My fourth blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!
Maria Island is 4km off the east coast of Tasmania. The island is 22km (13 miles) long and 13 km (8 miles) wide. The entire island is designated as a National Park. Access is only by ferry, and the only motorised vehicle on the island belongs to the Park Ranger. Transport is by pushbike or walking. Pushbikes can be hired on the island.
Like many Tasmanians, I hadn't visited Maria Island prior to the visit I made in 2009 as part of a camping trip I was making up the east coast.
The ferry Leaves from Triabunna and docks at the wharf at Darlington, the site of the main settlement on the island.
For a time Maria Island was mined for limestone and a cement works was constructed. These rather ugly silos remain from that time.
A number of structures remain, mostly from the period the island was used as a penal settlement. Below is the Penitentiary, which is now used as bunk accommodation. There are also a number of camping sites around the island.
Other than the peace and quite, the real drawcard for me is the native wildlife.
One of the many wombats
some friendly wallabies
some inquisitive Kangaroos...
One of the popular spots to visit is the painted cliffs, a natural sandstone formation
Another popular spot is Fossil Cliffs, the site of the limestone mine
and a great time to visit the area is for sunrise..
Maria Island is 4km off the east coast of Tasmania. The island is 22km (13 miles) long and 13 km (8 miles) wide. The entire island is designated as a National Park. Access is only by ferry, and the only motorised vehicle on the island belongs to the Park Ranger. Transport is by pushbike or walking. Pushbikes can be hired on the island.
Like many Tasmanians, I hadn't visited Maria Island prior to the visit I made in 2009 as part of a camping trip I was making up the east coast.
The ferry Leaves from Triabunna and docks at the wharf at Darlington, the site of the main settlement on the island.
For a time Maria Island was mined for limestone and a cement works was constructed. These rather ugly silos remain from that time.
A number of structures remain, mostly from the period the island was used as a penal settlement. Below is the Penitentiary, which is now used as bunk accommodation. There are also a number of camping sites around the island.
Other than the peace and quite, the real drawcard for me is the native wildlife.
One of the many wombats
some friendly wallabies
some inquisitive Kangaroos...
One of the popular spots to visit is the painted cliffs, a natural sandstone formation
Another popular spot is Fossil Cliffs, the site of the limestone mine
and a great time to visit the area is for sunrise..
Oh Marc your photos are always gorgeous, that sunset is beautifully captured. We are very lucky here in Tassie.
ReplyDeleteOh now I REALLY want that holiday to Tassie later this year!
ReplyDeleteWhat truly beautiful photos, Marc.
Thanks Kim. And thank you Toni. Tasmania is a stunning place. I'll show a few more areas over the next few weeks!
ReplyDeleteWow, those sandstone cliffs are stunning. And I really love the angle of your shot of the Fossil Cliffs, it's a really well composed picture. :)
ReplyDeleteSo many exciting photographs here, I particularly like the second one. I'm jealous of where you live!
ReplyDeleteThose 'painted' cliffs are beautiful. Nature makes the most beautiful things. Certainly compared to some of the manmade structures on that island ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove the wildlife - and the painted cliffs are superb!
ReplyDelete