Maria Island is a mountainous island and national park managed by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service. It is located in the Tasman Sea off the east coast of Tasmania. The island serves as a native wildlife sanctuary and boasts a peaceful environment with bays, cliffs, and eucalypt forests. Notably, Maria Island is known for its rich history, particularly as the most well-preserved example of convict life in Australia. The island showcases a heritage-listed convict settlement and various historic buildings, including the town of Darlington with its intact convict ruins.
Visitors to Maria Island can partake in a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and camping. The island is also renowned for its friendly wildlife, including wombats, wallabies, and Tasmanian devils. Some popular activities include searching for wombats, hiking to the summit of Bishop and Clerk, walking along the Fossil Cliffs Circuit, and visiting the Painted Cliffs. Furthermore, Maria Island offers stunning white-sand beaches and opportunities for bird watching.
To access Maria Island, visitors must take a ferry, as it is only accessible by sea. The island is considered a sensitive wilderness area, thus it is crucial for visitors to adhere to Leave No Trace principles in order to preserve its natural beauty. With its diverse attractions and relatively low tourist numbers, Maria Island provides a unique and serene experience for nature and history enthusiasts alike.