59. Painted Cliffs
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1.5 - 2 hours return, 4.4 km one way
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A ferry operates to Maria Island. The ferry departure point is at Triabunna. For ferry bookings, timetables and further access details, see our "Visitors Guide to Maria Island".
See map.
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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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Level 2 Moderate grade with no steep sections |
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Group A items |
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Beach area; please supervise children |
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Pets or firearms not allowed. Bicycles may be ridden on the formed road sections of the walk but not on the beaches or foot track areas |
This walk is on Maria Island and can be enjoyed as part of a day or overnight visit to the island. Day visitors could combine the walk with another Great Short Walk, the Fossil Cliffs walk and/or exploring the historic Darlington area.
Highlights
The geology of Maria Island is of great interest as it contains features from many geological ages. The Triassic sandstones of the Painted Cliffs is one such feature.
Although this sort of rock formation is not uncommon, it is rare in a natural situation for it to be so extensively and beautifully exposed. The wonderful patterns are caused by ground water percolating down through the already formed sandstone and leaving traces of iron oxides, which have stained the rock formation. This probably occurred millions of years ago in a monsoonal climate.
More recently, sea spray hitting the rock face has dried, forming crystals of salt. These crystals cause the rock to weather in the honeycomb patterns that you see. Wave action has also created some interesting features. Rock fragments moved around by the water have gradually worn small potholes and notches into the cliff face, eventually resulting in the undercutting of the cliff. This is a continual process and as you walk further along you can see how quite recently the cliff top has collapsed, plunging sandstone blocks and she-oaks down to the sea.
This is a very fragile environment so please do not walk on the cliffs or scratch the formation.