Painted Cliffs

The Painted Cliffs are a striking sandstone formation on the southeastern coast of Maria Island National Park, Tasmania, near the historic settlement of Darlington in Glamorgan-Spring Bay. The cliffs are renowned for their swirling patterns of red, orange and yellow created by iron oxide staining in Triassic sandstone. Accessible only on foot and at low tide, they are one of Maria Island's most photographed natural attractions.

Visitors can expect a coastal walk from Darlington to a low sandstone cliff face exposed at low tide, featuring intricate iron-oxide patterns, honeycomb weathering and small sea caves. The setting is a remote, undeveloped beach with sand, rock platforms and ocean views. There are no shops or facilities at the cliffs themselves. Access requires walking and checking tide times, with the cliffs only fully visible and safely accessible around low tide.