Hobart: Mt Field National Park & Wildlife Shore Excursion

The best part of this day is the contrast: cool rainforest and waterfalls at Mt Field, followed by close encounters with Tasmanian wildlife at Bonorong. You get two very different sides of Tasmania without arranging transport yourself, a real help when your time in Hobart is tied to a cruise schedule.

I like the short walks to Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls, and I like that the tour includes the Tall Trees Trail rather than stopping at the first viewpoint. I also like the small-group format and guides such as Trevor, who kept a brisk pace and spotted a pademelon hidden in the trees. The main caution is timing: seven hours covers a lot, and one recent experience felt short on time at Bonorong. Cruise passengers also need to be ready at the meeting point on schedule, since a delayed immigration process once caused a passenger to miss the departure.

Key points at a glance

• Three rainforest highlights at Mt Field: Walk to Russell Falls, continue to Horseshoe Falls, then visit the Tall Trees Trail.
• Swamp gums over 80 meters high: The forest walk gives you a sense of Tasmania’s scale without requiring a hard hike.
• Bonorong adds living wildlife: Hand-feed wallabies, meet wombats, and watch a Tasmanian Devil feeding.
• Built for cruise passengers: Meet at 20 Davey Street, about a five-minute walk from Hobart’s cruise terminal.
• Lunch is not included: Buy a bakery-style takeaway meal along the way or bring snacks and water.
• A brisk, active day: Comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing matter, and the tour is not suitable for children under six, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments.

From Hobart’s waterfront to the forest

The day begins at the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at 20 Davey Street. From the cruise terminal, it is described as a short and easy five-minute walk, so you do not need a taxi or complicated transfer. Most ships fit an 8:45 a.m. meeting time for a 9 a.m. departure, with a return around 4 p.m.

That schedule is the key reason this works well as a shore excursion. You spend the day away from Hobart, yet the start and finish are planned around a ship visit. Still, do not treat the meeting time as flexible. A recent passenger was delayed by immigration officials, stayed in contact with the operator, and still found the vehicle had left. If your ship arrival involves immigration or unusual clearance procedures, confirm the meeting plan before booking and get to 20 Davey Street as early as you can.

The tour is described as a small-group active outing. That usually means less waiting than on a large coach, though the supplied details do not state a fixed maximum group size. You travel with an English-speaking guide and spend much of the day walking, rather than simply viewing Tasmania through a vehicle window.

There is a 15-minute break in New Norfolk. It is a useful pause during the drive to Mt Field and may be your chance to stretch, use facilities, or pick up something for the road. Meals and drinks are not included, so bring water and snacks. You also have an opportunity to buy a bakery-style takeaway lunch for a relaxed picnic at Mt Field National Park.

Russell Falls and the first rainforest walk

Mt Field National Park is about 1.5 hours from Hobart. It is one of Tasmania’s oldest national parks, with several kinds of scenery packed into one area: temperate rainforest, alpine moorland, waterfalls, and tall eucalyptus forest.

The first walk follows a quiet stream toward Russell Falls. This is an easy introduction to the park. You do not need to tackle a demanding trail to reach the main attraction, and the sound of running water gives the walk a calm start.

Russell Falls drops over rock in three distinct tiers. The setting is more than a quick photo stop. Ferns, filtered light, and wet forest give the approach its character, while the falls provide the clear focal point. Your guide can help set the pace and point out details along the way, although the amount of commentary can vary with the guide and group.

From Russell Falls, the route continues through fern-filled forest to Horseshoe Falls. This second waterfall is quieter and more enclosed, so it feels different from the first. I like the fact that the tour does not stop at Russell Falls and turn back. The extra walk gives you a better sense of the park and uses the time well.

You should still judge the walk at your own pace. The tour is classed as an active day and is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. The supplied details call the initial walk easy, but the full outing includes several walks and a brisk schedule. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.

The Tall Trees Trail and giant swamp gums

The Tall Trees Trail changes the mood again. Instead of focusing on falling water, you look upward at towering swamp gums that reach more than 80 meters into the sky.

This is one of the most worthwhile inclusions because it shows a different side of Mt Field. Russell Falls gives you a classic Tasmanian waterfall scene. The Tall Trees Trail gives you height, silence, and a better feel for the forest’s age and scale. You may find yourself spending as much time looking into the canopy as at the path ahead.

The details do not promise a particular amount of time on this trail, so keep expectations practical. This is a guided stop within a busy day, not a full-day forest walk. Your guide will need to balance the three-hour Mt Field visit with the drive, lunch break, and Bonorong visit.

Recent feedback gives a useful picture of that balance. Trevor was praised for keeping the group moving at a swift pace and for spotting a pademelon in thick tree growth. That small animal sighting is exactly the kind of moment that can pass unnoticed if you hurry through the forest alone. At the same time, a brisk pace means you may not have unlimited time for photographs or quiet wandering.

The guide’s role matters here. One recent five-star experience praised a guide named Trevor for his park knowledge and for waiting for guests who were no-shows. Another praised a female guide for adjusting the length of each part of the tour. Guide assignments can change, but the feedback suggests that the best experience depends on a guide who watches the clock without making the day feel like a race.

A simple picnic lunch at Mt Field

Lunch is not part of the $130 price. You can buy a bakery-style takeaway meal along the route, then eat in the picnic setting at Mt Field National Park.

That arrangement keeps the cost down and gives you some choice, but it also means you should plan ahead. Bring water, and carry a snack in case the available food does not suit you. Do not expect a restaurant meal or a long sit-down stop. The lunch break supports the walking program rather than taking center stage.

For a cruise passenger, this is a fair trade. You avoid paying for a fixed meal that may not suit you, and you get a casual break in the park. If you prefer a substantial lunch, buy something in advance or use the New Norfolk stop to supplement what you have.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Tasmanian animals

After Mt Field, the tour heads to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for about 1.5 hours. This stop shifts the focus from wild forest to Tasmania’s native animals, with a chance to hand-feed wallabies and meet resident wombats.

Bonorong is especially useful for cruise passengers who want to see animals that may be difficult to spot in the wild. The forest walk might produce a surprise sighting, such as the pademelon Trevor noticed, but there is no guarantee of seeing a particular animal in its natural setting. At the sanctuary, you have a more reliable chance to encounter local species at close range.

The wombats are a major draw. They are sturdy, distinctive animals, and seeing them at the sanctuary adds a friendly, hands-on element to a day that otherwise centers on walking. Hand-feeding wallabies gives you another direct animal encounter, though you should follow the sanctuary’s instructions and handle food as directed.

The Tasmanian Devil feeding show is the most memorable part for many people. Tasmanian Devils are carnivorous marsupials found only in Tasmania. They have a compact, bear-like look, a strong bite, and a famously feisty manner. The feeding session gives you a chance to see that character at close range while learning about Tasmania’s rare native fauna.

The 1.5-hour visit is useful but not generous. One five-star experience specifically wished for more time at Bonorong. That is the clearest trade-off in the itinerary: you get both a national park and a wildlife sanctuary in one day, but neither stop receives a full day.

If animals are your main reason for booking, note the time limit. You will need to choose what matters most once you arrive. A guide may help direct the group, but you should not expect to see every animal or spend a long time at every enclosure.

What $130 covers, and what it does not

At $130 per person, the price includes entry to Mt Field National Park, entry to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, guided walks, and transport as part of the small-group day tour. Those admissions matter because buying them separately would add both cost and planning work.

The value is strongest for cruise passengers. You get a full day beyond Hobart without hiring a car, working out the route, or worrying about returning to the waterfront by public transport. The tour also joins two places that are not interchangeable: Mt Field supplies waterfalls and forest, while Bonorong supplies close wildlife encounters.

The price is less attractive if you only want a gentle sightseeing drive or a slow visit to one location. This is an active schedule with several walks, an early meeting, and a long trip out and back. Lunch and drinks cost extra, and you should budget for those.

I also see value in the live guide. A good guide can explain what you are seeing, adjust the pace, and spot wildlife that you might miss. Recent feedback praised guides for being flexible, informed, and considerate, with Trevor singled out for his park expertise and animal spotting. The experience is not dependent on one named guide, though, so treat those individual strengths as possible rather than guaranteed.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

Tasmanian weather can change, and the tour specifically advises you to prepare for varying conditions. Bring outdoor clothing that works in cool or wet weather, even if Hobart begins with clear skies.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. The park walks may be easy in difficulty, but wet paths, forest ground, and repeated walking can make poor footwear unpleasant. Water is essential, and snacks are sensible since food is not included.

The tour lasts about seven hours. That includes the drive to Mt Field, a 15-minute break in New Norfolk, around three hours at the national park, about 1.5 hours at Bonorong, and the return to Hobart. You should expect a full day rather than a casual half-day outing.

Children under six cannot join. The tour is also not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. If you have a condition that makes walking difficult, ask the operator for a precise description of the paths before booking, since the day includes more than one walking stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The important practical point is the cruise schedule: allow plenty of time to clear the ship and walk to the meeting point. The tour is designed around ship arrival and departure times, but that does not remove the need for punctuality.

Who will get the most from this day

I would choose this trip if you want to see Tasmania beyond Hobart and prefer a guide to handle the driving. It suits you especially well if you want a mix of waterfalls, rainforest, tall trees, wallabies, wombats, and Tasmanian Devils rather than a day focused on just one theme.

It is a good fit for active adults and older children who meet the six-year minimum and can manage several walks. It also works for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Tasmania’s natural attractions in one carefully timed outing.

I would think twice if you need long, unhurried stops. The national park visit is substantial, but the day keeps moving. Bonorong may feel short if you want to linger with the animals, and a brisk guide can make photography feel secondary to staying on schedule.

The tour is also a poor match if you want guaranteed wildlife in the wild. Bonorong offers reliable animal encounters, but the pademelon sighting in the forest was a lucky moment, not a scheduled feature. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Should you book the Mt Field and Bonorong day?

Book it if you have one cruise day in Hobart and want a practical mix of Tasmanian forest and native animals. The included park and sanctuary admissions, transport, guide, and ship-friendly schedule make $130 reasonable for a full seven-hour outing, especially if you would otherwise need to rent a car.

Skip it if you want a slow national park visit, a long wildlife sanctuary session, or a tour built around accessibility. Bring water, wear proper shoes, buy lunch with the group, and arrive early at 20 Davey Street. With those expectations in place, this is a strong way to trade Hobart’s waterfront for waterfalls, giant trees, wombats, and one of the world’s most unusual marsupials.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Hobart?

The meeting point is the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at 20 Davey Street, Hobart. It is described as about a five-minute walk from the cruise terminal.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. Most cruise ships fit an 8:45 a.m. meeting time, a 9 a.m. departure, and a return around 4 p.m.

What places does the tour visit?

The tour stops in New Norfolk for a 15-minute break, then visits Mt Field National Park for about three hours and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for about 1.5 hours before returning to 20 Davey Street.

Is lunch included?

No. You can buy a bakery-style takeaway lunch along the way and eat at the Mt Field National Park picnic area. You should also bring your own snacks and water.

What animals can I see at Bonorong?

The visit includes opportunities to hand-feed wallabies, meet wombats, and watch a Tasmanian Devil feeding show. The sanctuary visit lasts about 1.5 hours.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, water, snacks, and outdoor clothing suitable for changing weather conditions.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for children under six, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. The day includes several walks and is described as an active tour.