By Rama Gaind.
Climb to the top of Mount Bishop and Clerk, the highest point on Maria Island, Tasmania. For those who make it to the peak, the result is extremely rewarding with walkers enjoying panoramic views over the eucalypt forests and out across the Pacific Ocean.
You’re being invited to go on one of the world’s great walks: The Maria Island Walk. If you do, then the experience, over four days, “will last a lifetime”.
Set on Maria Island, a world heritage-listed national park just off the east coast of Tasmania, this gentle four-day guided walk combines rare Tasmanian wildlife, spectacular scenery with fascinating history.
The Maria Island Walk is renowned for amazing landscapes, well-preserved convict history and the vast array of wildlife to be seen but not many people know that a streamlined ‘seasonal friendly’ version of the walk operates throughout winter.
The Maria Island Walk is gearing up for its winter season with the recent introduction of a three-day/two-night, lodge-based winter escape package. On offer will be
spectacular walks during the day, followed by delicious meals and matching wines in the evening and comfortable accommodation.
During winter, guests are accommodated for both nights at heritage-listed Bernacchi House in the world-heritage convict settlement of Darlington. The house, dating back to 1880 when it was home to Italian settler and pioneer Diego Bernacchi, has been beautifully restored providing comfort and warmth as guests are greeted on arrival with a roaring open fire.
They can also take in some of the spectacular landscape visiting the Painted Cliffs and Fossil Bay as part of the Maria Island Walk.
The guided winter walks leave and return to Bernacchi House daily and vary in length and difficulty. Walkers can enjoy strolls through the gentler tracks and observe the wildlife including the lumbering wombats, elegant Cape Barren Geese and a growing insurance population of Tasmanian Devils.
They can also take in some of the spectacular landscape visiting the Painted Cliffs and Fossil Bay or for the more adventurous, take on the climb to the top of Mount Bishop and Clerk, the highest point on the island. For those who make it to the peak, the result is extremely rewarding with walkers enjoying panoramic views over the eucalypt forests and out across the Pacific Ocean.
Winter escapes
Owner of The Maria Island Walk Ian Johnstone said, “visiting in winter is just as beautiful as other seasons especially with the luxury of staying at Bernacchi House each evening with walkers greeted by candlelit dinners and open fires on their return”.
The guided winter walks leave and return to Bernacchi House daily and vary in length and difficulty.
The winter escapes walk has varying departure dates between June and August and cost $1,490 per person reflecting a special seasonal price.
The cost includes return transfers from Hobart to Triabunna, the scenic cruise across the pristine waters of the Mercury Passage to Maria Island, gourmet Tasmanian food and wine, two experienced guides, National Park entry fees, accommodation and use of waterproof jackets and day packs.
The benefits of doing a winter walk are:
- the serenity of having almost the entire island to yourself
- the exclusivity of staying in the heritage-listed Bernacchi House
- enjoying Tasmanian wine by an open fire
- clear starry winter skies
- hiking through cloud forests to the top of Mt Maria
- Tassie is known for it’s most beautiful sunrises in winter
Walk highlights
Tasmania is known for it’s most beautiful sunrises in winter.
The award winning Maria Island Walk is a fully-guided, three-night, four-day journey into one of Australia’s most spectacular destinations. A maximum of 10 guests per group and two guides begin their journey in Hobart with a short scenic drive to Triabunna.
A relaxing boat trip with frequent sightings of seals, dolphins and spectacular sea birds delivers them to the Island where they walk between wilderness camps taking in the landscapes, wildlife and history of the destination.
The final night of the walk is spent at historic Bernacchi House in the settlement of Darlington. Walks also depart daily from 1 October to 1 May each year.
‘Is there a better place on the planet to spend four days? Probably not.’ Go to Maria Island, undertake the trek and judge for yourself.
DETAILS BOX
Maria Island Walk
T: (03) 6234 2999
