Hobart: Mt Field National Park & Wildlife Shore Excursion

Rainforest, waterfalls, and devils in one day. This $130 small-group tour gives you a useful escape from Hobart’s waterfront, pairing the cool forest of Mount Field National Park with close encounters at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. I especially like the easy walk to Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls, plus the chance to see towering swamp gums on the Tall Trees Trail. The wildlife stop adds Tasmanian devils, wombats, and wallabies to the day.

The main drawback is time. Mount Field receives about three hours, while Bonorong gets roughly 90 minutes, and one strong experience praised the guide but wished for more time at the sanctuary. You also need to walk at a fairly steady pace, and a cruise delay at immigration caused one passenger to miss the departure despite earlier communication with the operator.

Key points at a glance

• Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls: An easy rainforest walk links two of Mount Field’s best-known waterfalls.
• Tall Trees Trail: Look up for swamp gums reaching more than 80 meters above the forest floor.
• Bonorong wildlife encounters: Feed wallabies and meet wombats, Tasmanian devils, and other native animals.
• Cruise-friendly timing: Meet at 8:45 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. departure and return around 4:00 p.m.
• Short New Norfolk break: The route includes a 15-minute stop, useful for a quick pause before the national park.
• Best for active shore-excursion passengers: Comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing are essential.

Why this shore excursion works from Hobart

Hobart is easy to enjoy from the waterfront, but Tasmania’s wild side begins outside the city. Mount Field National Park is about 1.5 hours from Hobart, so this tour uses most of your day to reach a proper rainforest setting rather than keeping you on short city walks.

That travel time matters. You are not simply visiting a nearby park for a quick photo. You get a change of scenery, from Hobart’s urban waterfront to quiet streams, fern glades, tall forest, and cascading water. The return drive also lets you see more of the region without arranging a rental car or working out cruise-day parking.

The tour costs $130 per person. That price includes the Mount Field National Park entrance fee, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary admission, guided walks, and transport as part of a small-group active day. Food and drinks are extra. For a cruise passenger, the value comes from combining two major stops in one outing, with the route and timing handled for you.

The tradeoff is that you do not control the pace. You may want longer at Bonorong, more time for photographs, or a slower forest walk. The guide has to keep the group moving and return everyone to Hobart on schedule.

Meeting near the cruise terminal

The general meeting point is the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at 20 Davey Street, a roughly five-minute walk from the cruise terminal. That is convenient, especially if you have limited time in Hobart and do not want to arrange a taxi.

Most cruise ships fit an 8:45 a.m. meeting time, with departure at 9:00 a.m. The expected return is around 4:00 p.m. Since this is built specifically for cruise passengers, the schedule is designed around ship arrival and departure times.

Still, build in plenty of time to leave the ship and clear immigration. A serious timing problem affected one passenger whose immigration process was delayed by government officials. The passenger had kept the operator informed and was told the group would wait, but the vehicle left before the passenger reached the meeting point. I would treat the 8:45 meeting time as firm and get off the ship as early as your cruise procedures allow.

A short pause in New Norfolk

The route includes a 15-minute break in New Norfolk. This is not a major sightseeing stop, but it breaks up the drive before the longer visit to Mount Field.

The pause is also useful because lunch is not included. You have an opportunity along the way to buy a bakery-style takeaway lunch, then eat in the relaxed setting of the Mount Field picnic area. Bring water and snacks if you prefer not to rely on the available stop.

Do not expect a sit-down restaurant meal or a long café visit. This is a practical road break, not a separate attraction.

Walking through Mount Field National Park

Mount Field is one of Tasmania’s oldest national parks and the main reason to book this excursion. It brings together temperate rainforest, waterfalls, fern-covered paths, alpine moorland, and very tall eucalyptus trees.

The guided portion lasts about three hours, giving you a substantial amount of time outside the vehicle. The walking is described as easy in the waterfall section, but the day is still active. You will be on your feet, moving between several points, and dealing with outdoor conditions that can change.

Wear comfortable walking shoes with a good grip. Bring outdoor clothing and be ready for rain, cool air, or other weather changes. The tour does not suit wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or children under six.

Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls

The first walk follows a quiet stream through rainforest toward Russell Falls. Water drops over rock in three distinct tiers, making this the classic Mount Field view and one of the easiest rewards on the route.

The setting matters as much as the waterfall. Dappled light filters through the trees, while ferns line the forest floor and the stream keeps the walk feeling cool and calm. You get a proper Tasmanian rainforest experience without committing to a difficult hike.

From Russell Falls, the route continues toward Horseshoe Falls. This second cascade is more peaceful and enclosed by the surrounding forest. It gives you a chance to keep walking after the main photo stop rather than turning around immediately.

Your guide adds value here by explaining what you are seeing and managing the pace. Trevor, one guide praised for his Mount Field knowledge, kept the group moving briskly and spotted a pademelon in the thick growth. That kind of sighting is never guaranteed, but a guide looking carefully can improve your chance of noticing small animals along the path.

The Tall Trees Trail

The Tall Trees Trail changes the mood of the park. Instead of focusing on falling water, you look upward at enormous swamp gums, some stretching more than 80 meters into the sky.

This is a good reminder that Tasmania’s forests are not only about waterfalls and ferns. The sheer height of the trees gives the walk a sense of scale that photographs may not fully capture. Bring your camera, but also give yourself time to look straight up.

The three-hour Mount Field visit includes several walks and points of interest, so your exact pace will depend on the group and the guide. One guide received praise for adjusting the length of each part of the tour, which is useful on a day when weather, walking speed, and wildlife sightings can affect the schedule.

Lunch in a national park picnic setting

Lunch is not included, but the plan is straightforward. Buy a bakery-style takeaway lunch along the way, then eat at the Mount Field National Park picnic area.

I like this arrangement for a day tour because it keeps the schedule flexible and avoids paying for a meal you may not want. You can choose something simple and carry it into the park. Just remember to bring water and snacks, since neither food nor drinks are supplied.

The picnic stop is relaxed, but do not confuse it with a long lunch break. Mount Field has a lot to fit into three hours, and the group needs to continue on to Bonorong.

Meeting Tasmania’s wildlife at Bonorong

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is the second major stop, with about 1.5 hours to see native animals and learn about Tasmania’s wildlife.

You can hand-feed wallabies and meet resident wombats. These encounters are a strong contrast to the quiet forest walks, especially if you want more than scenery from your shore day. You also get to see animals that are difficult to spot in the wild, where thick vegetation and short viewing opportunities can work against you.

The main wildlife feature is the Tasmanian devil. These carnivorous marsupials are found only in Tasmania. They look somewhat like small bears, but their behavior is much more intense, and they have one of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom.

A devil feeding presentation explains more about their behavior while you watch them feed. Expect a lively, noisy display rather than a gentle petting-zoo moment. It is one of the most distinctive parts of the day and gives useful context about Tasmania’s rare native fauna.

The limitation is the short visit. Ninety minutes gives you a worthwhile introduction, but it may feel rushed if you want to spend long periods at every enclosure or animal encounter. One experienced participant specifically wanted more time at Bonorong, so keep your expectations realistic. You will see a good range of wildlife, but this is not a full-day sanctuary visit.

How the guides shape the day

The guide can make a major difference on this excursion. The strongest feedback focused on guides who were flexible, considerate, and well informed about Mount Field.

Trevor was praised for keeping the group on schedule, spotting a pademelon, and waiting for guests who were no-shows. Another guide was praised for adjusting how long the group spent at different stops. Those details matter because this is a tight cruise-day schedule, not a private custom tour.

There was also a communication failure involving the pickup and delayed immigration. That problem appears to be an exception rather than the normal rhythm of the day, but it is important enough to plan around. Confirm the meeting point and time before leaving your ship, then arrive early.

The overall rating provided for the experience is 4 out of 5 from six ratings. That fits the picture: the natural attractions and guide quality receive strong praise, while timing and communication can affect the day.

Is $130 good value?

At $130, this is a reasonable package for a cruise passenger who wants both nature and wildlife without renting a car. Entrance fees for Mount Field and Bonorong are included, as are guided walks and transport. You also avoid the work of planning a route that covers two separate attractions outside Hobart.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay for separate admission and transport. It is also useful if you care about returning to the waterfront on schedule and prefer a guide to handle the roads.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a slow forest walk. You are paying for the combination of Mount Field, Bonorong, transport, and coordination. If your priority is spending several hours in one park, a Mount Field-only outing might give you more breathing room, though that option is not part of this experience.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this excursion if you want a broad taste of Tasmania in one cruise day. It suits you especially well if you like short nature walks, waterfalls, forests, and wildlife, but do not want a demanding hike.

It is also a good match for visitors who value a small-group setting and live English-speaking guidance. The guide can point out plants and animals that you might miss alone, as happened when a pademelon was spotted along the forest route.

Think twice if you have mobility limits, use a wheelchair, dislike changing weather, or need a slow walking pace. The tour is not suitable for children under six, and the schedule leaves little room for delays.

Bring comfortable shoes, water, snacks, and outdoor clothing. I would also carry a light rain layer, since the tour specifically warns you to prepare for changing conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you have one Hobart cruise day and want to combine Mount Field’s waterfalls and tall forest with Bonorong’s Tasmanian devils and wombats. It offers more variety than a city-only shore visit and gives you a practical introduction to Tasmania’s natural side.

Skip it if your main goal is a leisurely pace or extended time with wildlife. The three-hour park visit and 90-minute sanctuary stop are useful but scheduled, and the group must leave on time. For active cruise passengers who arrive early at 20 Davey Street, the mix of scenery, wildlife, and included admissions makes the $130 price fair.

FAQ

How long does the Mount Field and Bonorong tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. Most cruise passengers meet at 8:45 a.m., depart at 9:00 a.m., and return around 4:00 p.m.

Where do I meet the tour?

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

What is included in the price?

The $130 price includes Mount Field National Park entrance fees, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entrance fees, guided walks, and the small-group tour.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy a bakery-style takeaway lunch along the way and eat it at the Mount Field National Park picnic area.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, water, snacks, and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing. You should be ready for changing weather conditions.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Can children join the tour?

Children under six cannot join this experience.