Posts from The Maria Island Walk
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Species Feature: Tasmanian Devil
Once widespread across the country, the Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is now restricted to the island state of Tasmania, due to the arrival of Dingos to Australia some 3500-4000 years ago. Known locally as 'Tassie Devils', these nocturnal carnivorous marsupials typically inhabit dry eucalypt forests and woodlands and are found...
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6 Must-Visit Wildlife Islands in Australia
Australia's islands boast some of the planet's most remarkable wildlife experiences, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the diversity and beauty of the country's natural heritage. From the iconic kangaroos bounding across the hilltops to rare and elusive marine species swimming in pristine waters, these islands provide a sanctuary for animals...
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12 Threatened Australian Species You Can See In the Wild
Australia is home to a remarkable array of wildlife, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. However, numerous species are currently facing critical threats and are classified as endangered. In this article, we explore some of Australia's most vulnerable creatures that you can observe in their natural habitats....
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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...
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Learning About the Environment with Ben Brown
For General Manager Operations of The Maria Island Walk, Ben Brown, environmental stewardship has always been a top priority. "Sustainability and conservation have been at the heart of The Maria Island Walk since inception, and our recent partnership with ERC Australia is another step we're taking to ensure we continue...
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Best Places to See Kangaroos in the Wild
Experiencing Australian wildlife in their natural habitat is both thrilling and rewarding. In these untouched environments, you can immerse yourself in nature and observe animals as they go about their daily lives. One of the most iconic experiences for travelers to Australia is encountering kangaroos in the wild. Let us...
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Storyteller Series: Georgia Currant from The Maria Island Walk
There are so many wombats on Maria Island, "they're a tripping hazard", Georgia Currant jokes. The young guide has spent countless family holidays on the isle off the east coast of Tasmania, so she's got firsthand experience. In keeping, she makes a point of introducing people to the particularly docile...
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Rehabilitating Maria Island with Ben Brown
The founder of The Maria Island Walk, Ian Johnstone, has always been passionate about both showcasing and taking care of Maria Island, drawing that philosophy into his teachings and subsequently into the guides’ work. “So, rehabilitation work on the island is just something that comes naturally to the guides,” says...
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Exploring the Cloud Forest and Hiking Maria’s Peaks with Davis Hinton
For guide and keen outdoor enthusiast, Davis Hinton, there’s no one singular moment that stands out over the others when completing one of the two mountain hikes on offer during The Maria Island Walk. “Guests have the opportunity to climb Mount Maria or Bishop and Clerk, or both if they’re...
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Exploring Maria Island’s Ancient Geological Wonders with Dan Fisher
The geological site that excites The Maria Island Walk guide, Dan Fisher, the most is the one that is visited last. “On the last day of The Maria Island Walk, guests visit the Fossil Cliffs, and the fossil beds here – some of which are over 10 metres tall –...
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Experiencing Maria’s Winter Wonderland with Jemma Haythorne
The sun sets earlier in winter, and on a sunny cloud-studded day 5pm is a stunning time to be out watching the sky transform into a kaleidoscope of pinks, oranges and yellows. The hundreds of wombats who live on Maria Island like dusk, too, and in the colder weather they...
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In Search of Tasmania's Endemic Birds with Danny Pulbrook
When you ask The Maria Island Walk guide, Danny Pulbrook, what he likes to do in his spare time, he doesn’t hesitate to answer. “I’m heavily interested in birds,” he says. “I watch them whenever I have a chance, often with my wife and kids.” Maria Island is a dream...
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Nocturnal Spotlighting for Tasmanian Devils and Marsupials with Holly Schorta
Maria Island is renowned for its abundance of wildlife, including a variety of both native and introduced species, some of which are more active when the sun goes down. “The island is nicknamed Noah’s Ark because in the 1960s a variety of threatened species, such as Cape Barren Geese and...
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The Maria Island Walk: Our Story
Maria Island National Park lies just a few kilometres off Tasmania’s east coast, easily accessible from Hobart. It’s spectacular landscapes, combined with a rich concentration of wildlife, has contributed to its nickname as ’Tasmania’s Noah’s Ark’. It wasn’t until Ian and Bronwyn Johnstone developed their dream to start The Maria...
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Video: Is this Australia's Cutest Animal?
The Common Wombat is one of Australia's wildlife icons - but how much do you know about them? Transcript: Common Wombats are large, 'barrel-shaped' marsupials, weighing 20-30kg (44-66lb) when fully grown. They are found across south-eastern Australia in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Females have backward-facing pouches...
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Our Favourite Member Photographs: April 2020
Rainbow Lorikeet - Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours Image credit: Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours (via Facebook: @echidnawalkabout) Recommended tour: Great Ocean Road (3D/2N) Australian Sea-lions - Australian Coastal Safaris Image credit: Australian Coastal Safaris (via Facebook: @auscoastsafaris) Featured tour: Port Lincoln Wildlife Encounters (2D/2N) Common Wombat - The Maria Island Walk...
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Our Favourite Member Photographs: March 2020
Killer Whale - Naturaliste Charters Image credit: Naturaliste Charters (via Facebook: @bremercanyonkillerwhaleexpeditions) Recommended tour: Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition Eastern Grey Kangaroos - Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours Image credit: Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours (via Facebook: @echidnawalkabout) Recommended tour: Great Ocean Road (3D/2N) Emus - Australian Coastal Safaris Image credit: Australian...
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Our Favourite Member Photographs: February 2020
Kangaroo Island Kangaroo - Exceptional Kangaroo Island Image credit: Exceptional Kangaroo Island (via Facebook: @exceptionalkangarooisland) Exceptional Kangaroo Island came across a couple of local Kangaroo Islanders who seemed to be getting into the spirit of Valentine's Day! Recommended tour: Kangaroo Island In Style (2D/1N) Killer Whale - Naturaliste Charters Image...
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Species Feature: Common Wombat
The Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) is one of Australia's most endeared native marsupial species. Known for their playful nature and backwards-facing pouches, the Common Wombat is a choice encounter for many visitors to Australia! Where is the Common Wombat found in Australia? Common Wombats are found across south-eastern Australia, which...
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Our Favourite Member Photographs: November 2019
Life on the Reef - Exmouth Dive and Whalesharks Ningaloo Image credit: Exmouth Dive and Whalesharks Ningaloo (via Facebook: @exmouthdiveandwhalesharksningaloo) The Ningaloo Reef provides magical marine encounters throughout the year! Recommended tour: Deluxe Whaleshark Swim (full day) - available from March 4 until August 31, 2020. Figbird with Young -...
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Our Favourite Member Photographs: October 2019
Red-bellied Pademelons - The Maria Island Walk Image credit: The Maria Island Walk (via Facebook: @mariaislandwalk) Extinct on mainland Australia, these cute creatures are widespread in Tasmania and Maria Island! Recommended tour: The Maria Island Walk - available until April 30, 2020. Whale Shark - Exmouth Dive and Whalesharks Ningaloo...
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Our Favourite Member Photographs: September 2019
Rainbow Lorikeet - Australian Coastal Safaris Image credit: Australian Coastal Safaris (via Facebook: @auscoastsafaris) South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula region is home to a diverse range of birds, none more stunning than the Rainbow Lorikeet! Featured tour: Port Lincoln Wildlife Encounters (2D/2N) Common Wombat - The Maria Island Walk Image credit: ...
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Our Favourite Member Photographs: July 2019
Grey-headed Flying-fox - Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours Image credit: Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours (via Instagram: @echidnawalkabout_) The Grey-headed Flying-fox is one of many wildlife sightings available in the East Gippsland region of Victoria. Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours offer multiple tours which visit this region. Recommended tour: East Gippsland Wildlife Journey...
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Q&A With Guides: Daniel Fisher
Daniel Fisher has been guiding the Maria Island Walk for the past eight years. We were able to chat with him recently to find out what he loves about being a wildlife guide and life on Maria Island. How did you get involved with The Maria Island Walk? I moved...
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Our Favourite Member Photographs: March 2019
Take a look at some of our favourite posts from our members in March 2019: Short-beaked Echidna - The Maria Island Walk The Short-beaked Echidna is found across Australia, including Tasmania and surrounding islands. A tour group completing the Maria Island Walk recently came across this one who was taking...
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Australia's Top 10 Most Beautifully Coloured Birds
Australia is home to a some of the world's most iconic birds - 828 individual species, according to a 2008 study (Christidis and Boles). Some Australian birds are known for their audible abilities; some for their size, and others for their spectacular colourings. Let's take a look at what birds...
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Our Favourite Member Photographs: February 2019
Take a look at some of our favourite posts from our members in February 2019: Orca - Naturaliste Charters Image credit: Michael Haluwana (via Instagram: @aeroture_aus) Naturaliste Charters get you face-to-face (literally!) with Orcas in the Bremer Canyon region of Western Australia! The season operates from January through to April,...
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Australia's Top 11 Quirkiest Birds
Australia is teeming with fabulous quirky birds – birds with extraordinary songs, birds that break eggs with stones, birds that run like the wind, and birds that dance like no one is watching (ironically, these birds are dancing precisely to be watched). “Some Australian birds have evolved to have amazing...
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Facts You Didn't Know About Kangaroos!
Kangaroos are macropods and there are over 50 species of macropods (a general term for kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, potoroos and bettongs) found in Australia – and a few more in Papua New Guinea. Most macropods have hind legs that are bigger than their forelimbs, big feet and a muscular tail....
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Best Places to see Australia's Amazing Northern Migratory Birds
Australians are well-known for their capacity to travel on long-haul flights to all corners of the Earth, such is the geographical necessity of living in the antipodes. So, it’s fitting then, that the journey’s end for some of the planet’s most fascinating northern migratory bird species is Down Under. Visitors...
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Species Feature: Tasmanian Native Hen
One of the most interesting birds to observe on Australia’s beautiful isle state, is the Tasmanian Native Hen (Tribonyx mortierii). This endemic species was made extinct by dingoes and increasing aridity on mainland Australia 4700 years ago. The species has several similarities to the Black-tailed Native Hen found on the...
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Species Feature: Short-beaked Echidna
The Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is one of Earth’s oldest mammals, believed to have shared Earth with the dinosaurs, up to 110 Million years ago! The Short-beaked Echidna, Long-beaked Echidna (Zaglossus) and Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), make up the only three monotremes. Monotremes are egg-laying mammals which, similar to birds and...