Triabunna

Triabunna is a sleepy coastal town on Tasmania’s east coast, serving as the main gateway to the wildlife-rich Maria Island National Park. With a working fishing port, a handful of friendly pubs, and a palpable sense of solitude, it’s the perfect base for a few days of island exploration, bushwalking, and spotting wombats and Tasmanian devils.

Highlights & What to See

• Maria Island ferry – The daily passenger ferry from Triabunna’s jetty is the only public access to Maria Island, a haven for hiking, cycling, and wildlife encounters. Book ahead in peak season.
• Fossil Cliffs & Painted Cliffs – On Maria Island, these dramatic sandstone formations with colourful mineral staining are a photographer’s dream, best visited at low tide.
• Darlington Probation Station – A UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict settlement on Maria Island, with well-preserved buildings and informative displays about Tasmania’s convict history.
• East Coast Natureworld – Just south of Triabunna, this wildlife sanctuary offers close-up encounters with Tasmanian devils, wombats, kangaroos, and birds in natural bushland enclosures.
• Triabunna’s working harbour – Watch fishing boats unload their catch, grab fish and chips from the local takeaway, and enjoy the salty sea air.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend one full day on a Maria Island day trip (ferry departs around 9am, returns by 4pm). If you want to hike to Bishop and Clerk (a 5–6 hour return walk) or explore the island’s quieter coves, consider staying overnight on the island (basic camping only). Add a half-day to visit East Coast Natureworld and stroll around Triabunna itself. Two nights in town is comfortable.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Orford – A charming seaside village just 10 minutes north, with a beautiful beach, the Spring Bay Mill arts precinct, and kayaking on the Prosser River.
• Freycinet National Park – About an hour’s drive north, this park boasts the iconic Wineglass Bay lookout, stunning coastal walks, and excellent swimming at Honeymoon Bay.
• Bicheno – A lively fishing town 40 minutes north, famous for its blowhole, penguin tours, and the Bicheno Brewing Co.
• Hobart – A scenic 1.5-hour drive south along the Tasman Highway, Tasmania’s capital offers MONA, Salamanca Market, and Mount Wellington.
• Richmond – Australia’s best-preserved Georgian village, with the oldest bridge and oldest Catholic church, lies about 1.5 hours south-west on the way to Hobart.

Please check official sources for current details.