Via Maria Island to Richmond

To Maria Island or not to Maria Island? We were not sure, so many people said we should, yet we did not have much time... We hadn't done Maria Island yet, this time was the time, we just had to go! SO Maria Island was a go - but first getting there. From Bicheno we had a beautiful day cycling to Mayfield Bay, a little bit past Swansea. We didn't spend time in Swansea, although it's a nice historic town.

The road along the east coast, so nice all the time. This is the A3 - a national highway!

Stopover in a winery (Devil's Corner) with a magnificent view.

Spikey Bridge, a bridge built by convicts in the 19th century

Mayfield Bay is a bush camp, yet surprisingly there were a lot of campers when we arrived. It's a great setting, with terraces facing the sea and islands off the coast. Most other campers - who came by car - had camp fires going - because they brought wood - but for us, it was not the case; so it was getting cold early. Bush camp means: no showers, no camp kitchen, no electricity, and yes toilets but "bush toilets" - in other words, no luxury at all, always in a very natural setting; it's great! And: it's free!

Wonderful Mayfield Bay campsite

Mayfield Bay beach

Looking at the other side, away from the beach

We had a great night at Mayfield Bay, and then only needed to do 34km to Triabunna, from where we took the ferry to Maria Island in the early afternoon. So we had an easy ride, could not even stop for a coffee break because we did not have enough water left after our night in the bush camp. Once in Triabunna, around noon, we had our coffee and lunch, and prepared for the stay on Maria Island: some groceries, and repack our stuff so we could take only what we needed. Our bicycles and the rest of our luggage could stay in a local hotel - behind which we would camp after coming back from the island.

Can't get enough of this kind of views - all the time on our way

We arrived in Maria Island in time to set up our tent, and still go for a short walk - to the painted cliffs, as it was the perfect timing because of low tide. We did not take our bicycles across; you can cycle on the island, but we decided our 1 day on the island would be for hiking. And that's exactly what we did, a nice long hike to one of the peaks on the island - Bishop and Clerk, 620m high. A very nice hike, challenging enough, and with great views as a reward.

Sunset over Darlington, the ferry arrival and park headquarters on Maria Island

Ahhhhhh

A series of photos from the painted cliffs

Sunset on the beach

Maria Island is indeed a wonderful place, and we would love to go back and stay a bit longer. There is wildlife everywhere: various kinds of kangaroos in all sizes, wombats everywhere, Tasmanian Devils (first time we saw these), possums, geese, ... It's a super relax and natural place, and there are a lot of options for hiking and cycling. We could only stay for 1 night this time, a short but very nice stay.

Camp spot on Maria Island

On the hike to Bishop and Clerk

At the summit of Bishop and Clerk, 620m

View towards the mainland from Bishop and Clerk

Hairy tree

Maria Island

You never get tired of this kind of sunsets...

Once back on the mainland, late afternoon, we stayed one more night in Triabunna before heading to Richmond. Another very beautiful ride, in great weather - the best we've had so far - with some challenging hills. The A3 was quite busy along this stretch, but even that could not spoil the fun. A good 63km, a nice day, with a final touch: a beer on a sunny terrace in Richmond.

Camping behind the hotel in Triabunna; they allow you to camp for free, but we did take the "opportunity" and went for a tasty pub meal in the evening