Fossil Cliffs
31. Fossil Cliffs
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1.5 – 2 hours return |
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A ferry operates to Maria Island. The ferry departure point is at Triabunna. For ferry bookings and timetables see www.mariaislandferry.com.au. See our "Visitors Guide to Maria Island" for further access details
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Park entry fees apply, ferry charges and camping fees apply |
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Picnic, toilet and gas barbecue facilities. There are no shops on the island. Basic hut and camping accommodation (own bedding, stove and food required) |
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Moderate with no steep sections |
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Group B items |
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Dangerous cliffs; please supervise children and keep away from cliff edges. |
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Pets or firearms not allowed. Bicycles may be ridden on this track |
This walk is in the Maria Island National Park and can be enjoyed as part of a day or overnight visit to the island.
Highlights
Along the way to Fossil Cliffs you will pass many reminders of the rich cultural heritage of Maria Island. Our web site has full details of this heritage.
The cliff exposure in the Fossil Bay area is recognised as the best example of lower Permian strata in Tasmania, if not the world.
At Fossil Cliffs you will discover the prolific occurrence of fossils of the thick-shelled mussel Eurydesma. The soft parts of the creatures have rotted away, leaving only the hard shells, which have lasted almost 300 million years.
On the lower rock shelf you can see a variety of fossils including sea fans, coral-like creatures, scallop shells and sea lilies. It is thought that such an extensive accumulation of fossils may be related to the cold conditions associated with the polar sea of the time. Amongst the fossils are some large rocks, called dropstones. These have been transported by floating ice. As the ice begins to melt, the stones fall to the sea floor and settle amongst the finer sediments. The stones consist of different rock types, including granite and quartzite, and may have come from nearby, or from great distances away.