Mount Field, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Richmond Tour

Russell Falls gives this day out its best opening: a short forest walk through tall trees and ferns to a graceful cascade, with the Derwent Valley unfolding along the drive. You get a varied taste of Tasmania without having to plan a route or rent a car.

I like the mix of rainforest and wildlife, especially the walk at Mount Field followed by close-up encounters at Bonorong. I also like that the tour ends with two very different views, Richmond’s historic streets and Mount Wellington’s broad outlook over Hobart.

The trade-off is time. Four stops make a full day, but they can feel brisk, and Mount Wellington’s summit is weather dependent. If you want long walks, a leisurely lunch or hours at the sanctuary, this is not the right pace.

• Russell Falls is the woodland highlight: Walk beneath tall trees and through fern forest at Mount Field National Park, with time for the Horseshoe Falls or tree walk depending on the day’s plan.
• Bonorong brings you close to native animals: Meet Tasmanian devils and other sanctuary animals, then hand-feed kangaroos.
• Richmond is more than a lunch stop: Its historic streets and Australia’s oldest bridge make for a pleasant change of pace, though time there may be limited.
• Mount Wellington moves with the weather: The guide may schedule the summit early or late, and fog or strong wind can limit the views.
• One day, four distinct stops: The shared tour includes transfers, entry fees and a guide, making it useful if you have limited time in Hobart.
• Pack for changing conditions: Meals are not included, the Tasmanian sun can be strong, and mountain weather can turn quickly.

A full day from Hobart, with four different moods

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This is a practical way to get beyond Hobart in a single day. You travel through the Derwent Valley to Mount Field, visit Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, pause in Richmond and finish at Mount Wellington. Each stop offers a different reason to leave the city: a waterfall walk, animal encounters, a historic town and a high viewpoint.

The order can change to suit conditions, especially at Mount Wellington. That flexibility matters. The summit is exposed to weather, so a clear morning may be better than a cloudy afternoon, and the guide can adjust the sequence rather than treating the schedule as fixed.

Expect a full day, with pickup between 7:30 and 7:50 am and a return to Hobart around 4:50 pm. The tour group can include up to 20 people. You’ll spend a good deal of the day travelling between stops, but the transfers also save you from arranging transport to several places that sit well outside central Hobart.

👉 See our pick of the 12 Best Tours In Tasmania

Mount Field and the walk to Russell Falls

The day’s first major stop is Mount Field National Park, reached by a scenic drive along the Derwent River and through the valley. At the park, the main walk leads to Russell Falls, a well-known cascade framed by tall forest and lush ferns. The walk is one of the tour’s most rewarding parts if you enjoy quiet woodland and the feel of a national park more than a quick roadside photo.

There may also be time for the tree walk or the route to Horseshoe Falls. The exact walking plan can depend on the day’s schedule, so don’t count on having hours to roam. This is a guided visit with a set amount of time, not a long independent hike.

Wear walking shoes you’re comfortable using on a forest path, and bring a layer that can handle rain or a chill. Tasmania’s weather changes quickly, and the tour runs in all conditions. A raincoat can make a wet walk perfectly manageable, while a sunny day calls for a hat and sunscreen.

The stop offers a good sense of how different the countryside around Hobart can feel. The city is not far away, but here the focus shifts to water, trees and ferns. If you’re choosing this tour mainly for scenery, give Mount Field the attention it deserves rather than treating it as a quick warm-up before the animals.

Bonorong: devils, wombats and hand-fed kangaroos

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is the day’s most direct encounter with Tasmanian wildlife. The guided visit includes information about the sanctuary and a chance to meet Tasmanian devils. Wombats and koalas are also part of the animal experience, and you can hand-feed kangaroos.

The kangaroos are a particularly appealing stop if you want to do more than watch from behind a fence. Feeding them gives you an easy, memorable interaction, though the animals may be full or uninterested at any particular moment. Enjoy the encounter without expecting every kangaroo to pose for the perfect photograph.

Bonorong is worth seeing, but time can feel short if you want to linger at each enclosure. The tour covers four attractions in one day, so the sanctuary visit is not a slow, self-paced afternoon. If you’re especially keen on wildlife, you may want to spend more time here on a separate visit, or look at other wildlife-focused options around Hobart.

The guide’s role can add useful context to the visit and the drive. The operator’s guides vary; names mentioned on this tour include Brett, Jared or Jarrod, Paul, Gary, Hans and Simon. The experience may be more commentary-rich with one guide than another, so don’t assume a particular guide is guaranteed.

Richmond: a historic pause and a chance to eat

Richmond brings a different kind of interest after the forest and sanctuary. It’s a small historic town with streets of old buildings and a relaxed feel. The stop is also a natural place to get lunch, and the town is known for Tasmanian scallop pies.

The timing of lunch can vary, so a pie is something to hope for rather than plan your whole day around. If the stop falls outside a shop’s opening hours or the popular food sells out, you’ll be glad you brought something with you. Meals and drinks are not included, and the tour recommends packing food.

Leave a little room to see the bridge as well as eat. Richmond is home to Australia’s oldest bridge, an appealing photo stop with a different character from the broad mountain views later in the day. Still, Richmond can function mostly as a lunch break on a packed schedule. If you want to browse slowly, this tour may not give you enough time.

I’d treat Richmond as a short, pleasant interlude rather than the day’s main event. It’s an opportunity to stretch your legs, take in the architecture and try a local specialty if the timing works.

Mount Wellington: big views, if the clouds allow

Mount Wellington is the dramatic finish when conditions cooperate. From the summit, the outlook can stretch over Hobart and the surrounding area, making it a fine way to see the city in context after a day spent in forest and small-town streets.

The summit stop is weather dependent. Fog, wind or poor conditions can obscure the view or affect whether the tour goes up at all. In some cases, the guide may visit the mountain early rather than leave it until the end. That means the day’s order may shift, so stay flexible and keep warm clothing close at hand.

Even when the summit is cold or cloudy, the drive up is part of the experience. But if a clear panorama is the main reason you’re booking, remember that no tour operator can promise mountain weather. A recent spell of bad weather can turn the view into a wall of cloud; a bright day can make it the standout stop.

What the price includes, and where the value lies

The supplied prices show a starting figure of $152.89, while the join-in package is also shown from US$132.95. The amount you see can depend on the booking currency and option, so check the final price before paying. Admission to attractions, a professional English-speaking guide, live commentary and round-trip transfers are included.

That bundle is useful because Mount Field and the other stops are not all within easy reach of central Hobart. If you don’t have a car, the tour takes the planning and driving off your hands. For a day that combines a national park, wildlife sanctuary, town and mountain, the price can represent good value, especially if you want several different experiences rather than a single long visit.

The value is less compelling if you have a car and prefer to set your own pace. You could give more time to the forest, sanctuary or Richmond on your own, instead of fitting them into one shared schedule. The tour is best understood as a convenient sampler, not an exhaustive visit to each place.

Food and beverages are extra, so bring a packed lunch or plan to buy food in Richmond. There is no baggage storage during the tour. Pack only what you need for the day, including a water bottle, sunscreen, a hat and a camera.

Pickup, weather and other useful details

Pickup covers seven central Hobart meeting points, with scheduled times from 7:30 to 7:48 am. You’ll be asked to choose the closest option to your accommodation, and the operator will confirm the exact time in advance. Since this is a shared transfer, the vehicle may arrive a little early or late. Be at your stop a few minutes ahead.

On Sundays, anyone assigned to the Allurity Hotel pickup should meet at the Vibe Hotel instead because of a farmers’ market road closure. If you’re unsure which point applies to your accommodation, confirm it with the operator before the tour.

Dress for more than one kind of weather. The mountain can be cold and windy while lower stops feel warmer, and rain is possible at any time of year. The Tasmanian sun can also be harsher than you expect, so bring sunscreen even if the morning starts cool.

This activity is not wheelchair accessible. The Mount Field stop includes walking, and there is no luggage storage on the vehicle, so it’s sensible to leave suitcases at your accommodation.

Who should book this Hobart day tour?

This is a strong choice if you have one open day in Hobart and want a broad introduction to the area without hiring a car. It suits people who enjoy nature, wildlife and scenic drives, and who are content with a short visit at each stop. Families and first-time visitors may appreciate the variety, though the walking and long day still call for comfortable shoes and a little stamina.

It’s a weaker fit if you want a slow national park hike, extensive time with animals, a guaranteed summit view or a relaxed meal in Richmond. Weather and timing are real parts of the deal. Book it for the range and convenience, not for hours at any one place.

I’d choose this tour if I wanted to see the highlights beyond Hobart in one manageable day, especially Russell Falls and the kangaroos at Bonorong. If either the sanctuary or Mount Field is your main priority, consider giving that stop its own day instead.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The listed schedule runs from an early morning pickup between 7:30 and 7:50 am to a return to Hobart around 4:50 pm. Traffic and weather can change the timing.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available at seven meeting points covering much of central Hobart. The operator confirms your exact pickup time before departure.

Is Mount Wellington guaranteed?

No. The summit visit depends on the weather. The guide may go up early or late in the day, and poor conditions can affect the visit.

Are meals included?

No. Meals and beverages are not included. Bring your own food or plan to buy lunch in Richmond.

What animals can I see at Bonorong?

The tour includes a chance to meet Tasmanian devils and hand-feed kangaroos. Wombats and koalas are also part of the sanctuary visit.

What should I bring?

Bring walking shoes, a water bottle, sunscreen, a cap or hat, a camera and clothing suited to the day’s weather. Rain and cold conditions are possible.

How many people can join the tour?

The group size is listed as one to 20 participants.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The activity is listed as not wheelchair accessible.