Maria Island Tasmania: The Ultimate Family Day Trip Guide (2026)

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If you’re planning a day trip to Maria Island Tasmania, with kids, let me save you some time: this is one of the best family days out in Australia. No cars. No cafes. No distractions. Just wilderness, wombats, and the kind of slow, unhurried adventure that reminds you why you travel with little ones in the first place.

We did this as part of our 17-day Tasmania family reset in January 2026, with our three-year-old daughter Kailani in tow. Here’s everything you need to know — the honest version, including the bone in the graveyard, the commando-crawling wombat photography, and why we ended up at Fish Frenzy for dinner (it’s a long story involving a Code Brown the night before).

Getting to Maria Island: Shuttle Bus + Ferry

The Shuttle Bus from Hobart

The day starts early. We were up at 5:15 am (Kailani: tired and grumpy, if you’re wondering) and walked to Brook Street Pier for a 6:30 am pickup. The shuttle arrived a little late at 6:50 am, which gave us time to question our life choices on the pier.

The bus ride to Triabunna Wharf takes about 1 hr 15 min through some genuinely beautiful Tasmanian scenery. Kailani fell back to sleep approximately five minutes in, which was the best possible outcome.

Pro tip for cheap flights to Hobart: We flew Jetstar from Brisbane — check out our guide to finding cheap family flights and compare fares on iwantthatflight.com.au for the best Hobart deals. It’s also worth checking Kiwi.com for routes that might not show up elsewhere.

Coffee at Triabunna (Essential)

Prefer a Guided Tour? This One’s Worth It

If coordinating the shuttle, ferry tickets, and National Parks pass sounds like a lot of moving pieces — it is, a little. For families who’d rather have it all sorted for them, there’s a solid guided option worth knowing about.

The Hobart Maria Island National Park with Nature & Wildlife Adventure on Klook covers the Fossil Cliffs walk, the Painted Cliffs walk, and the wildlife highlights — the same walks we did independently. It runs for 5–6 hours, is guided, and is rated 4.9/5 based on 41 reviews and 500+ bookings. At AUD $215 per adult, it’s not cheap, but it includes your transport and a guide who actually knows the island’s history — which, given how rich that history is, adds genuine value.

We chose to go DIY, and I’m glad we did (full breakdown of how to do it yourself below). But if you’re time-poor, travelling with nervous little ones, or just want someone else to handle the logistics on a trip where you’re already juggling a lot, this is the tour I’d book.

The National Parks Pass

Right next to the wharf is the office where you purchase your Tasmania National Parks Pass. This is mandatory for Maria Island and for many of the other places you’ll visit on a Tassie trip.

National Parks Pass cost: $95.50 for up to 8 people in a vehicle, valid for 2 months across all Tasmanian National Parks. Given how many parks you’ll likely visit, it’s excellent value. Check the current prices for the Tasmanian National Parks pass before you book.

Important tip: Keep a photo of your pass on your phone. We lost our hard copy mid-trip — but a quick visit to any National Parks office (usually at the visitor centre) got us a free reprint, no questions asked.

Maria Island Tasmania – The Ferry: The Osprey V

Ferry food: There’s no cafe or shop on the island, so if you haven’t packed enough food, order something on the ferry. We grabbed two toasties for $35.50 — really good, and we were glad we had them later on the trail.

Seasickness warning: The crossing can get rough. If anyone in your family is prone to motion sickness, come prepared — ginger tablets, sea sickness bands, whatever works for your crew.

What to Pack for Maria Island Tasmania with Kids

This is where most guides let you down. Here’s the honest family packing list:

• Windproof/waterproof jackets — non-negotiable. We were there in midsummer January, and at times it was bitterly cold, with cutting wind and misty rain. Pack them even if the forecast looks fine.
• Sunscreen and hats. It also got genuinely hot during the day. Tasmania will happily give you both seasons in one outing.
• Snacks — lots of them. We use jelly lollies (Natural Confectionery Co.) as our secret weapon for keeping Kailani moving on the trail. It works an absolute treat. Pack fruit, nuts, and something more substantial for lunch.
• Packed lunch. There is nowhere to buy food on the island. We brought our ferry toastie plus fruit and nuts and had a lovely impromptu picnic at an old Engine House — more on that below.
• Water bottles. There is no potable water available on the island. Bring more than you think you need.
• Picnic blanket. Doubles as a rest spot, lunch table, and toddler wind shield.
• Hiking first aid kit. We didn’t need ours, but wouldn’t leave home without it.
• Swimmers (optional). We saw brave souls swimming at the beach near the Painted Cliffs. Very cold, but doable. If your kids are water-obsessed, pack them — just manage expectations about the temperature.
• Bike hire (older kids). Bicycles are available to hire on the island for older kids and adults. Not relevant for toddlers yet, but good to know.

The Day: Walk by Walk

Walk 1: The Fossil Cliffs Loop (~5 km, ~2.5 hours with a toddler)

We started the Fossil Cliffs Walk immediately after arriving — a 5 km loop through spectacular scenery, historic buildings, and some genuinely fascinating Tasmanian history.

The Cemetery Detour

Right at the start, take the short detour to the cemetery. It’s sobering and fascinating in equal measure. The stories on the signage are worth reading, and the remote setting — wind howling, ocean in the distance — makes it feel significant.

One story stopped us in our tracks: Hohepa Te Umuroa, a Māori political prisoner exiled from New Zealand for fighting the British, who died on Maria Island on July 19th, 1847, aged just 25. He was buried there, thousands of kilometres from home.

Kailani found what she was absolutely certain was his bone near his gravestone. She talked about that bone for several days after the trip. We’re saying nothing more on the matter.

The Fossil Cliffs

The views from the Fossil Cliffs are spectacular, and the sheer density of fossils embedded in the rock is remarkable. Every surface is packed with ancient shells. Kailani’s verdict: “They’re just shells.” She was not impressed. The adults were.

The Big Hill

After the cliffs comes a steep 200–300 m climb that will get your heart pumping — especially if your toddler convinces you to carry them on your shoulders for the entire ascent. (Speaking from experience.) The view from the top is worth every step — and every shoulder cramp.

Darlington Village

After the loop, explore the main settlement of Darlington. The old buildings are beautifully preserved, and the signage tells the story of convict life on the island. The old Coffee House has a dining room set up with an audio show featuring stories from significant residents. Kailani lasted approximately three minutes before requesting a snack.

Walk 2: The Painted Cliffs (~4.4 km return)

After exploring Darlington, we tackled the Painted Cliffs walk — a 4.4 km out-and-back that rewards you with some of the most visually striking geology in Tasmania.

The gradual climb at the start opens up to gorgeous coastal views before you descend to the cliffs themselves. The patterns and colours in the sandstone are genuinely dazzling — orange, red, and cream swirling through the rock face.

Kailani’s verdict: disappointed she couldn’t spend more time splashing in the water. She ran barefoot on the sand, got thoroughly wet, and immediately regretted it when the cold wind hit. She had a blast, though.

We also spotted a seven-armed starfish in the shallows — a highlight for the whole family.

On the walk back, we were lucky enough to see a mother and baby wombat fossicking for food near the path. Completely unbothered by the crowd of admirers around them. The baby was ridiculously cute.

Wildlife on Maria Island Tasmania: What to Expect

Maria Island is one of the best places in Australia to see wildlife in the wild, up close. Here’s what we spotted:

• Wombats — multiple sightings, including a mother and joey
• Kangaroos and wallabies — throughout the Fossil Cliffs walk
• Cape Barren geese — right at the ferry dock on arrival, unmissable
• Tasmanian pademelon — spotted on the trails
• Seven-armed starfish — in the water near Painted Cliffs

The animals are genuinely unfazed by humans. This is as close as you’ll get to wildlife without a wildlife park — and infinitely more satisfying.

Facilities on Maria Island Tasmania

It’s important to set expectations here — Maria Island is deliberately minimal.

• Toilets: Available at Darlington
• Drinking water: None available. Bring all your own.
• Food/shops/cafes: Zero. Bring everything you need or buy from the ferry.
• Accommodation: Available in the historic Penitentiary building — a great overnight option, but you need to bring all your own food. Intriguing with older kids; logistically challenging with a toddler.
• Camping: A camping area is available for tents.
• Information: A National Parks Ranger’s office is staffed in Darlington.
• Bike hire: Available for older kids and adults.
• No cars: The island is blissfully car-free (apart from a Rangers vehicle).

The Convict and Prisoner History: Is It Kid-Friendly?

The history is perfectly suited to older children and adults. The signage and audio displays are informative but written for grown-ups. Younger kids like Kailani are far more engaged by the wildlife and landscapes.

That said, the stories are extraordinary — convicts, political prisoners, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and if you take the time to explain things at their level, kids will engage. Just don’t expect them to stand still for the audio tour.

The educational displays about the island’s animals and geography in the communal mess hall are more accessible for little ones.

The Real Cost: Full Day Breakdown

Item	Cost (AUD)
Shuttle Bus (2 adults, return)	$130
Ferry (2 adults, return)	$113
National Parks Pass (2 months, all parks)	$95.50
Coffee on the Marina (3 drinks)	$16
Ferry Toasties x 2	$35.50
Fish Frenzy dinner	$65.50
Total (2 adults + toddler 3yrs)	$445.50

Note: Children 0–3 travel free on both the shuttle and ferry. For a family with older kids (4–16), add $45 per child for the shuttle and $34.50 per child for the ferry.

The National Parks pass is the best-value item on this list — it covers you for every Tasmanian National Park for two months. If you’re doing a proper Tassie trip, you’ll use it over and over.

Don’t forget travel insurance. A day like this — remote island, rough ferry crossing, 19 km of hiking with a toddler — is exactly why you need it. Based on our experience, we recommend Cover-More for Australian families.

Dinner: Fish Frenzy, Hobart

We ended the day at Fish Frenzy on the Hobart waterfront — fish, chips, calamari rings, and a Greek salad. Kailani had ice cream because she needed something cold (see: the busted lip from falling asleep and hitting the ferry table on the way home).

Fish Frenzy is right near the Brook Street Pier drop-off, and the food is genuinely excellent. It’s very popular — arrive early or expect a wait. Right next door is Billy’s Burgers & Bar if that’s more your style.

Full disclosure: We visited Fish Frenzy partly out of gratitude. The night before our Maria Island trip, they let Kailani use their toilet urgently during a Code Brown situation on the waterfront. We repay our debts.

Would We Do Maria Island Tasmania Again?

Without hesitation. It’s one of the best days we’ve had as a family — anywhere.

The only thing we’d consider changing is whether to stay overnight. The idea of waking up on Maria Island with no crowds, just wildlife and silence, is genuinely appealing. The logistics with a toddler are more complex (no facilities, all food in), but absolutely doable with planning.

Getting to Hobart: Flight Options

Flying into Hobart from the mainland? We flew Jetstar from Brisbane — check out our guide to finding cheap family flights and our roundup of Australia’s most family-friendly airlines before you book.

For the best flight prices to Hobart, we recommend comparing on iwantthatflight.com.au (free Aussie-owned price tracker) and Kiwi.com, which can sometimes find cheaper routes by combining different airlines.

For accommodation in Hobart, agoda.com consistently has a great range of family-friendly options near the waterfront.

FAQs: Maria Island Tasmania

How long does the Maria Island day trip take? Allow a full day. We left Hobart at 6:30 am and returned around 6 pm. With two walks and time exploring Darlington, you’ll want every minute of it.

Is Maria Island suitable for toddlers? Yes — with realistic expectations. Our three-year-old walked about 15 km of the 19 km total. The key is to go slowly, take regular breaks, pack plenty of snacks, and be prepared to carry them through the tough sections.

Do you need to book Maria Island in advance? Yes. Book the shuttle bus and ferry together at encountermaria.com.au. In peak season (summer), spots fill up fast.

Is there food on Maria Island? No. There are no cafes, shops, or food vendors on the island. Bring everything you need, or buy food on the ferry before you arrive.

How much does Maria Island cost for a family? For two adults and a toddler under 3, budget around $455 for the full day, including shuttle, ferry, National Parks pass, food, and dinner back in Hobart. Children 0–3 travel free on both the shuttle and ferry.

What is the best time of year to visit Maria Island? Summer (December–February) offers the longest days and best weather, though it can still be cold and windy. Book well ahead in peak season. Shoulder seasons (autumn and spring) offer fewer crowds and similar wildlife sightings.

Final Thoughts

Maria Island, Tasmania, is one of those rare places that delivers exactly what it promises — and then some. The wildlife is extraordinary, the history is fascinating, and the car-free, cafe-free simplicity of it forces your family to just… be present.

Kailani still talks about the bone in the graveyard. We’re choosing to believe it was from a wombat.

If you’re planning a family trip to Tasmania, this day trip is non-negotiable. Add it to the itinerary, book early, pack the jelly lollies, and go.

For more Tasmania family travel inspiration, head back to our Tasmania Family Travel Hub.

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Really Traveling is a family travel site run by Murray and Jomana, based in Brisbane, Australia. We travel with our daughter Kailani and share honest, practical guides for families who want to explore the world — slowly, deliberately, and with plenty of snacks.