Take The Ferry To Historic Maria Island
Pack
your provisions and catch the ferry from Orford to Maria Island to spend
the day (or days) exploring a convict settlement which pre-dates Port Arthur.
The peaks of Mount Maria and the Bishop and Clerk dominate the landscape
of this stunning island. At its north-west tip are ruins of the Darlington
settlement, established in 1825. On its northern headland are the
Fossil Cliffs, a rich deposit of the fossilised remains of marine molluscs.
Emus, Cape Barren geese and native wildlife will cross your path (and steal
your food). Camp or spend the night in the bunkhouse of the former
penitentiary. Drive south on a short-cut to Port Arthur through the
Wielangta Forest and the relict rainforest of the Sandspit Forest Reserve.
Picnic in the understorey or climb the track to the Thumbs for a coastal
view. Top
