Day Tour in Mt. Field, Mt. Wellington, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Richmond

Tasmania packs a surprising amount into this day: rainforest, wildlife, colonial-era Richmond, and high mountain views. You can walk beneath mossy forest at Russell Falls in the morning, feed kangaroos at Bonorong, then finish above Hobart on kunanyi/Mount Wellington.

I like the small-group limit of 20, which keeps the minibus personal, and I like the range of scenery along the Derwent River and through the countryside. The tradeoff is a fair amount of road time, especially on the way to Mount Field, and weather may hide the summit view.

Four things to know before you book

• Russell Falls gives you a real forest walk: The 90-minute Mount Field stop includes entry and time to see one of Tasmania’s best-known waterfalls.
• Bonorong is hands-on wildlife viewing: You may feed kangaroos and see Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, and possibly a white wallaby.
• The day covers four very different places: You get nature, native animals, a historic town, and a mountain summit without arranging separate transport.
• kunanyi can be cold and cloudy: Bring layers, gloves, or earmuffs even when Hobart feels mild.
• Lunch is not included: Richmond offers a sensible place to buy a meal, including Tasmanian scallop pies and other local produce.
• The guide shapes the day: Guides such as Brett, Jarrod, Hans, Gerard, Jo, and Gary have led departures, with strong praise for local stories and wildlife knowledge.

Why this Hobart day trip works

At $128.39 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Hobart area. It is a good value if you do not have a car and want to combine four separate outings in one day. The fee includes selected hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, Russell Falls entry, and Bonorong entry.

You are also paying for the route planning. Mount Field, Bonorong, Richmond, and kunanyi are spread around Hobart, so reaching all four by public transport would be awkward and time-consuming. A nine-hour trip gives you a broad first look at southern Tasmania, though it cannot offer the long walks or slow meals you would get by visiting each place on its own.

The group is capped at 20 people. That is small enough for a more relaxed feel than a large coach, but it is still a shared outing. You will follow a fixed schedule, and the amount of time at each stop is limited. One departure was described as a little rushed, so if you want several hours in the forest or a long Richmond lunch, choose a private trip or self-drive instead.

Russell Falls and Mount Field National Park

Mount Field is the first national park established in Tasmania, and it supplies the most peaceful part of the day. The tour allows about 90 minutes here, including admission to the Russell Falls area.

The walk through the forest is the point. Expect tall trees, mossy ground, cool air, and a waterfall reached by an easy route. The forest setting gives Russell Falls its appeal. It is not simply a quick roadside photo stop, so wear shoes suitable for a damp walking track.

This is also the stop most likely to make you wish you had more time. Mount Field has longer walks and more scenery beyond Russell Falls, but this tour is designed to give you a taste rather than a full national park day. If rainforest and waterfalls are your main reason for coming to Tasmania, the limited stop may feel brief.

The drive out from Hobart is part of the experience. You pass countryside and agricultural areas, and the guide may fill the road time with stories about Tasmanian wildlife, geology, and local history. Guides Brett and Hans were especially praised for explaining the natural setting and keeping the longer drives interesting.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and native animals

Bonorong gives you a close look at animals that can be difficult to spot in the wild. The visit lasts about 90 minutes and admission is included.

The sanctuary is built around wildlife care, and the visit is particularly useful for families or anyone with limited time in Tasmania. You may see Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, ducks, and other native animals. Feeding kangaroos is one of the memorable parts of the stop, and it gives children a direct connection with the animals rather than just a distant view through fencing.

Do keep expectations realistic. Bonorong is a small sanctuary, not a huge zoo, and animals do not perform on demand. Daylight hours may make some creatures less active, and seeing a particular Tasmanian devil or baby wombat is never guaranteed. One person found the sanctuary smaller than expected, while others valued its clear information and close animal encounters.

This is where a strong guide adds real value. Brett has worked in animal support, and the guides have helped explain Tasmania’s wildlife and the problems facing native species. One especially fortunate group spotted a platypus in the wild, but that is a bonus rather than something promised by the tour.

Richmond Bridge, pies, and a change of pace

After the forest and sanctuary, Richmond offers a slower hour and a different side of Tasmania. The stop lasts about 90 minutes, with no separate admission charge.

Richmond is known for its historic setting, old buildings, local produce, and the picturesque Richmond Bridge. You can walk around town, browse, or find lunch. Tasmanian scallop pies are a local specialty, and other food mentioned on this route includes chicken and Camembert pie and slow-cooked lamb with vegetables at Richmond Arms.

This is the least essential stop if you have already spent time in Tasmania’s heritage towns. It can feel modest beside Russell Falls or the summit of kunanyi, and one itinerary description called the town only of marginal interest. Still, the pause matters. You have been in a vehicle and on your feet, and Richmond gives you room to eat, stretch, and explore without a guide talking every minute.

Lunch is not included, so plan to buy your own meal in Richmond. That makes the stop flexible, but you should not assume you have unlimited time for a long restaurant meal. Keep an eye on the departure time.

The summit drive to kunanyi/Mount Wellington

The final major stop is a drive to the summit of kunanyi/Mount Wellington, with about 40 minutes at the top. The mountain gives you broad views toward Hobart and the surrounding area when the weather cooperates.

The summit is a fine finale because it changes the scale of the day. At Russell Falls, you are surrounded by trees. At Bonorong, your attention is on small animals. From the mountain, you can look back over the city and the country you crossed earlier.

The weather is the great variable. One group had clear views, while another reached the summit in fog and saw very little. Light snow and strong wind have also appeared on departures. Tasmania can shift from sunshine to rain quickly, so pack a warm layer even in summer. Gloves, a hat, and several thin layers are more useful than a single heavy coat.

If the summit is clouded over, the drive is not wasted, but your final stop may feel less rewarding. The guide may adjust the timing around conditions, though there is no promise of a clear view. This is the one place where you should let the weather set your expectations.

The guide and the small-group feel

The guide is a major part of this outing because the route includes long drives and several different subjects. You are not just being delivered to four stops. A good guide links the forest, wildlife, farming country, town, and mountain into one day.

Brett is repeatedly singled out for his stories about Tasmania’s flora, fauna, history, and geology. Jarrod is described as a local who grew up in Tasmania and took an active interest in helping people make the most of their visit. Hans, Gerard, Jo, and Gary have also led departures, with praise for clear explanations, careful timing, and adapting to the weather.

The exact guide is not guaranteed, and the tour may be operated by a multilingual guide. That means the tone and amount of commentary can vary. Still, the guide role matters here more than it would on a simple transfer because the road sections make up a large portion of the nine-hour day.

A maximum of 20 people is a useful middle ground. You get the efficiency of shared transport without the scale of a full-size bus. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which is welcome on a long day, though you should still expect a compact touring setup rather than a spacious sightseeing coach.

How the timing feels over nine hours

The listed start time is 7:50 am, and the tour runs for about nine hours. The stops account for roughly five hours:

• Mount Field and Russell Falls: about 90 minutes
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: about 90 minutes
• Richmond: about 90 minutes
• kunanyi/Mount Wellington: about 40 minutes

The remaining time is spent driving between sites and handling pickup and drop-off. That is why the tour feels full but not frantic at most stops. You get enough time to walk to the falls, see the sanctuary, eat or browse in Richmond, and take photographs at the summit.

The route is best understood as an introduction to the region. You will not have time for a long national park hike, a detailed wildlife presentation, or an extended heritage-town visit. If you want to see a wide range of southern Tasmania in one day, the pace is sensible. If you prefer lingering, it is too ambitious.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered at selected hotels, not necessarily every address. Confirm your pickup point when booking. The tour starts early, so it works best on a day when you can give the full morning and afternoon to the excursion.

What to pack and what to expect

Bring a packed lunch or money for food in Richmond, since lunch is not included. Water, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes are sensible choices. Tasmania can look cool at ground level and feel icy at the summit, so pack layers, even during summer.

Sunscreen matters too. A warm day is not required for sunburn, and you may spend time outside at all four stops. A light waterproof layer is useful because the weather can change quickly, especially around the mountain.

The route suits most people who can manage ordinary walks and time outdoors. The information provided says most people can participate, but this is still a full day with vehicle time, walking, and changing conditions. Ask before booking if you need specific mobility arrangements, since no detailed accessibility information is provided.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The experience may also be canceled for poor weather or if the minimum number of people is not met, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this trip if I had limited time in Hobart, did not want to drive, and wanted a broad sample of Tasmania. It is especially good for first-time visitors, families interested in native animals, and people who enjoy a mix of walking, scenery, local food, and short town visits.

I would also choose it early in a Hobart stay. The tour helps you decide which places deserve a longer return visit. Mount Field may tempt you back for a longer walk, while Bonorong can fill the wildlife gap if you have not had luck spotting animals outdoors.

I would skip it if your priority is serious hiking. The Russell Falls stop is appealing, but 90 minutes is not enough for an extended Mount Field outing. I would also skip it if you dislike driving between stops or want complete control over lunch and photography time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want four major Hobart-area sights in one organized day and value transport, entry fees, and a guide more than a slow pace. The $128.39 price is fair for the coverage, especially without a rental car.

Go with modest expectations for Bonorong’s size and the summit weather. Bring warm clothes, sunscreen, walking shoes, and money for lunch. If you do that, this is a practical first look at southern Tasmania, with enough variety to make the long day worthwhile.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a local guide, selected hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, Russell Falls entry, and admission to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Richmond is the lunch stop, with local food such as Tasmanian scallop pies available.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours and starts at 7:50 am.

How many people can join the tour?

The group has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Will I see Tasmanian devils and kangaroos?

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary provides the chance to see Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, and other native animals. You may also be able to feed kangaroos, but sightings of particular animals are not guaranteed.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of travelers is not reached, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.