Day Tour in Mt. Field, Mt. Wellington, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Richmond

The best thing about this day is its variety. In roughly nine hours, you move from cool rainforest and a tall waterfall to Tasmanian devils, old Richmond, and the rocky summit of kunanyi/Mt. Wellington. It is a quick, sensible way to see several places that are awkward to reach without a car.

I especially like the small group of up to 20 people and the guides’ local focus. Brett, Jarrod, Hans, Jo, and Gary are among the guides named in guest feedback, and the strongest praise goes to their stories about Tasmanian wildlife, geology, and history. I also like that park and sanctuary admission are included.

The catch is time on the road. Mt. Field is well beyond Hobart, so some of the day passes through farmland, vineyards, and forest from a vehicle. Richmond can feel brief, and Mt. Wellington may be hidden by fog or battered by cold wind, even when Hobart is sunny.

Key things to know before booking

• Russell Falls comes with a rainforest walk: You get about 90 minutes at Mt. Field National Park, enough for the waterfall and a taste of the forest.
• Bonorong is hands-on: You may feed kangaroos and see Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, and wallabies.
• The summit weather changes fast: Bring warm layers, even in summer. Snow, fog, strong wind, and clear views can all occur.
• Lunch is not included: Richmond gives you time to buy a pie, sit down for a meal, or browse local produce.
• The day covers four very different places: This suits you if you have limited time in Hobart and want breadth more than long walks.
• The price is $128.39 per person: Transport, a local guide, Russell Falls entry, and Bonorong entry make the fare reasonable for a full day.

One day, four sides of southern Tasmania

This tour is built around contrast. You start with Hobart pickup at about 7:50 a.m., then head out along the Derwent River and into the countryside. By the end, you have seen rainforest, wildlife, farmland, heritage buildings, and high mountain country.

That mix is the main reason to choose it. A self-drive day could cover the same route, but you would need to plan parking, driving times, admissions, and changing mountain weather yourself. Here, the guide handles the road while you look out the window and listen to local stories.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the group is capped at 20 people. That is small enough for a more personal feel than a large coach, while still keeping the cost below a private tour. The exact pickup area depends on the selected hotels, so check that detail before paying.

I would treat this as an overview tour, not a deep visit to each place. Mt. Field deserves longer if you love walking, Bonorong is compact, and Richmond is a short historic stop. The reward is seeing all three, plus kunanyi, in one day.

Russell Falls and Mt. Field’s cool forest

Mt. Field National Park is the first major stop, with about 90 minutes included. The highlight is Russell Falls, reached through a forest setting with mossy trunks, tall trees, and cool air. It is an easy way to encounter Tasmania’s wet forest without committing to a full-day hike.

The waterfall is the visual payoff, but the walk matters just as much. Take your time looking at the ferns, tree trunks, and damp forest floor. The setting feels peaceful, and it is a welcome change from the road ride out of Hobart.

The tour includes admission to the Russell Falls area. Your guide may add information about local plants, geology, and wildlife, which can make the short walk more meaningful than simply arriving, taking a photograph, and returning to the bus.

Ninety minutes is a useful amount of time, but it is not enough for a long exploration of Mt. Field. If you want several walks or a slower forest day, visit independently. If you want one memorable waterfall and a taste of the park, this stop does the job well.

Wear shoes suited to a wet forest path. A light rain jacket is also sensible. Tasmania can change weather quickly, and a damp morning at Mt. Field is part of the experience rather than a reason to dismiss the stop.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and close-up Tasmanian animals

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary gets another 90 minutes. This is the most family-friendly stop and one of the tour’s most distinctive. You can feed kangaroos, and the sanctuary gives you a chance to see animals that are hard to encounter in the wild, including Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, and wallabies.

The kangaroo feeding is a clear highlight. It is simple, direct, and more memorable than observing animals from a distant viewing platform. Children usually get plenty from this stop, and adults often enjoy it just as much.

Bonorong is a sanctuary with a rescue and conservation purpose. That gives the visit more meaning than a standard animal display, though you should keep your expectations realistic. It is a relatively small facility, and daytime animal sightings can vary. You might not see every advertised animal, including devils or baby wombats, during your visit.

The guide can add useful context here. Brett, who has worked in animal support, was singled out for his understanding of the area and its wildlife. Jarrod was also praised for local knowledge and for helping people get the most from the day. Guides vary, but the experience clearly benefits from someone who can explain what you are seeing.

Keep your hands clean around the animals and follow sanctuary instructions. The visit is not a replacement for a remote wildlife outing, but it is an efficient and engaging introduction to Tasmanian species.

Richmond, pies, and a short taste of colonial Tasmania

Richmond gives you about 90 minutes. The town is known for its historic character, Richmond Bridge, local produce, and food stops. This is a slower interlude between the forest and the mountain, with time to walk around and choose lunch.

You pay for your own meal, so the unbundled lunch is worth planning for. Richmond is a good place for a Tasmanian scallop pie, though other options include chicken and Camembert pie or a sit-down meal such as lamb with vegetables. Those details matter because the tour does not include food, and a proper lunch can use much of the available time.

The bridge is the main fixed sight, but Richmond works best when you treat it as a small town rather than a major attraction. You can look at the old buildings, browse local produce, and enjoy a break from the vehicle. I would not book this tour mainly for Richmond. I would see it as a pleasant historic stop that adds a different note to the day.

Some people may find the stop less compelling than Mt. Field or Bonorong. That is fair. If you prefer national parks and wildlife, Richmond is the least essential section. If you like old towns, food, and a change of pace, the 90 minutes will feel useful.

The drive to kunanyi/Mt. Wellington

The final major stop is a drive to the summit of kunanyi/Mt. Wellington, with about 40 minutes at the top. The reward is the view over Hobart and the surrounding country, along with the mountain’s exposed, rocky character.

On a clear day, this is a strong finish. You get broad photographs and a completely different setting from the rainforest below. The trip has already shown you green forest and rural Tasmania, and the summit adds height, wind, and open sky.

Do not underestimate the cold. One afternoon brought light snow, while another visit found the summit fogbound and too windy for clear views. You can leave Hobart in sunshine and arrive in very different conditions less than an hour later. Bring a warm jacket, gloves, and a hat or earmuffs. Several people found summer sunscreen useful too, since cool air does not prevent sunburn.

The summit stop is short, so weather has a big effect on value. If fog blocks the view, the drive still gives you a mountain experience, but the photographic payoff is reduced. The guide may adjust timing around conditions, as Jo was praised for doing, but no tour can guarantee a clear summit.

The guides make the long day easier

A nine-hour outing depends heavily on the guide. The strongest guides on this route do more than announce the next stop. They explain Tasmanian history, wildlife, geology, and the countryside outside Hobart, which helps the driving sections feel like part of the tour rather than dead time.

Brett is named often for his warmth, animal background, and ability to explain local flora and fauna. Jarrod is praised for growing up in Tasmania and taking a personal interest in helping people have a good day. Hans received credit for explaining local history, geology, and wildlife during the longer drive to Mt. Field.

Gerard was praised for keeping the timing smooth, while Jo was noted for adapting to shifting mountain weather. Gary also received good marks for guiding the full day. You are not guaranteed a particular guide, and the tour may use a multilingual guide, but the pattern is clear: guide quality is central to the experience.

The small group helps here. With no more than 20 people, questions are easier to ask, and the day feels less anonymous. It is still a shared tour, so you will follow a group schedule rather than linger wherever you like.

Is $128.39 good value?

At $128.39 per person, I consider this fair value for a full day outside Hobart. Your fare includes selected hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a local guide, Russell Falls admission, and Bonorong admission.

The tour would cost more to reproduce independently once you add a rental car, fuel, park access, wildlife sanctuary tickets, and the value of having someone else drive. It also removes the need to navigate an unfamiliar route and handle mountain conditions.

The price is less attractive if you already have a car or plan to spend several days in the region. A self-drive visit gives you more time at Mt. Field and greater freedom at Richmond. You can also skip Bonorong if wildlife sanctuaries are not your priority.

Lunch is extra. Budget for food in Richmond, and remember that the schedule does not promise a long restaurant stop. The value comes from coverage and convenience, not from an all-inclusive meal package.

Who should book this Hobart day trip?

I would choose this tour if you have one or two spare days in Hobart and want a broad introduction to southern Tasmania. It suits first-time visitors, families, solo visitors who prefer organized transport, and anyone who wants wildlife without arranging a separate trip.

It is also good for people who like variety. In a single day you can walk through rainforest, feed kangaroos, see historic Richmond, and stand on a mountain summit. That range is difficult to match with a short city stay.

I would hesitate if your main aim is serious hiking. Mt. Field gets only about 90 minutes, and kunanyi gets about 40. You will see the highlights, but you will not have much time for extended trails or quiet wandering.

The same applies if you dislike long drives. Mt. Field is the farthest stop, and the road time is part of the day. The countryside helps, with farmland, vineyards, and Derwent River views, but this is still a road-based tour.

Practical details that affect your day

The tour begins around 7:50 a.m. and lasts approximately nine hours. Selected hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, and the activity operates with a maximum of 20 people. Most people can participate, but exact pickup arrangements should be confirmed when booking.

Use the free cancellation option if your plans may change. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

Pack layered clothing, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. I would also bring water and leave room in the day for a proper meal in Richmond. At the summit, assume the weather will be colder and rougher than it is in Hobart.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the most varied use of one day around Hobart. The strongest reasons are the efficient route, included admissions, small group, hands-on Bonorong visit, and guides who can connect the scenery with Tasmanian wildlife and history.

Skip it if you want long walks, a slow Richmond visit, or complete control over every stop. The schedule is full, and Mt. Wellington’s views depend on weather.

For most first-time visitors with limited time, I would book it. You get a practical introduction to the region, and the combination of Russell Falls, Tasmanian animals, Richmond food, and kunanyi is hard to beat at this price.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 7:50 a.m.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered at selected hotels.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you will need to purchase food during the day, with Richmond providing the main opportunity.

Are entry fees included?

Admission to Russell Falls and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is included.

Can I feed animals at Bonorong?

Yes. The sanctuary offers the chance to feed kangaroos. You may also see animals such as Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, and wallabies.

Will the tour visit the summit of kunanyi/Mt. Wellington?

Yes. The tour drives to the summit for approximately 40 minutes, although views can be affected by fog, wind, snow, or other poor weather.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. A full refund is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins.