Hobart: Mt Wellington, Salamanca Market & Wildlife Sanctuary Tour

Summary

Kunanyi views cheese tastings wild kangaroos & old sandstone bridges

You’ll ride up kunanyi/Mt Wellington for wild city views, stroll through Salamanca Market’s music and food stalls (if it’s Saturday), taste cheeses in Richmond village, and end your day feeding kangaroos at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary—with pickup right from your cruise ship or hotel.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re not really Tasmanian until you’ve been blown sideways on kunanyi,” our driver joked as we stepped out at the top of Mt Wellington. I didn’t expect the wind to actually steal my hat—should’ve listened. The air up there is sharp, almost sweet, and the whole city of Hobart just spills out below you like a map. Our guide pointed out little neighborhoods and the river curling around them. I kept squinting at the clouds rolling in—felt like they could swallow us if they wanted. It’s wild how close everything feels from up high, but also how far away your regular life seems.

We hit Salamanca Market next (only open Saturdays—worth timing for it). It’s noisy in a good way: buskers playing fiddles, someone grilling sausages, kids darting between stalls with sticky fingers. I tried a bite of something called wallaby salami—can’t say I’d crave it again, but hey, when in Tasmania. There was this older woman selling hand-knitted scarves who told me about her sheep named Daisy. She said Daisy hates rain but loves jazz. People here have time for stories.

Richmond was all golden sandstone and convict tales—our guide had a way of making history sound less like homework and more like gossip. We wandered over Australia’s oldest bridge (built by convicts; you can still see their initials carved into the stone if you look close). Lunch was slow and simple—a pie from a bakery that smelled like butter and woodsmoke. We stopped at Wicked Cheese for a tasting; the blue cheese nearly knocked me over (in a good way). I bought some to take home but it never made it past dinner that night.

The last stop was Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Kangaroos everywhere—one tried to eat my shoelace while I was distracted by a keeper telling us about Tasmanian devils (they really do screech; it’s unsettling and kind of hilarious). You get so close to these animals it feels almost awkward at first, but then you just relax into it. The sun was low when we left, everything gold and quiet except for the distant calls from inside the sanctuary. I still think about that view from kunanyi sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hobart city and wildlife tour

• Ascend Mt. Wellington summit
• Explore Salamanca Market
• Visit Richmond township and lunch
• Stop at Wicked Cheese farm
• Tour Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Top questions

How long does the Hobart highlights day tour take?

The tour lasts one full day with multiple stops including Mt Wellington, Salamanca Market (Saturdays), Richmond Village, Coal River Valley wine region, Wicked Cheese, and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

Is Salamanca Market included every day?

No, Salamanca Market is included only on Saturdays as that’s when it operates.

Does this tour include pickup from Hobart cruise terminal?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from the cruise terminal are included in the tour.

Can infants join this Hobart day trip?

Yes, infants can join; prams or strollers are allowed and infants must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

What animals can I see at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary?

You’ll see kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, and other native Australian wildlife up close at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No set lunch is included; you’ll have free time to choose your own meal at eateries in Richmond Village.

What happens if Mt Wellington is covered by cloud or snow?

If weather makes Mt Wellington inaccessible, Rosny lookout will be substituted for similar views over Hobart.

Are wine tastings included on this tour?

Tastings are available at Drink Tasmania Tasting House in Richmond but are optional; cheese tasting is complimentary at Wicked Cheese.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from Hobart cruise terminal or nearby hotels, comfortable transport with live commentary from a knowledgeable local guide, general entry to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary to meet native animals up close, plus a complimentary cheese tasting stop at Wicked Cheese before returning in the evening.