You’ll wander through historic Richmond village with time to explore at your own pace before heading to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary near Hobart. Feed kangaroos by hand, watch Tasmanian devils at feeding time, and hear stories from passionate local guides. It’s an afternoon that lingers with you long after you’ve left—the kind that makes you pause.
The first thing I noticed in Richmond was the sound of my own footsteps on those uneven old stones—kind of echoey, like the whole place was holding its breath. Our guide, Tom, pointed out the bridge (apparently the oldest in Australia) and laughed when I tried to pronounce “Coal River” with his accent. The bakery smelled like butter and something sweet I couldn’t quite place. We had time to poke around antique shops—one shopkeeper told us about convicts who built half the town. I believed her; you could feel the history in your bones.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary wasn’t what I pictured. It’s not a zoo—more like a rescue home with open paddocks where kangaroos just wander up to you. They gave us food pellets, but honestly, one wallaby seemed more interested in sniffing my shoelaces than eating. The Tasmanian devils were louder than I expected—sort of guttural growls when they fed, which made everyone go quiet for a second. Our guide (I think her name was Jess?) knew every animal’s story by heart and told us why some of them can’t go back to the wild. That stuck with me.
I’d never been that close to a koala before—soft fur, eucalyptus smell, and this weird sense of calm around them. The light started turning gold as we left Bonorong, and someone joked about moving to Tasmania for the animals alone. Maybe they weren’t joking? Anyway, if you want an afternoon that feels both slow and full at once, this day trip from Hobart is it.
Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select Hobart locations, all entry fees for Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, plus commentary from English-speaking guides throughout both Richmond village and the sanctuary itself before returning comfortably back to town.
Operated by Experience Tasmania Gray Line Day Tours
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4h 15m · EN · at your hotel
from AU$ 130 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.56126 reviews