Duration:
11h
Shuttle bus service from Hobart CBD to Triabunna. Departs Hobart CBD: 6:45am – Returns Hobart CBD: 6:20pm. Please note this is a bus service to Triabunna and does not include the Maria Island Ferry ticket. (October – April)
Operated By:
Click *Products above for all tours
SCHEDULE
Morning
Departs 6:45am – Brooke Street Pier (Hobart Waterfront)
Arrives 8:00am – Triabunna marina
* Please note preferred pick up location in the comments section of the checkout.
Afternoon
Departs 5:00pm – Triabunna marina
Arrives 5:50pm – Sorell, Velvet Cafe (21 Gordon St, Sorell)
Arrives 6:00pm – Hobart International Airport
Arrives 6:20pm – Brooke Street Pier (Hobart Waterfront)
Please note this service does not include the Maria Island Ferry ticket.
Welcome to the MARIA ISLAND SHUTTLE – 6:45am (Return)
Please note this service does not include the Maria Island Ferry ticket. Tickets for the Maria Island Ferry service can be booked at www.encountermaria.com.au.
Demand to travel to Maria Island National Park is very high! Bookings on the ferry are essential before you arrive.
Visit the Encounter Maria Island website for details on current ferry timetables, fares and to make a booking.
Your shuttle bus service from Hobart will depart:
6:45am Hobart (Brooke Street Pier – Waterfront).
Please arrive 5min before the scheduled departure time. The bus service must depart on the allocated time.
Please ensure that you have provided your mobile contact and / or email address to inform you of any changes to this service.
If there are any changes you would like to make to your booking, or questions about your service, please contact the MARIA ISLAND SHUTTLE office on 03 62 571300. To contact the bus directly on the day, please call 0475139145.
If you are returning on the Maria Island ferry, please ensure that you choose the 4:15pm ferry as the last service from Maria Island. This will connect to our Triabunna bus departure at 5:00pm.
Direct Payments
Payments made directly to MARIA ISLAND SHUTTLE are now taken upfront with confirmation of your booking. Maria Island Shuttle accepts credit cards (Visa or Mastercard), PayPal or Direct Deposit (EFT) payments with each booking. We do not accept cash on the day.
Bookings Via Agents
Payments made via agents of the Maria Island Shuttle (such as Encounter Maria, Viator or Get Your Guide) are held securely by the agent.
Cancelling the service
If you would like to cancel the booking, we simply ask that you notify us (with confirmation from our office) within 18hrs of your departure time. We do not accept cancellations on the day. Credit cards will be charged if you do not show up without notifying us and receiving confirmation from our office.
Kindest Regards
MARIA ISLAND SHUTTLE
mariaislandshuttle.com.au
03 62 571300
Tags:
Share:
read moreread less
Elise
05 May 2026
read moreread less
Jan
04 May 2026
read moreread less
Les
02 May 2026
Seeing the wildlife up close was a real highlight—wombats casually wandering around, Cape Barren geese, and so much birdlife. It felt like stepping into their world. The seals were another standout, playful and full of character, especially watching them out on the rocks and in the water.
The caves and cliffs were absolutely stunning, with the colours and textures of the rock formations creating such a unique landscape. Cruising into the caves was unforgettable—the light hitting the water inside was just magic.
Everything about the day felt well-paced and relaxed, giving us time to take it all in without feeling rushed. It’s one of those experiences that stays with you long after you leave.
Highly recommend to anyone wanting to see some of Tasmania’s most beautiful and untouched natural scenery—you won’t be disappointed.
read moreread less
Lindajane6876
02 May 2026
read moreread less
Alanah
02 May 2026
read moreread less
Kathleen
29 Apr 2026
read moreread less
RuthC37
19 Apr 2026
read moreread less
Pip
17 Apr 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-04-16
Hello!
Thank you for the review! We are so glad you had a fantastic day with Mike and Molly.
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Kenny
16 Apr 2026
read moreread less
Gillian
16 Apr 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-04-16
Hi there,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review - our team greatly appreciates your support. We are thrilled to hear you had a fantastic day on board - we would love to have you again in the future.
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Rachel
10 Apr 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-04-16
Hello!
What a great day filled with so many beautiful animals! Thank you so much for joining us on board - Mike and Freya definitely know their stuff & love to share with all of you.
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
mariatR7891FB
09 Apr 2026
read moreread less
Terri
27 Mar 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-03-29
Hi there!
Thank you so much for your kind words. We're so pleased you enjoyed your time aboard with us! I'm glad the wildlife put on a show for you :).
Warmest Regards,
Freya / Guide
read moreread less
j0anne1962
25 Mar 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-03-29
Hi there!
I'm so pleased you enjoyed your time with us! It's always so lovely to hear back from our guests. It was a pleasure hosting you for the day!
Warmest Regards,
Freya / Guide
read moreread less
65KAS
25 Mar 2026
From start to finish we were so well looked after by the incredibly friendly and knowledgable crew. We were able to cruise for a couple of hours, as well as go for a walk around Darlington and explore the convict history. Loads of wombats and wildlife was encounted as we walked about.
Lunch and morning tea was delicious, the whole day was well organised and relaxed.
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-03-29
Hi Craig!
Thank you for your kind words. I'm so glad you enjoyed your day despite the conditions. It was lovely to have you aboard with us!
Warmest Regards,
Freya / Guide
read moreread less
CraigLulu
24 Mar 2026
We were happy to see that the boat was well equipped and maintained and were made to feel welcome from the moment we stepped on board.
Michael’s commentary was interesting, the scenery was spectacular and it was obvious how much he cared about the environment.
His deckhand Freya did an incredible job looking after everyone.
Morning tea and lunch were both delicious and the accompanying glass of wine was appreciated.
We enjoyed the 2 hour guided tour of the island with Freya learning about the history and spotting native wildlife.
Thank you Michael and Freya for such a wonderful day!
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-03-29
Hi there!
Thank you so very much for your kind words! It was lovely hosting you on the boat despite the conditions.
Warmest Regards,
Freya / Guide
read moreread less
kimmac53
24 Mar 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-03-24
Hi Elaine!
Thank you so much for your lovely review, our team is very appreciative of your support. We are so glad you had a fantastic day - the weather and wildlife definitely put on a show. We would love to have you back in the future!
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Elaine
21 Mar 2026
Food and drinks were above expectations.
read moreread less
M1867BMroberta
28 Feb 2026
read moreread less
Global03037619242
28 Feb 2026
Overall, this is a fantastic cruise. The highlight of our trip. We highly recommend it. Thank you Michael and Ruby.
PS - Ruby you worked your arse off!
read moreread less
Wendy
26 Feb 2026
read moreread less
Irene
25 Feb 2026
read moreread less
kayhU8638CR
24 Feb 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-02-22
Hey there,
We're so glad you had a great day on board! And thank you for your suggestions regarding our sound system.
Warmest Regards,
Freya / Guide
read moreread less
Mary
15 Feb 2026
read moreread less
Nat
13 Feb 2026
Lunch and morning tea were plentiful and delicious.
Felt completely safe - would 100% recommend and would do it again. Thank you Michael and Xavier, it was the highlight of our trip.
read moreread less
RachelMaree87
07 Feb 2026
read moreread less
mark
05 Feb 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-02-09
Hi Deb,
Thank you for your warm review! We're so glad you enjoyed your time aboard with us. Wishing you all the best!
Warmest Regards,
Freya / Guide
read moreread less
DebH1111111111111
01 Feb 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-02-02
Hi there!
We are so glad you and your family had a great trip, filled with many beautiful animals! Thank you so much for cruising with us, we would love to have you on board again in the future.
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Linda
31 Jan 2026
Steve, the Skipper toured us around the Island pointing out the local wildlife, Island topography & geological highlights. We would not have believed an Island such as this could be so diverse & interesting without experiencing it first hand.
After we arrived at Darlington, Molly, the Guide led us on an interesting hike & brief history lesson of the area with tales of life in the early to late 1800’s from early convict settlement to an attempted holiday destination, and now the recent establishment of the area as a wildlife conservation area through “negotiations” between the local fishermen & the wildlife conservation officers.
Steve is an experienced sea hand who has obviously spent considerable time with the locals understanding the history.
Molly is a recent Graduate in Geology from the University of Tasmania who has spent time understanding the local history, plants & wildlife before embarking on her life dream.
A great & worthwhile experience to understand the Island preservation & development, or as they say locally “to the Island, from the Island, from the Island”.
read moreread less
Sylviane
28 Jan 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-01-23
Hey there,
Thank you for taking the time to leave this review. We're so glad you had a great day on board, it was an absolute pleasure to have you with us!
Thank you for your kind words, and warm regards,
Freya / Guide
read moreread less
Deb
18 Jan 2026
Every effort was made to keep us comfortable during the cruise. The lovely crew, Freya and Bella, made every single passenger feel they were important, chatting with them and looking out for their welfare. They noticed if we were cold and, as well as supplying extra jackets and hot drinks to help keep us warm, constantly took the time to raise and lower the plastic sides to maximise visibility at strategic points, yet stop us from becoming too cold. They answered every question with knowledge and patience. One person became unexpectedly seasick, but Bella and Freya were very discreet about cleaning up after them, ministering to them gently, all with a smile. They were just amazing, and nothing seemed to be a problem for them.
Whoever caters for this tour deserves a medal, too. The morning tea was a delightful selection of cakes and slices, and the salad lunches were beautifully prepared and extremely tasty - absolutely outstanding quality.
Walking on the island and hearing more from Freya about its human history was fascinating, too, and we were all surprised when a Tasmanian devil (equally surprised by all the people it suddenly encountered) shot out into the crowd in broad daylight and went scampering off down the hill. Seeing Cape Barren geese was a real treat, and there was no shortage of pademelons. The Forester kangaroos were a little more elusive, but some of our group saw them. The wombats, unfortunately, stayed hidden from us.
And on a final note: my friend accidentally left behind her water bottle in a woven cloth holder that she was rather fond of. Freya and the park rangers back in Triabunna ensured that the next day’s cruise to the island looked out for it - and called my friend when it was located. We had left Triabunna by then, but arrangements were made for the holder to be mailed back to her. It was waiting for her back in Queensland when she arrived home. Kudos to all the crew and everyone involved! Thank you so much for a tour that was memorable for all the right reasons.
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-01-23
Wow, thank you for taking your time to write this review! We appreciate it immensely (it brought a smile to my face). It was so lovely meeting you, and getting to spend the day aboard with you. I'm glad your friends drink bottle was safe and sound :).
Thank you for your kind words, and warmest regards,
Freya / Guide
read moreread less
E7088DAjaynec
18 Jan 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-01-15
Hello!
Thank you for your review! We are thrilled to hear you had a great day. Maria Island never fails to disappoint - it truly is a magical place.
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Ric
12 Jan 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-01-15
Hi There!
Thank you SO much for taking the time to write this review, it means the world to our team! We pride ourselves in ensuring our cruises run as smooth and as comfortable as possible - allowing our guests to have the best experiences out on the water and on the land. We are so glad you had a fantastic trip, please come and visit again soon!
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Nomad677826
10 Jan 2026
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2026-01-15
Hi There!
Thank you so much for your lovely review. The team at Maria Island Cruises work to ensure every need is catered for upon our tours, offering the best possible experience. We are so glad you had a fantastic day & would love to see you again soon.
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Julie
07 Jan 2026
We were blessed with great weather and then it got better !
Two whales breaching in front of us and then coming right up to the boat .
Masses of dolphins leaping in and out of the boats wake , Captain Mike doing loops to encourage them further and on it continued for ages !
This was after our stop at Ilse Des Phoques , guaranteed seals but the experience of the smaller juveniles playing in the water and in and around the boat was great .
The boat was comfortable with Captain Mike so competent & knowledgeable in commentary of the area.
Offsider Xavier led the tour of Maria , knew his stuff , we took in the islands convict past and subsequent commercial activities , very interesting and my partner saw wombats ! which she keen on.
Highly recommend the experience with this Company , everything from initial organisation , great lunch on board with refreshments .
Great attention to detail about expected days activities which turned out above & beyond expectations ! . Mike & Xavier were blown away with the days encounters on the water , no reason why it couldn't happen again !
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-11-27
Hi There,
Thank you so much for the review! Our team really appreciates your kind words & support. How lucky to see the beautiful humpbacks breach so close to the boat.
We would love to see you on board again in the future!
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Peter
25 Nov 2025
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-11-25
Hi There!
We are so happy you had a fantastic day. What an incredible experience! Watching the migrating humpbacks breach close to the boat always leaves us in awe!
Kind regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Tracy
25 Nov 2025
We had the opportunity to see seals, dolphins, whales, eagles, pied oyster birds, wombats, padamelons, and more! Fantastic wildlife viewing experience and nothing felt rushed. I highly recommend this as you cannot reach the Island of Seals without a guided tour.
About the crew: Michael, Xavier, and Ruby were all so kind and helpful throughout the entire trip and went above and beyond! I was sick on the boat and Michael made sure that I had a safe way of getting home. The staff drove me to my accommodation and checked in on me even afterwards. I highly recommend this company for tours.
Tips to know: You spend a lot of time in the boat so make sure to take sea-sickness medication ahead of time! They have plenty of beverages on board and sick bags as well as towels and sunscreen. Make sure you pack light snacks as the tour is long and there are no shops or cafes on Maria island. If you are sensitive to smells or get migraines easily, make sure you sit at the top of the boat when going to the Island of Seals because the seals can be smelled from quite a distance LOL.
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-11-25
Hi Charlotte,
We are thrilled that you had a fantastic wildlife-filled day! Making sure our guests are comfortable and safe is a top priority, and we are glad to have assisted you.
We hope to see you again soon!
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Charlotte
24 Nov 2025
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-11-25
Hi Pauline and Terry,
Thank you so much for you kind review! We're very happy to hear that you saw such a variety of wildlife and could share in the wonder of Maria Island with our team.
Warm regards,
Molly / Guide
read moreread less
terryandpaulines
20 Nov 2025
Thank you everyone, we really, really enjoyed this cruise. 10/10
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-11-25
Hi There,
We are thrilled to have shared the wonder of Maria with you. Your review means so much to our team, and we wish you all the best with the rest of your travels in Tasmania!
Warm Regards,
Molly / Guide
read moreread less
543barbr
18 Nov 2025
We had perfect weather conditions allowing us to enter both sea caves at the Ile des Phoques (twice) and Also the stalagmite cave on Maria island. The penal settlement on Maria island dates back before Port Arthur and has an amazing history. A must do trip!
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-11-11
Hi!
We are thrilled you got to experience the magic of Ile des Phoques - It is an incredible place! Our team really appreciates your review & we hope to see you onboard again in the future!
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Dianne
09 Nov 2025
read moreread less
leah
08 Nov 2025
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-11-07
Hi There,
We are thrilled to have shared the wonder of Maria with you. Your review means so much to our team, and we wish you all the best with the rest of your travels. We would love to have you on board again in the future!
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Lynda
05 Nov 2025
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-11-07
Thank you so much for your kind review! We really appreciate it & are glad you had a great time. The caves and coastline are just stunning!
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Julia
04 Nov 2025
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-11-07
Hi There,
Wow! It sounds like you had a beautiful day. The caves truly are stunning, and the seals so inquisitive. We are thrilled you enjoyed the cruise & hope to see you again some time soon.
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
mariasX1397NX
31 Oct 2025
Molly guided us on the land walk and we came across a number of wildlife (wombat, echidnas, etc)
And since the boat was smaller than the other service boat, we had a cozy group. No delays as well.
Overall, would recommend it.
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-11-03
Hi There,
Thank you so much for your review. We are thrilled to have kickstarted your trip off well, and our team are very appreciative of your kind words. Safe travels & we hope to see you again soon.
Kind regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Denise
29 Oct 2025
You really should dress very warm and be ok with large waves abd getting wet. We went in spring, and even coming from a cold country I was surprised how cold it was. Several guess got seasick. The boat is covered but they open the sides and you will feel the wind and water very strongly, so please prepare extra well! It's worth it, just make sure you are up for it.
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-11-03
Thank you so much for travelling to Maria Island with us! We are glad you had a fantastic day & got to experience the beauty the island has to offer.
We will always work to ensure everyone on board is comfortable out on the water & hope to see you again soon.
Kind Regards,
Ruby / Guide
read moreread less
Curiosity318623
29 Oct 2025
This time we had my parents with us and we wanted to show them the best of Tassie so we booked another Tour of Maria Island.
Dad has a wheel chair and can walk assisted with walking sticks, the staff helped my father board the boat & assisted with his wheel chair for the Maria Island 2 hour walk.
Both tours are fantastic, beautiful full day of touring, we saw whales, seals, dolphins, eagles and on the island we saw wombats, wallabies & cape baron Geese.
Great value, lovely staff, tasty fresh lunch & morning tea.
read moreread less
traceywV4777BJ
24 Oct 2025
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-10-21
Hello and thank you for your review! Your kind words mean a lot to our team. Ill des Phoques really is a special pace and it makes us very happy when we get to share it with guests.
We're glad you enjoyed the tour!
All the best,
Molly / Guide
read moreread less
lutzy
18 Oct 2025
read moreread less
TeamECC, Bookings at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-10-22
We're so glad you enjoyed your experience with us exploring beautiful Maria Island! Your kind words mean a lot to our team, we hope to see you again!
Regards,
Xavier / Bookings
read moreread less
Ciaobella77
14 Oct 2025
read moreread less
Navigator65828604449
28 May 2025
This turned out to be one of the best ever days we had on our trip to Tasmania. The boat itself had plenty of viewing areas,and room to move around freely to photograph the scenery and wildlife. Michael the tour operator and his crew were amazing. They provided an abundance of delicious food and drinks and were very attentive on the whole trip. Michael added much information through the trip on the history of the area, seals, interesting rock formations, beautiful sea caves and the behaviour of the local and migrating wildlife to name a few.
We would thoroughly recommend this tour to everyone young or old. Don’t hesitate!
read moreread less
D7366YHmarkb
26 May 2025
read moreread less
Kylie
25 May 2025
read moreread less
arbiejayb
21 May 2025
read moreread less
Discover42110256198
13 May 2025
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-05-08
Hello and thank you for your review! Your kind words mean a lot to our team. We are so glad you enjoyed the tour, Maria Island is such a special place.
All the best,
Olivia / Guide
read moreread less
Cruiser48979686318
01 May 2025
read moreread less
Penelope
20 Mar 2025
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-03-20
Hello Rodney, thank you for your review and kind words! It was great to have you and your wife on our tour. The wildlife and weather was extra special that day. Thanks again!
All the best,
Olivia / Guide
read moreread less
Rodney
18 Mar 2025
Next onto Maria Island after a pre ordered lunch for a history info walk around the buildings. Lots of Wombats to photo as well.
Bravo to Michael the skipper and Rachael the hostess and tour guide. Both are very knowledgeable about the islands and their history.
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-03-20
Hello Terry, thanks for your review and kind words! We are so glad you enjoyed the tour, and amazing weather. Thanks for coming out with us!
All the best,
Olivia / Guide
read moreread less
Terry
18 Mar 2025
read moreread less
TeamECC, Guide at East Coast Cruises, responded to this review - 2025-03-20
Hi Peter, Thank you for your review! We are so glad you enjoyed the tour, it's always special to see dolphins. Thanks for coming out with us!
All the best,
Olivia / Guide
read moreread less
Peter
17 Mar 2025



















































































































