Maria Island, Tasmania

I had wanted to do this tour but it was not available the days I was in Hobart. As I would be traveling to Coles Bay up the East coast of Tasmania I did not realize it was directly on the way. I met a new friend Beth on the Bruny Island tour and we decided to roam the island together. I had a car and an accommodation but much further than the island. We set out early to be on the first ferry.

Visitor center on the island
You can camp in the islands or just visit. There are no cars on the island.

You know the day will be great when you see a wombat right away… And Cape Barron geese.

Painted Cliffs

We made our way down the trail to Painted Cliffs. Since it was already low tide it was the perfect time. In high tide it is inaccessible. These variations are caused by ground water moving through the sandstone and leaving behind iron oxides which stain the rocks.

Many tiny mussels.
Mussels, other mollusks, and a brown algae called Neptune’s necklace.
The purple blobs are sea anemones. During low tide, the retract their spines.

Darlington

The little area that had outbuildings about the history.

Reservoir circuit

On the way to the reservoir we saw many wildlife.

Wombat
Kangaroos
A wallaby resting to the right of the tree.
Engine house, 1888
Kookaburra.
Kangaroo

Bishop and Clerk trail

This trail climbed towards a slope and had the most spectacular views.

Wombat den
Cuassarina stricta. Drooping she oak.

Fossil Cliffs

When there were inland seas, many organisms like mollusks were abundant. The fossils are evident in the rocks. Those was when Australia’s broke away from Pangaea as a land mass known as Gondwana.

More wildlife

The 12 apostles which were buildings now in ruins. The wombats love it here.

At the port waiting for the ferry to go to the bed and breakfast I am staying in Swansea.

Wagner’s cottages in Swansea is beautiful. We picked up a scallop pie for dinner.

This is by far one of my favourite trips.