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FREE Return Ferry Trips: Triabunna to Maria Island (Tassie) Save $35

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A Tasmanian government subsidised initiative.

A big thank you to the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service and the Honourable Matthew Groom MP for affording us this wonderful opportunity.

Maria Island Ferry, Cruise and Tour company - East Coast Cruises began touring Maria Island in 2006. Our dedicated staff have worked hard to develop cruise tourism for Maria Island and the township of Triabunna and are proud to showcase their home region to you.

Our team has recently acquired a new vessel ‘Spirit of Maria’, which provides the fastest and most comfortable transport to Maria Island. The 'Spirit of Maria' is also a custom built cruise and tour vessel, providing twin deck viewing for Maria’s enthralling wildlife, unique cliff formations and giant sea caves.

The Spirit of Maria is the only vessel operating to Maria Island that can cruise to the Ile des Phoques seal colony, explore sea caves and circumnavigate Maria Island.

Our day cruises are gentle and safe, wonderfully informative, personal and relaxing.

Our free passenger service to Maria Island begins Saturday the 31st of May and extends through to the 31st of August.

Here's a recent article from the Hobart Mercury about this offer

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closed Comments

  • -7

    Tasmania gets far far too much of the GST pie than it should.

    • -2

      I suppose it drags the tourists in, so why not?

    • Then promptly spend it on interstate tourists…

    • -3

      GST money should only go to, in order; Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, a little for the Victorians, cockroaches and Kiwis that moved to Brisbane. Perth can look after itself. 10km outside those city limits and the rest of Australia is the bush.

    • So how about poorer suburbs of cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Should they receive less of the GST than Rose Bay etc? We are a federation of states and we help each other.

  • +7

    Caution : this is a 3 hour tour.

    • +1

      SS Minnow? Classic.

    • +3

      It's a ferry service, the idea being you stay on Maria Island for a night or two, or yes you could return in the afternoon but seems like a lot of mucking around.

      I highly recommend doing Maria Island for those who have never been, but stay a night with some hiking/cooking gear, it's a wonderful place.

    • This is probably a reference to something I don't know. But for those who are interested, the company on their Facebook page states it's a 30 minute trip each way.

  • +2

    Tassie in the middle of winter, this is going to work… :-)

    • +2

      Ha yeah. Interestingly, Tassie in Winter does bring one massive benefit money can't buy though and that's limited tourists! Being able to visit all these incredible places and be the only one/s there is incredible. Really makes you appreciate the natural beauty even more in my opinion.

      Of course the other benefit is the roaring open fireplaces and seemingly limitless supplies of Whisky & Port at most accommodation :) Ahhhhhh.

  • +6

    Visited Maria Island on a school excursion back in the late 80's, has some great walks and scenery. Be sure to check out the fossil cliffs, Painted Cliffs (worn sandstone) and climb Mt Bishop and Clerk (amazing view from the top and a huge F-off drop over the edge that will tighten your sphincter, see http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2013/05/17/1226645/0486… )

  • +4

    Was there again for a week in March. Wonderful place. Really need to stay overnight to enjoy it. $15/n in the old cell block with a nice wood fire or $7/n in a tent. Lots of wombats, Tassie Devils, etc to see. But BYO everything. Great walking & bicycle territory - bikes for hire.

    • +2

      This is a national park, so don't expect shops, bar, or much except nature, views, & solitude (except when school groups take over). There is no ATM.

      You may be asked to show your purchased National Parks Pass ($60 for a car load for 8 weeks, or $30 per person) National Parks accept credit cards.

      Facilities: Free stoves at historic 1831 Penitentiary accommodation block & camping area, but only a kettle for stove, so need cooking gear.

      Penitentiary accommodation block has about 10 cells, each with about 3 double decker bunks with plastic covered single memory foam mattresses (no pillows), enclosed fireplace, table & bench seats, but no lighting. Can be booked for sole occupancy (extra cost) or $15/n backpacker shared use. Cosy, petty comfortable, lots of space, and have never had to share. But book ahead as school groups book out whole accommodation block.

      Solar electricity. Lighting at night only around Penitentiary block & in its kitchen & toilets, but not in cell block accommodation, nor camping area & it's kitchen & toilet block. Can charge phones, laptops etc.

      $1 hot 2 minute or free cold showers.
      Tank water is usually available.
      Free chopped firewood for fireplaces.

      If camping, use the metal bins, available from Rangers Hut, to store your food from possum attack. I put down my hot chocolate to say hello to another camper & 3 possums snuck down a tree behind me - no more hot drink!

      Lots of interesting historical displays, places to sit & read out of the weather.

      Free camp sites with tank water a few hours walk/ bike South. But protect your food - the possums are hungry ;-)

      Saw plenty of wombats with young & a few recently introduced Tassie Devils.

      Before you leave Triabunna:
      Food supplies & last ATM available at smallish IGA, but better choice & cheaper on the way there at Sorrel. (Good cafes in Swansea to North.) Also 2 pubs. Popular fish van near pub by ferry.

      Bus from Hobart stops at Tourist Info about 4 times a week during school terms. It's on way to fantastic Freycinet Peninsula & East Coast.

      Tourist info gave me wrong advice about water availability on Maria, so best to email/ ring National Parks service on Maria.

  • +1

    Thanks OP. Tassie holiday in school break.

  • +1

    Thanks TA

  • wonder why this company and not others like Maria Island Ferry?

  • Ha! Tasmania…

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