From Hobart: Mt. Field, Mt. Wellington and Wildlife Day Tour

Three very different Tasmanian experiences fit into one day. This Hobart tour takes you from cool rainforest and three waterfalls to close encounters with native animals, then up to kunanyi/Mount Wellington for sweeping views over Hobart and the Derwent River. I especially like the Three Falls Circuit, where fern glades and tall swamp gums make the walk feel far removed from the city.

I also like the guides’ strong local commentary. Guides such as Matt, Heather, Lucas, Paris, Hannah, Nicholas, and Clint have been praised for explaining plants, wildlife, local history, and changing weather conditions. The main consideration is the walking: most of it is easy, but the Mount Field section can take around two and a half to three hours, with stairs and some short steep stretches.

Key things to know before booking

• The Three Falls Circuit includes Russell, Horseshoe, and Lady Barron Falls, plus the Tall Trees Trail.
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary includes an expert-led wildlife visit, with the chance to see Tasmanian devils, wombats, and kangaroos.
• Mount Wellington can be bitterly cold and windy, even when Hobart feels mild.
• The day begins at 7:25am and returns around 5:30pm, making this a full but well-filled outing.
• The $130 price includes both entry fees and guided walks, which makes it good value if you want several major sights without hiring a car.
• This tour suits reasonably fit walkers, but it is not suitable for children under eight or people with mobility impairments.

Why this Hobart day trip works

Tasmania rewards time outdoors, but fitting several major places into one day can be awkward without your own car. Mount Field National Park, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, and kunanyi/Mount Wellington are in different directions from Hobart, so driving, parking, and timing can eat up much of your day.

This guided outing handles the transport and gives each stop a clear purpose. Mount Field provides the forest and waterfalls. Bonorong brings you close to Tasmania’s unusual animals. Mount Wellington finishes the day with a high viewpoint over the region.

The rhythm is good: a long drive first, a proper walk, a wildlife stop, and a scenic mountain visit. You are not simply stepping off a bus at a lookout every hour. The strongest part of the day is the Mount Field walk, which gives you time to notice the trees, moss, ferns, and changing light.

The group size is described as small and friendly. That matters on a forest walk, where a good guide can point out a plant or animal without turning the outing into a large procession. Several guides have also been praised for keeping the group together and adjusting the pace.

The morning drive from Hobart

The meeting point is the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at 20 Davey Street. Pickup is at 7:25am, and you should arrive at least five minutes early because the vehicle leaves promptly.

The drive to Mount Field takes about one and a half hours. It is not the most exciting part of the day, but it gives your guide time to explain the places ahead and the natural setting around Hobart. You will want a small daypack rather than a suitcase, since luggage is not carried on board.

Hotel pickup may be available from selected locations if arranged in advance with the operator. Do not assume it is included automatically. For most people staying in central Hobart, the general meeting point is the simplest option.

Bring breakfast or a snack for the road. Lunch, drinks, and snacks are not included, and this schedule does not leave much room for an extended meal stop.

Mount Field National Park and the Three Falls Circuit

Mount Field is the heart of the tour. The park combines cool temperate rainforest, fern-filled gullies, tall trees, and waterfalls, giving you a very different view of Tasmania from the open spaces around Hobart.

The walk begins with Russell Falls, the park’s best-known cascade. Water drops over rock in a graceful three-tiered formation, and the short approach through the forest is relatively easy. This is the most accessible waterfall stop, so even visitors who do not complete the full circuit can still enjoy a memorable section of the park.

From Russell Falls, the route continues to Horseshoe Falls. This waterfall is quieter and more enclosed by forest, with a softer, more peaceful feel. The path includes stairs, and this is where the walk becomes more active than a simple viewpoint visit.

The circuit then reaches the Tall Trees Trail. Here, towering swamp gums rise as high as 262 feet, or 80 metres. You get a sense of the scale by looking up through the canopy, but the trail also helps you notice the forest floor, where ferns and damp vegetation create a cool, sheltered atmosphere.

Lady Barron Falls completes the circuit. The full walk is commonly described as taking around two and a half to three hours, with roughly six kilometres covered by some groups. One participant counted just under 500 steps on the Mount Field section, so do not treat the word easy as meaning completely flat.

The guide usually walks with the group and explains local plants and wildlife along the way. That added attention is valuable here. Without it, you could admire the waterfalls and trees but miss the small details that make the rainforest feel alive.

You can go at your own pace, but you should have a reasonable level of general fitness. People with sensitive knees or difficulty on stairs may prefer to enjoy Russell Falls and the Tall Trees section rather than push through the entire circuit. Ask your guide about the practical options on the day.

What weather means at Mount Field

Rain is not necessarily bad news in the rainforest. Wet weather can make the waterfalls fuller and more dramatic, and one outing even included a rainbow in front of the falls. Still, rain makes steps slippery and can make several hours outside tiring.

Wear closed-toe shoes with a solid grip. A waterproof jacket is a smart choice, and you should carry a warm layer even in summer. The forest may feel cool, while the mountain at the end of the day can feel genuinely icy.

The guides have earned praise for looking after people in poor weather. One guide, Matt, helped make a rainy and snowy day enjoyable when part of Mount Wellington was closed. Another guide, Nick, was noted for carrying spare raincoats. Those details suggest a useful strength of a guided tour: someone is watching the conditions and helping the group make sensible choices.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: Tasmania’s animals up close

After the forest walk, the tour continues to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Entry is included, as is an informative visit with wildlife staff.

This is more than a quick stop to photograph a koala. The focus is Tasmania’s native fauna, including animals that can be difficult to see in the wild. You may see Tasmanian devils and wombats, and kangaroo feeding is one of the most memorable parts for many people.

The animal encounters are especially useful for visitors who have limited time in Tasmania. You might spot wild animals during the Mount Field walk, such as a pademelon, but there is no guarantee. Bonorong gives you a more reliable chance to see species that are central to the island’s identity.

The visit also adds variety after the long forest walk. You can learn about rare and vulnerable animals from staff who work directly with them, rather than relying only on a guide’s commentary from the bus.

Keep in mind that the sanctuary is not a substitute for seeing wildlife in the wild. It is a managed setting, but it serves a practical purpose: you get close views and useful information in a short amount of time. For families with older children, first-time visitors, and anyone eager to see a Tasmanian devil, this stop is a strong part of the day.

The final climb to kunanyi/Mount Wellington

The day ends at kunanyi/Mount Wellington, which rises to 1,271 metres behind Hobart. The summit provides broad views across the city, the Derwent River system, and the surrounding mountains.

This is a superb final stop because the view gives you geographical context. After seeing forests and animals all day, you can look down and understand how Hobart fits into the wider region.

The mountain is also the least predictable stop. Conditions can change quickly, and the summit may be windy, cloudy, snowy, or partly closed. Several people have specifically warned that it gets extremely cold, while one winter outing reached snow and could only use the lower section.

Pack a warm jacket, hat, and weatherproof layer. Do not judge the temperature by what you feel in central Hobart that morning. Even if the city is comfortable, the summit can be rough and exposed.

When the summit is open, the views can be spectacular. When it is not, a lower section may still provide a worthwhile walk and mountain experience. The operator cannot control the weather, but a good guide can adapt the plan and explain what remains available.

Guides make a real difference

The guide is a major part of this experience. The strongest praise has gone to guides who combine facts with care: Matt’s plant and wildlife commentary, Paris’s ecology knowledge and warm personality, Lucas’s attention during the forest walk, and Heather’s enthusiasm for Tasmania.

You can expect commentary on plants, animals, mountains, and local history during the drive and walks. The best guides do not just recite information. They point out small details, answer questions, keep the group moving, and notice when someone needs a slower pace.

There has been at least one complaint about a weak speaker system and a guide continuing with prepared stories when the group was not especially interested. That is a minor but fair warning: group tours depend on the guide and the mix of people on the bus. Still, the overall pattern is very strong, with a 4.8 rating from 261 reviews.

The English-language format is straightforward. If you are less confident with spoken English, the walking sections may be easier than the longer commentary during the drive.

Is $130 good value?

At $130 per person, this is a reasonable price for a full day that includes transport, Mount Field National Park entry, Bonorong entry, professional guides, and interpretive walks.

The value is strongest if you do not have a rental car. You would otherwise need to arrange transport to three separate areas, pay entry costs, manage mountain weather, and navigate the forest walk yourself. The tour also saves you from driving after a long walk.

It is less compelling if you already have a car and prefer to spend a full day at one place. Mount Field alone can reward a slower visit, and people who dislike fixed schedules may feel rushed by the three-stop format.

The tour also does not include food or drinks, so add the cost of bringing or buying lunch. The practical approach is to pack water, snacks, and a meal before departure.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you have one free day in Hobart and want a broad introduction to Tasmania’s nature. It is particularly good for first-time visitors, solo visitors who do not want to drive, couples, and active adults who enjoy a proper walk but do not want a demanding wilderness hike.

It suits you if waterfalls, forest, wildlife, and high views all sound appealing. The day gives you both close-up experiences, such as ferns and animals, and a wide view from Mount Wellington.

I would think twice if you have mobility limits, struggle with stairs, or want a slow, quiet day. Children under eight cannot join, and the Mount Field walk requires suitable health, footwear, and stamina. You should also be comfortable with an early start and a return around 5:30pm.

Free cancellation is available up to two days before departure for a full refund. That gives you some flexibility, especially when planning around Tasmania’s changeable weather.

Final verdict: a strong one-day introduction to Tasmania

Book this tour if you want to cover three major types of Tasmanian scenery without renting a car. The waterfalls and rainforest are the main event, Bonorong adds reliable wildlife encounters, and kunanyi/Mount Wellington gives the day a memorable finish.

The tradeoff is a long day with some stairs, limited meal planning, and mountain conditions that may change the final stop. Pack food, sturdy shoes, and far warmer clothing than you think you need.

For $130, the combination of transport, entry fees, guiding, and varied scenery makes this one of the more useful day trips from Hobart. You will not see all of Tasmania in a day, but you will get a well-paced taste of its forests, wildlife, and high country.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The general meeting point is the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at 20 Davey Street, Hobart. Pickup is at 7:25am, and the tour returns to the same location around 5:30pm.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts one full day. The drive to Mount Field takes about one and a half hours, with the complete day ending around 5:30pm.

Are park and wildlife sanctuary entry fees included?

Yes. The national park entrance fee and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entrance fee are included in the tour price.

Is food included?

No. Meals, drinks, and snacks are not included. Bring food and water with you for the day.

How difficult is the Mount Field walk?

Most of the walking is classified as easy, but the route includes stairs and some short steep sections. The walk may last two and a half to three hours, and some groups cover about six kilometres.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable closed-toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water, food, snacks, a daypack, a jacket, and clothing suited to the weather. Warm layers are especially important for kunanyi/Mount Wellington.

Can children or people with mobility impairments join?

Children under eight are not permitted, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. A suitable level of general health, fitness, and physical ability is needed.