Self Guided Maria Island Walk
4-Day Self-Guided Maria Island Walk – Camp & Carry Adventure by Life’s An Adventure
Experience the best of Maria Island on a 4-day self-guided Camp & Carry walking holiday that immerses you in the wild beauty and history of this unique Tasmanian island. Located off the east coast of Tasmania, Maria Island is a World Heritage Australian Convict Site and a dedicated wildlife sanctuary, where camping offers the chance to truly connect with the island’s landscapes and abundant wildlife. With mountains, forests, and pristine beaches to explore, this walk promises an adventure filled with memorable moments.
Camping on Maria Island means sharing the experience with its unique inhabitants—picture wombats grazing near your tent, wallabies hopping by, and rare Tasmanian Devils roaming the area under the cover of night. The island’s thriving wildlife makes every moment special, allowing you to observe nature up close in one of Australia’s most important conservation areas.
The walk takes you through some of Maria Island’s most iconic natural features and historical sites. Climb to the summit of Bishop and Clerk Mountain, where dramatic rocky outcrops provide stunning panoramic views over the island and the surrounding ocean. Discover the vibrant colours and swirling patterns of the Painted Cliffs, sculpted by wind and sea into one of the island’s most spectacular natural wonders.
The 4-day self-guided adventure also gives you the opportunity to explore the remote southern parts of the island, where empty beaches and secluded bays are lapped by turquoise waters. These quiet, untouched areas provide a sense of true wilderness, far from the usual tourist paths, allowing you to experience a part of the island that few visitors ever see.
As a Camp & Carry experience, this walk requires carrying your own camping gear, adding a sense of independence and adventure to your journey. Campsites on the island offer basic facilities, ensuring a rustic yet rewarding experience in the heart of nature. With detailed maps and itineraries provided, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the island’s trails and enjoy its diverse landscapes at your own pace.
Alongside its natural beauty, Maria Island has a fascinating convict and early settler history. Visit historical ruins and restored buildings that tell the stories of the island’s past, from its use as a penal colony to its days as a small farming settlement. The combination of history and wilderness creates a unique atmosphere that sets Maria Island apart from other destinations.
This 4-day Self-Guided Maria Island Camp & Carry walk by Life’s An Adventure is ideal for those seeking a blend of nature, adventure, and history. With wildlife encounters, scenic landscapes, and the thrill of camping, it offers an unforgettable experience in one of Tasmania’s most captivating locations. Embrace the freedom of self-guided exploration and discover the magic of Maria Island on this unforgettable walking holiday.
Follow our Walking APP
Exclusive to Life's An Adventure
Exclusively designed by Life’s An Adventure, our Self-Guided Walking Tours are more than just a set of track notes on your smart phone. We have developed a fully interactive Self-Guided Walking App which includes easy-to-follow notes with gps tracking, photos at track junctions and points of interest en-route as well as information about the natural environment and the island’s multi-layered human history. The app gives distances for each section and even optional side-trips as well as short and long options for each day’s activity.
As part of the App, you get route information on the Google map platform, so each waypoint on each walk is triggered when you arrive. This gives real time feedback so you know you’re where you think you are! On top of this, you receive a good, old-fashioned hard copy of each day’s notes.
Camp & Carry Self Guided Walk
All your gear provided for you
On this self-guided walk, we take care of all your essential gear such as a backpack, tent, and cooking equipment as well as lightweight but delicious food that is easy to prepare, healthy and comes from our local Tasmanian provider, featuring high-quality local produce. Don’t be daunted by carrying your own pack. We keep the essentials as light as possible. Your package also has the option of a pre-trip online meeting with one of our experienced guides who can give you valuable advice on how to pack for overnight walking. You will love camping at Maria Island’s beachside campgrounds, waking up to the gentle sound of waves lapping ashore and a morning chorus of birdsong.
Flexibility and Freedom
Discover on your own
A self-guided walking holiday offers you independence, flexibility and freedom. You get to discover Maria Island at your own pace. You walk, and ride, independently but have access to detailed track notes, both on your smart phone and as a hard copy, compiled by our experienced guides. The beauty of this is our guides know these tracks inside out and they have incorporated this into the App and track notes – the best lookouts, scenic lunch stops, and where to get great photos as well as information about the natural environment and the island’s multi-layered history. For our Maria Island self guided tour, the App and Track Notes allow you to choose between short and longer, more strenuous options on each day, to suit your preference and your groups varied needs.
Personal Emergency Beacon hire
For extra safety
All guests are expected to carry an emergency personal locator beacon to take with you when walking. Life’s An Adventure will send a PBL to you prior to the commencement of your tour.
Transfers
To the trail
Our self-guided walks include transfers from Launceston in Tasmania to the start of the trail. On the final day a transfer will be provided to get you back to Launceston with an airport drop off available enroute if required.
Superb meals included
Featuring Tasmanian Produce
During your walk, you will be provided with easy to prepare, delicious healthy meals light-weight specifically designed for hikers to carry and provided by our local Tasmanian supplier. Many of the meal feature high-quality local produce. We can also cater for special dietary requirement. Please give us as many details as possible when booking.
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Why should you choose us?
Tour Itinerary
- Camp & Carry essential equipment
- A walking APP with GPS coordinates, notes and photos for your walk
- Detailed hard copy maps and trail notes
- Transfers to and from the trail
- 3 x dinners
- 4 x walkers lunches
- 3 x breakfasts
- Snacks and trail mix to enjoy during your walk
- Return transfers from Launceston to Maria Island
- National Parks Pass
Guests are required to hire an EPIRB/PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) at an additional cost. You can hire this through epirbhire.com.au, and you will receive a discount if you mention you are a guest of Life’s an Adventure.
SUGGESTED PRE NIGHT ACCOMMODATION: Grand Chancellor Launceston.
DEPARTURE TIME: 6:00am
TRANSFERS: Morning: 2 hour 15 mins transfer from Launceston to Triabunna where you jump on board the ferry to Maria Island. Ferry ride 30 minutes.
WALK GRADE: 12km return, 3-5 hours. Medium Grade. Less Strenuous Option: If any of your group want a shorter walk today, they can join you as far as they feel comfortable (we recommend at least making it to the cliffs above Fossil Bay) then return to the campground via a choice of routes.
TERRAIN: The walk begins on formed gravel roads and crosses open grassy hills before becoming a narrow, natural trail that climbs steeply over uneven terrain. There is some rock hopping over large boulders and some scrambling up rocks to reach the summit.
WALK ITINERARY: Meet your driver in Launceston, they will have your pack prepared for you with a sleeping bag, gourmet meals and eating utensils. From here we enjoy a scenic drive winding through farmland and forests to the east coast town of Triabunna where you embark on the Maria Island Ferry, for a pleasant cruise across the Mercury Passage to the island. Once on the island, check in at the Commissariat building close to the wharf then proceed to the campground behind Darlington beach. Make time to first set up camp then simply grab lunch and water and head off on your first walking adventure to the spectacular summit of Bishop and Clerk mountain. After climbing the mountain and enjoying the views, loop back to your campsite via the amazing Fossil Cliffs and past some of the islands most interesting and intact convict buildings. Enjoy dinner tonight provided at Darlington.
WALK GRADE: 22km one way, 8-9 hours including an 8km, 4-hour optional side trip. Difficult Grade. Without the side trip this walk is 14km, 4-5 hours. Medium Grade.
TERRAIN: Mostly on wide, well-formed gravel and sand trails and roads. Optional side trip on a narrow foot track with one steep ascent/descent that requires scrambling over boulders.
WALK ITINERARY: Prepare your breakfast provided tonight. Pack down camp and head off to discover the southern end of Maria Island. Along the way, there is the option to climb the island’s highest peak – the 711m high Mt Maria, a dolerite outcrop with sweeping views across McRae’s Isthmus and towards mainland Tasmania. After this side-trip you continue south through coastal woodland and tall, wet forest to reach the island’s more remote historic locations as well as its stunning coastline of hidden coves and beaches. There is even the chance for a refreshing swim at Shoal Bay or Encampment Cove at the end of the day. Set up camp and enjoy the views before cooking dinner that has been provided.
WALK GRADE: 23km return, 8-9 hours. Medium Grade. Largely flat walking along beaches and sandy roads. Less Strenuous Option: If you want a shorter walk today, you can walk as far as Shoal Bay and Riedle Bay (10.5km return, 2-3 hours. Easy Grade) or simply explore the area around Encampment Cove.
TERRAIN: Mostly flat, on wide, well-formed sand trails and roads with some beach walking. There is one short, steep descent and ascent on a narrow foot pad to Haunted Bay.
WALK ITINERARY: After enjoying breakfast we head out to explore another part of the island. Today’s walk takes us to parts of Maria Island few visitors ever see. We head further south, with some beautiful beach walking on Shoal Bay before crossing McRae’s Isthmus to visit Maria Island’s only surf beach on Riedle Bay. We then follow a wide trail through coastal woodland and tall forest to the remote, cliff-lined Haunted Bay with its dramatic orange, lichen-covered rocks. If you feel like a less strenuous day, there are plenty of options for exploration and walking in the vicinity of Encampment Cove. After our walk we return to our camp at Encampment Cove. Tonight prepare dinner provide and relax under the stars.
TRANSFER TIMES: Afternoon: Ferry ride 30 minutes. Triabunna to Launceston transfer 2 hour 15 mins.
WALK GRADE: 12.5km one way, 3-4 hours. Easy Grade.
TERRAIN: Mostly flat on a wide, well-formed gravel road with some beach walking.
WALK ITINERARY: After breakfast, we pack down camp. We return today to Darlington via the spectacular coast taking in some of Maria Island’s scenic wonders including pretty coves, beaches and headlands as well as the renowned Painted Cliffs. What these cliffs lack in height they more than makeup for in beauty – with rich honeycomb colours and mesmerising patterns. There is also time at the end of the walk to explore the historic buildings at the Darlington precinct with its rich convict and early settler heritage. Then enjoy the ferry back to Triabunna, where you will be met by your driver for the return journey to Launceston.
ARRIVAL TIME: We arrive back into Launceston at approximately 7:30pm.
Tour Prices
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FIRST TIME TRAVELLER
$
1699
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First time traveller with Life's An Adventure |
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DEPARTURES Normal Price…. $1699 |
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PAST PASSENGER
$
1599
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Travelled with Life's An Adventure previously |
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DEPARTURES Past Passengers….. $1599 |
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OPTIONAL
$
Xtras
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The following extras can be purchased with your walk: PRE-WALK NIGHT PACKAGE for 2 persons _________________________ PRE-WALK NIGHT PACKAGE for a solo traveller _________________________ SOLO TRAVELLERS |
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Additional Information
- Prices are per person in Australian dollars and include GST.
- A non-refundable deposit of $300 per person is required to secure your booking.
- Note: If you are booking within 90 days of your departure date – we will require full payment at the time of booking
- Prices are based on twin share of rooms.
- Payments must be made online via our NAB (National Australia Bank) secure payment page via credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or over the phone.
- Your detailed self-guided kit will be sent to you 6 weeks prior to your walk.
- We advise taking our Travel Insurance to cover items such as cancellation of tour due to adverse weather conditions, injury, evacuation, delayed flights, lost luggage, illness, etc.
Booking Terms and Conditions
Before you book please read our Booking Terms and Conditions. Click here.
