March 2023: As part of our larger Pacific Island adventure and our “babymoon,” Paula and I spent three days in Tasmania, the wild and beautiful island state south of mainland Australia. Tasmania is famed for its stunning landscapes, rugged wilderness, and unique wildlife, including the iconic Tasmanian Devil. Eager to experience Tasmania’s natural beauty and wildlife firsthand, I made the centerpiece of our visit a trip to Maria Island World Heritage Area, which is known for its incredible biodiversity and abundance of native species. Maria Island was a perfect choice to immerse ourselves in the wildlife and landscapes that make Tasmania so special.
About Tasmania

Location of Tasmania
Tasmania, Australia’s southernmost state, lies between mainland Australia and Antarctica, surrounded by cold, rough seas. It’s the country’s least populated state and has a fascinating, though often somber, history. Originally established as a penal colony, Tasmania still bears the remnants of its colonial past, with decaying British prison ruins scattered throughout the island. Prior to European settlement, Tasmania was home to an Indigenous Aboriginal population. Tragically, most of this population was decimated or displaced, with survivors eventually relocated to a small island off Tasmania’s coast.
Despite an outdated reputation among some mainland Australians for being isolated or backwards, Tasmania is now increasingly appreciated for its breathtaking landscapes and rich heritage. More visitors are coming to discover Tasmania’s natural beauty and the resilient culture of its communities.
Our three days on Tasmania’s vast, rugged terrain were enough to just scratch the surface of its stunning wilderness, from immense forests and towering mountains to unspoiled coastlines. The wildlife here is as unique as the scenery, featuring iconic marsupials like wombats and kangaroos. Unlike mainland Australia, where many native animals were hunted to extinction, Tasmania’s isolation has allowed certain species to thrive, like the famous Tasmanian Devil. Unfortunately, the Devil is now endangered even here, primarily due to a contagious facial cancer that has wiped out 70% of its population.
Tasmania’s beauty and history left a deep impression on us, and it was a perfect destination for reconnecting with nature and exploring a remarkable piece of Australia’s past.
Maria Island World Heritage Area
On our trip to Tasmania, seeing wildlife was, as usual, a top priority, and Maria Island World Heritage Area was the perfect destination. This protected island reserve is a sanctuary where wombats, kangaroos, and pademelons roam freely, and the wombat population is so abundant that visitors are asked by park rangers not to touch them. It’s also one of the few places where the endangered Tasmanian Devil has been reintroduced to form a cancer-free population, providing a vital lifeline for this iconic species. Other animals on the island will now have to adjust to the presence of this reintroduced predator, which hasn’t been part of the ecosystem here in decades.
Beyond wildlife, Maria Island has a rich historical side as well. Many old, ruined structures still stand from its days as a British penal colony in the 1800s. Visitors who want to stay overnight can either camp or stay in the former prisoner barracks, which have been converted into basic accommodations.
Getting to Maria Island took some planning. I arranged our ferry and national park tickets in advance from Triabunna, and we drove from Hobart to this quaint coastal town. The drive was a few hours through scenic forests and hills, leading us to the sleepy town of Triabunna. We stayed in a historical old cottage and discovered that the town becomes quiet after 6 p.m., with nearly everything closed and a cold Antarctic wind sweeping through. Thankfully, we had stocked up on food and drinks at a grocery store on the way, which helped make our quiet evening in Triabunna cozy and enjoyable.

Historical cabin we stayed at in Triabunna
The next morning, we set out early to catch the first ferry to Maria Island, just a short walk from our cabin. Since Maria Island is a wilderness area with no shops or facilities, we packed enough food and water for the day—the ferry would drop us off in the morning and wouldn’t return until late afternoon.
Arriving on the island felt surreal, like stepping into a dreamscape. The sun shone brightly, illuminating the clear green waters and casting a glow over the landscape. The remnants of the old penal colony—a scattering of abandoned buildings with a haunted, forgotten quality—stood in stark contrast to the island’s natural beauty: white sand beaches stretched alongside towering, ancient fir trees, and lush peaks rose dramatically from the interior.
Even as we disembarked, we were greeted by the island’s abundant wildlife. Brilliantly colored geese, lively parrots, and adorable little kangaroos, called pademelons, roamed freely nearby. This was the Tasmania we’d been hoping for, a place where the beauty of the natural world mingled with a sense of history and isolation that made Maria Island feel like a land apart.

Beach, Fir Trees and Mountains on First Arrival to Maria island

Ruined penal buildings from 1800s’

Graveyard from the Penal Era in 1800s

Graveyard from the Penal Era in 1800s

Old tools and abandoned Equipment
Wombats
We came to Maria Island with wombats as our main goal, and we certainly weren’t disappointed—though at first, we were a bit anxious. We had read reviews that promised herds of wombats, but after walking for over an hour, we still hadn’t seen a single one. We loved these creatures so much that we even bought a stuffed wombat from the Maria Island Visitor Center in Triabunna as a gift for our daughter. Determined not to leave without seeing one in the wild, we pressed on.
Along the way, we ran into a bicyclist who was taking a break, and I asked him if he knew where to find the wombats. He gave us a valuable tip: wombats typically stay in the forest until late in the day when they come out to graze. Encouraged by the advice, we headed straight for the tall fir trees and ventured into the forest. After about ten minutes of bushwhacking, still no wombats in sight. But just as our hope began to wane, I spotted one. I dropped down to sit quietly, only about five feet away from the little guy, who was peacefully resting in his burrow.
I signaled to Paula to join me, and she quickly spotted another wombat—this one even bigger—just a few feet away from the creek behind me. There we were, sitting on the forest floor beside a creek in the serene company of two wombats. For the most part, the wombats didn’t seem to mind our presence, and we made sure to give them space to ensure they felt comfortable. However, every so often, one of them would look up, meet our gaze, and quickly bury its face in its paws, almost as if trying to convince us that if it couldn’t see us, we would leave.
Paula tried to take a photo of herself with one of the wombats in the background, but that was the final straw. The wombat began chirping in a strange, almost indignant language before waddling its way into the forest, its furry backside disappearing into the undergrowth. It was a perfect moment, and we felt lucky to have experienced it—witnessing these unique creatures in their natural habitat, surrounded by the wild beauty of Tasmania.

Paula and a wombat in the forest
We felt a bit guilty for disturbing the wombats, so we decided to leave them in peace. As we continued our exploration of Maria Island, we soon realized that these wouldn’t be the only wombats we’d encounter that day. We spotted several more along the edge of the forest, some grazing peacefully in the open fields.
The most heart-melting sight came later in the day when we saw a mother wombat with her baby. It was honestly one of the cutest things we’d ever witnessed. The mother would wobble slowly across the grass, and her little one would race to keep up, struggling to stay as close to her as possible. Every few seconds, they’d pause together to nibble on the grass, before moving on to a new patch. The sight of them together, the mother so calm and the baby so eager to stay close, made for one of those truly magical moments in the wild—one that we’ll never forget. It was the perfect ending to our wombat quest, and it felt like a gift from the island itself.

Mother and baby wombat

Mother and baby wombat

Mother and baby wombat

Paula in front of Mother and baby wombat
Other Animals
Maria Island is truly a haven for wildlife, and it didn’t disappoint in terms of animal sightings. Along with the wombats, we encountered kangaroos hopping across the open plains and pademelons darting in and out of the underbrush. Colorful parrots filled the trees, and we were even lucky enough to spot some geese waddling along the shores.
One of the more elusive animals on the island is the Tasmanian Devil. Unfortunately, they are nocturnal and hard to spot in the wild, so the only one I saw during our time in Tasmania was sadly a dead one on the road. It was a sobering reminder of how fragile the ecosystem can be, even in such a pristine place.
Another unexpected discovery was the presence of the highly venomous Tiger Snake. I didn’t realize these snakes called Maria Island home until later, when we learned that they’ve been known to bite tourists in the past. In some cases, bites have been serious enough to require emergency helicopter evacuations to Hobart for treatment. Thankfully, we didn’t cross paths with one during our visit, but it was a stark reminder to always keep an eye on where we were walking—especially in the dense undergrowth where they like to hide. It certainly added a sense of caution to our exploration of the island!

Colorful parrots

Pademelons-I gave this guy respect because he looked like he might kick my ass

Pademelons

Pademelons

Kangeroo
Incredible Scenery
The scenery on Maria Island is nothing short of breathtaking, and we were lucky enough to experience it in peace with few other tourists around. The sense of solitude made the entire hike feel even more special, and we truly felt like we were in a wilderness paradise.
One of the highlights of our time on the island was hiking to the Fossil Cliffs. The cliffs are not only geologically fascinating, with ancient fossils embedded in the rock, but the views from the top were simply stunning. We found a small grove of trees clinging to the edge of the cliffs, and it made the perfect spot to rest and have lunch. The contrast of the lush greenery, towering cliffs, and sparkling ocean below created an unforgettable atmosphere.
Maria Island is a hiker’s dream, with hundreds of miles of trails and bike paths weaving through the island’s wilderness. We only scratched the surface of what the island has to offer, and I couldn’t help but wish we had more time to explore the more remote areas. There are so many hidden corners of the island that would be incredible to discover on foot or by bike, especially with the option to camp in some of those more isolated spots. I would love to return one day and spend even more time immersed in the island’s natural beauty.

Giant Eucalalutus Tree

Fossil Cliffs

Fossil Cliffs
Short Stop-Over in Brisbane to Visit Koalas
Our cute and cuddly creature adventures continued even after leaving Tasmania. After our short layover in Brisbane, North Queensland, Paula and I made the most of the time by visiting the Koala Reserve. The highlight of the visit was getting to take a family photo with a Koala, although I was a bit surprised by how strong its claws were as it clung to the tree. Despite their cute, sleepy appearance, those claws are definitely built for climbing!
While at the reserve, we also got a chance to finally see a Tasmanian Devil. It was a bit ironic that we had to leave Tasmania to see one, but we were thrilled nonetheless. The little devil was certainly a sight to behold, even though it was behind the glass of its enclosure. Seeing it up close reminded us of how endangered these unique creatures are, and how much work is being done to protect them.
After spending some time with the koalas and the devil, we felt like we’d gathered a few more memories to cherish before heading to Nauru the next morning-Nauru-Island of Open Pit Guano Mining & Australian Refugee Detention Camps | Venture The Planet. It was a great little detour on our way, and it left us with a few more animal encounters to look back on with fondness.

Family Photo

Tasmania Devil