Painted Cliffs Walk
- September 17, 2026
An easy, low-tide coastal walk on Maria Island to a set of honeycomb-patterned sandstone cliffs, one of Tasmania's 60 Great…
For a quieter alternative to Maria Island’s spectacular coastal walks, the Reservoir Circuit heads inland from Darlington through open woodland and tall eucalypt forest to a peaceful historic reservoir. The approximately 4-kilometre walk combines several of the things that make Maria Island such an interesting destination – abundant wildlife, convict and industrial history, beautiful forest and the chance to search for one of Tasmania’s rarest birds. Maria Island supports an important population of the forty-spotted pardalote, a tiny threatened bird with a very restricted distribution in Tasmania. The white gum woodland encountered around the walk provides the type of habitat favoured by the species. The route also passes reminders of Maria Island’s industrial period, including ruins associated with the former cement works, before reaching the historic reservoir in a sheltered forest setting. With no difficult climbing and plenty to look for along the way, the Reservoir Circuit is an excellent choice for families, birdwatchers and visitors wanting an easy half-day walk from Darlington .
Location: Darlington, Maria Island National Park, East Coast Tasmania
Distance: Approximately 4 km
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate – Grade 3
Track Type: Circuit from Darlington via the historic reservoir
Track Surface: Formed bush track through open woodland and eucalypt forest, with rougher and potentially muddy sections
Best Time: Morning for birdwatching, particularly if hoping to spot forty-spotted pardalotes
The Reservoir Circuit begins from the historic settlement of Darlington, close to where visitors arrive by ferry from Triabunna. Leaving the settlement behind, the route heads inland through relatively open woodland before entering taller eucalypt forest. The sheltered inland setting feels quite different from the exposed coastal landscapes around the Painted Cliffs and Fossil Cliffs. Keep an eye on the canopy as you walk, particularly around stands of white gum, as this is habitat used by the endangered forty-spotted pardalote. The track also passes remnants associated with Maria Island’s former cement industry, including ruins from the National Portland Cement Company era. Eventually the route reaches the reservoir, surrounded by forest and providing a peaceful place for a break before continuing around the circuit towards Darlington .
The historic reservoir is the main destination of the walk. Set among the trees away from Maria Island’s exposed coastline, it provides a peaceful contrast to the open grasslands and historic buildings around Darlington. The reservoir forms another layer in Maria Island’s long history of European settlement and development. The surrounding clearing provides a pleasant place to stop for a snack or picnic before continuing the walk. Do not rely on the reservoir as a source of drinking water – carry everything you require from Darlington.
One of the biggest attractions of the Reservoir Circuit is the opportunity to search for the forty-spotted pardalote. This tiny Tasmanian bird has an extremely restricted distribution and is closely associated with forests containing white gum. Maria Island provides important habitat for the species, making the island one of Tasmania’s special destinations for birdwatchers hoping to encounter it. Despite the name, counting forty individual spots isn’t the easiest way to identify one. The birds are tiny, active and often feed high in the canopy, so binoculars are extremely useful. Listen carefully and scan the branches rather than expecting the birds to be obvious beside the track.
Patience is the key. Walk slowly and quietly through areas containing mature eucalypts and periodically stop to listen for small birds moving through the canopy. Binoculars make an enormous difference because pardalotes often remain high above the track. Early morning can be particularly rewarding, when bird activity is often greater and fewer visitors are moving through the forest. Remember that these are wild birds, so sightings can never be guaranteed. Avoid disturbing birds or approaching nests and observe everything from a respectful distance.
The forty-spotted pardalote may be the star attraction, but it certainly isn’t the only bird worth watching for. Maria Island’s mixture of woodland, forest, grassland, wetlands and coastline supports a diverse range of birdlife. Depending on the season and habitat, walkers may encounter small forest birds, parrots, honeyeaters and raptors, while Cape Barren geese are particularly conspicuous around the open grasslands near Darlington. Bringing binoculars turns what might otherwise be a relatively short forest walk into a much longer wildlife-watching experience.
The Reservoir Circuit also passes through a landscape shaped by Maria Island’s industrial history. During the early twentieth century, entrepreneur Diego Bernacchi attempted to establish a major industrial operation on Maria Island. The National Portland Cement Company operated here during this period, with a cement works, railway, machinery and workers’ settlement transforming parts of northern Maria Island. Although the industrial venture ultimately failed, ruins remain scattered through the landscape around Darlington. On the Reservoir route, walkers pass remnants associated with the former cement works, adding an interesting historical dimension to the forest walk.
One of the advantages of the Reservoir Circuit is its relatively sheltered setting. Maria Island’s coastal tracks can be exposed to strong winds blowing across the Tasman Sea and Mercury Passage. Much of the Reservoir Circuit, by comparison, passes through woodland and forest. That doesn’t make it an all-weather walk – heavy rain can still make the track muddy – but it can be a useful lower-level alternative when conditions aren’t ideal for climbing Bishop and Clerk or Mount Maria.
The Reservoir Circuit follows generally straightforward bushwalking terrain.
Expect:
There is no difficult scrambling or exposed mountain terrain.
The Reservoir Circuit is rated Grade 3. It’s relatively easy compared with Maria Island’s mountain walks, although the natural track surface, occasional rough sections and short climbs mean it’s more of a bushwalk than a completely flat recreational path. Most reasonably active visitors should find the route manageable. Allow extra time if you’re birdwatching, exploring the historic features or stopping for a picnic at the reservoir.
Wildlife is one of the great pleasures of walking anywhere on Maria Island. In addition to forty-spotted pardalotes and other forest birds, walkers may encounter:
Tasmanian devils also live on Maria Island, although daytime walkers are much less likely to encounter them. Never feed wildlife and give animals plenty of room, particularly when they are feeding or resting beside the track.
Bring binoculars and take your time. If you’re hoping to see a forty-spotted pardalote, don’t simply walk quickly through the forest looking for an obvious bird beside the track. Stop regularly, listen and carefully scan the canopy of mature eucalypts. Even without a pardalote sighting, slowing down reveals just how much birdlife inhabits Maria Island’s forests.
Yes. The Reservoir Circuit is one of the more family-friendly bushwalks around Darlington. There are no difficult summit scrambles or major exposed sections, while the wildlife, forest and historic ruins provide plenty of interest along the way. The approximately 4-kilometre distance should be manageable for active children accustomed to walking. Keep children away from the reservoir edge and supervise them around historic ruins and wildlife.
No. Dogs and other domestic pets are not permitted within Maria Island National Park. Maria Island is an important wildlife sanctuary supporting numerous native species, including threatened animals and birds.
Maria Island is reached by passenger ferry from Triabunna on Tasmania’s East Coast. The ferry crosses Mercury Passage to Darlington, the main visitor settlement on the island. Visitors cannot bring their cars onto Maria Island, so exploration is primarily on foot or bicycle. Check ferry times before travelling and make sure your planned walks leave enough time to return to the jetty for your departure.
A valid Tasmania Parks Pass is required.
The Reservoir Circuit begins from Darlington, within easy walking distance of the ferry jetty. From the settlement, follow the signed walking route inland towards the reservoir. The track leaves the more open country around Darlington and gradually enters woodland and forest. Because the walk begins and finishes close to the settlement, it’s particularly convenient for visitors exploring Maria Island as a day trip.
There are no major visitor facilities once you leave Darlington for the Reservoir Circuit.
Facilities around Darlington include:
There are no conventional shops on Maria Island, so bring your food, drinks and other supplies from the mainland.
The Reservoir Circuit begins close to several of Maria Island’s best-known walks, making Darlington an excellent base for exploring the northern end of the island.
The Bishop and Clerk Hike is one of Maria Island’s great mountain walks. The approximately 11 km return Grade 4 walk climbs from Darlington through forest before a challenging boulder scramble leads to spectacular views from the 620-metre summit.
The Darlington Historic Town Walk explores the remarkable convict and industrial history of Maria Island’s main settlement. It’s an excellent addition to the Reservoir Circuit and helps place the ruins encountered during the walk into their wider historical context.
The Fossil Cliffs Circuit explores the coastline north of Darlington, where limestone cliffs contain an extraordinary concentration of ancient marine fossils. The walk also passes substantial reminders of Maria Island’s former cement industry.
The Painted Cliffs Walk follows the coast south of Darlington towards beautifully patterned sandstone cliffs beside Hopground Beach. It’s one of Maria Island’s most photographed short walks and provides an excellent coastal contrast to the Reservoir Circuit.
The Mount Maria Walk climbs to the island’s highest point at approximately 711 metres. It’s a much more demanding undertaking than the Reservoir Circuit and is best saved for a clear day with plenty of time available.
The Reservoir Circuit is short enough to combine easily with several other attractions around northern Maria Island. Spend some time exploring the historic buildings of Darlington before heading inland to the reservoir. After completing the circuit, return to the settlement for lunch and then tackle one of the easier coastal walks. The Painted Cliffs or Fossil Cliffs make particularly good combinations, although ferry times should always determine how much you attempt during a day visit.
The Reservoir Circuit offers something quite different from Maria Island’s dramatic coastal cliffs and mountain summits. It’s a quieter, more sheltered walk where the rewards are found in the details – birds moving through the canopy, historic ruins among the trees, native animals beside the track and the peaceful reservoir hidden within the forest. For birdwatchers, the possibility of encountering a forty-spotted pardalote adds another compelling reason to slow down and pay attention to the surrounding woodland. Add the island’s convict and industrial history and abundant wildlife, and the Reservoir Circuit becomes much more than simply an easy forest walk. For families, birdwatchers or anyone wanting a peaceful alternative to Maria Island’s more demanding trails, the Reservoir Circuit is one of the most rewarding short walks from Darlington.
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