Maria Island Walk Recognised Among the World’s Best by Time Out
The Maria Island Walk, part of the Great Walks of Australia collection, has been officially named by Time Out as one of the 20 best hikes in the world. This four-day guided walk off Tasmania’s east coast blends pristine wilderness, rich history, and intimate luxury — creating an unforgettable Australian walking holiday.
Where Nature and History Unite
Maria Island is a short boat ride from Tasmania’s east coast, yet feels a world away. Known as “Tasmania’s Noah’s Ark,” the island is a sanctuary for wildlife including wombats, wallabies, Cape Barren geese, and rare bird species. The surrounding waters are home to dolphins, seals, and migrating whales.
Along the trail, walkers traverse 25–43 kilometres through diverse landscapes:
- White sand beaches lapped by turquoise waters
- Fossil-rich cliffs dating back millions of years
- Lush eucalypt forests alive with birdsong
- Rolling grasslands dotted with native animals
The walk also explores the island’s cultural history — from its deep First Nations heritage to its UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict-era settlement at Darlington.
Guided Comfort in the Wilderness
Over four days, expert guides lead small groups through ever-changing terrain. By day, walkers enjoy spectacular scenery and wildlife encounters; by night, they retreat to award-winning wilderness camps with comfortable beds, hot showers, and candlelit gourmet dinners prepared from fresh Tasmanian produce. The final night is spent in a beautifully restored heritage home, steeped in history.
Why Time Out Chose the Maria Island Walk
In May 2025, Time Out placed the Maria Island Walk alongside some of the world’s most iconic hiking trails, such as Spain’s Camino de Santiago and France’s Tour du Mont Blanc. The editors praised its unique combination of accessibility, biodiversity, and storytelling, making it a truly world-class walking experience.
Plan Your Adventure
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or simply looking for an immersive nature-based holiday in Australia, the Maria Island Walk offers the perfect balance of physical challenge and personal connection. It’s more than a walk — it’s a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Ready to experience one of the world’s best hikes? Learn more and book your Maria Island Walk here.
For those that have done Maria Island Walk, you’ll know your final pit-stop of historic Bernacchi House in Darlington is a much loved and welcomed place to spend your final night of this four day walk, with its comfortable lounges, lovely dining area, porch perfect for wine and cheese, and hot showers.
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed area of Darlington, Bernacchi House recently received a beautiful and gentle heritage restoration by the Maria Island Walk/Wildbush Luxury team, bringing back much of the charm and sparkle of its former glory when it was one of the finest houses on the island.
Local Tasmanian designer Laura Stucken, also co-owner of Van Bone Restaurant, was in charge of redesign and choose a colour palette in warm natural earthy to breathe freshness into the homestead, which is a local landmark for her.
“As Van Bone looks out over Maria Island, I am very familiar with the landscape, environment, and the history of the island, and understand how important materials, furniture and finishing touches are to capturing the spirit of a place,” she said.
“I was delighted to work with the team on the re-design of Bernacchi House which now feels refreshed and sophisticated but still remains true to the building’s fabric and story.”
Local artisans were commissioned to design and make some new furniture, including Simon Ancher Studio’s beautiful sustainable Tasmanian timber beds and Scott Van Tuil’s sandstone tables, paying homage to the gorgeous Painted Cliffs on the island, much loved by the community.
Local potters Tim and Tammy Holmes also brought their work to ceramics through the house, and other furnishings and joinery was sourced from artisans and suppliers in the Hobart area.
To come and experience the revitalised beauty of Bernacchi, book the award-winning four day, three night Maria Island Walk today. Running from October to May each year, it celebrates fantastic walking (with optional climbs if you like), indigenous culture, settler history and wildlife galore, as Australia’s unofficial home of wombats and many other animals.
Book Maria Island Walk Now
During spring and summer, the Australian native plant Kunzea Ambigua, bears small white flowers which fill the Tasmanian air with a sweet honey scent.
Also known as ‘White Kunzea’, ‘Tick Bush’ or ‘Sweet-Scented Kunzea’ can be found in coastal areas of Tasmania and eastern Australia. Growing to a height of five metres, this native shrub not only smells sweet it also has a multitude of uses:
- It can be made into an antiseptic oil for cuts and abrasions;
- The leaves and flowers can be used in cooking. The unique plant can be used as a flavouring herb on meats/roasts, fried in butter, add to bread or our favourite, a native cocktail.
- Native animals are often found sleeping under Kunzea plants, where they seek relief from ticks and other parasites – hence its popular name of ‘Tick Bush’.
This image is of the White Kunzea at a magical spot called Haunted Bay on The Maria Island Walk.
Explore the island and enjoy this beautiful native plant on The Maria Island Walk.