Mini TR: Maria Island hike

[RooFlyer]

People may have seen pics I have posted of the 'View from my Office' - usually taken from my daily walks around the sea-cliff tops near where I live in eastern Tasmania. They often feature Maria Island, as you can hardly miss it; like these:







We used to go camping and fishing there as kids and I've only been back a couple of times since then, so often think about returning; its a really nice place with lots of wildlife.

Its a National Park with a rich history as a convict settlement (twice), a whaling station and even a cement works! Named in 1642 by Abel Tasman, after the wife of Anthony Van Diemen.

So, last Sunday, it was a nice fine day and I didn't have much planned, so off I went! There is a ferry service running about 5 return trips a day from Triabunna, 15 mins up the road from where I am.

This is the ferry:



And it has all the services that a seasoned hiker would want:


The Darlington winery is my 'local' and also overlooks the island.

Inside; there's also outside seating.



Before boarding, there is a foot scrub station:



Soon underway with the 10:30 am sailing; it takes 35-45 minutes to get across. - I had booked the 3:30 return departure.

Looking back towards my place:



And destination in sight (and we zoom past Spring Bay mussel leases - yum!)

 

[RooFlyer]

Approaching Darlington, the former convict settlement on the island, now the National Park HQ. In the back-ground are the peaks of 'Bishop & Clerk'



Unfortunately, the very first things you see when you get off the ferry are the silos and other remnants of Bernacchi's cement works, from the 1920s. I think they have to stay because of 'heritage', which i think is unfortunate.



We are right at the top of the island and I plan a hike up to the top of Bishop & Clerk via a well marked track, but going via the 'fossil cliffs' on the northern point.



Some remnants of the settlement's former life as a whaling station (1832):



These are Cape Barren geese. There used to be large flocks of them on the island, but fewer now. You used to have to leave your tent totally tied up and secure, else the geese would get in and ransack. They'd take whatever food was accessible and leave the same quantity of goose cough behind, inside the tent.



This photo has two purposes. First, to get a flying angle into the story - there is a light aircraft strip. Second, to show you this complete idiot (cough***t) who showed off to his family and friends by chasing one of the many 'roos that are about. Yes, he's an adult. I gave him a spray, not realising that the people around me were part of his group - but I was quite happy for them to hear my feelings. They just smiled, embarrassed I think (I hope). A number of kids in the group - a great example to set. What an idiot.



First stop were the fossil cliffs. these limestone cliffs were mined to supply the cement works in the 1920s. Mining and fossils together - bliss!



Eurydesma was and is a geology student's friend - very easy to identify.



Couldn't dally - the mountain awaited and i was due back on the 3:30pm ferry, less than 4 hours away! (But I had the backstop of the next ferry at 5:30pm if needs be. I had to call the booking office to change it.)

 

[Antoallison]

People may have seen pics I have posted of the 'View from my Office' - usually taken from my daily walks around the sea-cliff tops near where I live in eastern Tasmania. They often feature Maria Island, as you can hardly miss it; like these:

View attachment 155591

View attachment 155592

View attachment 155594

We used to go camping and fishing there as kids and I've only been back a couple of times since then, so often think about returning; its a really nice place with lots of wildlife.

Its a National Park with a rich history as a convict settlement (twice), a whaling station and even a cement works! Named in 1642 by Abel Tasman, after the wife of Anthony Van Diemen.

So, last Sunday, it was a nice fine day and I didn't have much planned, so off I went! There is a ferry service running about 5 return trips a day from Triabunna, 15 mins up the road from where I am.

This is the ferry:

View attachment 155598

And it has all the services that a seasoned hiker would want:

View attachment 155599
The Darlington winery is my 'local' and also overlooks the island.

Inside; there's also outside seating.

View attachment 155600

Before boarding, there is a foot scrub station:

View attachment 155597

Soon underway with the 10:30 am sailing; it takes 35-45 minutes to get across. - I had booked the 3:30 return departure.

Looking back towards my place:

View attachment 155601

And destination in sight (and we zoom past Spring Bay mussel leases - yum!)

View attachment 155602

On board (the ferry) for this mini TR - the island looks wonderful and I wish now I had taken the time to go when I was there, but Binalong Bay was calling !

Agree the silos are an eyesore..what about suggesting they paint some murals on them like they are doing in country towns on the mainland ?

 

[RooFlyer]

All over the north part of the island are reminders of the convict past:



The first half of the track is a wide path through grassland and dense eucalypt forest. At the end of which is a container of water, presumably for after the trip down!



Then the track narrows and steepens:



And then a bit of dolerite scree slope (there is a path but you have to look carefully to keep on it).



Don't forget to look back - there are some spectacular views while you catch your breath:



Almost at the top. Looking north through the dolerite spires of 'Clerk' and you can just see the south of Schouten Island, at the foot of the Freycinet Peninsula.



A panorama from the top. The fossil cliffs at the tip of the brown-tipped point. Two hours to get here!





No time to stay and admire the view for long unfortunately. I had 2 hours till my ferry left, so off I went again.

 

[boomy]

Beautiful island. Did daytrip bike ride there about 10 years ago (no kangaroo chasing) and would love to go back.

 

[RooFlyer]

Going down was harder than going up, at least on the upper section.



Obey the signs ...



... as they really mean it (you could be cycling pretty fast down this slope, and then .... oops ... (note back of sign in red on the right)



Approaching Darlington, the settlement. Former convict station, now Parks HQ and there is some bunk style accommodation.





Approaching the ferry and again the old cement silos etc dominate



Made it down in 90 mins, and the fitbit tells the tale of the day



Ferry was on time - the look back at Bishop & Clerk (it looks closer from this angle, doesn't it?)



I plan to go back soon and do some of the walks to the south.

 

[tgh]

Nice walk , nice country, envy….

 

[drron]

How many weeks more do I have to work in Tassie to do all these walks?

 

[juddles]

Eurydesma was and is a geology student's friend - very easy to identify.

View attachment 155623

...

Rooflyer - your once-keen geo eyes appear to be failing you - if you look closely at your own photo you will see something far more important than the old clam shells - look to the left and down a bit from the centre. It appears clear to be what that old "cement works" was actually mining - coins!!!!!!

Jokes aside, love the TR - very different and really interesting photos. I for one don't actually mind old concrete ruins - gives that taste of history without being (IMHO) nasty to the environment like the rubbish and metal scraps at other places.

 

[JohnM]

Going down was harder than going up, at least on the upper section.

Do you have walking poles?

I can recommend them, especially for those sorts of situations. I find using one to often be useful coming down, to prevent slipping or building up unwanted speed. Going up, I generally leave it telescoped in my backpack.

 

[RooFlyer]

No but they would have been handy.

That said, I have to recount what happened on the ferry coming over. A couple each had their walking poles, in sections, in their daypacks on their backs, points up. As we milled around waiting to disembark, they fair nearly took out several people's eyes

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks for some very nice photos and commentary.

(I am on Juddles side about the concrete ruins.)

 

[VPS]

Thanks - great photos

 

[kermatu]

Thank you for this. Great pics.

 

[JohnM]

Hmmmm - I had better get into training now for keeping up with the rejuvenated @RooFlyer on our little adventure into the 5 Stans in August . Mind you, I may now need to bring in the age handicappers to settle that youngster down .

 

[pauleg]

Terrific report and photos thank you. We did that Maria Island walk but didn't get up to Bishop and Clerk due to terrible weather. Its nice to see the views and on a great day.

 

[Buzzard]

Nice concise TR. Thanks @RooFlyer