Hobart: Mt Field, Mt Wellington & Wildlife Day Trip

Summary

Russell Falls mist tall trees and wild faces from Hobart

You’ll walk beneath towering trees at Mt Field near Hobart, feel spray from Russell Falls on your face, and meet Tasmanian wildlife up close at Bonorong Sanctuary—all with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Expect muddy boots, tired legs, and moments of real quiet you’ll remember later.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll want to count the stairs,” our guide Dave grinned as we started up toward Horseshoe Falls. I’d already lost track by the halfway point—legs burning, breath mixing with that cool, mossy air you only get in Tasmania’s forests. Mt Field is about an hour and a half from Hobart but feels like another world; even the light looks different here, filtered through ferns and those absurdly tall swamp gums. I kept stopping just to press my hand against their bark—damp, rough, kind of grounding. Someone behind me laughed when I tried to pronounce ‘kunanyi’ (I definitely butchered it).

Russell Falls was louder than I expected—more of a steady roar than a trickle. You can smell wet earth before you see anything. We did the full Three Falls Circuit, which sounds ambitious but honestly, it’s just walking and gawking most of the time. The Tall Trees Track felt almost silent except for birds—one kid in our group tried to spot all the different parrots but got distracted counting tree rings instead. Dave told us these eucalypts are among the tallest flowering plants anywhere. It’s weirdly humbling standing there craning your neck until it hurts.

After lunch (packed sandwiches eaten on a damp log—nothing fancy), we drove out to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. The place smells like eucalyptus and animal fur, not unpleasant, just real. A keeper let us feed kangaroos by hand; their fur is softer than I thought it’d be. Wombats waddled past like they owned the place. The Tasmanian devils were napping in a pile until someone opened a bag of food—suddenly wide awake and squabbling over scraps. There’s something about seeing them up close that makes you root for them.

The last stop was kunanyi/Mt Wellington. By then clouds had rolled in so views over Hobart were patchy—sometimes you could see all the way down to the water, sometimes nothing but white mist swirling around your boots. It was cold enough for everyone to huddle together for photos before dashing back into the van. I still think about that view when I’m stuck somewhere noisy or crowded; there’s a hush up there that lingers long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Mt. Field and Wildlife

• Drive to Mt. Field National Park
• Walk to Russell Falls waterfall
• Climb stairs to Horseshoe Falls
• Walk the Tall Trees Track circuit
• Complete Three Falls Circuit to Lady Barron Falls
• Visit Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
• Meet and feed kangaroos
• Ascend to Mt. Wellington summit
• Return to Hobart

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Hobart to Mt Field?

The tour lasts about 9 hours including travel time from Hobart and returns around 5:30pm.

Is lunch included on this Mt Field & wildlife tour?

No lunch is provided; bring your own packed lunch or snacks for the day.

Are tickets for Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary included?

Yes, entry fees for Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary are included in the tour price.

How difficult are the walks at Mt Field?

The walks range from easy to moderate with some stairs; a reasonable level of fitness is needed.

What animals can I see at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary?

You can see kangaroos (which you can hand-feed), wombats, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, and more native species.

Is hotel pickup included in this day trip?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; check with your provider for meeting details in Hobart city center.

What should I bring on this active day tour?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing (it can be cold on Mt Wellington), water, snacks or lunch.

Is this tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 8 years old due to walking distances and activity level.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks led by experienced local guides through Mt Field’s forest tracks and waterfalls, entry fees for both Mount Field and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary where you’ll meet native animals up close—including hand-feeding kangaroos—and comfortable small-group transport throughout southern Tasmania before returning to Hobart in the evening.