Maria Island Penitentiary Accommodation
Please note: Visitors to Maria Island National Park are advised that due to infrastructure repairs on the island, the public showers at Darlington are expected to remain closed until 2025. Maria Island National Park is unique, being part of a convict probation station which is one of 11 historic places, that together form the 'Australian Convicts Sites World Heritage Property'. It is an escape from the real world into the past with no shops with only ranger vehicles. Discover the many layers of human history and observe the abundant wildlife but remember to always keep a 2m distance.
Due to COVID19, the Parks and Wildife Service has made some small changes to the Penitentiary accommodation on Maria Island. These changes have been implemented to improve the safety of visitors. · Strict check-out time of 10am · Strict check-in time of 2pm · The spare mattresses that were in each Penitentiary room have been removed · There are cleaning kits provided in the Mess Hall and in each room · There are hand sanitiser stations located at the entrance of the main buildings · Use the Laundry room to store your luggage in before and after checking in if required · Clean the Mess Hall facilities before and after you use them. This room is cleaned prior to check in by Parks and Wildlife staff.
Details
Description
The historic Penitentiary originally housed convicts from 1830. Today it provides basic bunkhouse - style accommodation in 9 rooms with 6 beds and 1 room with 14 beds. For all Penitentiary bookings email: svic@kentish.tas.gov.au or phone: 03 6491 1179. Payment must be made in full at the time of booking. Ensure your ferry is available on your chosen dates prior to finalising your booking. Bookings will become available approximately 6 months prior to arrival. No bookings are required for camping. Please pay for camping at the Maria Island Gateway in Triabunna upon check in for the ferry. The cost is $7 per individual, $13.00 for 2 persons, $16 per family.
Cost per 6 bed room in the Penitentiary is $44 for up to 2 adults and $10 per additional adult or $5 per additional child. Cost for the 14 bed room starts at $88 for up to 4 adults. If you are a family group a rate of $50 applies for 2 adults and 4 children (child 5 - 17yrs, infant 0 - 4yrs free). Note that a family room no. 1-10 is the same room as a standard room no. 1-10.
Each room has bunk beds with covered mattresses, a wood fired stove for heating (for use between 1 April and 31st October only) and a table and seats. There is no power, running water, locks on the doors or lighting in the rooms. You will need to bring your own camping gear as per the checklist below. Emergency Procedures are posted in each Penitentiary Room so you and all members of your party are advised to familiarise yourself with the Procedures on arrival. You will be required to nominate a room warden for each room booked in case of emergency evacuations.
Toilets, rainwater tanks, a wash up area and a communal mess hall (with lighting, power and a kitchen including gas cookers and sinks) are adjacent to the penitentiary. Behind the beach at the bottom of the campground there is a shelter with free gas BBQs, gas cookrings and a sink. Visitors to Maria Island National Park are advised that due to infrastructure repairs on the island, the public showers at Darlington are expected to remain closed until 2025.
Checklist of things to bring: bedding, pots & pans & cooking implements, crockery & cutlery, all of your food requirements (there are no shops), torch or lantern, esky (optional). You can transport your gear in a trolley from the jetty to the Penitentiary, 500m away.
There are great tracks for walking and cycling. Bring your own bike or hire one including helmet to ride south to explore the isthmus. Climb Mt Bishop and Clerk and Mt Maria. Please remember to register your walk either at the Rangers Station or at the Commissariat Store. Photograph the wildlife and heritage buildings. There is so much to do we recommend a stay of at least two nights to make the most of your trip.
For more information on the National Park Ph 03 6123 4040 or visit www.parks.tas.gov.au or email maria.island@parks.tas.gov.au
Arrival Time: 14:00|Departure Time: 10:00
Location
Maria Island, TAS 7190, Australia
Map
Cancellation Policy
Operator Terms and Conditions Amending, Rescheduling or Cancelling Your Booking: You will be encouraged to reschedule your visit in preference to cancelling it. This will incur a fee of $25 if completed 14 days prior to your booking arrival date. No amendments can be made within 14 days. This counts as a cancellation. Amendments to the number of people in group bookings may result in additional fees being charged.. If you cancel more than 14 days before your scheduled arrival you will incur an administration fee of 25% of total booking amount. Refunds No refunds will apply if you cancel less than 14 days before your scheduled arrival. If a cancellation is made at short notice (less than 14 days of arrival) for a valid reason i.e. no ferry access due to bad weather a full refund may apply. Bad weather itself is not a valid reason for cancellation if your ferry is running. All refund applications will be considered on a case by case basis. Check in and check out. Check out is strictly 10am and check in is 2pm. No Switching of rooms. Maximum 7 night stay. To avoid disappointment please ensure you book your ferry tickets in advance by visiting the Encounter Maria Island website.