Hobart: Mt Field National Park & Wildlife Shore Excursion

Mount Field National Park gives this Hobart shore excursion its best moments: Russell Falls, fern-lined paths, and swamp gums reaching more than 80 meters overhead. Then the scenery changes at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can hand-feed wallabies, meet wombats, and watch a Tasmanian Devil feeding presentation.

I like the smart pairing of a quiet rainforest morning with close views of native animals in the afternoon. I also like the small-group format and the easy five-minute walk from the cruise terminal to the meeting point. The main caution is timing: the day moves at a brisk pace, and one past booking ended badly after an immigration delay, so cruise passengers should allow no confusion about meeting arrangements.

Key points to know

• Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls: Easy rainforest walks lead to two of Mount Field’s prettiest waterfalls.
• Tall Trees Trail: Look up at giant Swamp Gums that can rise more than 80 meters.
• Bonorong wildlife: Hand-feed wallabies and meet wombats, Tasmanian Devils, and other native animals.
• Cruise-friendly schedule: The usual meeting time is 8:45 a.m., with departure at 9 a.m. and return around 4 p.m.
• Active but manageable: Expect about three hours at Mount Field, including guided walks, plus 1.5 hours at Bonorong.
• Bring food and layers: Lunch and drinks are not included, and Tasmanian weather can change quickly.

A full day beyond Hobart’s waterfront

This is a good choice if you want more than a short city walk during your Hobart port call. For $130 per person, the tour combines two very different Tasmanian experiences in seven hours: a national park with cool rainforest and waterfalls, followed by a wildlife sanctuary where you can see animals that are difficult to encounter in the wild.

The tour is designed for cruise ship passengers only. That matters because the meeting and return times are planned around a ship day rather than a standard hotel pickup. You meet at the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at 20 Davey Street, a short and simple walk from the cruise terminal.

The usual schedule is an 8:45 a.m. meeting for a 9 a.m. departure, with a return around 4 p.m. Check the exact time when you book, since cruise arrival and departure schedules can vary. The return to the Hobart waterfront gives you a useful buffer before sailing, but you should still be at the meeting point on time.

The road to New Norfolk and Mount Field

The first stop is New Norfolk, where the group gets a 15-minute break. This is a practical pause rather than a major sightseeing stop. You can stretch your legs, use facilities, and pick up something small if needed before the longer visit to Mount Field.

From Hobart, Mount Field National Park is about 1.5 hours away. The drive is part of the reason this tour works best for people who want a proper day outdoors rather than a quick attraction close to port. You leave behind the city and spend the morning in one of Tasmania’s oldest national parks.

The park is valued for its mix of settings. The itinerary focuses on the rainforest, waterfalls, and tall trees rather than longer alpine walks. That keeps the day within reach for people who are comfortable walking on short paths but do not want a demanding hike.

Russell Falls, where the rainforest walk begins

The walk to Russell Falls is an easy introduction to Mount Field. You follow a quiet stream through rainforest, with ferns and filtered light along the route. The setting feels calm and cool, a welcome contrast to a busy ship day.

Russell Falls is the park’s signature sight. Water drops over rock in three clear tiers, making it easy to appreciate from the viewing area. The falls are not just a quick photo stop. The path through the trees is part of the appeal, and the guide can help you notice details you might otherwise pass without a second look.

I would wear shoes with a solid sole even though the walk is described as easy. The tour is not suited to people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and you should expect natural walking surfaces rather than a fully level, paved route.

Horseshoe Falls and the Tall Trees Trail

From Russell Falls, the walk continues through fern glades to Horseshoe Falls. It is quieter and more enclosed than Russell Falls, with water dropping through the forest in a peaceful setting. The two falls work well together: Russell has the grander profile, while Horseshoe feels more tucked into the trees.

The Tall Trees Trail changes the mood again. Instead of looking down at streams and falls, you look up at huge Swamp Gums stretching more than 80 meters into the sky. The height is the point. Give yourself time to stop and look straight up, since the scale is easy to miss when you are focused only on the path.

The Mount Field section lasts about three hours, including the guided walks. That is enough time to see the main sights without turning the morning into a race, but it is not a private, slow-paced forest walk. One guide, Trevor, was praised for keeping the group moving at a brisk pace while still stopping for wildlife, including a pademelon spotted in thick vegetation.

That detail tells you something useful about the day. You will have a guide watching the clock and the group, but there can also be small surprises along the way. If you hope to linger at every waterfall or spend a long time photographing trees, this schedule may feel tight.

Lunch at Mount Field, with simple expectations

Lunch is not included. You have a chance to buy a bakery-style takeaway meal along the way, then eat in the relaxed picnic setting at Mount Field National Park. You can also bring your own snacks and water.

This arrangement keeps the tour flexible and helps hold down the price. It also means you should not expect a restaurant meal or a long lunch stop. If you have dietary needs or simply prefer a particular meal, bring food with you or buy something suitable during the break.

Water is important. The walks are not presented as strenuous, but you will be outdoors for much of the day, and Tasmanian conditions can shift. Comfortable shoes, outdoor clothing, and a light layer are sensible choices.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Tasmania’s native animals

After Mount Field, the tour turns from forest scenery to native wildlife at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. The visit lasts about 1.5 hours, so it is a focused stop rather than an all-day wildlife park experience.

Bonorong gives you a chance to see animals that are central to Tasmania’s identity. You can hand-feed wallabies, meet wombats, and learn about other local species. The close setting makes this part especially useful if you want more than distant glimpses of wildlife during a short visit to Tasmania.

The resident wombats are one of the most appealing stops. They are sturdy, distinctive animals, and the sanctuary setting gives you a better chance to observe them than a quick roadside sighting. The wallaby feeding is also hands-on, though you should follow the guide’s instructions and treat the animals calmly.

The most unusual part of the visit is the Tasmanian Devil feeding show. Tasmanian Devils are carnivorous marsupials found only in Tasmania. The presentation explains their habits and powerful bite while showing their more aggressive side at feeding time. They may look like small bears at first glance, but their behavior is much fiercer.

The tour also gives you a short lesson in Tasmania’s rare fauna. That matters because Bonorong is not simply a place to collect animal photos. It provides context for why these species are special and why Tasmania is such an important place for native wildlife.

How the two main stops fit together

Mount Field and Bonorong complement each other well. The national park gives you space, trees, water, and quiet. Bonorong gives you close animal encounters and a clearer look at species you might not spot during a forest walk.

That variety is the strongest reason to choose this tour. A full day at Mount Field would offer more walking but fewer guaranteed animal encounters. A wildlife-only visit would be easier, but you would miss the rainforest and waterfalls that make the Hobart region special.

The tradeoff is depth. You get a well-rounded taste of both places, not an exhaustive visit to either one. The three-hour Mount Field stop includes several walks, while the 1.5-hour Bonorong visit allows limited time for the sanctuary. One past passenger wanted more time at Bonorong, and that is a fair concern if wildlife is your main priority.

Guides, pace, and the small-group feel

The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide and guided walks at Mount Field. The most praised part of the experience is the guiding. One guide was described as fantastic and flexible about how long to spend at each section. Trevor was praised for his information about Mount Field, his steady pace, and his care in waiting for no-show group members.

You should expect the guide to manage the day closely. That is necessary when a cruise ship departure is involved, and it helps the group reach both major stops. The upside is an efficient visit. The downside is less freedom to wander or change the order of activities.

The small-group setup should make it easier to hear the guide and stay together on the forest paths. The exact group size is not given, so I would not assume a private or especially intimate outing. Still, it is a better fit for personal attention than a large coach sightseeing circuit.

The main operational warning comes from a past problem involving immigration delays. A passenger had kept the operator informed but reached the meeting point after the group had left. The circumstances were unusual, but the lesson is plain: confirm the meeting point, keep your phone available, and get through port procedures with enough time to reach 20 Davey Street by the stated meeting time. Do not rely on a promise that the vehicle can wait if your arrival is delayed.

Is $130 a fair price?

At $130, the tour is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Hobart, but the price includes both Mount Field National Park and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entrance fees. It also covers transportation from central Hobart, a professional guide, guided walks, and a full seven-hour schedule.

That makes the value fairly strong if you want both nature and wildlife without arranging separate transport. Mount Field is too far from the port for a casual taxi outing, and combining the park with Bonorong saves you from planning two separate visits.

The price is less attractive if you prefer to set your own pace, eat a full sit-down lunch, or spend most of the day at one site. You also need to budget for lunch and drinks, since those are excluded. Still, the included admissions and cruise-focused transportation make the cost reasonable for a shore excursion.

Who should book this Hobart shore excursion?

I would recommend it to adults and families with children aged six or older who are comfortable walking outdoors. It suits you if you want a broad sample of Tasmania in one day: waterfalls, rainforest, tall trees, wallabies, wombats, and Tasmanian Devils.

It is also a good fit if you value a guide who can explain the park and manage the timing. The tour removes much of the transport planning, which is useful when you have only one port day.

I would choose something else if you use a wheelchair, have significant mobility limits, or dislike walking on outdoor paths. I would also think twice if you want a slow, photographic pace. The schedule is active, and the guide may need to keep the group moving to protect the return time.

Children under six cannot join. Everyone should bring comfortable walking shoes, water, snacks if wanted, and clothing suitable for changing weather.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the most varied use of a seven-hour Hobart port call. The combination of Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, the Tall Trees Trail, and Bonorong gives you a real taste of Tasmania rather than another short city excursion.

Choose it with clear expectations: lunch is simple, Bonorong time is limited, and the walking schedule is brisk. Confirm the cruise meeting details carefully and arrive early at 20 Davey Street. For a first visit to Hobart, the strong guiding, included park and sanctuary fees, and mix of wild forest and native animals make this a solid-value day out.

FAQ

How long does the Hobart Mount Field and Bonorong tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. The usual schedule meets at 8:45 a.m., departs at 9 a.m., and returns to the Hobart waterfront around 4 p.m.

Where do I meet the tour?

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

Is lunch included?

No. You can buy a bakery-style takeaway lunch along the way and eat at the Mount Field picnic area. Bring your own snacks and water if preferred.

What will I see at Mount Field National Park?

The guided visit includes rainforest walks to Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls, plus the Tall Trees Trail with its towering Swamp Gums.

Can I see Tasmanian Devils on the tour?

Yes. The Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary visit includes a Tasmanian Devil feeding presentation, along with opportunities to see wombats, wallabies, and other native animals.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Children under six also cannot join.