The Maria Island Walk re-opens for the new 2023/24 Spring Summer season

Reservations have opened for the new 2023/2024 Spring Summer season for the multi-award winning The Maria Island Walk off Tasmania’s east coast.

New for this coming season is a refreshed culinary offering celebrating the local produce of Tasmania, and the recently refurbished Bernacchi House, where guests spend the final night’s accommodation during the four-day walk.

Now in its 21st year of operation, The Maria Island Walk offers the original four-day Maria Island Walk or the three-day Winter Escape Walk – both of which allow guests to immerse themselves in the stunning natural landscapes of Maria Island while learning about the fascinating history and flora and fauna of the island.

The Maria Island Walk is a fully guided three-night, four-day journey into one of Australia’s most spectacular destinations. Small groups of just ten guests have the opportunity to explore beaches, rainforests and mountains, taking in the dramatic sea cliffs of Fossil Bay, the peaks of Mt Maria or Bishop and Clerk and the largest stand of giant Tasmanian blue gums. 

There are daily sightings of wombats, wallabies and kangaroos and glimpses of the Island’s bird life, such as the Cape Barren geese and wedge-tailed eagles. 

The menus for both walks have been refreshed for the new season by Calvin Von Niebel, Executive Chef at Arkaba Conservancy in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, South Australia, part of the Wild Bush Luxury portfolio which also manages The Maria Island Walk.

South African, Von Niebel spent 10 years working as executive chef for Yotam Ottolenghi’s seven delis and restaurants in London.

Von Niebel has introduced simple flavours and fresh ingredients to make nourishing dishes, ensuring Tasmania’s abundance of incredible local produce is honoured in the new menus. New dishes include rustic potato and leek soup with pesto, croutons and sour cream; roast pumpkin, asparagus and hazelnut salad; and blue Trevalla with watercress mash with broccoli.

Wild Bush Luxury, the premium experience operator of The Maria Island Walk, engaged mostly local artisans, suppliers and products to elevate the property, offering guests more sophisticated modern comfort while maintaining the important heritage of the home which dates to 1880 when it belonged to Italian settler and pioneer Diego Bernacchi.

“We are continuing to see an increase in the number of people who are seeking out walking holidays and looking to get back to nature.  We hear from our guests that the combination of physical and mental wellbeing that guided walking brings to them is important from an ongoing wellness perspective,” said Amanda Byrne, General Manager of Wild Bush Luxury. “Our guests love disconnecting from their regular lives, immersing themselves in incredible landscapes, learning more about these special parts of the country and meeting new friends.”

The original four-day Maria Island Walk has varying departure dates from October to April and starts from $2,890 per person. The Winter Walk runs from May to August 2024 and is priced from $1,850 per person.  On selected Winter Walks in 2024, a special package will be offered to guests who will enjoy a two-hour long lunch at award-winning Van Bone restaurant at the end of their walk. 

The cost includes return transfers from Hobart to Triabunna, the scenic cruise across the pristine waters of the Mercury Passage to Maria Island, gourmet Tasmanian food and wine, experienced guides, National Park entry fees, accommodation and use of waterproof jackets and day packs.

For further information visit www.mariaislandwalk.com