From Hobart: Mt. Field, Mt. Wellington and Wildlife Day Tour

Mount Field is the star of this day out. The Three Falls Circuit takes you through cool rainforest, fern glades, giant swamp gums, and three very different waterfalls, giving you a real taste of Tasmania beyond Hobart’s streets. I especially like the Tall Trees section and the way the walk mixes easy forest paths with some stairs and short steep bits.

I also like the pairing of Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary with kunanyi/Mount Wellington. You can see a wombat, Tasmanian devil, and kangaroos in one stop, then finish high above Hobart with views over the city and Derwent River. The main drawback is simple: this is a long, active day, and mountain weather can turn cold, wet, windy, or snowy without warning.

Key points at a glance

• Three waterfalls in one forest walk: See Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Lady Barron Falls on a circuit of roughly several hours.
• Tall Trees Trail: Look up at swamp gums reaching about 80 metres above the forest floor.
• Bonorong wildlife stop: Meet Tasmanian animals and take part in an informative session with sanctuary staff.
• A dramatic finish: Reach kunanyi/Mount Wellington at 1,271 metres for broad views over Hobart and the Derwent River system.
• Strong guiding: Guides including Matt, Heather, Lucas, Nicholas, Paris, and Hannah are praised for plant, wildlife, and local knowledge.
• Good value at $130: Park and sanctuary entry, transport, guiding, and interpretive walks are included, but you need to bring lunch.

A full day that shows three sides of Tasmania

This tour works because it combines three experiences that feel quite different. Mount Field gives you rainforest and waterfalls. Bonorong gives you close views of native animals. Mount Wellington gives you a high, open lookout over southern Tasmania.

You leave central Hobart early, at 7:25am, from the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre on Davey Street. The return is planned for about 5:30pm. That makes this a useful choice if you have only one free day for nature, or if you do not want to rent a car and manage country roads, park entrances, and mountain weather yourself.

The group is described as small and friendly, though the exact size can vary. The day is conducted in English, and the guide usually stays involved rather than simply dropping you at each stop. Past guides have included Matt, Heather, Lucas, Nicholas, Paris, Hannah, Clint, and David. The strongest part of the guiding is the attention to plants, trees, local history, and Tasmanian wildlife.

Mount Field: rainforest, ferns, and three waterfalls

Mount Field National Park is about a 1.5-hour drive from Hobart. The change is gradual but clear. City streets give way to thick forest, cooler air, and a much quieter setting.

The main walk is the Three Falls Circuit, with Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Lady Barron Falls linked by forest tracks. Most of the walk is classed as easy, but do not read that as completely flat. You may walk for roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours, with stairs and a few short steeper sections. One guide-led group counted just under 500 steps on the Mount Field portion.

You can take the walk at your own pace, but you still need enough general fitness to stay with the group. If your legs do not like stairs, ask the guide about shortening the route. Russell Falls is the easiest section for a gentler outing, while the complete circuit gives you the fuller experience.

Russell Falls

Russell Falls is the classic Mount Field view. Water drops over rock in three clean tiers, framed by tall trees and thick greenery. It is an easy place to appreciate the park even if you are not keen on a longer walk.

The falls can look quite different depending on the weather. Rain may make the water louder and fuller, and wet conditions can make the forest feel especially moody. The tradeoff is that paths and steps may be slippery, so closed-toe shoes with a good grip are a sensible choice.

Horseshoe Falls

From Russell Falls, the path continues through fern-filled forest to Horseshoe Falls. This waterfall is smaller and more enclosed, with a quieter feel than Russell Falls. It rewards you with a change of mood rather than simply another big viewpoint.

Your guide may point out plant life along the route. That is one reason this tour is more useful than visiting the falls alone. Guides such as Paris and Matt have been praised for explaining local ecology, while others have highlighted the trees and small details that are easy to miss when you walk without context.

Tall Trees Trail

The Tall Trees section is one of my favorite parts of the day. Swamp gums rise roughly 80 metres above you, so the scale is best understood by looking up rather than across. The forest floor can feel calm and enclosed while the trunks disappear into the canopy.

This is also a good section for people who enjoy walking but do not want a demanding mountain hike. It is still part of an active day, but the trail gives you time to slow down, listen, and take in the height of the forest.

Lady Barron Falls

Lady Barron Falls completes the circuit. By this point you will have seen three falls, but the walk has also given you the broader Mount Field experience: fern glades, temperate rainforest, tall trees, stairs, and shifting light.

The forest is often the real reward here. The waterfalls provide clear goals, but the spaces between them make the walk feel complete. If you have brought a camera, allow time for tree trunks, moss, ferns, and the changing look of the stream rather than rushing from one waterfall to the next.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Tasmania’s native animals

After Mount Field, the tour continues to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. This stop changes the pace from forest walking to a more focused look at native fauna.

Entry is included, along with an informative wildlife tour led by sanctuary staff. You might see a wombat and Tasmanian devil, and the experience can include feeding and touching kangaroos. Pademelons have also been spotted during the wider day, though wildlife sightings in a sanctuary and in the national park are not guaranteed in every form.

Bonorong matters because Tasmania’s animals are not always easy to find in the wild, especially during a one-day visit. The sanctuary gives you a dependable chance to learn about species that are rare, distinctive, or difficult to see from a roadside lookout.

I would not treat this as a substitute for seeing animals in the wild. It is a different experience, with staff-led interpretation and closer access. For many people, though, it is the most personal part of the day, particularly when a wombat or Tasmanian devil is nearby.

You should also think about timing. After several hours of walking at Mount Field, Bonorong gives your legs a break, but it adds another substantial stop to an already packed schedule. The day is designed for variety, not for lingering at one place all afternoon.

Kunanyi/Mount Wellington above Hobart

The final major stop is kunanyi/Mount Wellington, rising to 1,271 metres behind Hobart. The summit offers wide views over the city, nearby mountains, and the Derwent River system.

On a clear day, this is a powerful finish. You have spent the morning among trees and waterfalls, then suddenly the view opens out beneath you. It gives you a sense of how Hobart sits within the wider country around it.

The summit is also where you need to take the packing advice seriously. Wind and cold can be sharp, even in warmer months. One winter visit brought rain followed by snow, and part of the mountain was closed, so the group used a lower section instead. That kind of change is not a failure of the tour. It is normal mountain weather, but it means you should bring a warm jacket and clothing suitable for rain.

If clouds cover the top, you may get less of the famous panorama. On the other hand, mist, snow, or low cloud can give the mountain a different character. Your guide may adjust the plan according to conditions, as past guides have done when the summit was not fully accessible.

What the $130 price includes

At $130 per person, the tour is priced as a full-day nature outing rather than a simple sightseeing bus ride. You get transport from Hobart, national park entry, Bonorong entry, a professional guide, and interpretive walks.

That package has real value if you are not hiring a car. You avoid paying separately for fuel, park access, wildlife entry, and the time needed to plan three separate stops. You also get a guide who can explain what you are seeing and help keep the day moving.

The price does not include lunch, drinks, or snacks. Bring your own food and water. This is not a minor detail, since the tour runs from early morning until around 5:30pm and there is no promise of a meal stop in the supplied schedule.

There is also no room for luggage on board, only a day pack. This is aimed at people staying in Hobart for the day, not passengers trying to combine it with an airport transfer. Hotel pickup may be available from selected locations if arranged in advance, but the standard meeting point is the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre.

How hard is the walking?

The tour is active, but it is not presented as a strenuous hiking expedition. Most tracks are easy, with stairs and some short steep sections. The full Mount Field walk can last about three hours, and the exact feel will depend on your pace and the conditions.

You need comfortable closed-toe shoes, a reasonable level of general health, and the ability to walk on uneven forest paths. The tour is not suitable for children under eight or people with mobility impairments.

If you are unsure about the full circuit, speak with the guide at Mount Field. The route to Russell Falls is the gentler option, while the complete circuit adds Horseshoe Falls, Tall Trees, and Lady Barron Falls. You can enjoy the park without forcing yourself through every step, but you should not book this expecting a mostly seated day.

Weather can change the whole character of the tour

Tasmania rewards flexible plans. A sunny morning can give way to rain at Mount Field, and Mount Wellington can be much colder than Hobart. Bring a jacket even if the city feels mild when you leave.

Pack:

• Water and snacks
• A packed lunch
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Warm layers and a waterproof jacket
• Comfortable closed-toe shoes
• A small day pack

Wet weather is not automatically bad news. Rain can make the falls more impressive, and mist can give the forest a darker, quieter mood. But you need clothing that keeps you comfortable when the path is wet and the mountain wind picks up.

The guides make the difference

The strongest feature across this experience is the guiding. Clint has been praised for making the day enjoyable and sharing useful information. Nicholas has been described as attentive and helpful, while Hannah has been noted for her care with the group and her clear explanations.

Matt is a particularly strong fit for visitors interested in plants, wildlife, and changing conditions. Heather has been praised for enthusiasm and local information, and Lucas for explaining plants and animals during the walk. Paris has brought strong ecology knowledge and a lively approach.

That does not mean every moment will suit every person. One past participant found the prepared stories a little too long when the group had little interest, and a speaker system had a technical problem on one small group outing. Those are minor concerns, but they are worth noting if you prefer quiet travel or minimal commentary.

For most people, though, a guide adds genuine value. You can focus on the walk instead of navigation, hear about Tasmania’s plants and animals as you encounter them, and adapt the day when weather or access changes.

Who should book this Hobart day tour?

I would choose this tour if you have one free day in Hobart and want a broad introduction to Tasmania’s natural side. It suits people who like short walks, waterfalls, wildlife, scenic lookouts, and useful commentary without arranging a rental car.

It is also a good fit for solo visitors and couples who want company for a full day outdoors. The small-group format should make it easier to ask questions and keep track of the group on the forest paths.

I would think twice if you want a slow day, dislike stairs, need a guaranteed meal stop, or are hoping to spend most of the time at one location. The itinerary covers a lot, and the reward for that variety is a fairly early start and a late return.

Cancellation is flexible enough for weather planning: you can cancel up to two days in advance for a full refund. Still, mountain conditions can change on the day, so bring proper clothing rather than relying on a forecast from Hobart alone.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from?

The standard meeting point is the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at 20 Davey Street, Hobart. Pickup is at 7:25am, and you should arrive five minutes early.

When does the tour return to Hobart?

The tour returns to the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at about 5:30pm.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals, drinks, and snacks are not included, so bring enough food and water for the full day.

How much walking is involved?

The tour includes the Three Falls Circuit at Mount Field. Most sections are easy, but expect stairs and some short steep parts. The Mount Field walk may take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under eight are not permitted on this tour.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour requires walking on forest paths and stairs and is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What happens if Mount Wellington has poor weather?

The summit may be affected by wind, rain, snow, mist, or closures. The guide may use a lower section if the summit is not fully accessible, so bring warm, weather-appropriate clothing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want three very different Tasmanian experiences in one day: a proper rainforest walk, close contact with native animals, and a high lookout above Hobart. At $130, the included transport, entries, and guiding make it good value for a visitor without a car.

Skip it if you need a gentle, flexible day or cannot manage several hours of walking. For everyone else, bring lunch, wear sturdy shoes, pack more warmth than you think you need, and leave room in your day for the weather to make the experience its own.