From Hobart: Mt. Field National Park and Russell Falls

Mt. Field National Park gives you a fine change of pace from Hobart: one moment you are following the Derwent River through farmland, and the next you are walking beneath tall forest beside a three-tiered waterfall. The trip also adds Salmon Ponds, where you can feed trout and salmon in handsome parkland.

I like the morning tea and hot drink, which make the Salmon Ponds stop feel like more than a quick photo break. I also like the way the guide’s commentary adds meaning to the giant eucalyptus trees and Tasmanian plants. The main drawback is time: this is a well-packed day, so you get a useful taste of each stop rather than hours to explore any one place.

Key points

• Russell Falls is the star stop: Follow a short, easy walk to one of Mt. Field’s best-known sights.
• Salmon Ponds adds something different: Feed trout and salmon, then enjoy morning tea in English-style gardens.
• The Tall Trees Walk gives the forest scale: Giant eucalyptus trees make this more than an ordinary waterfall visit.
• The Derwent Valley is part of the experience: Farmland, hop fields, and New Norfolk add variety to the drive.
• You have 2.5 hours at Mt. Field: That allows time for the forest walk, Russell Falls, and a simple lunch break.
• Pack for changeable conditions: Comfortable shoes, water, a jacket, sunscreen, insect repellent, and weather-appropriate clothes all make sense.

From Hobart to the Derwent Valley

The tour starts at Brooke Street Pier, inside the Gray Line Day Tours desk at 12 Franklin Wharf. From there, your driver-guide takes you west from Hobart along the shores of the Derwent River.

This first stretch helps you see how quickly Tasmania changes outside the capital. The road moves past farmland before reaching New Norfolk, then continues through the hop fields of Bushy Park. It is a pleasant setup for the day because the trip is not simply a fast transfer to a waterfall. You get a look at the rural country that supports the towns and farms around Hobart.

The coach ride also matters practically. The listed duration is 405 minutes, or 6 hours and 45 minutes, with about 75 minutes allocated to bus travel. You will spend a fair part of the day seated, so this suits you if you prefer an organized outing over arranging several rural connections yourself.

A Short Look Around New Norfolk

New Norfolk is the first stop, with about 15 minutes to look around. It is Tasmania’s third-oldest settlement, and the visit gives you a brief sense of a rural town on the Derwent.

Do not expect a long town tour. Fifteen minutes is enough to stretch your legs and get your bearings, but not enough for a detailed walk through local sights. I see this stop as a useful pause between Hobart and the countryside rather than the main reason to book the trip.

That short timing can still be welcome. You are not locked on the coach for the entire first part of the morning, and the town helps break up the journey before Salmon Ponds.

Feeding Fish at Salmon Ponds

Salmon Ponds is one of the more unusual stops on the route. You can feed trout and salmon at the established hatchery, then walk through its English-style parklands before sitting down for morning tea and a hot drink.

This stop works well because it combines a hands-on activity with a quiet garden setting. Feeding the fish gives children and adults an immediate reason to pay attention, while the grounds offer a calmer change after the drive. The morning tea is included, as is one hot beverage, so you are not expected to buy every small comfort along the way.

You should bring water and any cold drink you want. Water and other cold beverages are not included. If you like to start outdoor walks with a full bottle, pack one before leaving Hobart.

The 45-minute visit is long enough to feed the fish, walk through the grounds, and have the included refreshment. It is not a full morning at the hatchery. You will need to keep an eye on the meeting time so the rest of the tour stays on schedule.

Walking Under Mt. Field’s Giant Eucalyptus Trees

Mt. Field National Park is the central part of the trip, with about 2.5 hours in the park. The walk begins through rainforest and leads toward the Tall Trees Walk, where giant eucalyptus trees give the forest its sense of scale.

This is where the guide’s commentary can make a real difference. One verified booking praised the explanation of Mt. Field because it made the walk among the tall trees more meaningful. That is a useful clue about the tour’s strongest feature: the forest is impressive on its own, but information about Tasmanian flora and fauna helps you notice more than height and shade.

The walk is described as about 1 kilometer on a hardened surface. You should still wear comfortable shoes, but this is not presented as a demanding backcountry hike. The route lets you enjoy rainforest, tall trees, and Russell Falls without committing to a long wilderness trek.

The park entry fee is included, which keeps the $127 price easier to judge. You are paying not just for transport from Hobart, but also for park access, a local driver-guide, live English commentary, Salmon Ponds entry, and morning tea.

Russell Falls and the Three-Tiered Drop

Russell Falls is the visual high point. The path leads to a picturesque three-tiered waterfall framed by Mt. Field’s rainforest.

The stated walk time is 30 minutes, so plan on a short, focused visit rather than a lengthy hike. That works well if you want a classic Tasmanian nature sight without spending an entire day on a trail. You get time to see the falls, take photographs, and enjoy the forest before returning to the coach.

The waterfall is also a good reason to bring a jacket even if Hobart begins with mild weather. The tour specifically recommends weather-appropriate clothing, and Mt. Field conditions can feel different from those in the city. Sunscreen and sunglasses still belong in your day bag, especially during the more open parts of the route.

The walk is on a hardened surface, but the activity still involves about 1 kilometer on foot. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, yet anyone who needs particular mobility arrangements should consider the stated walking distance and surface before booking.

Lunch, Free Time, and the Return to Hobart

After the forest walk, lunch is at your own expense in the park. This detail is easy to overlook when comparing tours. Morning tea is provided, but lunch is not, and cold drinks are also excluded.

You can plan ahead by bringing food, or you can use whatever lunch option is available in the park. The supplied details do not specify a menu or venue, so do not book this trip assuming a full included meal. A packed lunch may give you more control over timing and cost.

Depending on the season, the return journey may include a quick roadside stop for fresh raspberries. This is not guaranteed, but when available it adds a pleasant local-food touch to the day. Keep some flexibility in your expectations because the stop depends on the season.

The tour returns to Brooke Street Pier in Hobart. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour information, while the listed central meeting point is the Gray Line desk inside Brooke Street Pier. Confirm the pickup arrangement when booking if you plan to use hotel collection rather than meet at the pier.

What the $127 Price Gets You

At $127 per person, this trip is best judged as a transport-and-entry package rather than a cheap ride into the countryside. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, a local driver-guide, live commentary in English, Salmon Ponds entry, Mt. Field National Park entry, morning tea, and a hot drink.

Those inclusions remove several small expenses that can add up on an independent day. You do not need to arrange a rental car, pay separate park entry, or find your own route through the Derwent Valley. You also get context about the park’s plants and animals, which is especially useful during the Tall Trees Walk.

The value is less convincing if you want long, quiet time in the national park. The schedule gives you 2.5 hours at Mt. Field, with a 30-minute Russell Falls walk included within that visit, and the whole outing finishes in under seven hours. You see several places efficiently, but you are not choosing your own pace at every stop.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 41 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the natural scenery and the guide’s information about Mt. Field. One booking from September 2025 singled out the guide’s explanation for making the tall-tree walk more meaningful. Another described the national park as nature at its best and particularly enjoyed the setting. Those points match the design of the tour: the guide and the forest are the main reasons to go.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Trip

I would recommend this outing if you have limited time in Hobart and want to see rainforest and a waterfall without planning a full independent excursion. It suits you if you enjoy a mixture of scenic driving, short walks, local stops, and guided explanation.

Families may appreciate the fish feeding at Salmon Ponds and the manageable walk to Russell Falls. The day also gives children several different things to notice, from trout and salmon to hop fields, giant trees, and a waterfall.

It is a good fit for nature lovers who do not want a strenuous hike. The route covers about 1 kilometer on a hardened surface, and the main walking sections are described as leisurely. Still, you should be comfortable spending much of the day moving between stops and following a fixed schedule.

You may prefer another option if your priority is extended hiking, complete independence, or a long visit at New Norfolk. The 15-minute town stop is brief, and the tour divides its time among several attractions. That variety is a strength for some people and a limitation for others.

What to Pack for Mt. Field

Keep your preparation simple but sensible:

• Comfortable walking shoes for the roughly 1-kilometer route
• A jacket and weather-appropriate clothing
• Water, since drinks are not included
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Lunch money or food for the park
• A small bag that keeps your hands free for the walk and fish feeding

The forest can feel cooler than Hobart, and conditions can change during a day that moves from river country to rainforest. You do not need specialist hiking gear based on the stated route, but you should not treat this as a city sightseeing trip either.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Hobart plans are still shifting, but the practical choice still comes down to the schedule, walking distance, and included lunch arrangements.

Should You Book the Mt. Field Tour?

Book it if you want an organized introduction to Mt. Field National Park, Russell Falls, and the Derwent Valley in one day. The combination of a short rural-town stop, fish hatchery, included morning tea, giant eucalyptus trees, and a three-tiered waterfall gives you plenty of variety.

The best reason to choose it is the guided forest walk. The commentary helps turn a quick look at tall trees into a better understanding of Tasmanian plants and wildlife. The main caution is the fixed pace and limited free time, especially if you want to hike farther or linger at Russell Falls.

For a first visit to the Hobart area, I think the $127 price is reasonable because entries, transport, guide service, and morning tea are covered. Bring lunch, water, and a jacket, and you will be prepared for the practical parts of this rewarding country outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is the Gray Line Day Tours desk inside Brooke Street Pier, at 12 Franklin Wharf in Hobart.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour details.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is 405 minutes, or 6 hours and 45 minutes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense in Mt. Field National Park.

Are drinks included?

Morning tea and one hot beverage are included. Water and cold beverages are not included.

How much walking is involved?

The activity involves about 1 kilometer of walking on a hardened surface. The Russell Falls walk is listed as 30 minutes.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live tour guide and commentary are in English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.