Discover Tasmania's only island National Park with Inala Nature Tours' expert-guided Maria Island wildlife tour. Located off Tasmania's east coast, this pristine destination is only accessible by ferry. The car free island supports an abundance of wildlife, including large populations of wombats. This allows visitors to enjoy unique intimate wildlife encounters and incredible photography opportunities.
Our specialist guides lead small group tours to this pristine island. During your visit, we help you spot marine wildlife including dolphins, gannets and other seabird species that thrive in this protected environment. The islands' ecosystem supports the Cape Barren Goose and the critically endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote. You'll also encounter wombats and a diverse array of other forest birds. During spring, guests may observe the critically endangered Swift Parrot, a truly special birding experience.
This wildlife tour combines exceptional birding with visits to Maria Islands' spectacular natural sites like the Painted Cliffs and Fossil Cliffs. Explore Australia's most intact convict probation station at Darlington.
Important tour details: As Maria Island is accessed by passenger ferry only, exploring requires walking across varied terrain. A reasonable level of fitness is required to get the most out of this tour. At the end of the day, you will leave the island by passenger ferry and will be transferred by to Hobart by the Inala guide.
Seasonal Note: The May-August ferry schedule has the first departure 10:30am, final return 3:30pm - perfectly timed for optimal wildlife viewing opportunities during Tasmania's quieter season.
Tasmania is a cool temperate climate, with four distinct seasons. The warmest months are December, January, February and March. Autumn has still, sunny days. Winter runs from May through August. However, the climate can vary greatly – on any given day.
Cost for a single person tour: $1200
Cost per person for 2-6 people: $695
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The tour starts with pick-up from your accomodation in Hobart at approximately 7am. The specialist nature guide will transport you to Tasmania’s east coast in time for the passenger ferry trip to Maria Island, departing at 9 am. The ferry crossing takes around 30 minutes, during which you have a chance of seeing dolphins, gannets, and other seabirds.
Once on Maria Island the Inala guide will lead a search for Wombats, Cape Barren Goose, the endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote, and a diverse array of other forest birds. In spring, this can be a good location to see the critically endangered Swift Parrot. As access to Maria Island is by passenger ferry, travelling around the island requires walking and a reasonable level of fitness is required.
At the end of the day, you will leave the island by passenger ferry and depart back to Hobart.
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Take a multi-day tour, by combining several of our special Southern Tasmania day tours.
Birds and Mammals of Maria Island
Birding Tour of the Tasman Peninsula
Birding in Mt Field National Park
Tasmanian Endemic Birds of Hobart Day Tour
Forest and Woodland Birds of Hobart
Birding along the Southern Forests and Coast
Hobart to Bruny Island Day Tour
Tours start with pickup from your Hobart area accommodation, or we can collect directly from a visiting cruise ship at the Hobart dock.
Excellent Reasons to book an Inala Day Tour
Anything outlined within itinerary.
Anything outside of what is outlined in itinerary.
Please contact us to discuss all our short Bruny and Tasmania tours
There are terms and conditions relating to payments, cancellations, refunds, insurance and responsibility for our tours.
Inala Nature
320 Cloudy Bay Road, Lunawanna
South Bruny Island 7150
Tasmania, Australia
Phone:Â +61 3 6293 1217
Inala Nature acknowledge and pay respects to the palawa people as the traditional and original owners, and continuing custodians of this land, lutruwita, and acknowledges Elders - past and present. Inala Nature Tours and the Inala Foundation Inc are located on lunawanna- alonnah, also known as Bruny Island, the traditional land of the Nuenonne people.
