Two of our most unspoiled are Maria and Bruny islands. Maria Island is a national park and is a haven for the Forester kangaroo, wallabies, potaroos and Cape Barren geese.
Bruny Island is about the size of Singapore, but most of the roads are unsealed and only 500 people call it their permanent home.
Ferries operate to both islands. The Bruny Island Ferry is a regular car ferry, while the Maria Island Ferry carries passengers and their gear only. No cars are allowed on Maria.
You can also take a ferry along the full length of Australia's largest high altitude lake - Lake St Clair.
Maria is a popular family camping spot and during the summer the ferry is often laden with camping gear and bicycles. Parks and Wildlife Tasmania provides trailers (requiring human ’horsepower’) to carry equipment to the campsites and the Penitentiary dormitories.
Departure point: Triabunna WharfVisit Maria Island Ferry & Eco Cruises for bookings and timetable.
Tel: 0419 746 668. Email info@mariaislandferry.com.au
The car ferry to Bruny Island operates on a regular daily schedule from the wharf near the Bruny D’Entrecasteaux Visitor Information Centre in Ferry Road, Kettering (a 35-minute drive south of Hobart). Foot passengers travel free, but it’s a very long walk from the ferry wharf on the island to the nearest town. The fare per car is about $25 return in the off-peak season and $30 return in the peak season.
Contact: (03) 6273 6725 for details.
The Ida Clair takes you from Cynthia Bay, at the the Lake's southern end, to Narcissus Point at the end of the Overland Track. It's a special journey through a World Heritage Area landscape formed over millions of years as glaciers carved their way across the Island. You can alsos take the Ida Clair to Echo Point and explore the stunning rainforest.
There is a summer and winter ferry timetable, and booking is essential.
Furneaux Freight Pty Ltd has a weekly service which departs Bridport on Mondays, sailing on the tide. This service arrives at Lady Barron, Flinders Island approximately 8 hours after departing from Bridport. The return service departs Lady Barron approximately 9 hours after arrival, therefore arriving at Bridport on the high tide.
The vessel has the ability to carry up to twelve passengers, but be advised that they are operated by the company as freight vessels 'with the ability to carry passengers'. Day accommodation only is offered to passengers and it is a self catering service.
Call them on 1800 674 719.
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