Hobart: Mt Wellington, Mt Field, Bonorong and Richmond Trip

Tasmania packs a surprising amount into this day: rainforest and waterfalls, rescued native animals, a colonial-era town, and a cold mountain summit above Hobart. The route gives you a useful first taste of the island without asking you to plan several separate outings.

I like the hand-feeding at Bonorong and the excellent Mt Field walk, which reaches Russell Falls through tall trees and huge ferns. I also like the guides’ local knowledge, especially when Brett, Jarrod, Gary, or Scott is leading. The main drawback is simple: nine hours is busy, and Mt Wellington may be cloudy, wet, or too windy for the big view.

Key points at a glance

• Russell Falls and tall trees: Walk through Mt Field National Park beneath giant ferns and some of the world’s tallest trees.
• Bonorong wildlife: Feed kangaroos and see Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, frogs, quolls, and other native animals.
• Weather-dependent Mt Wellington: The summit visit is timed for the best available conditions, but mountain weather can change quickly.
• Historic Richmond: Enjoy about 90 minutes to stroll, shop, eat, and see one of Tasmania’s prettiest old towns.
• Strong guiding: Guides including Brett, Jarrod, Gary, and Scott are praised for clear stories about animals, plants, local life, and Tasmanian history.
• Good value at $126: Transport, hotel pickup, a guide, Russell Falls access, and Bonorong entry are included. Food is extra.

Why this Hobart day trip works so well

This is not a single-theme excursion. You are not spending all day in a coach heading to one distant attraction. Instead, the route shows you several different sides of southern Tasmania in a sensible loop from Hobart.

The morning usually begins with pickup between 7:30 and 7:50 am from one of seven central Hobart meeting points. From there, you travel through the Derwent Valley toward Mt Field National Park. The drive itself matters because your guide fills the road time with local stories, animal facts, and details about the towns and countryside.

The day is particularly useful if you have only a short stay in Hobart. It introduces you to the forest west of the city, the wildlife that Tasmania is famous for, Richmond’s old buildings, and the high country above Hobart. You will not explore any one place in great depth, but you get a clear sense of what deserves a longer visit.

The style is relaxed rather than rushed. Several visitors found the time at each stop sufficient, though one person wished the day lasted longer. That is the fair tradeoff: you see a lot, but this is a sampler, not a slow nature retreat.

Walking to Russell Falls through Mt Field National Park

Mt Field is the strongest nature stop of the day. You have about 90 minutes here, with time for a walk through fern forest to Russell Falls. The path leads beneath enormous tree ferns and tall trees before reaching the waterfall, making the walk feel more important than a quick roadside photo stop.

Russell Falls is the headline attraction, but the forest is the real reason to enjoy this part of the tour. The combination of damp air, dense ferns, tall trunks, and flowing water gives you a close look at Tasmania’s temperate forest. You may also have time to see Horseshoe Falls, depending on the route and pace that day.

The Tall Trees area earns special attention. Several people singled it out as one of the day’s best moments, alongside Russell Falls. It gives you a stronger sense of scale than the waterfall alone, with trees rising high above the walking track.

You should bring comfortable shoes and water. The walk is manageable for many visitors, but one person described it as strenuous, so do not treat it as a flat stroll through a city park. The tour description should be read with a little caution here. If you have limited mobility or dislike uneven forest paths, ask the operator for current details before booking.

New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley road

After Mt Field, the route follows the freshwater back toward New Norfolk. This is a chance to rest your legs, eat something, and hear about the area’s past.

The guide also points out Australia’s oldest operating pub during the drive. It is a quick roadside detail rather than a full pub visit, but it helps give the valley some historical character. New Norfolk adds another layer of local history before the tour moves on to wildlife.

This transition is useful because the day does not treat Tasmania as scenery alone. Guides have explained British settlement, eucalyptus trees, local daily life, and the changing relationship between people and native animals. If you enjoy learning as you go, the driving time becomes part of the experience rather than dead time.

Food is not included, so use this break to buy lunch or a snack. The exact food stop can vary, but Richmond later in the day is also a good place for a cafe visit or a scone.

Meeting kangaroos and Tasmanian devils at Bonorong

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is the most hands-on stop. You have about 90 minutes for a guided visit and free time, with entry included in the $126 price.

The obvious highlight is hand-feeding kangaroos. This is especially appealing for families and for anyone visiting Australia for the first time, but it is not the only reason to come. Bonorong also gives you a chance to see Tasmanian devils and learn about animals that are difficult to spot in the wild.

The sanctuary is home to rescued animals, and the visit adds useful context to Tasmania’s wildlife. Depending on the day, you might see wombats, echidnas, frogs, quolls, and other native species. One guide with a former zookeeper background was especially praised for explaining animal behavior and less familiar species such as pademelons.

Tasmanian devils deserve your attention here. They are not just a photo opportunity. A good guide can explain why they are distinctive, how they behave, and why a wildlife sanctuary matters. The tour also brings up the Tasmanian tiger, which adds a note of natural history to the visit.

Bonorong is not a wild-animal safari. You are visiting a sanctuary, and that difference is important. You get close views and feeding opportunities, but the animals are in a managed setting. For many visitors, that makes the encounter more reliable and more educational than hoping to spot wildlife from a roadside.

Allow yourself time to look around rather than following every part of the guided presentation. You can explore the grounds on your own during the free period. If the guide or staff member does not explain that clearly, ask, since it gives you more control over the visit.

Richmond’s old streets and a useful food stop

The tour then spends about 90 minutes in Richmond, a small historic town with old buildings, shops, cafes, and local products. This is the least wild stop, but it breaks up the day well.

You can stroll the streets, browse, find a snack, or simply enjoy the slower pace. Richmond is picturesque without requiring a major hike. It also gives you a glimpse of Tasmania’s colonial past after the forest and wildlife portions of the trip.

Do not expect enough time to see every building or attraction in detail. One person found the stop a little short for doing everything. I would treat Richmond as an introduction. If you like the town, you can return independently for a longer visit.

The cafe food and scones receive particular praise. Since meals are not included, Richmond is a practical place to buy something, though you should keep an eye on the clock. A leisurely lunch can easily use the whole break.

Mt Wellington, cold air, and changing views

Mt Wellington, also called kunanyi, is the dramatic finish when conditions allow. The tour spends about 45 minutes at Wellington Park for a photo stop, sightseeing, and views over Hobart.

The summit can feel completely different from the city below. Even in warmer months, you may need extra layers. In colder weather, expect sharp wind, cloud, rain, or snow. A visit in September brought snow and strong cold, while another visit included snow, clouds, rainbows, and brief clear views.

The operator adjusts the timing of the summit stop according to cloud cover. It may happen early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This is sensible, since a clear view is far more rewarding than standing at the top in thick cloud. Still, weather control has limits. You should book this tour for the full day, not for a guaranteed panorama.

When the clouds lift, the view over Hobart and the surrounding country is excellent. When they do not, the experience becomes more about mountain weather and atmosphere. Some people find that fun, while others may feel disappointed after expecting a postcard view.

Bring warm clothing even if Hobart feels mild at pickup. Comfortable shoes and water are also listed as essentials. The short summit visit means you will not spend long exposed to the cold, but you should be prepared.

The guides make the long day easier

The guide can shape this experience more than any single stop. The strongest feedback goes to Brett, Jarrod, Gary and Garry, Scott, Paul, Hans, Stann, and Brent, though the exact guide depends on the departure.

Brett is often noted for animal facts and for his background as a zookeeper. He has also made small adjustments, such as a detour to look for platypuses when time and conditions allowed. That kind of local instinct is valuable, but it should not be treated as a promised part of the itinerary.

Jarrod is praised for explaining Hobart and offering useful ideas for the rest of a visit. Gary and Garry are noted for mixing history, local life, humor, and clear explanations. Scott receives credit for keeping the day smooth and making sure people had enough time at the stops.

The common thread is practical storytelling. You learn about fauna, plants, settlement, towns, and places you pass on the road. A good guide also helps with small matters, such as where to eat, what to see later, and how to make the most of limited time in Hobart.

Transport, timing, and the real value of $126

The price is $126 per person for roughly nine hours. That includes transport, a local English-speaking guide, pickup and drop-off from selected central Hobart points, entry to Russell Falls, and admission to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

That is solid value if you want to visit all four main stops in one day. Booking separate transport to Mt Field, Bonorong, Richmond, and Mt Wellington would take more planning, and you would lose the guide’s commentary between locations.

The coach is practical rather than luxurious. One person found the legroom a little tight, so taller passengers should keep that in mind. You will spend several hours in the vehicle, but the route is broken up by the forest walk, wildlife visit, Richmond break, and summit stop.

Pickup is offered at the Grand Chancellor, Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, 64 St Georges Terrace, Travelodge, Vibe Hotel, Allurity Hotel, and Tower Motel. Sunday pickup for Allurity changes to the Vibe Hotel because of a farmers market road closure. Arrive a few minutes early, since pickup times run close together and the vehicle may have limited flexibility.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Hobart plans depend on weather, though the mountain itself can never be guaranteed clear.

Who should book this trip

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Hobart for a short time and want a broad introduction to Tasmania. It suits first-time visitors, families with older children, couples, solo travelers, and anyone who would rather let a local handle the driving.

It is also a good fit for wildlife fans. Bonorong provides the most dependable animal encounters of the day, while guides add detail about creatures you might otherwise overlook.

You should think twice if you want long hikes, extended time in Richmond, or a slow day at one attraction. The schedule is well paced, but it remains a full day with several short travel legs. If your main goal is Mt Wellington, book with flexible expectations because cloud and wind may limit the summit view.

Should you book it?

Book this day trip if you want variety and convenience more than deep exploration of one place. Mt Field is the natural highlight, Bonorong supplies the close animal encounters, Richmond adds history and food, and Mt Wellington gives the day a dramatic finish when weather cooperates.

At $126, the combination of transport, admissions, and guiding makes sense, especially for a first visit or a short stay. Pack warm layers, walking shoes, water, and a little patience for changing mountain weather. I would choose this over trying to fit the same route into a rental-car day unless you strongly prefer setting your own pace.

FAQ

How long does the Hobart trip last?

The experience lasts about nine hours, including transport between Hobart, Mt Field National Park, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Richmond, and Wellington Park.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transportation, a local English-speaking guide, selected hotel pickup and drop-off, entry to Russell Falls, and admission to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $126 per person.

Can I feed kangaroos?

Yes. Hand-feeding kangaroos at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the main activities.

Will I see Tasmanian devils?

The tour includes a visit to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can discover Tasmanian devils. The sanctuary also has other native animals, including wombats, echidnas, frogs, and quolls.

How long is the walk at Mt Field?

You have about 1.5 hours at Mt Field National Park, including time to walk through the forest to Russell Falls. The route may also include Horseshoe Falls and the Tall Trees area.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and plan to buy food during the break in the day.

Where is pickup available?

Pickup is available from seven central Hobart locations: Travelodge Hotel Hobart, Allurity Hotel, Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, Hobart Tower Motel, the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, Vibe Hotel Hobart, and 64 St Georges Terrace.

What happens if Mt Wellington has bad weather?

The timing of the Mt Wellington visit depends on cloud cover and may be early or late in the day. Mountain conditions can still include cloud, rain, wind, or snow, so the summit view is weather-dependent.