Three days of island magic
There is much to love about a winter on Maria Island, and now's the chance to experience it over three incredible days. The Winter Escape Walk combines an invigorating blend of daily walks, mountain summits (if you dare), abundant wildlife and fascinating history.
The Itinerary
Start the experience from Hobart, where you will be collected by our guides.ย In small groups of up to eight guests, you will be transferred to Maria Island, to spend three days exploring pristine beaches, tall ancient forests and world heritage sites teeming with wildlife.
A fully-inclusive experience of all meals and drinks. By night, enjoy an aperitivo by the fireplace, then close each day with a three-course evening meal in the comfort of heritage-listed Bernacchi House – your comfortable accommodation for the two nights.
Three memorable Maria Island days, to create a lifetime of magical memories.
Day 1
Distance: Approx. 2 km, or 12km if taking one of the afternoon walks.
Guests will be collected from their Hobart CBD hotel from 7:30am to 8am. After an introductory briefing with The Maria Island Walk guides and fellow guests, itโs time to depart on a 90-minute scenic drive to board the ferry across to Maria Island. Keep a look out for whales and dolphins during the short cruise.
Disembarking at Darlington, itโs a short walk to historic Bernacchi House, your accommodation for the next two nights.
After lunch, choose to relax at the house in front of the fire or join a guided walk to the stunning Painted Cliffs or Fossil Cliffs – their colour vivid in the afternoon light.
Dinner is a hosted three-course affair accompanied by fine local wines, followed by leisurely time to see the incredible starry skies or keep an eye out for Tasmanian Devils.
Day 2
Distance: Approx. 6km, or up to 18km if a mountain peak is chosen.
After a leisurely and relaxed breakfast, the amount of activity is up to you.
For the adventurous there is the choice of walking one of two island summits, worth the adventure for their incredible views from the top. Or,ย if a relaxed pace today is more your style – choose from one of two circuits that pass historic sites with free-roaming wildlife along the way.
Returning mid-afternoon, relax with a glass of wine and canapes on Bernacchi House’s front verandah or in front of the fire, before settling in for another delicious evening meal.
Day 3
Distance: Determined by guest.
After breakfast, explore the buildings of Darlington, the convict settlement and industrial ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
A farewell lunch will be served overlooking Darlington before your early afternoon return ferry and drive back to Hobart’s CBD or the airport, arriving back at approximately 6pm.
Our Pricing
All rates are in Australian dollars and inclusive of GST.
Accommodation is based on twin share.
We accommodate for single travellers, who may may be required to share accommodation with another single walker of the same gender.ย For guests who prefer not to share a room, we can accommodate and offer a single occupancy rate.
Winter Escape Walk:
three days / two nights
three days / two nights
1 May 2025 - 31 August 2025
Twin Share
$1,900 Per person (twin share)
Single Occupancy
$3,250 Per person (single occupancy)
Exclusive Use (Max 8 Walkers)
$11,500
- Return transfers from Hobart
- Two nights comfortable accommodation at Bernacchi House
- Fully-inclusive of meals, trail snacks, drinks and alcoholic beverages
- National Parks Pass
- Fully hosted experience, with expert private guides
- Additionally, guests will be provided with the loan of a day pack, waterproof jacket and head torch.
Accommodation
After a day of walking, you will relax in comfortable accommodation at the historic Bernacchi House in Darlington. It’s exclusive to our guests, ensuring a cosy place to slumber at the end of full days immersed in the wilderness and history of Maria Island. As a heritage listed house, room sizes and configurations vary and amenities are shared.
Bernacchi House
Bernacchi House is the accommodation for the Winter Escape Walk, the only heritage-listed house in a Convict World Heritage area.
In 2022, the home was refurbished with key elements undertaken by Laura Stucken, local designer and co-owner of award-winning Van Bone Restaurant. Despite the refresh, the historic property remains true to its original fabric and story.
Local artisans incorporated in the project include Scott Van Tuil, who designed the sandstone side tables and coffee tables in the home as a nod to the famous Painted Cliffs of Maria Island, and Simon Ancher Studio, who supplied floating beds using Tasmanian timber. Soft furnishings were sourced from Hobart-based Featherston Interiors and vases from local potters across the Mercury passage at Dunalley, Tim and Tammy Holmes (Potters Croft), are dotted through the house.
A comfortable and cosy stay, and a short walking distance from the ferry terminal to/from Darlington to the mainland.
Food & Wine
Our guests often say the food is a highlight of their trip. After a day of walking you can relax with a three-course gourmet meal prepared by our team and enjoyed by candlelight under the stars with your new group of friends.
We toast another wonderful day on Maria Island with award winning Tasmanian wines from local family owned vineyards like Cape Bernier, Bream Creek, Milton and Gala, or choose one of our thirst-quenching local beers.
Your skilled guides will prepare all your meals made with the freshest of local Tasmanian produce. Take your time and enjoy leisurely cooked breakfasts, then feast on lunch in stunning locations.
Tasmaniaโs produce, wines and local beers are world famous – with this bounty of options incorporated into the menu planning, as we collaborate with local suppliers, to ensure bellies are sated when joining us on The Maria Island Walk.
What They’re Saying
The Maria Island Walk acknowledges the Aboriginal Communities and Traditional Custodians of country throughout Tasmania and we recognise their continued connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Elders past and present, as we seek to understand their history and learn from their knowledge.
