Our ferry was at 1:30pm to Maria Island, which gave us ample time to pack up, organize ourselves and prepare our pushies with even a little time to visit a small community workshop of retired men who restore old boats and a beautiful stage coach from the area, Very Cool.
The trolleys provided are big enough for all our stuff, and even our bikes, just not enough handles for everyone.
First adventure – fossil cliffs – uphill, into the wind, sun on our backs.
Nearby rocky outcrops Clerk and Bishop were ever visible on the island, we won’t be tackling this one!
Our trip back to camp was almost comical, with a stop every 50metres or so to observe wombats, Echidnas, Forester Kangaroos, Pademelons, Cape Barron Geese and in the creek a shoal of large Galaxians. It had the feeling of an exhibition of Tassie animals.
Then the Devil show started, even before the sun went down a small devil bolted through camp, and found refuge under the picnic table Leni was sitting on. She was SO Excited to have had such a close encounter with her fave Tassie Animal!!
Later that evening a group of teenage boys that were camping next to us, had typical teenage boy hygiene and had left their food waste out – the 2 devil siblings got stuck into their rubbish bag and then each other. It was a vicious display for our own private viewing, they certainly live up to their ‘devil’ name.
The Maria Island township is named Darlington, it has a collection of colonial era buildings, some restored, some used, and some abandoned. I love all they have to offer – colours, textures, untold stories.
Our 2nd day here, we ride south, past the Painted Cliffs for a lunch stop at Four Mile Beach. It’s slow going, up and down hills and getting hot. But we have plenty of water and lolly stops along the way. Then enjoy our private beach views for lunch of Salmon Noodles & collected native Sampfire.
Back to camp for a rest, then an afternoon of exploring the Silo ruins – with resident wombats.
Saturday – early morning pack up allows us to enjoy the last of this piece of paradise before our 10am ferry back to Triabunna.
