Trail Fast Facts

Bishop and Clerk is a 14.5km, grade 4 hike in Maria Island National Park, Tasmania. This hike typically takes 5 hours to complete.

Length: 14.5km

Duration: 5 hrs

Grade 4 (Hard)

Style: Return

Start: Visitors Centre

End: Visitors Centre

Location: Maria Island National Park

State: Tasmania

Nearby town: Darlington

From state capital: 85km

Latitude: -42.581878

Longitude: 148.065201

Overview

Map and GPX file

Directions

Photos

Reviews

Weather

Similar Trails

Hike Overview

Located in the Maria Island National Park, this challenging walk offers exhilarating cliff-top and ocean views. It is for the physically fit, and involves an up and downhill walk, through an extensive field of rock boulders.

Highlights

These towering dolerite columns are so named because of the resemblance to a bishop, wearing a mitre, being followed by a clergyman. The walk takes you from grasslands, through open forest and tall woodland, to the rocky slopes and finally the summit.

The summit is often cloaked in a layer of cloud. Remarkably, species commonly found in the wet rainforests of the west also occur in tiny pockets on the summit due to the microclimatic conditions.

Needless to say, the views from the summit are magnificent, as our Virtual Visit Panorama shows.

Track Grade

Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

Tips

Park entry fees apply, ferry charges and camping fees apply.

Picnic, toilet and gas barbecue facilities. There are no shops on the island. Basic hut and camping accommodation (own bedding, stove and food required).

Steep and difficult.

Supervise children, hazardous cliffs, unprotected track edges, rock screed scramble.

Pets or firearms not allowed. Bicycles are permitted to the point where the Bishop and Clerk track departs from the Fossil Cliffs track.

Trail features

Map and GPX file

Bishop & Clerk Hike (14.5km)

Total distance: 14583 m
Max elevation: 583 m
Min elevation: 3 m
Total climbing: 873 m
Total descent: -873 m

Download

For more information about this hiking trail please visit Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania

Trail Location (trailhead)

Getting there

Bishop & Clerk Hike (14.5km)

A ferry operates to Maria Island. The ferry departure point is at Triabunna.

Get directions

Photo gallery

Upload your photos

If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.

Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.

About the region

The East Coast and Flinders Island

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Explore Safe

While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.

Let someone know

Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.

Gear to consider

What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.

Suggest an edit

Trail changed? New features discovered? Has the route changed? Trail permanently closed? Help fellow hikers by suggesting edits! Click above to update route descriptions, GPX file, trail features (like boardwalks), or access conditions (like parking availability). Help me keep the trails info fresh!

Reviews

Bishop & Clerk Hike (14.5km)

3 Reviews on “Bishop & Clerk Hike (14.5km)”

Overall rating

Stella Hardiman

Logan Humphrey

24/03/2022, 05:12

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Weather

Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Trail Fast Facts