4
Introductory to Moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • 4 days walking with medium sized back pack
Accommodation
  • 2 nights luxury tented camp
  • 1 night accommodated
Meals
  • 3 Dinners
  • 4 Lunches
  • 3 Breakfasts

4 Days$3050AUD

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

Trip highlights

  • The Maria Island Walk is a trip of the Great Walks of Tasmania
  • 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 at approximately 7:30am. 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 of crystal clear waters while lunching, before walking to Casuarina Beach Camp. If there is time, you may take a swim in the sheltered bay. In the afternoon, explore the trail through the tall eucalypt forest with abundant wildlife down to Haunted Bay. In the evening, after a fine gourmet dinner of fresh Tasmanian food, stroll along the beach at sunset with a glass of wine, delighting in the day you’ve had and excited by what lies ahead. Walking Distance: 8km

Meals:  L,D

Wake up to the chattering of wattle birds, watching first light stream in through the forest. After breakfast, start your journey along five incredible beaches walking from Reidle Bay across the rare land formation of the isthmus to Shoal Bay. 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. Along the way, watch dolphins play in the surf and sea eagles soar overhead as you walk past the carpet of exotic shells lining the water's edge. By late afternoon, arrive at White Gums Camp where you can put up your feet or go for a refreshing swim, then let native birds entertain you while you sip wine on the deck, relaxing with your fellow walkers, and anticipate a candlelit dinner surrounded by nature. Walking Distance: 13km

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we head inland to the heart of Maria Island to discover grand, green forests that are a prime habitat for the endangered 40-Spotted Pardalote and home to the world's largest stand of giant Tasmanian Blue Gums. Take the gentle inland track to Hopgrounds Beach or, if you wish, continue on and choose to climb the peaks of Mt Maria (711 metres), or Bishop and Clerk (599 metres) through rare "cloud" rain forests, with views that are simply breathtaking - 360 degree views weather-dependent. By the afternoon, head into the historic settlement of Darlington where you'll finish the day with a sumptuous banquet for a final feast amongst friends and stay at Bernacchi House, the heritage-listed colonial home once occupied by Italian entrepreneur, Diego Bernacchi. Walking Distance: 9-17km

Meals:  B,L,D

The final morning starts with a walk around the northern tip of Maria Island, via a variety of spectacular woodlands and forests through tall Blue Gums with rare endemic birds, wallabies, and wombats. Later, we continue on to the world class and dramatic Fossil Cliffs. Back at Darlington, if there is time, you have the option to take a stroll around the surrounding convict settlement and industrial ruins of the town, known as the Darlington Probation Station, a World Heritage Australian Convict Site, and soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy a celebratory champagne lunch overlooking the distant Freycinet peninsula before boarding the boat back to mainland Tasmania, with time to reflect on the past days getting to know Maria. We return to Hobart for a last farewell followed by a drop off at your hotel by 5pm. A transfer to Hobart airport is available with drop-off by 4pm, connecting with flights departing no earlier than 6pm. Walking Distance: 4km 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

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
  • 3 nights twin share accommodation (single supplement available on request for single travellers - limited)
  • Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and trail snacks
  • Professional guides
  • Private bus/boat transfers between Hobart and Maria Island
  • National Park fees
  • Use of a backpack, sleeping bag liner, pillow case, head torch & waterproof jacket to carry with you
  • Emergency communications & group first aid kit

  • Travel to and from Hobart before and after the trip
  • Accommodation before and after the trip
  • Items of a personal nature - car parking etc
  • Travel insurance

Accommodation

Luxury Camping

The first 2 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. The camp consists of 5 x huts for participants and 2 x composting toilets and 2 x bucket showers. All huts are configured with twin beds.

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. It is configured with 5 x bedrooms and 2 x bathrooms shared between the group.

Bedroom configurations: Honeymoon suite with 1 x queen + 1 x single bed, Bedroom 1 with 2 x single beds, Bedroom 2 with 2 x single beds, Bedroom 3 with 1 x queen + 1 x single bed, and Bedroom 4 with 1 x queen + 1 x single bed.

Room allocations are finalised on arrival and preferences can be noted for consideration as this will depend on the final makeup of the group. After a final night’s banquet take a stroll on the veranda and marvel at the millions of stars and the fragrance of the lavender garden below.

Suitability

Introductory to Moderate

4

This trip is for almost anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. The walk itself is light and undemanding with options to add challenge as desired. Most of the walk is fairly flat, with an option to summit of Mt. Maria, or save the mountain climb for Bishop and Clerk. You'll walk along firm beaches and formed bush tracks. Suggested preparation: We recommend regular exercise 3 or 4 times per week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) in the months leading up to your trip. You should also walk with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best way to train for an active holiday is to simulate the activity you will be undertaking on the trip.

Departure dates


Notes

H
High Season
S
Surcharge
Note:
A supplement applies to all departures marked with an 'S'. These are portered departures where you only need to carry a small daypack weighing 1-2kg. The rest of your gear will be transported for you.
DN2
A high season supplement applies for all departures from 24 December to 30 April.
DN3
Dates with an 'O' are family friendly departures.
DN4
In addition to the World Expeditions deposit, you will also be required to pay an additional deposit of 20% of the trip cost (paid in your local currency at the current rate of exchange). The balance of the tour price is payable 70 days prior to departure.

Priceper person from

$3050AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Pack Free Walk - Portered DepartureAUD$430
  • Single supplement Low Season 25/26AUD$2300
  • Single supplement High Season 25/26AUD$2500
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed The Maria Island Walk 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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The Great Walks of Australia are an exclusive collection of the best multi-day walking experiences in Australia. Each walk is an independently owned guided walking experience that enables access to some of Australia’s most iconic landscapes. All of the Great Walks of Australia can be viewed on their website - www.greatwalksofaustralia.com.au

To qualify as a great walk, each walk provides exceptional guided walking experiences in high-value natural areas for small groups (in this case, a maximum of 10 people). These experiences include outstanding accommodation, food & wine.

You can store excess luggage at our Hobart office, where the group will be driven to after being collected from your nominated accommodation in Hobart CBD, and this will be loaded on to the bus which meets you as you return from the island at the end of your walk.

Mobile service coverage on the island is very patchy and depending on your carrier may not be available. Guides have phones that can be used if necessary.

We collect participants from central Hobart hotels from 7:30am on Day 1 of the walk - your reservations consultant will notify you of your exact pick-up time a couple of days prior to your trip departure.

On Day 4 of the walk we offer a scheduled airport transfer at 4:00pm (we recommend guests book flights no earlier than 6:00pm) or transfer participants to their hotel in central Hobart by 5:00pm. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can meet by 8am at the Hobart office (contact your reservations consultant for the address) or self-drive to Triabunna to meet on the wharf by 9:30am for a 10am ferry departure to Maria Island.

There is no power at the bush camps on the first 2 nights so please ensure your phone/devices are fully charged and pack a portable charger / power bank with cable for charging your devices on these nights. There is power for charging on night 3 at Bernacchi House.

Participants 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 participant 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 (provided or you can bring your own).

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.

The first 2 nights will be at our beautiful camps where participants 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 the historic Bernacchi House - participants enjoy hot showers, fresh linen, recline by wood fires and a piano whilst waiting for the final night's banquet.

*Single walkers will share with another participant of the same gender. Single sleeping arrangements can be requested for an additional supplement at the time of booking, subject to availability.

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

It is a condition of booking a tour with us, and your responsibility to ensure that you are adequately insured for the full duration of the tour in respect of illness, injury, pre-existing medical conditions, death, loss of baggage and personal items and cancellation and curtailment. You must provide evidence to TEX that you have obtained personal travel insurance. You must ensure that your personal travel insurance covers all of the activities you expect to participate in.

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 participants 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. A comprehensive gear list will be provided to you by your reservations consultant upon booking.

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

Trip reviews

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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.