Darlington Campground Maria Island
Maria Island is an increasingly popular location to visit in Tasmania, thanks in part to social media. Maria Island is a National Park located off the East Coast of Tasmania and that is accessible via a 30-minute ferry ride from the small coastal town of Triabunna. It will take you app. 1 and 1/4 hours to drive to Triabunna from Hobart. The cost of the ferry is $45 return per adult (as at December 2019) – some concessions are available and advance bookings are ESSENTIAL. There are extra charges for bikes and large bags including hiking packs. You must also have a valid Tasmanian National Parks & WIldlife Pass to access Maria Island – passes are checked before you access the ferry and can be purchased at the visitor information centre located adjacent to the ferry terminal. Maria Island has 3 different camping options. The most popular is this listing, Darlington which is located around 500-metres from where you leave the ferry. As you leave the ferry, there is an accommodation booking facility in an old sand building, where you book and pay for camping. You are given a receipt which must be attached to your tent – rangers are employed on Maria Island, who check that you have paid camping fees. Maria Island has a rich history and a unique island ecology, geological history, historic buildings, ruins, spectacular coastal vistas, secluded sun-drenched beaches, rugged coastal cliffs, a range of bushwalks from easy to harder, longer walks, a protected marine reserve, areas for fishing, abundant birdlife and easily seen wildlife including wombats, Cape Barren Geese and Albino Wallabies. There is also very basic bunkhouse accommodation on Maria Island in the old convict buildings. Bookings are essential when visiting Maria Island to stay in these Penitentiary units. Penitentiary accommodation on Maria Island consists of nine 6 bunk bedrooms (max of 54 people).
Each unit has vinyl-covered mattresses, picnic-style table and chairs and a wood heater A 10th room sleeps 6 and 8 in two separate areas and is charged as 2 separate rooms. You must carry all your own food, bedding, lighting and cooking gear including a fule camping stove. It is common for fire bans to be in place, so please carry a fuel stove for cooking. There are 2 further campsites available on Maria Island, being at French’s Farm and Encampment Cove. Both are app. 3 – 4 hours walk from the ferry. Mountain biking is very popular on Maria Island, and many visitors ride their bikes to these 2 campgrounds. French’s Farm is a fuel stove-only campground which also has non-treated rainwater available from tanks. Maria Island is accessible is also accessible by private boat or light aircraft. There are no cars (other than a few vehicles used by rangers) no electricity, no shops, and nothing to distract you from the natural beauty of the island. Maria Island is very popular for wildlife spotting (wombats are very common and easily seen) birdwatching, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, swimming, fishing, rock climbing, bushwalking, and photography. At Darlington Campground, camping fees are $7 per adult or $13/couple per night plus $5 for each additional adult. Family camping is $16 per night for 2 adults & 3 children – Each additional child is $2.50 per night. No bookings are possible for the campsites, and generally not required as there is plenty of space. See also: Frenchs Farm Campground: Encampment Cove Campground. Strictly NO DOGS or other pets are permitted on Maria Island.
- State or Territory Tasmania
- Region East Coast Tasmania
- Town Maria Island
- Campground Name Darlington Campground
- Phone (03) 6256 4772
- Dogs Allowed No
- Website Visit Website
- Maximum Stay NA
- Bookings Taken No
- National Park Yes
- Suitable Big Rigs NO
- Tent Only Camping?
Yes
- 4WD Only Camping? No
- Directions
Catch the ferry from Triabunna to Maria Island, Triabunna is a 1 hour drive from Hobart