Maria Island
[name]: wukaluwikiwayna | |
|---|---|
Location of Maria Island (shaded red) in Tasmania | |
| Etymology | In honour of Maria van Diemen (née van Aelst), wife of Anthony van Diemen; named in 1642 by Abel Tasman |
| Geography | |
| Location | East coast of Tasmania |
| Coordinates | 42°38′S 148°05′E / 42.633°S 148.083°E |
| Archipelago | Maria Island Group |
| Adjacent to | Tasman Sea |
| Total islands | Two |
| Major islands | Maria Island; Ile du Nord |
| Area | 115.5 km2 (44.6 sq mi) |
| Length | 20 km (12 mi) |
| Width | 13 km (8.1 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 711 m (2333 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Maria |
| Administration | |
Australia | |
| State | Tasmania |
| Local government area | Glamorgan Spring Bay Council |
| Largest settlement | Darlington |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Rangers are the only residents |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
| • Summer (DST) | |
| Maria Island National Park | |
| Maria Island National Park Tasmania | |
|---|---|
Maria Island Beach | |
| Nearest town or city | Triabunna, Orford |
| Population | 0 (SAL 2021) |
| Established | 1972 |
| Area | 115.5 km2 (land area 96.7 km2) |
| Visitation | 16,000 (in 2005) |
| Managing authorities | Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania |
| Website | Maria Island National Park |
| See also | Protected areas of Tasmania |
Maria Island or wukaluwikiwayna in palawa kani is a mountainous island located in the Tasman Sea, off the east coast of Tasmania, Australia. The 115.5-square-kilometre (44.6 sq mi) island is entirely occupied by the Maria Island National Park, which includes a marine area of 18.78 square kilometres (7.25 sq mi) off the island's northwest coast. The island is about 20 kilometres (12 mi) in length from north to south and, at its widest, is about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) west to east. At its closest point, Point Lesueur, the island lies approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) off the east coast of Tasmania and is connected by ferry with Triabunna. Maria Island lies in the local government area of Glamorgan–Spring Bay in the South-east region of Tasmania.
The island has had a mixed history, including two convict eras, two industrial eras, a farming era and, finally, becoming the national park that it is today. Maria Island is popular with visitors, providing an array of interests for the daytripper or overnight visitor to the island.