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.
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.
Price:
Departure times:
Departure point: Triabunna Wharf
Contact: Parks and Wildlife for information on the ferry timetable.
Or telephone Triabunna Visitor Information Centre: Cnr Esplanade, Charles Street Tel: (03) 6257 4772 Email tvic@freycinet.tas.gov.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.
