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

Tasmania packs a surprising amount into this nine-hour Hobart day trip. You move from cool rainforest and waterfalls to rescued wildlife, colonial-era streets, and a mountain summit with wide views over Hobart. It is a good way to see several sides of southern Tasmania without renting a car.

I especially like the Mt Field walk, where Russell Falls and the Tall Trees give the day a proper wilderness start. I also like Bonorong, where hand-feeding kangaroos feels more personal than simply viewing animals behind fences. The main consideration is pace: this is a full day with several stops, and Mt Wellington can be cloudy, windy, snowy, or closed off by poor weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Russell Falls and the Tall Trees: Walk beneath giant ferns and enormous trees in Mt Field National Park.
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: Hand-feed kangaroos and see Tasmanian Devils, wombats, echidnas, and other native animals.
• Weather-dependent Mt Wellington: Expect cold and fast-changing conditions, with the summit visit timed for the best available weather.
• Historic Richmond: Enjoy about 90 minutes for old buildings, cafés, shopping, and a relaxed walk.
• Strong local guiding: Guides including Brett, Gary, Jarrod, Scott, and others add wildlife facts, local stories, and useful Hobart suggestions.
• Good value at $126: Transport, hotel pickup, a guide, Russell Falls access, and Bonorong entry are covered, but food is extra.

Why this Hobart day trip works so well

This outing is built around variety. In one day, you see rainforest, waterfalls, mountains, wildlife, and a historic town. None of the stops gives you enough time to explore every corner, but each gives you a clear taste of a different part of Tasmania.

That balance is the main reason I would consider it for a first visit to Hobart. You do not spend the entire day on a bus heading toward one distant attraction. Instead, the route keeps changing, and the guide fills the driving time with information about animals, plants, settlers, local towns, and the places along the Derwent Valley.

The tour also suits you if you have only a short stay in Tasmania. It does not replace a longer road trip, but it helps you see what deserves more time later. Richmond may inspire a return visit, and Mt Field can easily become the starting point for a longer national park outing.

Early pickup and the drive through the Derwent Valley

Pickup takes place from seven central Hobart locations, including the Grand Chancellor Hotel, the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, Travelodge Hobart, Vibe Hotel, Allurity Hotel, Hobart Tower Motel, and 64 St Georges Terrace. Scheduled pickup times run from 7:30 to 7:48 am, so you need to arrive a few minutes early.

The first drive lasts about 75 minutes. You pass through the Derwent Valley, with the guide pointing out local sights and sharing stories about Tasmania. One detail included along the way is Australia’s oldest operating pub, which gives the drive a useful connection to the region’s early settlement.

This is where the quality of the guide matters. Brett is especially well known for wildlife information, drawing on his former zookeeper background. Other guides, including Gary, Jarrod, Scott, and Hans, have also been praised for combining local history with practical advice and humor. The exact guide depends on the date, but the experience is designed around live commentary rather than a silent transfer.

The vehicle is practical rather than luxurious. One person found the bus a little tight for legroom, so I would not book this expecting a spacious coach. Still, the transport removes the need to navigate unfamiliar roads, and hotel pickup makes the early start simpler.

Mt Field National Park and the walk to Russell Falls

Mt Field is the strongest nature stop of the day. You have about 90 minutes in the park, enough for a rewarding walk to Russell Falls and time among the tall trees.

The route takes you beneath large tree ferns and through forest that feels cool, damp, and distinctly Tasmanian. Russell Falls is the main goal, but the walk itself is just as important. You are not simply stepping off a bus for a quick photograph. You get a short forest experience, with the sound of water and the scale of the trees doing most of the work.

Several people particularly enjoyed the Tall Trees section, and that makes sense. It gives the stop a second point of interest beyond the waterfall. If you like forests, this part may become the highlight of your day.

The walk is generally manageable, but do not treat it as a completely effortless stroll. One person described the hike as strenuous, while others found the length comfortable. The supplied information calls for comfortable shoes, and that is good advice. Wear shoes with a firm grip, bring water, and be ready for wet conditions.

The itinerary allows time for Horseshoe Falls as well as Russell Falls in some visits, but the exact walking experience can depend on the guide, conditions, and group pace. If the weather is wet, the forest may be especially beautiful, though paths can also feel more demanding.

New Norfolk and a useful break in the day

After Mt Field, the route follows the freshwater back toward New Norfolk. This section gives the guide a chance to explain the town’s history and the region’s connection with the river and surrounding country.

You also get time to stretch and buy something to eat. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to spend extra for lunch or snacks. This break matters because the day is long, and the next stops involve walking and standing outdoors.

I like this pause because it keeps the tour from becoming one continuous run of attractions. You can refill your water, have a bite, and reset before the wildlife sanctuary. Still, choices may be limited by the timing of the group, so do not count on a long restaurant meal. A packed snack can be useful.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and close encounters with native animals

Bonorong is the most hands-on part of the day. You spend around 90 minutes at the sanctuary, with time for a guided introduction and independent wildlife viewing.

The star experiences are the Tasmanian Devils and hand-feeding kangaroos. You may also see wombats, echidnas, quolls, frogs, and other native animals. For many people, feeding the kangaroos is the moment they remember most, since it gives you a direct connection with the animals rather than a distant viewing experience.

The sanctuary also helps explain Tasmania’s wildlife in a useful way. Guides have shared facts about animals that many Australians have never encountered closely, including pademelons and quolls. Tasmania’s extinct thylacine, often called the Tasmanian tiger, also enters the wider conversation about the island’s wildlife and conservation story.

You should understand what Bonorong is before you arrive. This is a wildlife sanctuary, not a wilderness safari. The animals are cared for in a managed setting, and the value comes from close viewing, education, and the sanctuary’s rescue work. It pairs well with Mt Field because the morning shows you native habitat, while Bonorong lets you see animals at close range.

Allow yourself a little independence here. The sanctuary includes a guided element, but you can also have free time to walk around. One useful point is to confirm with your guide when you are free to explore on your own, since the exact flow can be easy to misunderstand at first.

Richmond, old streets, cafés, and a slower pace

Richmond comes after Bonorong and takes about 15 minutes to reach. You have roughly 90 minutes in town, enough for a walk, photographs, shopping, and a café stop.

This is a pleasant change from the forest and sanctuary. Richmond offers old buildings and a strong sense of Tasmania’s colonial past, but the town is compact. You can see a great deal on foot without rushing from one major sight to another.

I would use this stop for a relaxed wander rather than trying to complete a long checklist. Look at the old streets, browse local products, and save time for a scone or other café treat. Some people have found Richmond too short for everything they wanted to do, but that is also the tradeoff that makes the full-day route possible.

If you are deciding between this tour and a dedicated Richmond outing, choose the dedicated visit if architecture and town history are your main interests. On this tour, Richmond works best as a charming interlude between Bonorong and Mt Wellington.

Mt Wellington and the reality of Tasmanian weather

The final mountain stop is Wellington Park, where you spend about 45 minutes taking photographs and enjoying the views. Mt Wellington gives you a high viewpoint over Hobart, the Derwent, and the surrounding country when the conditions cooperate.

The order of this stop can change. The operator schedules Mt Wellington for early morning or late afternoon depending on cloud cover and weather. That flexibility is sensible because the summit can change quickly. You might find clear views, thick cloud, rain, snow, strong wind, or even a rainbow within a short period.

Do not dress for Hobart’s waterfront alone. The summit can be freezing, even when the city feels mild. A warm layer and weatherproof jacket are wise, and you should keep your phone or camera secure in strong wind. One visit included snow, while another had mixed weather, clouds, rainbows, and a broad view below. Another person found the mountain disappointing because of poor weather. Both outcomes are normal for this stop.

The 45-minute visit is enough for a summit look and photographs, but not for a long mountain walk. Think of Mt Wellington as a scenic viewpoint, not a hiking excursion. Its success depends heavily on the forecast, so keep your expectations flexible.

Guide quality is a major part of the experience

The route is good, but the guide can determine how much you get from it. The strongest guides on this experience have added far more than basic directions.

Brett has been praised for his former zookeeper experience and his enthusiasm for Tasmanian animals. He has shared facts about flora and fauna, spotted wildlife from the road, and even made a detour to look for platypuses on one occasion. Gary has been valued for his humor and broad knowledge of Hobart and local life. Jarrod has been praised for history, personal attention, and helpful suggestions for places to visit after the tour.

Scott, Paul, Hans, Stann, and other guides have also led trips, with an emphasis on friendly service and clear explanations. You cannot choose the guide with certainty, but you can expect an English-speaking local guide rather than an audio recording.

This personal layer is important during the longer drives. You learn not just what a place is called, but why it matters. You may also get suggestions for later in your Hobart stay, including walks and other local stops.

Price, timing, and who will get the most from it

At $126 per person, the cost is fair for a nine-hour day. Your transport, selected hotel pickup and drop-off, local guide, Russell Falls access, and Bonorong entry are included. You still need to pay for food and drinks, and you may want to budget for café purchases in Richmond.

The value is strongest if you do not have a car or do not want to drive on unfamiliar roads. Separate transport to Mt Field, Bonorong, Richmond, and Mt Wellington could take more planning and may cost more once entry fees are added. The tour also saves you from handling weather changes and route decisions.

The compromise is time. You see many places, but you do not get a full day at Mt Field, a long visit at Bonorong, or a detailed exploration of Richmond. The bus may feel snug, especially for taller passengers, and the day begins early.

I would recommend it for first-time visitors, short stays, couples, families, solo visitors, and anyone who wants wildlife without arranging a car. Children who can manage a forest walk and a full day on the road should find plenty to hold their attention.

I would think twice if you prefer slow travel, long hikes, or extended time at one site. A dedicated Mt Field visit is better for serious walking, while a separate Richmond outing suits anyone focused on buildings, cafés, and local history.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive early at your assigned pickup point. Times are tightly scheduled, and Sunday pickup for Allurity Hotel changes to the Vibe Hotel because of a farmers market road closure.

Wear comfortable walking shoes, carry water, and bring warm clothing for Mt Wellington. The forest can be damp, and the summit can be dramatically colder than Hobart.

Keep some flexibility in your expectations. The mountain visit may shift in the schedule, and cloud can hide the summit view. The tour still offers plenty even when the mountain does not cooperate, thanks to Mt Field, Bonorong, and Richmond.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. That is useful when Tasmania’s weather forecast is still unsettled.

Should you book this Mt Wellington and Mt Field tour?

I would book this trip if I had one or two days in Hobart and wanted a broad introduction to southern Tasmania. The combination of Russell Falls, Tasmanian Devils, kangaroo feeding, Richmond, and Mt Wellington gives you a lot for the price.

Book it with the right expectations: this is a busy but generally relaxed sightseeing day, not a long wilderness expedition. The forest and Bonorong are the most dependable highlights. Mt Wellington is a welcome bonus when the weather opens up, but never make the entire decision around its summit view.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

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

What is included in the price?

The $126 price includes transportation, selected Hobart hotel pickup and drop-off, a local English-speaking 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 plan to buy food during the break or in Richmond.

Can I feed kangaroos?

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

Will the Mt Wellington visit always happen at the same time?

No. The summit visit may take place early in the morning or late in the afternoon, depending on cloud cover and weather conditions.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from seven Hobart 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.