25 September 2024

RFI : Tasmanian Devil

Good afternoon

We will be spending 4 days in November in Tasmania and I’m looking for places to watch the Devil.

Get recommendation for Maria Island (but it’s fully booked) and I’ve contacted Mountain  Valley Wilderness Holiday, but no answer so far.

Did you have any other recommendations? (with decent budget, max around 250 AUD/night)

Did some of you try driving around Loongana area or Arthur River and actually saw Devils?

Thanks for your help

Raphaël

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rlebrun
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4 Comments

  • 26 September 2024
    PandaSmith

    Not sure if camping is an option for you but I do believe that the campground is non-reservation and takes walk-ins only. I did read this but it could be wrong? I am planning on Maria Island too but in August of 25. I hope you get in and then I can pick your brain on your sightings!

  • 26 September 2024
    Matt Pep

    There are some campsites on Maria Island that are only walk in. But you might have to walk a couple of kilometres before reaching the spot. I stayed at French farm during my time at Maria Island and almost every night we saw Tasmanian devils between French farm and Encampment cove.

    I also saw them two times in Cradle Mountain NP during the first night drive we did there. After that we didn’t see any again, but other mammals were abundant.

  • 27 September 2024
    georgevincent

    I’ve seen them driving at night around Loongana, but I wouldn’t say it’s guaranteed. Mountain Valley Wilderness is a great place to try – hopefully you get a response soon. You do need to be careful driving at night in Tas, mammals are all over the roads.

  • 30 September 2024
    tjeerdburger

    Camping on Maria Island is a good alternative. However, you’ll need to rent your gear somewhere. I rented a tent through https://wildislandadventure.com/ and we agreed on a drop-off somewhere halfway. I returned the gear passing through Launceston. There will probably be similar companies in Hobart? But yes, bit of a hassle..
    I stayed one night on the Darlington campsite, which is close to the ferry terminal. I saw two devils at night. Another animal was seen in the morning, when researchers released it (see also my earlier posts and questions on devils).
    I bumped into one driving just north of Bicheno on the day I returned from Maria Island. Around 1 hr after sunset. On observation.org there are more observations of devils encountered while driving around, especially by Tim de Boer. But I think it is not enterily fail-save and as georgevincent indicated, mammals are abundant driving around at night..

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