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

Tasmania packs a lot into this nine-hour day trip. You move from mossy rainforest and Russell Falls to kangaroos and Tasmanian devils, then on to Richmond’s old buildings and kunanyi/Mt Wellington’s huge views. It is a useful way to see several sides of southern Tasmania without hiring a car.

I like the small-group limit of 20, which keeps the minibus more personal and gives guides such as Brett, Jarrod, Hans and Jo room to explain local wildlife, geology, and history. I also like the variety: forest, animals, country roads, food, and a high mountain summit all arrive in one day.

The main trade-off is time on the road. Mt Field is a worthwhile distance from Hobart, and Richmond is a shorter, gentler stop than the national park or mountain. Mt Wellington can also be wrapped in cloud, wind, or snow, so the final view is never guaranteed.

At a glance: what makes this day useful

• Russell Falls in Mt Field: Walk through cool forest to one of Tasmania’s best-known waterfalls, with entry included.
• Bonorong wildlife: Feed kangaroos and look for Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, and possibly less common animals such as a white wallaby.
• A guide-led day: Brett, Jarrod, Hans, Jo, Gary, and other local guides have been praised for explaining Tasmania’s animals, geology, and past.
• Four very different stops: Rainforest, wildlife sanctuary, colonial-era Richmond, and a mountain summit give the day a broad feel.
• Small shared group: The vehicle carries no more than 20 people, a useful middle ground between a private trip and a large coach.
• Weather matters: Bring warm layers, gloves, and sunscreen. Mt Wellington may be much colder than Hobart, even on a pleasant day.

Russell Falls and the cool forest of Mt Field

The day begins early, with a listed start time of 7:50 am and selected hotel pickup available. The drive out of Hobart follows the Derwent River and opens into farmland and vineyard country. This is not dead time if your guide is in the mood for storytelling. Guides such as Brett and Hans have been singled out for filling the longer drive with Tasmanian history, animal facts, geology, and practical context.

Mt Field National Park is the first major stop, and it earns the generous 1 hour 30 minutes allowed here. Tasmania’s first national park has good visitor facilities, abundant wildlife, tall trees, and several walks. The main reward on this outing is Russell Falls, reached by a manageable forest walk.

The setting is more than a quick waterfall photo. Moss-covered trunks, damp air, and thick greenery give the walk a quiet, cool feel. One person described it as a peaceful break from the road, and that is the right way to approach it. Take your time with the forest, not just the falls.

You should wear shoes suited to a wet woodland path. The supplied information does not give a walking distance or difficulty rating, so anyone needing detailed mobility information should check directly before booking. Most people can take part, but this is a nature stop rather than a coach-side viewpoint.

Mt Field is also the place where the tour can feel most rushed for people who want a longer forest walk. The 90-minute stop gives you enough time for Russell Falls and a taste of the park, but not a full day of exploring. If rainforest is your main reason for visiting Tasmania, you may want a separate Mt Field visit.

Close encounters at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary gives the day its most hands-on stop. Admission is included, and you have about 1 hour 30 minutes inside the sanctuary. The site is built around caring for native wildlife, and the focus is on animals rather than polished theme-park entertainment.

Kangaroo feeding is one of the clearest highlights. You may get close enough to feed them, which makes this stop especially appealing for families and anyone who wants more than a distant animal sighting. Keep your sunscreen handy for the outdoor time, even in mild weather.

The sanctuary is also a place to look for Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, and other native species. A white wallaby has been seen here, and one guide with animal-support experience, Brett, has added useful background about animal care and Tasmania’s wildlife. You should remember, though, that live animals set the schedule. Daylight hours and animal behavior mean you may not see every creature advertised, including devils or young wombats.

That point matters. Bonorong is described as small by some visitors, but small can work well within a busy day. You get a clear introduction to Tasmanian animals without spending half a day there. If your priority is a large zoo with many exhibits, this may feel limited. If your priority is meeting kangaroos and learning about local species, the 90-minute stop is well judged.

Richmond’s old bridge, shops, and lunch choices

Richmond breaks up the nature stops with a taste of Tasmania’s colonial past. The town is known for its picturesque setting, historic buildings, and Richmond Bridge. You have about 1 hour 30 minutes here, and there is no separate admission charge for the stop.

This is the most flexible part of the day. You can look around the bridge and town, browse local produce, or find lunch. Tasmanian scallop pies are specifically mentioned, and other food choices include options such as a chicken and Camembert pie or a slow-cooked lamb meal at the Richmond Arms. Lunch is not included, so budget separately.

I like having this pause in the schedule. After a forest walk and wildlife sanctuary, a town stop lets you sit down, eat, and set your own pace. It also gives the guide a chance to point out the farming country and vineyards seen on the drive.

Richmond will not carry the same weight as Mt Field for everyone. If you prefer waterfalls and wildlife, 90 minutes here may seem generous. If you enjoy old towns, local food, and a slower interlude, it provides a useful change of rhythm. Do not expect a major museum visit or a long guided historical tour from the information provided. Think of Richmond as a scenic, self-directed stop.

The final climb to kunanyi/Mt Wellington

The tour saves kunanyi/Mt Wellington, also called Mt Wellington, for the end. The vehicle drives to the summit, where you have about 40 minutes for views and photographs. From the top, you can look across Hobart and the surrounding area when the weather cooperates.

This short stop can produce the day’s best picture. Clear conditions have brought wide views over Hobart, while light snow, rainbows, fog, and strong wind have also appeared. The mountain can change quickly. One moment you may be in sunshine below, then facing cold air and cloud at the summit.

Pack for that change. Warm layers, gloves, and something to cover your ears are sensible, even if Hobart feels mild when you leave. Sunscreen is also worth carrying, since one summer visitor found that cool temperatures did not prevent sunburn.

The 40-minute limit is enough for a summit look and photographs, but not for an extended mountain walk. That is a strength if you want a quick view without planning transport. It is a limitation if you hoped to hike around kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

If cloud blocks the view, the stop can feel disappointing. The mountain itself still offers rocky scenery and a strong sense of place, but the famous Hobart panorama depends on luck. The guide may adjust timing around changeable conditions, yet no operator can order a clear summit.

What the guide adds to the long day

This route works best when the guide turns the driving into part of the experience. The strongest guide feedback has centered on people such as Brett, Jarrod, Hans, and Jo. Their useful role is not just steering the vehicle. They connect the forests, farms, animals, convict-era places, and mountain weather into a story about southern Tasmania.

Brett has been praised for his background in animal support and for explaining local flora and fauna. Jarrod grew up in Tasmania and has been noted for helping people make the most of each stop. Hans has been credited with explaining local history, geology, and wildlife during the longer stretches. Jo has been praised for changing the plan sensibly when weather shifts.

The listing notes that the guide may be multilingual, so your guide may vary by departure. That is worth keeping in mind if you have read about a particular guide and hope to meet that person. The consistent practical point is to expect a guide-led shared outing, not a private custom itinerary.

A group of up to 20 is a good size for this route. It is small enough for a more relaxed vehicle and direct questions, but large enough that the day follows a set schedule. The 9-hour duration leaves little room for major delays, so be ready to return to the vehicle when the guide calls time.

Is the $128.39 price good value?

At $128.39 per person, the price covers selected pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a local guide, entry to Russell Falls, and admission to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Richmond and Mt Wellington do not carry a separate admission fee in the tour details. Lunch is extra.

The value is strongest if you have limited time in Hobart and would otherwise need to arrange a car, fuel, park entry, wildlife admission, and a route across four separate areas. You also avoid the work of driving unfamiliar roads while trying to judge mountain weather and opening times.

The price is less attractive if you already have a car and plan to spend a full day at only one place. A self-drive visit to Mt Field would give you more freedom to walk, and a separate Richmond visit would let you eat and browse without watching the clock. This outing charges for convenience, transport, interpretation, and a broad sample of the region.

The 98 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating from 735 ratings suggest the format works very well for most people, especially those who want nature, animals, history, and views in a single day. Still, your satisfaction will depend on what you value. It is a sampler, not a deep visit to each destination.

Who should book this Hobart day trip?

I would choose this trip if you have only a few days in Hobart and want to see beyond the city without hiring a car. It suits first-time visitors, families, solo visitors who like a social group, and anyone who enjoys a full day with several kinds of scenery.

Animal lovers should pay special attention to Bonorong, especially if feeding kangaroos appeals to you. Families may also like the combination of animals, waterfall, mountain, and a town stop. The pace gives children variety, though the long driving sections may feel tiring.

This is also a good first introduction to Tasmania. You get a practical sense of the island’s forests, wildlife, rural districts, historic towns, and high country. Several people describe it as a strong starting point before exploring more of the island independently.

I would hesitate if you dislike fixed schedules or want long walks. The 90-minute Mt Field stop is an introduction, not a serious hiking day. I would also think twice if your main goal is guaranteed mountain views. Mt Wellington is weather-dependent, and fog can erase the panorama.

Selected hotel pickup and drop-off make the day easier, but pickup is not offered everywhere. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the listed start time is 7:50 am. Most people can participate, yet it is sensible to ask about your specific pickup point and walking needs before paying.

Weather, clothing, and cancellation rules

Southern Tasmania can deliver several seasons in one day. Bring layers, a rainproof outer layer, sunscreen, and warm accessories for the summit. The mountain may be windy and cold even when the lower roads are comfortable.

The outing requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. For your own cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-packed first look at southern Tasmania, with transport and major admissions handled for you. Its best qualities are the excellent mix of stops, the small group, the chance to feed kangaroos, and guides who can make the long drives useful.

Skip it in favor of a self-drive plan if you want extended walks, a slow Richmond visit, or full control over the timing. Also book with realistic expectations for Bonorong and Mt Wellington: the sanctuary is compact, and the summit view depends on weather.

For most short Hobart visits, I think the tour earns its price. You see rainforest, wildlife, food, history, and a mountain in one manageable day, and you return with a much clearer sense of what makes Tasmania different from mainland Australia.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 9 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 7:50 am.

Is hotel pickup available?

Selected hotel pickup is offered. Selected hotel drop-off is also included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 travelers.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should budget for food during the Richmond stop.

Are Russell Falls and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary included in the price?

Yes. Admission to Russell Falls and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is included.

Can I see Tasmanian devils at Bonorong?

Bonorong is included as a wildlife stop where Tasmanian devils may be seen, along with animals such as wombats, kangaroos, and echidnas. Animal sightings are not guaranteed.

Does the tour go to the summit of Mt Wellington?

Yes. The vehicle drives to the summit, with about 40 minutes allocated for views and photographs. Weather may limit visibility.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.