Fossil Cliffs Circuit

The Fossil Cliffs are considered one of the best examples of life 250 million years ago, with a vast number of shellfish fossils embedded in the limestone cliffs. Best at low tide when you can clamber down to the shoreline. The circuit also passes some historic buildings in Darlington and offers some nice views of Bishop and Clerk and the high sea cliffs on the east coast.

Lookouts

Heritage Sites

Cycling Permitted

Coastal

150m

Maximum Elevation

200m

Total Climb

Add to
My Wishlist

Tick Walk

Getting there

One of the many walks on Maria Island, which is reached by a regular ferry from the town of Triabunna (multiple daily services in summer; less frequent in winter). Starts from Darlington, with the start of the walk clearly sign-posted.

Maps

TASMAP Maria Island National Park 1:50K
5828 Darlingon 1:25,000 (covers top of Maria Island)

Route/Trail notes

The Fossil Cliffs Circuit road ascends very gently, as it crosses Cape Boullanger and passes the Maria Island airstrip. You need to dismount(if cycling) and walk down a short track that leads to the top of the cliffs, where there is some interpretative signage, once you reach the Fossil Cliffs. The Fossil Cliffs Circuit continues along the top of the cliff-line, rising quite steeply to the highest point of the walk, with views down from the high sea cliffs. The track then descends back to Darlington.

Permits/Costs

There is a cost for the ferry to reach Maria Island. A National Parks Pass is also required

Other References

Tas Parks Maria Island web site
Tas Parks datasheets - Fossil Cliffs
https://hikingtheworld.blog/2019/01/21/exploring-fossil-cliffs-and-reservoir-circuit/

GPS Tracks

No GPS available for this walk yet.

Comments

Unfortunately the ramp down to see the fossils is currently closed so this walk was fairly uninteresting. Good views of the water and grassy hills. Huge hill to walk up if doing the circuit. Glad we had bikes to get out of the sun a bit faster. Saw a bandicoot thing in the greener inland part of the walk.
Rosie on 2 Mar, 2023

Must see
HellsBells on 11 Sep, 2021

Did this walk after spending the nigh at the Penitentiary. Absolutely mind blowing to be standing among the 275 million year old fossils, and makes you feel insignificant in the grand scope of time. Very easy walk and we explored all of the old ruins on the way.
Brian on 22 Jul, 2019