use of backpacks, sleeping bag liners, pillow cases, head torches & waterproof jackets
  • Emergency communications & group first aid kit
  • Trip accompanied by Edwina Parsons

  • Accommodation before or after the trip
  • Items of a personal nature - car parking etc
  • Travel insurance

About Your Leader

Edwina Parsons has been involved in the outdoor industry for over thirty years. She was Coordinator of Outdoor Education at Cranbrook School directing Cranbrook in the Field, their four-year compulsory program. She also held the key pastoral role of Housemaster. Edwina was on the Board of Outward Bound Australia from 2005 to 2016; during her tenure she was chair of the Safety Advisory Committee and the Board Safety Committee. She is Chairperson of the Board of The Cuppacumbalong Foundation which she joined in 2018.

She has trekked extensively in Australia and New Zealand with World Expeditions and has led overseas trips to Kenya, Nepal, Bhutan, India and Japan. In 2016 she walked the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain to raise funds for research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and in 2018 the Larapinta raising funds for The Katrina Dawson Foundation. Edwina holds a BA in Visual Arts. She has been the recipient of a number of scholarships including the Art Gallery of New South Wales Travelling Scholarship and the Dyason Bequest. She taught HSC Visual Arts at Cranbrook. Her knowledge of and enthusiasm for the arts adds another dimension to her expertise. Her other interests include the theatre, tennis, meditation and yoga. She is a member of the Meditation Association of Australia.

Accommodation

Luxury Camping

The first two nights of the 4 day Maria Island Walk are spent in wilderness camps situated in beautiful bush and only a stone's throw from the beach. These camps are specially designed to have a small environmental footprint. You’ll fall asleep in a comfortable bed in your own bush cabin to the sound of waves gently lapping nearby and wake to the sound of birds in the forest.

Accommodated Colonial House

The last night on Maria Island you’ll be staying in the beautifully restored Bernacchi House at Darlington, a rare, heritage listed house dating back to 1880. After a final night’s banquet take a stroll on to veranda and marvel at the millions of stars and the fragrance of the lavender garden below.

Suitability

Introductory to Moderate

4

Departure dates


Priceper person from

$AUD

Options & Supplements*
    *Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed The Maria Island Walk with Edwina Parsons trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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We collect guests from central Hobart hotels from 7:30am on Day 1 of the walk. On Day 4 of the walk we offer a scheduled airport transfer at 4:00pm * or transfer guests to their hotel in central Hobart by 5:00pm. *We recommend guests book flights no earlier than 6:00pm.

Guests walk along firm beaches and formed bush tracks and a moderate level of fitness is required. A backpack with all personal gear is carried by each guest throughout the walk so we suggest you pack light as per our gear list. When we climb the mountain peaks your packs can be left and a lighter day pack carried.

Maria Island has a mild, temperate climate during walking months and has an average daytime temperature in the 20s and night time 10-15 degrees, but of course the weather can be unpredictable and so we recommend guests pack for all conditions.

Two nights will be at our beautiful camps where guests enjoy twin share*, comfortable cabins with raised beds, complete with mattresses, sleeping bags and pillows. The camps are environmentally sensitive; with water tanks collecting rain from some of the world’s cleanest air, wash rooms, warm outdoor bush showers and composting toilets. The final night is in historic Bernacchi House; guests enjoy hot showers, fresh linen, recline by wood fires and a piano whilst waiting for the final nights banquet.

*Single walkers will share with other same gender guests. Private accommodation will be subject to availability and should be discussed with the office team at the time of booking.

For us to plan and cater for your walk we ask guests to advise of any specific dietary and health needs. Maria Island is a remote location and your comfort and care is important to us.

We strongly recommend that you have appropriate travel insurance.

Wearing multiple layers of clothes is recommended for warmth and comfort when walking. Denim is generally not recommended as can become heavy and cold when wet and it does not breathe. Boots with ankle support and good sole tread are recommended, particularly if guests are keen to climb the mountain summits. Boots should be comfortable and worn in. Solid walking shoes with good soles are OK however trainers/runners are generally not recommended.

For groups of 10, private walks or selected departures, we can arrange to porter packs between each nights accommodation. There will be an extra charge for this service.

Trip reviews

Videos

Walking Maria Island

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.