Hobart: Waterfalls, Wilderness & Wildlife – Active Day Tour

Tasmania’s wild side starts outside Hobart. This 12-hour small-group outing packs Mount Field National Park, three waterfall walks, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, and kunanyi/Mt Wellington into one long day. I like the mix of serious forest walking and close wildlife encounters, and I like that park and sanctuary admission fees are already covered. The main catch is fitness: the waterfall circuit includes a long stair climb, so this is more active than the gentle wording may suggest.

You leave Hobart at 7:30 am and return to the same meeting point at 20 Davey Street. Guides such as Hannah, Carl, Paris, and Ben have been praised for clear explanations and good time control. Still, you will need to buy your own lunch at a bakery stop, and poor weather can force a change of date or a full refund.

Key points before you book

• Three waterfall walks at Mount Field: Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and the Tall Trees section are the heart of the day.
• Around 400 uphill steps: The final climb in the national park can be strenuous, even for reasonably fit walkers.
• Bonorong includes Tasmanian wildlife: You may see Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, and pademelons.
• A full southern Tasmania sampler: Forest, waterfalls, wildlife, and high mountain views all fit into one outing.
• Small groups of up to 20: The group size is limited, with a professional guide and interpretive walks included.
• Lunch is not included: You stop in a regional town to buy bakery food and snacks for the day.

Why this day trip works so well from Hobart

Hobart is surrounded by excellent natural sights, but they are spread out. Mount Field National Park is about 1.5 hours from the city, Bonorong is in another direction, and kunanyi/Mt Wellington rises behind Hobart. Seeing all three without hiring a car takes careful planning.

That is the real value of this tour. You are not simply paying for a ride between attractions. You are paying for a full route, a driver-guide, admission fees, and someone else handling the timing. The itinerary is busy, but it avoids the usual problem of spending a whole day on one attraction and missing everything else.

I especially like the contrast between the stops. Mount Field gives you cool rainforest, water, and big trees. Bonorong changes the mood completely, with native animals and staff-led interpretation. The summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington then gives you a broad view over Hobart and southern Tasmania.

The day lasts about 12 hours, so this is not a casual half-day outing. You will spend plenty of time on the road, but the drives create a useful rhythm: walk, ride, see animals, ride again, then finish above the city.

Mount Field National Park: the main event

The first major stop is Mount Field National Park, one of Tasmania’s oldest national parks. The park includes temperate rainforest, alpine moorland, waterfalls, and tall swamp gums. For this tour, the forest walks are the main attraction.

The park portion is listed at about five hours, although that time covers several connected activities. You start with Russell Falls, continue to Horseshoe Falls, and then enter the Tall Trees section of the Three Falls Circuit. It is a substantial visit, not a quick photo stop.

Bring shoes with a good grip. The tracks are described as easy and enjoyable in places, but the full walk is more demanding than a short stroll. Several people found the stairs tiring, with one account describing the final section as about 400 steps straight uphill. That detail matters more than the broad label of a reasonable fitness level.

You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking for around two hours and climbing repeated stairs. If you have limited mobility, ask the operator for current details before booking. The tour is designed for active participants, and the group will keep moving to fit the rest of the day.

Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls

Russell Falls is the first waterfall walk and the most famous cascade in the park. Its water drops through three levels in a forest setting, making it an easy place to understand why it is one of Tasmania’s best-known natural sights.

The walk to Russell Falls takes about 45 minutes. It is short enough to feel accessible, but you should not treat it like a quick roadside stop. The forest track, mixed trees, and damp air are part of the appeal. Take your time with photographs, but listen closely for the guide’s instructions because the group has several more stops ahead.

Horseshoe Falls comes next. The route climbs stairs beyond Russell Falls, leading to a waterfall tucked farther into the forest. Some people prefer Horseshoe Falls because it feels quieter and less immediately familiar than Russell Falls.

This is also where the tour’s active character becomes clear. The 30-minute stop may sound brief, but the stairs add effort. Save some energy for the Tall Trees section instead of treating the first waterfall as the whole hike.

Small animals can add a pleasant surprise. Pademelons have been spotted around the park, and they are easy to miss if you rush. Keep your eyes low as well as high, and follow the guide’s advice about observing wildlife without disturbing it.

Tall Trees and the Three Falls Circuit

The Tall Trees Track is the most distinctive part of the forest walk. Here, giant swamp gums rise roughly 80 metres above the ground. They are described as the world’s tallest flowering plant, a useful reminder that Tasmania’s forests are not simply attractive scenery. They are also places of unusual scale and ecological importance.

I like this section because it gives the walk a stronger sense of purpose. Russell Falls is the famous image, but the tall trees show you why the park deserves several hours. Look up often. The best impression comes from comparing your size with the trunks and canopy rather than trying to capture everything in one photograph.

The route is rewarding, but the tour is not designed for dawdling. You have Bonorong ahead, then the mountain summit, so the guide must keep the group on schedule. Carl is specifically praised for managing a large amount of activity in one day, while Hannah is praised for explaining the walk clearly.

The most useful tip is simple: wear proper walking shoes, carry water, and do not spend all your energy at Russell Falls. The forest is the active core of the trip, and the stairs are the part most likely to catch you off guard.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Tasmania’s native animals

After Mount Field, the tour continues to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for about two and a half hours. Admission is included, and an informative wildlife tour with sanctuary staff is part of the visit.

This stop adds animals you may not see in the wild. The focus includes Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, and other native species. One especially enjoyable element is the chance to feed kangaroos. You might also see pademelons, depending on the day and the animals’ activity.

Bonorong is valuable because it gives you context for Tasmania’s unusual fauna. The sanctuary is not just a place to collect animal photographs. Staff explain the rare and vulnerable species found in Tasmania, helping you understand why the Tasmanian devil matters and why native wildlife protection is important.

Wild animals do not follow a timetable, of course. You may find some animals resting or hiding, particularly on a quiet or warm day. That is not a fault in the tour, but it is worth setting expectations correctly. Bonorong increases your chance of seeing native animals, but it cannot guarantee a perfect display from every species.

The two-and-a-half-hour allocation gives you time to look around without racing. It also offers a welcome change after the forest climb. If you love animals, this part may be the emotional high point. If your main interest is hiking, you may find the stop a little long, but the staff-led interpretation adds real value.

kunanyi/Mt Wellington: finishing above Hobart

The final major stop is kunanyi/Mt Wellington, reached by a drive of about 60 minutes from Bonorong. At 1,271 metres above sea level, the summit gives you a very different view from the enclosed forest at Mount Field.

You have about 30 minutes at the top. That is enough to take in the views across Hobart and southern Tasmania, though not enough for an extended summit walk. The short visit works well as a finale because it asks little physical effort after the waterfall circuit.

Conditions can change quickly at mountain summits, so bring an extra layer even if Hobart feels mild. The tour information specifically notes that the experience depends on good weather. If the day is canceled for that reason, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The views are a strong reason to keep this tour on your list. One person compared the scenery to the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. That comparison gives you a sense of the broad, high-country feel, though the exact view depends on cloud and visibility.

The guide makes the packed schedule possible

A route this full can become tiring if the guide only handles transport. Here, the included professional guide and interpretive walks are an important part of the experience.

You can expect commentary about Hobart, Tasmania’s forests, local wildlife, Aboriginal culture, and the natural places along the route. Paris is praised for sharing a wide range of information, and another guide, Ben, is credited with patiently explaining unfamiliar English words when needed.

That last point may matter if English is not your first language. The tour is conducted in English, and one participant noted that limited English could make the explanations difficult to follow. Still, the same account described the guide as kind and willing to explain things again.

The names of guides can vary by departure, so do not book solely around meeting one particular person. The broader strength is the guide role itself: keeping the day moving, explaining what you are seeing, and helping you use your limited time well.

Price, lunch, transport, and group size

The listed cost is $132.69 per person. That is a reasonable price for a 12-hour outing that includes national park entry, wildlife sanctuary entry, transport between widely separated sights, a professional guide, and interpretive walks.

Lunch is not included. The group stops at a regional town bakery so you can buy lunch and snacks for the rest of the day. Bring a little extra food if you tend to get hungry after walking, but use the stop as a chance to choose what suits you rather than accepting a fixed meal.

The maximum group size is 20. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach excursion, while still keeping the price below what a private day would cost. A smaller group also helps the guide manage the forest walk and get everyone back together at each stop.

The tour begins and ends at 20 Davey Street in Hobart. A mobile ticket is accepted, and booking confirmation is sent at the time of booking. Check the meeting point carefully because the early 7:30 am start leaves little room for confusion.

Who should book this active Hobart tour?

I would choose this tour if you have one full day in Hobart and want to see several major natural attractions without driving yourself. It is especially good for people who want waterfalls and forest but also want a reliable chance to see Tasmanian animals.

It suits reasonably fit walkers who are happy with a long day. The forest route includes stairs, and the uphill section can be hard. The tour is not the right choice if you want a slow sightseeing day with very little walking.

Families may enjoy Bonorong, particularly the kangaroo feeding and animal encounters, but adults should consider the length of the day and the physical demands of Mount Field. Most participants can take part, but the tour is clearly built around active walking rather than simple transport to viewpoints.

I would also recommend it early in a Hobart visit. The guide commentary can help you get your bearings and learn about the region before you explore independently. Just remember that the weather may affect the plan, especially at kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a busy but well-organized introduction to southern Tasmania, and you are prepared for a real forest walk. The strongest parts are the Mount Field waterfalls, the giant swamp gums, the included Bonorong visit, and the summit views above Hobart.

Skip it if you want a gentle day, a guaranteed animal display, or long periods at each stop. The schedule is full, lunch is extra, and the stairs at Mount Field are the chief warning.

For most active visitors, the price offers good value. You get a broad sample of Tasmania in one day, with the guide doing the driving and time management. I would pack sturdy shoes, water, a warm layer, and enough appetite for a bakery lunch.

FAQ

How long is the Hobart Waterfalls, Wilderness and Wildlife tour?

The tour lasts approximately 12 hours. It starts at 7:30 am and returns to the meeting point at 20 Davey Street in Hobart.

What places does the tour visit?

The tour visits Mount Field National Park, Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, the Tall Trees section of the Three Falls Circuit, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, and kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

Are entrance fees included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. The group stops at a regional town bakery where you can purchase lunch and snacks for the day.

How much walking is involved?

The tour includes waterfall walks and the Tall Trees section of the Three Falls Circuit. The route includes many stairs, and one section has been described as about 400 steps uphill, so a reasonable level of fitness is needed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.