Maria Island is a truly unique place. It provides the ideal combination of diverse trails, wide open spaces to roam freely, nature, history and that sensation of being on a remote island paradise. It rewards those who seek to explore wilder! Our route has been created to showcase Maria Island's best gems - the summits of Mt Maria and Bishop & Clerk, Painted Cliffs, Fossil Cliffs, views to Freycinet in the north and sweeping vistas to the isthmus in the south. Before and after your adventure you will be able to swim in blue coves, walk barefoot on the sandy beaches and explore the layered history of the Darlington Probation Station – a World Heritage Australian Convict Site. During this adventure you really will leave your ordinary life behind. 

The geography of Maria Island is remarkable. Spectacular cliffs wrap around the eastern side of the Island, providing a perfect vantage point for watching birds dive and swoop into the ocean. In season, you may even be lucky enough to spot the whales that frequent these waters during their annual migration. On the western side of the island, the Painted Cliffs are one of Maria Island’s more memorable spectacles, showcasing the power of nature in their weathered contours, where the combination of wind and waves has eroded the sandstone to reveal a striking façade. It is great to get to the Painted Cliffs at low tide and even better, at sunset when the western rays make the cliff's colours glow brightest.

The route begins in the Darlington historic precinct and then climbs to the summit of Bishop & Clerk via the Fossil Cliff tops. It returns the same way before taking a detour via the lower slopes of the Fossil Cliffs where you can browse amongst the rocks for fossils. From here you can return to Darlington for a rest and to refill your supplies, before heading towards Mt Maria via the Oast House, a quiet nook of the island. From the summit of Mt Maria you will catch remarkable views to the southern isthmus of the island, as well as mainland Tasmania. Returning from Mt Maria your final stop will be the Painted Cliffs. Hopefully you will arrive at low tide and be rewarded with the ability to hop carefully under the cliffs to catch their full beauty. The final stretch will be back along Hopgrounds Beach and then over the hill to Darlington for a well-earned swim! We highly recommend staying longer on the island as the camping is beautifully created amongst the native trees and wombat grazing lawns. You can also choose to stay overnight in the basic penitentiary, a great experience for the whole family. Be prepared to be overawed by the splendour of Maria Island and our Double Trouble route!

Route Highlights:

• Test your mountain fitness on both Bishop & Clerk and Mt Maria, two rocky alpine peaks towering over the Tasman Sea.
• Spot whales and sea eagles from their summits.
• Immerse yourself in the history of Maria Island and finish the day at Darlington, a World Heritage Area thanks to its rich convict & European histories.
• See the day's changing colours at the famous Painted Cliffs.
• Find yourself endeared with the island's wildlife, including the wombats, Cape Barren Geese, pademelons, wallabies and rare Forty-spotted Pardalotes.

NB. This is an embroidered badge and comes with an iron-on adhesive backing.

Badge: 8x8cm