History of Maria Island with Stef Gebbie

For The Maria Island Walk guide Stef Gebbie, any day on Maria Island is a good day, but winter walks are particularly special. During winter, the group gets to stay at Bernacchi House for two nights (compared to just one night during summer).

Bernacchi House. Image: The Maria Island Walk

"It is a privilege that we can stay in a house that has such a tangible link to the past," she explains. "We recently repainted, re-carpeted, and refurbished the house, keeping with its historical values because its heritage listed. Guests sleep on linen sheets, eat delicious meals, and enjoy a unique experience." 

Darlington. Image: The Maria Island Walk

The house Stef is referring to was built under the vision of Italian entrepreneur, Diego Bernacchi, whom Stef describes as a charismatic and colourful character who had a significant influence on Maria Island and the Darlington area from the late 1880s to the 1930s. "He didn't live in Bernacchi House until the 1920s, but his legacy lingers in much of the island's infrastructure," she says. "He built cottages around the island, paved roads with cement, and established shops and a club to cater to the community living on the island throughout this period."  

Fossil Cliffs. Image: The Maria Island Walk

Stef loves to share the island's past with guests and explains that during the multi-day walk, there is plenty of history to uncover. "We try to link together geology, ecology, and history into a story that is relatable," she explains. "Often, textbook concepts, such as sedimentary deposition, make more sense when you're able to see the place where it happened. We talk about Tasmania's unique flora, with many of our ancient Gondwanan species growing right next to 'newer' sclerophyll ecosystems, and our incredible marine environment. We discuss the Indigenous history of the island — the Puthikwilayti who lived on the island and the Palawa community today. And we cover the history of colonisation, the convict history of the island, the whalers and farmers, and Bernacchi and his ambitions. The Maria Island Walk offers a captivating snapshot of Tasmanian history, spanning from ancient times to the present, all within an unparalleled immersive experience."