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

Tasmania packs a lot into one day. This nine-hour trip from Hobart links rainforest, waterfalls, wildlife, mountain views, and a handsome old town without asking you to plan several separate outings.

I like the mix of stops, especially the quiet walk to Russell Falls and the chance to hand-feed kangaroos at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. I also like the guides, who bring the drive to life with local stories and animal facts. Brett, Jarrod, Gary, Garry, and Scott have all earned warm praise for their friendly style and strong grasp of Tasmania’s history and wildlife.

The main drawback is the pace. You see a great deal, but you get about 90 minutes at Mt Field, Bonorong, and Richmond, with less time for a long forest walk, a full wildlife visit, or extended shopping. Mt Wellington is also weather-dependent, so cloud, rain, wind, or snow may hide the view.

Key points to know before booking

• Russell Falls and the tall trees are the natural highlight: The Mt Field walk leads through fern forest to one of Tasmania’s best-known waterfalls.
• Bonorong gives you close contact with local animals: You can hand-feed kangaroos and see Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, and other wildlife.
• Mt Wellington can change by the hour: The summit visit may happen early or late in the day, depending on cloud cover and conditions.
• Richmond adds a historic town stop: You get time for old streets, cafes, food, and local products after the nature stops.
• The guides add real value: Brett is especially praised for animal knowledge, while Jarrod, Gary, Garry, and Scott are noted for history, local advice, and a relaxed manner.
• The $126 price covers the main admissions and transport: Food and drinks cost extra, but entry to Russell Falls and Bonorong is included.

Why this day trip works well from Hobart

This outing is designed for you if your Hobart stay is short and you want more than a city walk. In nine hours, you travel through the Derwent Valley, reach Mt Field National Park, visit Bonorong, spend time in Richmond, and finish at Mt Wellington.

That range is the main attraction. You get wet forest, open mountain views, Australian animals, and colonial-era buildings in a single day. The stops do not all have the same feel, which keeps the day moving.

The cost is $126 per person. That is a fair price for a full-day outing because transport, a local English-speaking guide, Russell Falls, and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary are included. You still need to pay for lunch, snacks, and drinks, but the admissions alone would otherwise add to the cost.

I would not choose this trip if you want a slow day in one national park. I would choose it if you want a well-organized first look at the area around Hobart and prefer having someone else handle the driving.

Pickup is offered from seven Central Hobart meeting points, including the Grand Chancellor Hotel, Travelodge Hotel Hobart, Vibe Hotel Hobart, the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, Allurity Hotel, Hobart Tower Motel, and 64 St Georges Terrace. Morning pickup runs between 7:30 and 7:50 am, so arrive a few minutes early.

The Derwent Valley sets the scene

The trip begins with a bus ride through the picturesque Derwent Valley. This first stretch takes about 75 minutes, giving your guide time to explain the area and point out local details along the road.

You also pass Australia’s oldest operating pub. It is a quick roadside detail rather than a full stop, but it helps connect the modern road trip with Tasmania’s early settlement story.

The transport is practical and comfortable enough for a long day, though one passenger found the bus tight around the legs. If you are tall or dislike sitting in a vehicle for long stretches, that is worth keeping in mind.

The guides are one of the strongest parts of the experience. Brett is often praised for his animal expertise and former zookeeper background. Other guides, including Jarrod and Gary, have been singled out for local history, humor, and helpful suggestions for things to do around Hobart after the trip.

This matters because the driving sections are not dead time. A good guide turns the road between stops into part of the tour. You may hear about Tasmanian wildlife, local towns, plants, settlers, and places to visit later.

Mt Field National Park and the walk to Russell Falls

Mt Field is the most rewarding stop for many nature lovers. You get about 90 minutes in the park, including time for a forest walk to Russell Falls.

The path takes you beneath large ferns and tall trees before reaching the waterfall. The setting is cool, damp, and green, with the kind of forest atmosphere that makes you slow down and look closely. Several people especially enjoyed the tall trees and the walk through the woods.

Russell Falls is the main goal, but the walk itself is just as important. The route gives you a taste of Tasmania’s protected forest rather than only a quick viewpoint beside the road. Horseshoe Falls may also be part of the walk, depending on the route and conditions.

You should wear comfortable shoes. One person described the walk as more strenuous than the description suggested, so do not treat it as a completely effortless stroll. Most people found the time allocation sufficient, but serious hikers will want much longer in the park.

The tour includes entry to Russell Falls. That keeps the stop simple: you can leave the bus, follow the track, take photographs, and return without handling another ticket.

If Mt Field is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations realistic. You are getting a sample of the park, not a full day among its tracks. Still, the combination of the waterfall, fern forest, and tall trees gives you one of the clearest views of Tasmania’s natural character in a short visit.

New Norfolk and a useful mid-day pause

After Mt Field, the route follows the freshwater back toward New Norfolk. Your guide explains the town’s history, then you get time to stretch and find something to eat.

Food is not included, so plan to buy lunch or bring money for a snack. The stop is useful because it breaks up the driving before Bonorong and gives you a chance to recharge.

This is also where the day’s rhythm works well. The morning forest walk requires some movement, the New Norfolk stop gives you a pause, and the afternoon shifts toward wildlife and historic streets.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: the best stop for animal lovers

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary gets about 90 minutes, including a guided component and free time. The big draw is the chance to hand-feed kangaroos, an experience that brings you unusually close to Australian wildlife.

You may also see Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, and frogs. The sanctuary gives you a chance to learn about animals that are difficult to spot in the wild, including Tasmania’s famous devil and the long-lost Tasmanian tiger.

I like that the visit is not limited to looking at animals from a distance. Feeding the kangaroos is the memorable part for many people, and it works well for families as well as adults who want a direct wildlife experience.

The guides add extra depth here. Brett’s background as a former zookeeper has been especially useful for explaining animal behavior and Tasmania’s fauna. His enthusiasm for creatures such as padamelons, quolls, and Tasmanian devils can turn a short sanctuary visit into a lesson you remember.

Allow time to explore independently. The sanctuary visit includes a guided element, but you are also given free time to look around. If you prefer a quiet, self-directed visit, make sure you understand when the group is meeting again.

Bonorong is not a substitute for seeing wildlife in the wild. It is a sanctuary, and its value comes from rescue work, education, and close viewing. You should also expect the stop to feel busy if you want to inspect every enclosure in detail, since 90 minutes goes quickly.

Richmond brings history, cafes, and breathing room

After Bonorong, it is only about 15 minutes by bus to Richmond. The town gives the trip a welcome change of pace.

You get around 90 minutes to walk, shop, visit cafes, and look at the old buildings. The historic streets are easy to explore on foot, and the town is a pleasant place to buy food or a sweet treat. One person especially enjoyed the cafes and scones here.

Richmond is not a large town, so the visit works best as a relaxed wander rather than a checklist of sights. You can take photographs, browse local products, and enjoy the old-fashioned feel before returning to the bus.

The limitation is time. If you want to visit every historic building, shop slowly, and sit down for a long meal, 90 minutes may feel short. I would use the stop for a walk and one clear priority, such as a cafe, local products, or photographs.

This town stop also helps the tour feel more connected to Tasmania’s past. Mt Field shows you forest, Bonorong shows you native animals, and Richmond gives you a sense of the island’s settlement story.

Mt Wellington: spectacular when the weather cooperates

The final major stop is Wellington Park, where you spend about 45 minutes at or near the summit of Mt Wellington. From the top, you may get broad views over Hobart and the surrounding area.

The timing is flexible. The summit visit can happen early in the morning or late in the afternoon, depending on cloud cover and weather. That is a sensible plan because Mt Wellington conditions can differ sharply from those in Hobart.

You should bring warm clothing even if the city feels mild. Reports from the trip include snow, high winds, rainbows, freezing temperatures, and thick cloud. Those conditions can be part of the fun, but they can also block the view.

When the sky clears, the summit is a strong finish. You can look out over Hobart and see how the city sits between water, hills, and open country. When cloud settles in, the stop becomes more about the mountain weather than the panorama.

This is the least predictable part of the day. Do not book the tour only for a guaranteed postcard view. Book it knowing that Mt Wellington is a mountain environment, and the guide may need to adjust the order of stops.

The 45-minute stop is enough for photographs and a quick look around, but not for a long mountain walk. Wind can also make the summit uncomfortable, so bring a jacket and keep your phone or camera secure.

The guide can shape the whole experience

The basic route is strong, but the guide makes the difference between a good day and a very good one. The best guides on this trip do more than announce the next stop.

Brett is praised for detailed wildlife facts and a warm, enthusiastic manner. Jarrod is noted for local history, prompt service, and helpful recommendations around Hobart. Gary and Garry are described as funny, approachable, and strong on Tasmanian daily life, plants, animals, and heritage.

Scott is also praised for keeping the day smooth and making sure people had enough time at each stop. That matters on a full-day outing, since rushed transitions can easily make a busy schedule feel tiring.

There have even been occasions when the guide made a small detour to help spot a platypus. You should not count on that happening, but it shows the value of having someone who pays attention to local wildlife and the group’s interests.

The tour is conducted in English. If you enjoy asking questions, this is a good setting for it. The guides appear to be a major part of what you are paying for, not just drivers moving you from one attraction to the next.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors staying in Hobart, couples with limited time, families who want accessible wildlife encounters, and anyone who does not want to rent a car for a long day.

It suits you especially well if you want a mix of nature, culture, and animals. The day gives you a useful introduction to the region without requiring separate planning for national park entry, wildlife admission, routes, and parking.

Families should note that the day is long, and the Mt Field walk may feel tiring for some children. The animal stop and Richmond provide variety, but there is still plenty of bus time.

You may prefer a different outing if you want serious hiking, extended time at Bonorong, or a leisurely historic-town visit. The schedule is generous for a sampler but not for deep exploration at any one stop.

Pickup and drop-off at selected Central Hobart locations are convenient. At the end of the day, you return to one of the same general meeting areas, including the Vibe Hotel, Travelodge, Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, Allurity Hotel, Grand Chancellor, Tower Motel, or 64 St Georges Terrace.

Should you book the Mt Wellington, Mt Field, Bonorong and Richmond trip?

Book this tour if you want to see several sides of Tasmania in one well-managed day. The strongest reasons are the Mt Field forest walk, kangaroo feeding at Bonorong, and the guide’s local knowledge.

Accept that the day is busy, lunch costs extra, the bus may feel compact, and Mt Wellington may be cloudy or bitterly cold. If those limits sound manageable, $126 is good value for a full day of transport, admissions, wildlife, waterfalls, mountain views, and Richmond’s old streets.

For a first visit to Hobart, I would choose this trip over trying to arrange all four areas alone. You will not master Tasmania in nine hours, but you will get a clear, enjoyable sense of why the island rewards a longer stay.

FAQ

How long is the Hobart Mt Wellington, Mt Field, Bonorong and Richmond trip?

The experience lasts about nine hours, including transport between the stops.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $126 per person.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transport, a local English-speaking guide, pickup and drop-off from selected Hobart locations, entry to Russell Falls, and entry to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring money for a meal, snacks, and drinks.

Where can I be picked up in Hobart?

Pickup is available from seven Central Hobart meeting points, including selected hotels, the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, and 64 St Georges Terrace.

What time is pickup?

Pickup takes place between 7:30 and 7:50 am. The exact time depends on the meeting point, so arrive a few minutes early.

What will I see at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary?

You can see Tasmanian devils and other native animals, and you can hand-feed kangaroos. The visit includes guided time and free time for wildlife viewing.

Is the Mt Wellington summit guaranteed to have clear views?

No. The visit depends on weather and cloud cover. The summit stop may take place early or late in the day, and conditions can include cold, wind, rain, snow, or cloud.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and water. Warm clothing is also a sensible choice for Mt Wellington, particularly when conditions are cold or windy.