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

A day in Tasmania starts with a waterfall and ends with a view. This tour strings together Russell Falls, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, historic Richmond, and Mount Wellington in one smooth 9 hour loop beyond Hobart.

I especially like the small group feel, max 20 people, and the fact that key stops include admission. One consideration: you will spend plenty of time in the vehicle, and Mount Wellington can be cold, windy, or even socked in with fog depending on the day.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary encounters for Tasmanian devils plus other native animals
• Russell Falls at Mt Field National Park with a proper rainforest stop and included entry
• A scenic Derwent River drive that breaks up the day beyond city streets
• Historic Richmond and Richmond Bridge plus time to grab local food, like scallop pies
• Mount Wellington summit views that are worth dressing for the wind

How This Hobart Day Trip Knocks Out Four Big Areas

If your time in Hobart is limited, this is a practical way to see Tasmania’s “outside the city” highlights without planning your own route. You start early, ride out with a guide, and hit four very different settings in one day: rainforest waterfall country, a hands-on wildlife sanctuary, heritage Richmond, and a mountain viewpoint over Kunanyi.

The tour also hits a sweet spot for value. You are not just paying for transport, you’re also getting admission included for Russell Falls and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, and that saves you both time and decision-making.

That mix is the real win. Instead of choosing between nature, animals, and history, you get all three, plus a big viewpoint payoff at the end of the day.

Pickup, Timing, and the 9 Hour Reality

This tour runs for about 9 hours, starting at 7:50 am. That early start matters. It helps you reach Mt Field while conditions are fresh and usually makes the day feel smoother, not rushed right from the beginning.

Transport is in an air-conditioned vehicle, with selected hotel pickup and drop-off. You’ll also get a guide onboard and a shared-group experience capped at 20 travelers, which tends to make stops feel more manageable than big bus tours.

Plan for a long day outdoors. There is no lunch included, so build in your own food strategy. If you skip food or try to power through only with snacks, you’ll likely feel it by the time you’re back on the road.

Mt Field and Russell Falls: Rainforest Steps to a Classic Waterfall

Your first major stop is Russell Falls in Mt Field National Park, with about 1 hour 30 minutes on site and admission included. Mt Field is Tasmania’s first national park, and this area is famous for a cool, lush rainforest vibe and waterfalls that look good even when you’re not chasing epic hikes.

Russell Falls is the kind of place where the scenery does most of the work. You do not need technical skills or a long trek to feel like you’re in a real temperate rainforest. The walking is typically the kind of outing that fits a broad range of visitors, including people who want nature without committing to hours of strenuous hiking.

What to watch for: timing and weather. Tasmania weather can change quickly, and if it’s wet or windy, you’ll want grippy shoes. Also, since you’re on a schedule, you’ll need to enjoy the waterfall and walks in the time you have, not the time you wish you had.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: Up Close With Tasmanian Devils and More

Next you head to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for about 1 hour 30 minutes, with admission included. If you came to Tasmania for one or more must-see animals, this is one of the best places on the itinerary to make that happen.

The sanctuary focuses on native wildlife, and this stop is built around visitor-friendly encounters. You get the chance to see Tasmanian devils, plus other animals such as wombats and kangaroos. Some people also report seeing additional species during their visit, but the key point is that you’re there for a real wildlife setting, not just a photo stop.

A detail worth planning around: feeding and interaction. One of the standout moments is that you can feed kangaroos during your time at Bonorong. That small action makes the visit feel personal and memorable, and it gives you a reason to pay attention to timing once you arrive.

The only downside to flag: a wildlife park is still daylight hours and animal routines. If you have a very specific animal in mind, your experience can vary by the day. Still, the overall set-up is designed to give you those close, educational encounters without feeling like you’re racing through.

Derwent River Scenic Drive: The Counterbalance to Stops

Between the big stops, you’ll make a scenic drive along the Derwent River. It sounds simple, but it matters because it changes the rhythm of the day. You go from rainforest to animals to heritage town, and the river drive helps you reset mentally, even if you’re just looking out the window.

This is also where the countryside views start to add up. You see more of the agricultural land and vineyard country outside Hobart, which gives context to what Tasmania looks like beyond the main tourist belt.

If you’re prone to motion discomfort, this is still a road day. Bring water, keep your seat set comfortably, and consider a light snack early so you’re not hungry while you’re stuck in transit.

Richmond Bridge and the Town of Richmond: History and Pie Energy

After Bonorong, you stop in Richmond, including time for the Richmond Bridge area. You’ll get about 1 hour 30 minutes here, and admission is free.

Richmond is the “slow down and look around” section of the trip. Think heritage streets, tidy scenery, and local food options. One classic temptation is a scallop pie, but Richmond has plenty of other eats too, including the kind of hot, creamy pies that are perfect for cooling down after time outdoors.

This is also a good stop for quick souvenirs or a short wander. If you like local produce and small-town atmosphere, you’ll probably feel like your time there is well spent.

The trade-off: Richmond is not a huge attraction complex. If you want more major sights packed back to back, this stop can feel smaller than the national park and wildlife parts of the day. It is still a nice pause, especially if you like walking at an easy pace.

Mount Wellington Summit Drive: Views You’ll Remember, Plus Cold Wind Tips

The final act is Mount Wellington (also known by its Indigenous name Kunanyi). You get about 40 minutes at the summit area, and admission is free.

This is the payoff stop. When visibility is good, the panoramic views over Hobart are the kind of ending that makes the whole day click. When conditions are rough, it can still be worth it because the weather shows you why people talk about this mountain so much. You might see fog, strong winds, or shifting light, but that also means you’re getting the real Tasmania experience, not just an easy postcard.

Bring the right clothes. Multiple guides and guests highlight wind and cold up top, even when the rest of the day feels comfortable. Pack layers, and if you tend to feel cold easily, plan for gloves and a warm hat.

If the summit is fogged in, you may not get the view you expected. But you can still treat this as a short mountain experience: fresh air, dramatic weather, and a high viewpoint moment before you roll back down to Hobart.

Guide Style Matters: Small-Group Pacing and Storytelling

This tour runs with a local guide and usually uses a driver-guide style with a friendly, informative approach. The guides on this route often focus on what you are seeing right now, whether it is the ecology around Mt Field, wildlife details at Bonorong, or local context in Richmond and on Kunanyi.

You’ll also appreciate the pacing. The day is built with time buffers at each stop, so you can enjoy the walk at Russell Falls, watch animal feeding and enclosures at Bonorong, and still have a real wander window in Richmond.

One thing I liked from the way this kind of tour is described: the guides often pay attention to weather shifts. Tasmania can flip from sunshine to rain quickly, and that changes how long you should linger outdoors. When the guide handles that well, the day feels calm instead of stressful.

Price and Value: What $128.39 Buys You

At $128.39 per person, this is not a budget half-hour city shuttle. But it is fairly priced for what you get: a full day loop, round-trip transport from Hobart, a small-group format, and two paid attractions already covered.

You can also think of the “value” part in time saved. Doing Mt Field, Russell Falls, Bonorong, Richmond, and Mt Wellington on your own means planning transport between each area, buying tickets, and trying to coordinate timing. With this format, you pay for structure, guidance, and fewer decisions.

If you care about seeing animals and getting a mountain viewpoint without hiring separate tours, this package makes sense. If you only want one or two of these stops, then it may feel like you’re paying for the full day even though you’d personally spend less time at some parts.

Who This Day Trip Suits Best

This tour fits well if you:

• Want a balanced day of nature, animals, and heritage
• Prefer a small group (max 20) over big crowds
• Are short on time in Hobart and want the highlights outside the city
• Like guided context, not just driving yourself

It might be less ideal if you:

• Want a long hike or lots of independent time, especially at Mount Wellington where the summit window is about 40 minutes
• Have a strong focus on one single attraction and feel the rest is filler
• Can’t handle windy, cold conditions at altitude without extra gear

Should You Book This Mt Field, Bonorong, Richmond and Mount Wellington Tour?

I’d book it if you want an efficient first look at Tasmania beyond Hobart. The combination is smart: Russell Falls gives you rainforest waterfall scenery, Bonorong gives you genuine wildlife time (including Tasmanian devils and kangaroo feeding), Richmond adds local heritage flavor, and Mount Wellington caps it with a high viewpoint moment.

If you hate car time, you may find the road sections long. Also, because lunch isn’t included, plan to eat at Russell Falls if you need it later, or plan a proper meal in Richmond.

Overall, if you’re traveling in a group size that benefits from a small organized day, this is a solid way to get your bearings in Tasmania quickly and with less stress than DIY.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour is about 9 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:50 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes, you get selected hotel pickup and selected hotel drop-off.

Is admission included for all stops?

Admission is included for Russell Falls and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Richmond and Mount Wellington are listed as free.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 20 travelers.

Do you provide a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour includes a mobile ticket.

Does the tour require good weather?

Yes, the experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation window for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is this tour suitable for most people?

Most travelers can participate.