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

Three waterfalls and wildlife in one packed day. This tour strings together Mt Field rainforest walks, a guided Bonorong wildlife visit, and big viewpoints from above Hobart.

I especially like the guided Three Falls Circuit, because it turns a pretty drive into a real walk with clear stopping points and commentary. I also like that it runs with small, friendly groups. The main drawback to plan for is that it is an active day with cool, changeable weather, some stairs, and it is not a good fit if you have mobility limits.

Key things you’ll notice

• Three Falls Circuit at Mt Field with Russell, Horseshoe, and Lady Barron Falls built into the day
• Tall Trees Trail featuring Swamp Gums reaching about 80 meters (262 feet) into the sky
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary with an on-site wildlife tour led by staff
• Native animal encounters like wombat and Tasmanian devil sightings, plus kangaroos depending on the day
• Kunanyi / Mount Wellington summit views over Hobart and the Derwent River system
• Pack-light day format with a day pack only, and no meals included

From Davey Street to wild Tasmania in one day

This is the kind of day trip that makes sense if you want to see a lot without spending your holiday wrestling traffic and signage. You meet at the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre on Davey Street at 7.25am, then roll out by coach. The day is paced around three distinct “worlds”: rainforest and waterfalls, native wildlife, and a windy summit above the city.

The real value is that you do not just stop at viewpoints. You get guided, interpretive walks where the guide points out what you are actually looking at, from fern glades to towering trees. And when you arrive at Bonorong, the wildlife experience is led by staff, not just a free-roam wander.

One quick reality check: you should show up ready for a long day outdoors. Even when trails are described as easy, there are often steps and uneven bits, plus it can feel freezing in the open air.

The morning drive: getting set up for Mt Field

After pickup at 20 Davey Street, the ride to Mt Field takes about 1.5 hours. That travel time matters, because it lets you arrive before the day gets too hot, and it also means your main energy goes into walking, not navigating.

You’ll want to think like a winter-in-Tasmania traveler even if you are not traveling in winter. Mt Field and Mt Wellington can both feel raw in cold wind. Bring your jacket and closed-toe shoes, and keep your day pack ready with water and snacks.

If you end up on a day with rough weather, you’ll still keep moving. The tour includes professional guides who manage timing so you do not miss the key stops, even when conditions change.

Mt Field: Three Falls Circuit and the rainforest “pause”

Mt Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s oldest parks, and it shows. The walking brings you through lush temperate rainforest, with fern glades that feel quiet and slightly unreal. The best part is how the falls are layered through the circuit, so the hike keeps rewarding you instead of turning into one long slog.

You start with the Three Falls Circuit, built around the classic sequence:

• Russell Falls, where water tumbles over rock in tiers
• Horseshoe Falls, reached through dappled light and ferny sections
• Lady Barron Falls, to complete the loop

I love the structure here. Your brain gets a clear rhythm: walk, stop, look, listen, move again. That makes it easier to enjoy the scenery without constantly checking your own route.

What the walk feels like in practice

Most of the walking is described as easy, but do not confuse easy with effortless. A few reviews mention steep bits, stairs, and a couple of thousand decisions like where to place your footing on slippery surfaces. Expect a few hours on foot, and on some days around 6km of walking gets mentioned.

If your feet are fine with uneven ground and short stair sections, you’ll likely enjoy it a lot. If stairs are a problem for you, consider pacing early and taking your time on the steeper moments.

Russell, Horseshoe, and Lady Barron Falls, up close

Russell Falls is the quick payoff at the start. You’re near enough to feel the spray and hear the water before you fully see it, which is part of the magic. If it’s raining, the falls often look even more dramatic, and it can even throw a rainbow in front of the falls on the right day.

Horseshoe Falls shifts the mood. Instead of one single frame, you get a more curved flow that feels wider and softer. The guide’s stops help you understand what you’re seeing, so it is not just photos. It’s also about why this place grows the way it does.

Then Lady Barron Falls brings the loop home with a classic final viewpoint. The circuit style matters because it prevents the day from feeling like three separate check-ins. You build a sense of “I’m walking through this place” rather than “I stopped here, then left.”

Fern glades and big trees: the scenery has a story

Mt Field isn’t only about water. You’ll also notice thick ferns and towering trees that make the air feel different under the canopy. This is one of the reasons the guided part matters. When guides like Hannah, Matt, Lucas, or David point out plants as you pass them, the forest stops being a blur of green and starts being a place with details you can name.

If you want something memorable for your photos and your memory, aim to slow down for the fern sections and for the transition areas where the light changes.

Tall Trees Trail: when the Swamp Gums steal the show

After the falls circuit, the day shifts into tree country on the Tall Trees Trail. This is where you get the “wow” visuals, because Swamp Gums rise high above you, reaching about 80 meters (262 feet).

This part of the tour works well for different walkers. The track is generally manageable, and you get a straightforward route where you can stop whenever you want to look up. If you’re traveling with someone who likes photos, this is a great place to pause without feeling like you’re holding up the whole group.

It also helps that the walking is still tied to the guide’s explanation. The best-rated guides mentioned in the experience include people like Clint, Nicholas, Heather, and Paris, and the recurring praise is how they keep the pace friendly while sharing practical facts about what’s around you.

Cold tip: if the day is damp, the canopy can keep things slick. Use your most grippy shoes and take corners slowly.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: a staff-led native wildlife moment

Next comes Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, and this is a different kind of experience. Instead of hiking, you’re in a guided wildlife setting where staff share what you’re seeing and what makes Tasmania’s animals special.

The vibe here is practical and close-up. Many reviews mention seeing animals like a wombat and Tasmanian devils, and there are often kangaroo interactions depending on the day. Some descriptions mention opportunities to feed or even touch kangaroos, which is a big part of why families tend to like this stop when the tour fits their age and mobility needs.

The staff-led element is the key. If you only visit without interpretation, you can still see animals, but the experience becomes much more about luck and less about understanding. With a guide leading the session, you’re more likely to leave knowing why these animals matter and how conservation plays out on the ground.

One note on animal moments: wildlife experiences can never be guaranteed the exact way you imagine. But the tour is designed to keep you engaged even if your sightings are different from someone else’s.

Kunanyi / Mount Wellington summit: wind, cold air, and views for miles

To finish strong, you go up to Kunanyi / Mount Wellington, the mountain that sits above Hobart at 1,271 meters (4,170 feet). The weather can be the boss here. One clear theme from reviews is that the summit can be windy and very cold, to the point where you’ll feel it in your face fast.

When conditions are good, the payoff is serious: sweeping views across Hobart, the surrounding mountains, and the Derwent River system shining below. Even if you stay on the walkways and viewpoints instead of pushing to extra distances, you’ll still feel like you’ve reached a different level of Tasmania.

There’s also weather reality. On at least one snowy day, part of the summit area closed, and the group still made the most of the lower hiking section. Translation for you: if the forecast is messy, don’t panic. The tour tends to adapt, and you can still end the day with a great view.

Pace, weather, and what to pack so the day stays fun

This is an active day tour with some walking that is mostly classified as easy, but it’s not a stroll. Steps show up at Mt Field in some places, and the terrain can get slippery if it’s wet. On top of that, you’re outdoors for hours in a climate that can change quickly.

I recommend packing like this:

• Comfortable closed-toe shoes
• Water and a couple of snacks
• Jacket and weather-appropriate clothing
• Hat and sunscreen
• A day pack
• If you get cold easily, an extra warm layer for Mt Wellington

Also, meals are not included. So if you want energy for the afternoon, bring lunch. Some people point out that having food ready makes the day smoother, especially since you’ll be outside and walking.

No luggage on board is another practical detail. Keep it light so you can move without dragging a bag around the stops.

Price and value: what $130 includes and what you need to add

At $130 per person for a one-day tour, the value is in what you’re not handling yourself. The tour includes:

• National Park entrance fee
• Wildlife Park entrance fee
• Professional guides with interpretive walks
• A small, friendly group experience

That matters because park entry fees and guided guidance are part of the cost whether you do everything on your own or not. The other major value is transport. Mt Field and Mt Wellington are far enough from central Hobart that doing it efficiently, without driving, takes real effort.

What you should plan for not being included:

• Meals and drinks
• Only a day pack on the coach
• No airport drop-offs (and no mention of airport transfers)

If you like structured sightseeing with a human guide who stops you at the right moments, this price tends to feel fair. If you’re the type who wants full freedom to wander at your own speed, you may decide you’d rather self-drive. But for a first-time Hobart day, this route is a clean way to hit the highlights.

Who this tour is perfect for, and who should skip it

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want rainforest walks and waterfall views in one day
• Like guided explanations of plants and animals
• Prefer not to drive between multiple far-flung stops
• Have decent general mobility and can handle a few hours outdoors

It’s not a great fit if:

• You’re traveling with children under 8
• You have mobility impairments, since the day involves walking and some steps

If you’re going in winter or shoulder season, it’s also a good fit only if you pack warm and expect wind and cold on Mt Wellington.

Should you book this Mt Field, Bonorong, and Mt Wellington tour?

Yes, if your goal is a well-paced, guided day that mixes waterfalls, native wildlife, and a summit view above Hobart. This tour is built around clear stops, and the strongest, most repeated praise is about guides who keep things engaging, friendly, and informative, with names like Clint, Nickolas, Hannah, Matt, Lucas, Paris, Heather, David, Andrew, Audrey, Connor, and Dan showing up again and again in the kinds of comments people make about the experience.

Book it if you want to maximize your short time in Tasmania without turning your day into logistics. Skip it if you cannot handle steps, uneven ground, and chilly summit wind.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point and what time do we leave?

You meet at the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre at 20 Davey Street, Hobart. The pickup time is 7.25am, and the tour returns to the same location around 5.30pm.

How long is the tour?

It’s a 1-day tour.

Is lunch or any meals included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included, so you’ll need to bring your own food and water.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The tour includes national park entrance fees, wildlife park entrance fees, professional guides, interpretive walks, and small friendly groups.

How much walking is involved?

The day tour is active and includes walking. While most walks are classified as easy, there are some stairs and small steep parts, so you need a suitable level of general health and fitness.

What should I bring for Mt Field and Mt Wellington?

Bring comfortable shoes, hat, water, snacks, sunscreen, and a jacket. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and bring a daypack with everything you need for the day. Closed-toe shoes are recommended.