If you’re looking for a Great Walk with abundant wildlife, history, geology and spectacular landscapes and views around every bend, look no further than the Maria Island Walk in Tasmania.

Located just a few kilometres off the east coast, approximately two hours from Hobart, this fascinating and beautiful island national park is straight out of another era; feet are your primary source of transport (there’s no cars or roads in sight) and as an nature sanctuary, animals rule, explaining its nickname of Tasmania’s Noah’s Ark.

On the multiple award-winning Maria Island Walk, you’ll hike stunning the island’s white-sand beaches, scale peaks like like Bishop & Clerk and Mt Maria (your choice), explore the UNESCO World Heritage Listed settlement site of Darlington, learn about the traditional owners and custodians, and visit the Painted Cliffs and Fossil Cliffs.

Along the way, you’ll of course spot a plethora of the island’s many furry and winged inhabitants for which this nature sanctuary is famed. Maria Island is renowned for being one of the best places in Australia to see wombats, and you may also see whales, dolphins, Forester kangaroos, Cape Barren geese, Tasmanian devils, Bennetts wallabies, parrots, honeyeaters, and birds of prey along the journey.

The Maria Island Walk is an active, but relaxing holiday experience. It is designed to let you immerse yourself completely in the remoteness and tranquillity of this extraordinary island wilderness with a few creatures comforts; the packs are light, the food is gourmet, the wine is Tasmania’s best, and a comfortable bed awaits you each night.

Guests walk in groups of up to 10, with two professional guides leading the way, allowing for the personalised, intimate experience that the walk has become so well known for.

With pristine beaches and formed bush tracks, the is easily achievable by anyone with a moderate level of fitness, from new to experienced hikers alike.

Exclusive Accommodation

You’ll stay in two different secluded wilderness camps for the first two nights, both a stone’s throw from empty, white-sand beaches. These beaches are the perfect place to unwind with a glass of wine, enjoy a stroll exploring for rare shells, or a swim in crystal blue waters.

The camps are simple but comfortable, and designed to have a minimal footprint in the environment. Sleep in bush tents with beds (roll up the sides to listen to the waves gently breaking on the beach at night) and enjoy nightly, candlelit three-course meals, comprising fresh local produce, complemented by fine Tasmanian wine.

On the final night, you’ll stay overnight in heritage listed Bernacchi house in Darlington, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled on the northern tip of the island that was once a bustling penal settlement with over 600 convicts.

“Pack Free” Experience

For those walkers who prefer not to carry the normal pack with your, The Maria Island Walk offers a “pack-free” experience, where guests’ gear is transferred between camps each day so they only carry their lunch, water bottle, camera and rain jacket. This additional portered service is offered on select departures and private group departures for a rate of $200 per person.

Family Friendly Departures

Get back to nature as a family, learn about flora and fauna and have an adventure along the way.

Family friendly departures are for families who have children under the age of 12 years old. 8 years old is the recommended minimum age for family friendly walk departures. Parents should contact us to discuss the children’s fitness levels and if they have done much walking before.

The best time for family friendly walks is during school holidays, mainly in early January while parents and children are both on holidays.

The porter service is highly recommended for family friendly walks. Families will only have to carry a water bottle, rain jacket and lunch box. Having a light pack will make the walk more enjoyable for everyone.

Committed to the Environment

The Maria Island Walk is committed to the environment, and actively supports a variety of conservation programs such as the Forty Spotted Pardalote Recovery and Save the Tasmanian Devil programs. This walk experience is also a member of the Australian Wildlife Journeys collection.