Maria Island

Day 1 Tuesday 23rd October

After a 7:30 pick up we went to the local offices to get equipped with our rucksacks. We were driven about an hour to Triabunna and then took a 45 minute fast boat to the isthmus of Maria Island. We had to wade ashore onto the deserted beach and then it was a short walk to the Casuarina beach camp. we had a comfortable permanent tent to ourselves. There were 2 separate toilet huts and a wash hut as well as big cooking and eating hut. We had 2 guides and an assistant and there were two other couples as guests. After lunch we walked through the eucaluptus forest down to Haunted Bay and back again. The evening meal of scallop risotto was delicious and we all turned in early to bed.

 

Day 2 Wednesday 24th October

We started the day with a great breakfast spread and then started off on our five beach walk. The scenery is extraordinary and every beach was different; some with picture postcard sand, an other with rocks, one with surf, another calm. We had lunch on the way and ended at another camp called White Guns, almost identical to the first.  Tonight was a BBQ which was great although Lucinda blaked at the kangaroo and duck sausages.

 

Day 3 Thursday 25th October

Today the weather took a turn for the worse. On the other two days it had been dry and the perfect temperature for walking. Today was rainy with low clouds. We therefore walked directly to Darlington and left our rucksacks at the house we were to spend the night in. We light day sacks we set off on a coastal walk and visited the extraordinary Fossil Cliffs. The house we were staying in was constructed by an Italian immigrant called Bernacchi. He had two separate periods when he tried to develop the Island by growing grapes, raising silkworms, opening a cement works and even a spa and a hotel. His schemes were on a grandiose scale and he left a legacy of several buildings. However all his schemes failed. Before he came to the Island it was used as a penal colony and we saw some of the cells where the prisoners were kept and hear the stories about those times. At the House we could have a hot shower and read in front of the fire before supper. I think this was Lucinda's favourite of local salmon followed by a great lemon cake.

 

Day 4 Friday 26th October

This morning the weather was better once again and we had a short walk up to the reservoir. We looked round the old buildings and had another walk out of the settlement. We've seen a few animals over the last few days. There were several birds notably the oystercatcher and a rare goose. We've seen the odd kangaroo and wallabee, and finally several wombats. After a light lunch with Tasmanian champagne we caught the boat back the mainland and then a minibus transfer back to the hotel. The dirty clothes are in a washing machine, we have showered and will now cathc up on the news from home.