Tasmania · Attraction
Fossil Cliffs
300-million-year-old seabed exposed
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
The Fossil Cliffs on the north-eastern shore of Maria Island expose one of the finest examples of lower Permian marine strata found anywhere in the world, packed with the preserved remains of sea lilies, brachiopods, corals, scallops and bryozoans deposited when this part of Gondwana lay near the Antarctic Circle. The 4.5-kilometre circuit walk from Darlington is graded easy and suitable for most fitness levels. The trail is open and accessible year-round.
The walk begins at the Darlington visitor centre and heads north-east along a well-defined track through coastal heath and open forest before reaching the exposed cliffline above Fossil Bay. The grey limestone and siltstone beds alternate in distinct bands, each representing a different episode of ancient seafloor deposition roughly 270 to 300 million years ago. Fossils are visible throughout the exposed rock surface, collecting any material is prohibited under national park regulations.
Alongside the geological story, the walk passes the ruins of a 19th-century cement works and silo, where the Darlington Limestone was quarried for cement and lime production until around 1930. Cape Barren geese are frequently encountered on the grassy sections, and elevated clifftop sections offer wide views across Mercury Passage toward the Tasmanian mainland. Bicycles are permitted from Darlington to the junction where the Fossil Cliffs track branches from the Bishop and Clerk track, reducing the approach on foot.
The circuit covers 4.5 kilometres with minimal elevation change (maximum 54 metres) and typically takes around 90 minutes at a comfortable pace. No facilities are available on the trail itself. Bring water, food and sun protection from Darlington, and check the Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania alerts page before visiting for any track condition updates.
Scenic views
