Maria Island National Park

🇦🇺 Australia

🐨 Wombats Roam Historic Convict Ruins
🌍 #126 Global · 3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #5 in Oceania #5 in Temperate Forest
Australia, Australia 367 spp. recorded

Maria Island National Park is an insular wildlife sanctuary off the eastern coast of Tasmania, Australia. Composed of temperate forest, open eucalypt woodlands, and coastal scrub, the island features quiet dirt tracks winding through coastal dunes and wooded hills.

-42.624° S   148.078° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Common Wombat ★
LC Endemic

Common Wombat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Vombatus ursinus

90–100% · Very likely
Red-bellied Pademelon ★
LC Endemic

Red-bellied Pademelon

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Thylogale billardierii

80–90% · Very likely
Tasmanian Devil ★
EN Endemic

Tasmanian Devil

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Sarcophilus harrisii

50–60% · Likely
Short-beaked Echidna ★
LC

Short-beaked Echidna

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tachyglossus aculeatus

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Cape Barren Goose
LC Endemic

Cape Barren Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cereopsis novaehollandiae

80–90% · Very likely
Tasmanian Nativehen

Tasmanian Nativehen

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Gallinula mortierii

80–90% · Very likely
Australian Magpie
LC

Australian Magpie

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gymnorhina tibicen

80–90% · Very likely
Southern Brown Bandicoot
LC Endemic

Southern Brown Bandicoot

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Isoodon obesulus

80–90% · Very likely
Green Rosella
LC Endemic

Green Rosella

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Platycercus caledonicus

80–90% · Very likely
Pied Oystercatcher
LC Endemic

Pied Oystercatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haematopus longirostris

70–80% · Very likely
Yellow Wattlebird
LC Endemic

Yellow Wattlebird

🌙 Nocturnal Bird

Anthochaera paradoxa

70–80% · Very likely
Grey Fantail
LC

Grey Fantail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Rhipidura albiscapa

70–80% · Very likely
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
LC Endemic

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus giganteus

70–80% · Very likely
Chestnut Teal
LC Endemic

Chestnut Teal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas castanea

70–80% · Very likely
Red-necked Wallaby
LC Endemic

Red-necked Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Notamacropus rufogriseus

70–80% · Very likely
Silver Gull
Endemic

Silver Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae

70–80% · Very likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Common Wombat ★
LC Endemic

Common Wombat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Vombatus ursinus

90–100% · Very likely
Red-bellied Pademelon ★
LC Endemic

Red-bellied Pademelon

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Thylogale billardierii

80–90% · Very likely
Tasmanian Devil ★
EN Endemic

Tasmanian Devil

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Sarcophilus harrisii

50–60% · Likely
Short-beaked Echidna ★
LC

Short-beaked Echidna

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tachyglossus aculeatus

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Southern Brown Bandicoot
LC Endemic

Southern Brown Bandicoot

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Isoodon obesulus

80–90% · Very likely
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
LC Endemic

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus giganteus

70–80% · Very likely
Red-necked Wallaby
LC Endemic

Red-necked Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Notamacropus rufogriseus

70–80% · Very likely
Common Brushtail
LC Endemic

Common Brushtail

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Trichosurus vulpecula

40–50% · Likely
Common Dolphin
LC

Common Dolphin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Delphinus delphis

20–30% · Possible
Long-nosed Potoroo
NT Endemic

Long-nosed Potoroo

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Potorous tridactylus

20–30% · Possible
Common Ringtail Possum
LC Endemic

Common Ringtail Possum

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Pseudocheirus peregrinus

20–30% · Possible
Humpback Whale
LC

Humpback Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Megaptera novaeangliae

10–20% · With luck
Rakali
LC

Rakali

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hydromys chrysogaster

Insufficient data
Afro-Australian Fur Seal
LC

Afro-Australian Fur Seal

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Arctocephalus pusillus

Insufficient data
Bottlenose Dolphin
LC

Bottlenose Dolphin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tursiops truncatus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Cape Barren Goose
LC Endemic

Cape Barren Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cereopsis novaehollandiae

80–90% · Very likely
Tasmanian Nativehen

Tasmanian Nativehen

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Gallinula mortierii

80–90% · Very likely
Australian Magpie
LC

Australian Magpie

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gymnorhina tibicen

80–90% · Very likely
Green Rosella
LC Endemic

Green Rosella

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Platycercus caledonicus

80–90% · Very likely
Pied Oystercatcher
LC Endemic

Pied Oystercatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haematopus longirostris

70–80% · Very likely
Yellow Wattlebird
LC Endemic

Yellow Wattlebird

🌙 Nocturnal Bird

Anthochaera paradoxa

70–80% · Very likely
Grey Fantail
LC

Grey Fantail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Rhipidura albiscapa

70–80% · Very likely
Chestnut Teal
LC Endemic

Chestnut Teal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas castanea

70–80% · Very likely
Silver Gull
Endemic

Silver Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae

70–80% · Very likely
Flame Robin
LC Endemic

Flame Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Petroica phoenicea

70–80% · Very likely
Black Currawong
LC Endemic

Black Currawong

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Strepera fuliginosa

70–80% · Very likely
Laughing Kookaburra
LC Endemic

Laughing Kookaburra

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dacelo novaeguineae

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

White's Rock-skink
LC

White's Rock-skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Liopholis whitii

50–60% · Likely
Ocellated Coolskink
LC Endemic

Ocellated Coolskink

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Carinascincus ocellatus

40–50% · Likely
Eastern Tiger Snake
LC Endemic

Eastern Tiger Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Notechis scutatus

40–50% · Likely
Tasmanian Tree Skink
LC Endemic

Tasmanian Tree Skink

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Carinascincus pretiosus

30–40% · Possible
Metallic Coolskink
LC Endemic

Metallic Coolskink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Carinascincus metallicus

20–30% · Possible
Entrecasteaux's Skink
LC Endemic

Entrecasteaux's Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii

Insufficient data
Lowlands Copperhead
LC Endemic

Lowlands Copperhead

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Austrelaps superbus

Insufficient data
White-lipped Snake
LC Endemic

White-lipped Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Drysdalia coronoides

Insufficient data
Rainbow Skink
LC Endemic

Rainbow Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lampropholis delicata

Insufficient data
Blotched Bluetongue
LC Endemic

Blotched Bluetongue

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Tiliqua nigrolutea

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Animal Events

🦌

Echidna Mating Trains and Marsupial Foraging

JanDec

During the warm summer months, female Short-beaked Echidnas attract trailing lines of suitors during elaborate courtship processions, while Tasmanian Devils take advantage of extended daylight to forage more actively.

Short-beaked Echidna
LC

Short-beaked Echidna

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tachyglossus aculeatus

60–70% · Likely
Tasmanian Devil
EN Endemic

Tasmanian Devil

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Sarcophilus harrisii

50–60% · Likely
🦌

Kangaroo Births and Reptile Basking Emergence

Oct

Spring brings newborn Eastern Grey Kangaroos emerging from maternal pouches to graze, coinciding with White's Rock-skinks basking intensely on sun-warmed coastal boulders after winter torpor.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo
LC Endemic

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus giganteus

70–80% · Very likely
White's Rock-skink
LC

White's Rock-skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Liopholis whitii

50–60% · Likely
🦌

Whale Migration and Possum Breeding

Apr

As autumn arrives, Humpback Whales begin their northern marine migration past the island's shores, while Common Brushtail Possums become vocal and active establishing breeding territories.

Humpback Whale
LC

Humpback Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Megaptera novaeangliae

10–20% · With luck
Common Brushtail
LC Endemic

Common Brushtail

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Trichosurus vulpecula

40–50% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
Common Wombat
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
Red-bellied Pademelon
90–100
90–100
80–90
80–90
60–70
80–90
80–90
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
Tasmanian Devil
70–80
60–70
30–40
40–50
10–20
70–80
20–30
60–70
50–60
30–40
50–60
60–70
Short-beaked Echidna
80–90
10–20
40–50
30–40
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
60–70
70–80
70–80
Cape Barren Goose
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
90–100
70–80
90–100
90–100
90–100
80–90
Tasmanian Nativehen
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
Australian Magpie
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
Southern Brown Bandicoot
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
50–60
80–90
80–90
Green Rosella
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Pied Oystercatcher
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
90–100
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
Yellow Wattlebird
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
Grey Fantail
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
80–90
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
Chestnut Teal
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
60–70
Red-necked Wallaby
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
Silver Gull
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Animal Events
🦌 Echidna Mating Trains and Marsupial Foraging
🦌 Kangaroo Births and Reptile Basking Emergence
🦌 Whale Migration and Possum Breeding

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐨 Wombats Roam Historic Convict Ruins

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
259
🐒 Mammals
81
🦎 Reptiles
22
🐸 Amphibians
5
367 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
39 Threatened 129 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
82%
📊
Coverage (95 species at ≥5% of 367 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
26%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 4 mammal)
46% Global avg
59%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
73
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
10
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
38

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Maria Island National Park?

The most likely sightings are Common Wombat (seen by 90–100% of wildlife watchers), Cape Barren Goose (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Red-bellied Pademelon (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Tasmanian Nativehen (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Australian Magpie (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers) — among 367 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Maria Island National Park for wildlife?

June has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Common Wombat in Maria Island National Park?

Yes — about 97% of wildlife watchers report a Common Wombat sighting in Maria Island National Park, based on 318 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Red-bellied Pademelon in Maria Island National Park?

Yes — about 87% of wildlife watchers report a Red-bellied Pademelon sighting in Maria Island National Park, based on 140 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Tasmanian Devil in Maria Island National Park?

Yes — about 58% of wildlife watchers report a Tasmanian Devil sighting in Maria Island National Park, based on 42 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Short-beaked Echidna in Maria Island National Park?

Yes — about 61% of wildlife watchers report a Short-beaked Echidna sighting in Maria Island National Park, based on 47 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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