Hobart: Waterfalls, Wilderness & Wildlife – Active Day Tour

Tasmania packs a lot into this 12-hour Hobart day tour: rainforest waterfalls, giant swamp gums, native animals, and a mountain summit with wide views over southern Tasmania. The active part is real, especially on the Three Falls walk, but you get a rewarding slice of the island without arranging several separate trips.

I like the way the day joins Mount Field National Park with Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. I also like the practical planning: park and wildlife admission are included, the group is limited to 20 people, and guides such as Hannah, Carl, Paris, and Ben add useful context about Hobart, Tasmania, Aboriginal culture, and the natural world.

The main caution is the walking. The route includes many stairs, with one final climb of about 400 steps straight uphill, so this is not a gentle sightseeing outing. You will also need to buy your own lunch at a bakery stop and accept a long day with several hours on the road.

Key points to know before booking

• Russell Falls is only the beginning: The walk continues to Horseshoe Falls and the Tall Trees Track.
• The forest walk is active: Allow for stairs, uneven paths, and a demanding uphill section.
• Bonorong adds close wildlife encounters: You can see Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, and other native animals.
• The final stop is high above Hobart: kunanyi/Mt Wellington reaches 1,271 metres and can offer broad views across southern Tasmania.
• Admission is covered: National park and wildlife sanctuary entry are included in the $132.69 price.
• Lunch is not included: You stop at a regional bakery to buy food and snacks for the day.

Why this day works for first-time Hobart visitors

Hobart is easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace, but many of its best natural sights sit outside the city. This tour gives you a direct way to reach them without hiring a car, planning park entry, or working out how to combine Mount Field, Bonorong, and kunanyi/Mt Wellington on your own.

The route also gives you three different views of Tasmania. Mount Field shows you wet forest and waterfalls. Bonorong focuses on animals and conservation. The mountain gives you open views and a sense of how Hobart fits into the wider region.

I especially like the variety. A full day spent only at waterfalls could feel repetitive, while a wildlife park alone would not show you much of Tasmania’s wild side. Here, the scenery changes several times, and the guide can connect the stops with explanations about the island.

The trade-off is pace. You leave the meeting point at 7:30 am and return to the same place after roughly 12 hours. That lets you cover a lot, but you should not expect long, unhurried pauses at every stop. The tour is built for good coverage in one day.

Mount Field National Park and the walk to Russell Falls

Mount Field is one of Tasmania’s oldest national parks, and the setting shifts from lush temperate rainforest to more open alpine country. The first major stop is Russell Falls, one of the island’s best-known waterfalls.

The walk to Russell Falls is described as easy at the start, with a forest track passing through mixed forest and temperate rainforest. Russell Falls drops in three visible tiers, and the surrounding trees make the approach part of the experience. You are not simply stepping off a bus for a quick photograph.

The water, tall trunks, mossy ground, and shaded track give this section a cool, enclosed feel. If you have just arrived in Hobart, it is a strong introduction to Tasmania’s wet forests.

The basic walk to Russell Falls lasts about 45 minutes, but the wider Mount Field portion occupies much of the morning and early afternoon. That broader block includes the walk toward Horseshoe Falls and the Tall Trees section, as well as time to move between points.

Bring shoes you can walk in comfortably. The route is not presented as a technical hike, and most people can take part, but the total outing is more demanding than the phrase reasonable fitness might suggest.

Horseshoe Falls and the 400-step test

From Russell Falls, the route continues to Horseshoe Falls. The waterfall sits farther into the forest and is reached by stairs. Some people may find it more impressive than Russell Falls because it feels a little less immediate and more enclosed by the trees.

This is where the tour shifts from an easy walk to a proper active outing. The final part includes a steep climb of about 400 steps. That detail matters. If you have knee trouble, limited stamina, or simply dislike stair-heavy walks, you should think carefully before booking.

The good news is that the stairs are part of a wider forest experience, not an isolated workout. You get waterfalls, towering trees, and changing views along the route. The guide can also help the group keep a sensible pace, which is important when people have different fitness levels.

I would save some energy for this section rather than treating Russell Falls as the end of the walk. Take water, move steadily, and do not feel pressured to race ahead. The tour is active, but the point is to see the forest, not win a stair-climbing contest.

The Tall Trees Track and giant swamp gums

The walk continues along the Three Falls Circuit into the Tall Trees Track. Here, the focus changes from falling water to the height of the forest. Giant swamp gums rise around 80 metres above you. They are described as the world’s tallest flowering plant, a fact that helps explain why this part feels so different from the waterfall stops.

The scale is hard to take in from a photograph. Look up and you may find the upper branches partly lost in the canopy. The forest floor can feel quiet and shaded while the trees reach far overhead.

This section gives the walk a useful rhythm. Russell Falls provides the classic view, Horseshoe Falls adds the stair climb and a second cascade, and the Tall Trees Track slows you down to notice the forest itself.

The whole walk has been described as roughly two hours by one participant, though the supplied stop times list about 45 minutes for Russell Falls, 30 minutes for Horseshoe Falls, and an hour for Tall Trees. The exact pace will depend on the group and the day. Either way, plan for a substantial walk rather than a brief stroll.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary after the forest

After Mount Field, the tour heads to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for about two and a half hours. This is a useful change of pace after the stairs and forest track. Instead of searching for animals in the wild, you receive an informative wildlife tour with the sanctuary’s staff.

The focus is on Tasmanian fauna, including Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, and other native animals. A Japanese-speaking participant particularly valued the chance to feed kangaroos and see Tasmanian devils, as well as the explanations about the forest, Aboriginal people, and nature.

You should keep your expectations sensible. Animals do not follow a timetable, and they may be hiding on the day. That is not a fault in the schedule, but it can affect how much you see. The sanctuary still adds value because the staff provide interpretation, and the stop gives you a better chance to learn about species that can be difficult to spot in the wild.

The two and a half hours here also prevents the wildlife portion from feeling rushed. You have time to take in the sanctuary after the longer morning walk. For families and animal lovers, this may be the most memorable part of the day. For hikers, it offers a welcome break before the final mountain drive.

The climb to kunanyi/Mt Wellington

From Bonorong, the drive to kunanyi/Mt Wellington takes about an hour. The summit rises to 1,271 metres above sea level behind Hobart, and the tour allows around 30 minutes at the top.

This is a short visit, but the payoff can be large. From the summit, you may get views across Hobart and southern Tasmania, depending on the weather. One participant compared the scenery to the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in the United States, which gives you a useful sense of the broad, rugged character of the view.

Weather matters here. Mountain conditions can change, and clouds may limit the outlook even when Hobart looks clear. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Still, you should be prepared for the possibility that the summit view will be less open than hoped.

Thirty minutes is enough to step out, look around, take photographs, and feel the change in elevation. It is not enough for a long summit walk. The stop works best as a final viewpoint, not as another hike.

Guides, group size, and the feel of the day

The tour uses professional guides and interpretive walks, with a maximum group size of 20. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach outing, while still allowing the operator to keep the cost under control.

The guide can make a major difference on a day like this. Hannah was praised for explaining the walk and local area clearly. Carl was singled out for keeping the timing under control, which matters when the schedule includes several stops. Paris was noted for sharing information about Tasmania, and Ben was described as patient when explaining unfamiliar English words.

Those details are useful if English is not your first language. The tour is conducted in English, and one participant said it could be difficult without English. At the same time, that person found the guide willing to repeat and explain words when asked.

The guides also help turn transport time into part of the experience. A good explanation of Hobart, the forests, local wildlife, or Aboriginal culture can give meaning to what you see. The quality of that commentary may vary with the individual guide, but the format gives you more context than simply following a map.

What the $132.69 price includes

At $132.69 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Hobart, but the value is solid if you want several major sights in one outing.

The price includes:

• National park entry
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entry
• Professional guides
• Interpretive walks
• Transport as part of the day tour
• A small-group format with no more than 20 people

You still need to buy lunch and snacks. The group stops at a local bakery in a regional town, which is practical rather than fancy. I like this arrangement because it lets you choose what you want and carry food along for the active sections.

The real value comes from combining three separate experiences. If you arranged Mount Field, Bonorong, and kunanyi/Mt Wellington independently, you would need transport, entry planning, and careful timing. This tour handles that work for you.

It is especially good value if you do not have a car or only have one full day outside Hobart. If you already have a rental car and prefer to spend half a day at one waterfall or walk at your own pace, the fixed schedule may feel less attractive.

How to prepare for the 7:30 am start

Meet at 20 Davey Street in Hobart at 7:30 am. The tour ends back at the same meeting point after the full day.

Wear sturdy, comfortable footwear and bring water. The tour information says most people can participate, but the reviews make clear that the Three Falls walk demands reasonable fitness. You should be ready for stairs, a long forest walk, and the uphill section after Russell Falls.

Dress for changing conditions. Mount Field can feel cool and damp, while kunanyi/Mt Wellington may have very different weather from Hobart. The tour can be canceled in poor weather, with a choice of another date or a full refund, but even on a running day you should expect conditions to vary.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives at booking. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Who should book this active Hobart day tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad first look at southern Tasmania and do not want to drive. It suits people who enjoy waterfalls, forests, wildlife, and viewpoints more than museums or slow city sightseeing.

It is also a good choice for a first day in Hobart because the guide can introduce the area while you see several major natural sights. The combination of forest and wildlife makes the day appealing to families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone with limited time.

I would hesitate if you want a relaxed schedule, dislike stairs, or need guaranteed animal sightings. The pace is efficient, and the forest walk is more strenuous than the simple waterfall names might suggest.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you can handle a long day and a demanding stair climb in exchange for a packed introduction to Tasmania’s natural side. The strongest parts are the Mount Field forest, the sequence of Russell and Horseshoe Falls, the giant swamp gums, and the chance to see native animals at Bonorong.

Skip it if you want to linger in one place or prefer independent hiking. For everyone else, the $132.69 cost is reasonable because entry fees, guiding, transport, and three very different Hobart-area experiences are brought together in one carefully timed day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 12 hours. It begins at 7:30 am and ends back at the meeting point in Hobart.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is 20 Davey Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour stops at a local bakery in a regional town so you can buy lunch and snacks for the day.

Are admission fees included?

Yes. National park entry and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entry are included in the tour price.

How difficult is the walking?

The tour includes an active walk through Mount Field National Park, with stairs and an uphill section of about 400 steps. Most people can participate, but reasonable fitness is needed.

What animals can you see at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary?

The tour includes the chance to see Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, and other native wildlife.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.