European explorer's first came to Marie Island in 1789 & in 1825 fifty convicts were brought to the Island by English soldiers. The Darlington Probation Station is today, the most intact example in Australia. In the 1880's an Italian businessman had ambitious plans for agriculture, industry & tourism. Farming & fishing followed the failed business pursuit's and the Island was declared a National Park in 1972. At it's peak 500 convicts were housed here.
We saw some wildlife in the Island, Forester Kangaroo's, Pademelon, Cape Barron Geese, Blue tongue Lizard & Wombat's.
Unless staying for a couple of nights you would not see much of the Island, so like other silly buggers, we hired mountain bikes. Marie Island has stunning beaches, beautiful forests and we loved the Island.
Leaving Triabunna Harbour.
Triabunna Lighthouse.
Ruby Hunt's cottage.
The Grain Store.
Pretty.
Hopground Beach
Me before my fall.
The painted cliffs.
Shoal Bay.
Nice.
Convict cell's
So cute- Wombat.
Frenchs Farm.
Me.
Steve having a long cool dip!
Darlington Township.
Steve in the store room.
The Coffee Palace built in 1888.
We are not sure how far we rode on our mountain bikes, we did visit Frenches Farm, Encampment Cove, convict cells & did the inland mountain track, which seem to take us partially over Mount Maria (712m). Which took us, up & up & up & up, I didn't think I would make it, however it was to far to turn round and go back, we would have missed the boat back! I fell off my bike at Shoal Bay early in the day! We would not recommend the inland track or hiring bike's to anyone!!!
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