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

Mt Field’s rainforest walk and Russell Falls give this day trip its best opening, while Bonorong brings you close to kangaroos and Tasmanian Devils. The route then folds in old Richmond and the high views of Mt Wellington, giving you a broad taste of Tasmania without hiring a car.

I like the way the tour mixes wildlife and scenery instead of spending the whole day in one park. I also like the guides’ strong local knowledge, especially Brett’s former zookeeper background and Gary’s lively history and wildlife stories. The main consideration is pace: nine hours covers a lot, so Richmond and the mountain may feel brief if you want long walks or extensive shopping.

• Russell Falls and tall trees: Walk through fern forest and huge trees to one of Mt Field’s signature waterfalls.
• Bonorong wildlife: Hand-feed kangaroos and see Tasmanian Devils, wombats, echidnas, and other Tasmanian animals.
• Weather-dependent Mt Wellington: The summit can bring clear views, cloud, rain, snow, or strong wind.
• Richmond’s old streets: Enjoy a short break among historic buildings, cafés, shops, and local products.
• Guides who add real context: Brett, Jarrod, Gary, Scott, and others bring stories about animals, settlement, plants, and Hobart.
• A practical Hobart day out: Hotel pickup, transport, entry fees, and drop-off are covered for $126 per person.

Why this Hobart day trip works so well

Tasmania is not a small place in terms of what you can see in one day. From Hobart, Mt Field, Bonorong, Richmond, and Mt Wellington point in different directions and offer very different experiences. This tour links them without asking you to plan roads, park entrances, or driving times yourself.

That is the main appeal. In nine hours, you get a waterfall walk, a wildlife sanctuary, a country town, and a mountain lookout. You will not explore each place at great length, but you will come away with a useful sense of the area around Hobart.

The tour has earned a 4.8 rating from 722 reviews, and the praise is notably consistent about the guides. Brett is often singled out for his animal expertise, with his former zookeeper experience adding depth at Bonorong. Jarrod is praised for his local history and practical suggestions, while Gary, Scott, and others are described as friendly, funny, and attentive.

The guide matters here because much of the day happens from the bus window. A good guide turns the drive through the Derwent Valley into part of the experience, pointing out local details and explaining Tasmania’s plants, animals, and settlement story.

A morning through Mt Field National Park

The first major stop is Mt Field National Park, reached after roughly 75 minutes by bus. The route passes through the Derwent Valley and by Australia’s oldest operating pub before reaching the forest.

The walk to Russell Falls takes about an hour and a half in total. You pass under large tree canopies and through fern-filled woodland, with the sound of freshwater becoming more noticeable as you approach the falls. The forest is the real star here. Russell Falls is lovely, but the walk gives you the feeling of entering a cooler, quieter part of Tasmania.

Some outings focus only on a quick photograph at the waterfall. This one allows enough time to appreciate the track and nearby forest. Several guides also include Horseshoe Falls and the Tall Trees area when conditions and timing allow. The tall trees are a particular highlight for many people, especially if you have not seen Tasmania’s giant forest growth before.

You should wear shoes with a firm sole. The walk has been described as strenuous by at least one person, even though many people find it manageable and well timed. The supplied information calls for comfortable shoes and water, and both are sensible. Rain can make forest paths slick, while the weather at Mt Wellington later in the day may be cold even when Hobart feels mild.

This stop suits you best if you enjoy a real walk rather than only roadside viewpoints. It is not an all-day hike, but you should be comfortable walking through a forest and up or down a track.

New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley drive

After Mt Field, the bus follows the freshwater back toward New Norfolk. This stretch gives the guide room to explain the area’s past and local character.

New Norfolk is mainly a short pause to stretch and get something to eat. Food and drinks are not included, so you should budget for your own meal or snack. The stop is useful after the forest walk, but do not expect an extended town tour. Its value comes from breaking up the driving and adding context to the valley.

The scenery also changes your sense of Tasmania. Mt Field feels wooded and remote, while the valley is more settled and open. This contrast is one reason the full route works better than a trip built around only one attraction.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and close animal encounters

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is the most interactive stop of the day. You have about an hour and a half for the sanctuary, including a guided component and free time.

The headline experience is hand-feeding kangaroos. This is especially appealing for families and anyone visiting Australia for the first time, since you can get close to animals you might otherwise see only at a distance. Bring water and comfortable shoes, and follow the sanctuary’s instructions around the animals.

Tasmanian Devils are another major reason to include Bonorong. The sanctuary gives you a chance to learn about these unusual animals and the work involved in caring for rescued wildlife. The visit can also include close views of wombats, echidnas, and frogs, depending on what is active and available during your time there.

The guides are particularly strong at this stop. Brett’s animal background has made the sanctuary a highlight for many people, and his explanations cover more than the familiar kangaroos and devils. You may hear about padamelons, quolls, the Tasmanian Tiger, and the less polished local nickname turbo chicken for the Tasmanian Native-hen.

One practical point is worth knowing. You are not required to remain with the sanctuary employee for every minute of the visit. You can have some time to walk around independently, so listen carefully at the start and use the free time to see the animals that interest you most.

Bonorong is not a wild encounter. It is a managed wildlife sanctuary, and the animals are there because of care and conservation work. That makes it a good place to learn about Tasmanian species, but you should not expect the same setting as a national park.

Richmond’s old streets and a well-placed break

Richmond comes after Bonorong, only about 15 minutes away by bus. You have roughly an hour and a half to walk around, shop, eat, and look at the town’s old buildings.

This is a pleasant change of pace. After the forest and sanctuary, Richmond offers streets that are easy to explore on foot, along with cafés, scones, and local products. It is a place to slow down rather than tick off a single major sight.

The time is enough for a walk and a bite, but it may not satisfy you if you want to study every building or browse every shop. One useful way to handle the stop is to choose your priority before leaving the bus. You might focus on architecture, a café, or local shopping, but doing all three at length could be difficult.

Richmond also adds the historical side of the tour. The day is not only about animals and views. Your guide can connect the town to British settlement and explain how Tasmania developed beyond Hobart.

Mt Wellington and the weather gamble

The final major stop is Wellington Park, where you have about 45 minutes for photographs and mountain views. The summit timing changes based on cloud cover. It may come early in the morning or late in the afternoon, depending on the day’s conditions.

This flexibility is sensible because Mt Wellington can change quickly. On a clear day, you may see broad views over Hobart and the surrounding area. On another day, cloud may cover the summit, rain may arrive, or snow may turn the visit into a cold but memorable stop.

Several people have encountered snow, rainbows, strong winds, or very cold conditions. One person found the mountain disappointing because of bad weather, while others described the combination of snow and clear views as a high point. That is the honest bargain at Mt Wellington: the view can be superb, but no tour operator can control the summit.

Pack an extra warm layer even if Hobart looks sunny at pickup. The summit can feel entirely different from the city below. If you have limited mobility or dislike cold, windy conditions, keep your expectations flexible and treat the stop as a weather-dependent bonus rather than the sole reason to book.

The 45-minute visit is enough for photographs and a short look around. It is not designed for a long mountain walk. The tour gives you access to the high viewpoint without requiring you to drive the steep road yourself, which is a worthwhile benefit for many people.

Transport, timing, and the $126 price

The tour costs $126 per person and lasts about nine hours. That price includes transport, a local English-speaking guide, entry to Russell Falls, and entry to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Food and drinks are extra.

The value is strongest if you do not have a car or only have a short stay in Hobart. Bonorong admission and transport alone would add to the cost of an independent day, and you would also need to plan the route between Mt Field, Richmond, and Mt Wellington. The guide’s commentary adds another layer that you would miss by driving yourself.

The bus ride is part of the trade-off. The vehicle has been described as comfortable, though one person found the legroom tight. You will spend several hours travelling between stops, so bring water and settle in for a full day on the road.

Pickup is offered from seven central Hobart locations, including the Grand Chancellor Hotel, Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, Travelodge Hobart, Vibe Hotel, Allurity Hotel, Hobart Tower Motel, and 64 St Georges Terrace. Pickup times run from about 7:30 to 7:50 in the morning, and you should arrive a few minutes early.

There is one Sunday detail: Allurity Hotel guests should meet at the Vibe Hotel at 7:45 because of a farmers market road closure. Drop-off returns you to the listed central Hobart points.

The pace is generally relaxed, but the route is ambitious. You get enough time to experience every stop, not enough time to become an expert in each one. That is a fair exchange for the range of sights.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this trip to first-time Hobart visitors who want to cover several major sights in one day. It also suits couples, families, solo visitors, and anyone who would rather listen to a local guide than manage a long driving day.

Wildlife fans should pay special attention to the guide assigned to the departure. Brett has a former zookeeper background, and his animal talks can add a great deal to Bonorong. Gary, Jarrod, Scott, and other guides have also been praised for combining local stories with easy conversation.

This is less suitable if you want a serious hike, long time in Richmond, or a full day at Mt Field. It is also not ideal if you need complete control over the schedule. The route has to keep moving so that all four main stops fit into one day.

The tour works particularly well early in a Hobart stay. You can use the guide’s suggestions to plan later outings, including local walks and other places around the city. One guide even suggested a route along the Rivulet where a platypus might be seen, followed by Cascade Brewery. That sort of local advice can be as useful as the formal sightseeing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a wide sample of southern Tasmania without renting a car. Mt Field supplies the strongest forest walk, Bonorong delivers the most hands-on wildlife, Richmond adds an attractive historic pause, and Mt Wellington provides the big view when the weather cooperates.

Skip it if you prefer slow travel or want to spend a full day in one national park. The day is busy, and the mountain is never guaranteed to be clear.

At $126, the combination of admission fees, hotel pickup, transport, and a guide makes good sense for a short Hobart visit. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and warm clothing for the summit. If you accept the full-day pace and the weather gamble, this is one of the most efficient ways to see the natural and cultural highlights around Hobart.

FAQ

How long does the Hobart tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours, including transport between Hobart, Mt Field, Bonorong, Richmond, and Mt Wellington.

What is included in the price?

The $126 price includes transportation, pickup and drop-off from selected Hobart locations, an English-speaking local guide, entry to Russell Falls, and entry to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and allow extra money for food during the break near New Norfolk or in Richmond.

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 see and learn about Tasmanian Devils.

Is the Mt Wellington visit guaranteed to have clear views?

No. The timing depends on cloud cover and weather. The summit may be clear, cloudy, rainy, snowy, or very windy.

Where can I be picked up in Hobart?

Pickup is available from seven listed locations, including the Grand Chancellor Hotel, Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, 64 St Georges Terrace, Travelodge Hobart, Vibe Hotel, Allurity Hotel, and Hobart Tower Motel. On Sundays, Allurity Hotel guests meet at the Vibe Hotel instead.