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Painted Cliffs
Painted Cliffs
60 Great Short Walks

Painted Cliffs

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Alerts for Painted Cliffs

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Planned event: Construction Works - Maria Island National Park
Applies from 28/11/2025

​​​​Construction works on Maria Island will start in December 2025. They are expected to be completed November 2026.

These upgrades will modernise infrastructure ​including: 

  • water

  • wastewater

  • electrical

Works will be managed to minimise impact but there will be heavy machinery, construction noise, dust and ground vibrations in and around Darlington.

Visitors are asked to comply with directions from staff and signage in the area.

Bookings on the ferry are essential to visit the island. Visit Encounter Maria Island to view availability and fare information.

Last reviewed 14/8/2026 04:40 PM

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Barbecues
  • Camping
  • Cycling tracks
  • Huts
  • Park ranger
  • Picnic facilities
  • Short walk
  • Snorkelling
  • Swimming
  • Toilets
  • Visitor centre
  • World Heritage Area

Related PagesExpand/Collapse

    ContactExpand/Collapse

    • Maria Island Gateway
      c/- Corner Charles St and Esplanade West
      Triabunna TAS 7190
      Phone: 03 6123 4040
      Email: MariaIslandEnquiries@parks.tas.gov.au

      ​Maria Island Gateway visitor centre opening hours
      Open 7 days

      7.45am to 3.30pm from 1 September to 30 April.

      9am to 3.30pm from 1 May to 31 August.

    1-2 hour walk, 0.5-1.5 hour ride, 4.3km return
    Grade 3: Some bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface and many steps.
    Supervise children. Beaches are unpatrolled. The painted cliffs are dangerous. Please keep your distance to stay safe from falling rocks. The cliffs are unstable and cannot be climbed or accessed from above.
    A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks.
    This walk departs from the Darlington Township. Access to the Painted Cliffs Rock Platform is safest within two hours of low tide so it's important to time your trip.

    About

    Please note that the Painted Cliffs can only be accessed at low tides and in calm sea conditions. It is a substantial hazard area. You will encounter slippery and uneven surfaces.​

    ​​The walk follows the Frenchs Farm Coastal Route from Darlington Bay to the Painted Cliffs. Along the way you can enjoy the magical Hopground Beach, a beautiful white sandy beach. 

    To turn the walk into a loop track follow the meandering boardwalk along Counsel Creek. The boardwalk passes the convict-built Oast House. This is one of the oldest hop kilns in Tasmania. 

    There are lots of native wildlife to spot along the track. You can also relax on Hopground Beach, or swim, snorkel and explore the rockpools of the Maria Island Marine Reserve.

    The walk ends at the Painted Cliffs. The cliffs are famous for their amazing colours and swirling patterns. 

    The patterns have been created by ground water percolating through the sandstone and staining the rock. Wave action and sea spray have continued the erosion, resulting in the honeycomb patterns, potholes and notches.


      Buy a map from TasMap

      ​​Access Maria Island by passenger ferry from Triabunna, located off the Tasman Highway (A3). The ferry service runs between Triabunna and Darlington, and takes around 45 minutes.

      Visit the Encounter Maria Island website for details on current ferry timetables, fares and crossing information. Passenger numbers may be limited during busy periods and advance bookings are recommended.

      There is no vehicle access to Maria Island – you can explore the island on foot or by bike.

      Where possible, please avoid driving in our reserves at night. You are sharing the roads with our native wildlife, so take it slow and watch out for animals on the road.

      There is no access to see the Painted Cliffs from the cliff top. 

      Tidal information is available at the Maria Island Gateway at time of ferry check or via the QR code displayed on the Noticeboards at the Commissariat Store (Visitor Information) or Rangers Station on Maria Island.

      Bicycles may be ridden on the formed road sections but not on beaches or walking tracks.​
      ​

      ​​​​Park entry fees apply

      Park entry fees (including those who travel to the island on their own boat or plane), Penitentiary and camping fees can be paid online or at the Maria Island Gateway in Triabunna.​

      Payment of Penitentiary and camping fees 

      You can pay for your camping fees at the Maria Island Gateway.

      Penitentiary fees can be paid online or through the Sheffield Visitor Information Centre​.

      Walk times

      Walk and ride times are walking or riding only. Please allow extra time to explore ​features along the way to make it back in time for the ferry, or if staying overnight return to camp in daylight.

      Be prepared to be self-sufficent

      Maria Island is a remote island experience, there are no shops or cafes on the island. You will need to bring enough food for your stay, refillable water bottle, sturdy walking shoes, warm and waterproof clothing including a beanie, sun protection including hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, personal first aid kit, mobile phone and a backpack to securely carry all of your belongings. Stock up on basic supplies in Triabunna before you catch the ferry.

      Check the weather forecast before you travel to ensure you have the appropriate clothing.

      All water on Maria Island is not potable and treatment is required (purification tablets or boiling for at least one minute) before use. ​Water is available from signed t​aps in the barbecue shelter and Mess Hall at Darlington. Please note this is a limited supply so bring a full water bottle with you.

      Please take all your rubbish with you when you leave. There is no rubbish tip and no rubbish collection service on the island.

      Smoking is not permitted within the accommodation precincts. Please store your butts in your own carry-out container.​


      More information

      ​Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our Know Before You Go web page.

      ​The painted cliffs are dangerous because there are no protections from natural hazards. Hazards include slippery rocks, unstable cliffs, rocks falling from above, tidal inundation and storm surges.

      There is no access from the top of the cliffs. Access is from the lower rock platform at the base of the cliffs 2 hours before, or after, low tide. 

      Please keep your distance and stay safe from falling rocks.  The cliffs are unstable and cannot be climbed.​​

      ​Remember the safe walking guidelines

      • ​Plan to walk safely
      • Be prepared
      • Avoid walking alone and let someone know your plans
      • Record your trip intentions in the log books 
      • Be prepared to turn back

      Walker safety - day walks​

      Wherever you plan to walk in Tasmania, plan for the possibility of poor weather and unexpected situations. Conditions in Tasmania can change at any time of year.

      Choose a walk that matches your group’s fitness and experience. The track classification guide explains walk difficulty ratings and can help you choose a suitable track.

      Grade 4 and 5 walks can be especially challenging and may include steep climbs, rocky ground, mud, cliffs, or require navigation skills.

      For all walks, check the weather forecast before you go, take a map, and let someone know your plans. If you are walking in remote areas or conditions are uncertain, carry extra food, and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Consider taking an emergency shelter or tent. Learn about the dangers of cold by watching the hypothermia safety video.

      More information on planning, including recommended gear lists, is available on our Safety In Parks page. (Safety video with Chinese subtitles).