Hobart: Waterfalls, Wilderness & Wildlife – Active Day Tour

A three-tier waterfall, giant swamp gums, Tasmanian devils, and a mountaintop view all fit into one long day from Hobart. This Waterfalls, Wilderness & Wildlife Active Day Tour gives you a fast but rewarding introduction to the wild side of southern Tasmania without arranging several separate trips.

I like the well-planned route and the guides’ local commentary. Guides including Hannah, Carl, Paris, and Ben have helped visitors understand Hobart, Tasmanian forests, Aboriginal culture, and native animals along the way. I also like that national park and wildlife sanctuary admission are included.

The catch is the word active. The Three Falls walk includes plenty of stairs, with one section described as roughly 400 steps straight uphill. Lunch is not included, and the wildlife can be shy on the day.

Key points to know before booking

• Russell Falls is the easy opening act: The forest walk leads to Tasmania’s famous three-tier waterfall.
• Horseshoe Falls adds the effort: Reaching it means climbing stairs, with a tougher uphill section later on the circuit.
• Tall Trees Track feels genuinely wild: Giant swamp gums rise about 80 metres above the forest.
• Bonorong brings the animals close: The two-and-a-half-hour visit includes Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, and other native species.
• kunanyi/Mt Wellington finishes the day: You get about 30 minutes at the 1,271-metre summit for broad views across southern Tasmania.
• The value is in the range: At $132.69 per person, the tour combines transport, park entry, wildlife entry, guided walks, and a full day of sightseeing.

One big day beyond Hobart

This is a sightseeing day for people who want variety. You leave central Hobart at 7:30 am, spend the morning among rainforest and waterfalls, visit a wildlife sanctuary after lunch, then climb by vehicle to kunanyi/Mt Wellington before returning to the meeting point on Davey Street.

The order works well. Mount Field gives you the most physical part of the day while your legs are fresh. Bonorong changes the pace from forest walking to close wildlife encounters. The mountain provides a final look back across the region.

You are not simply being driven from one photo stop to another. The walking sections and interpretive talks give the day some substance. Guides have explained local nature, Hobart, forests, and Indigenous culture, and the small-group format, capped at 20 people, makes that commentary more useful than it would be on a large coach.

Still, this is a packed schedule. The tour lasts about 12 hours, and the drive between Hobart, Mount Field, Bonorong, and kunanyi/Mt Wellington is part of the deal. You see a lot, but no single stop becomes a slow, private wilderness outing.

Mount Field National Park and the Three Falls Circuit

Mount Field is about an hour and a half from Hobart, making it a practical day trip rather than a quick city excursion. The park brings together temperate rainforest, alpine moorland, and several waterfalls, giving you a good sample of Tasmania’s changing scenery in one place.

The first walk heads toward Russell Falls. This is the most accessible and familiar part of the morning, with a forest track leading through mixed forest and temperate rainforest. The walk takes about 45 minutes and the admission fee is included.

Russell Falls is famous for good reason. Its water drops in three visible tiers, and the surrounding trees make the setting more memorable than the waterfall alone. You get a classic Tasmania photograph here, but the walk matters just as much. The forest provides the quiet, damp, green setting that makes the falls feel like part of a larger natural system.

The route then continues to Horseshoe Falls. This section involves stairs, and the climb becomes a serious part of the morning. The falls are tucked into the forest and can feel more dramatic than Russell Falls because the approach is less gentle and the setting feels more enclosed.

Allow yourself time to enjoy the sound of the water rather than treating each fall as a quick checklist stop. The full Mount Field portion is listed at about five hours, including the walks and time in the park.

Tall Trees Track and the price of those views

The Three Falls Circuit continues into the Tall Trees section, where giant swamp gums rise to about 80 metres. These trees are especially striking because they are flowering plants, yet they reach a height that makes the forest feel almost cathedral-like.

This is where the tour earns its active label. The walk combines uneven forest paths and a substantial stair climb. One account describes the final uphill section as around 400 steps straight up. That is useful information to take seriously, especially if you have limited fitness or do not enjoy sustained stair climbing.

The exact difficulty will depend on your pace and condition, but calling this merely an easy walk would undersell it. Another account praised the hike while warning about the steps, and that is the right way to think about it. The reward is strong, but you should save some energy for the climb.

Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water. The tour does not list lunch as included, and you stop at a regional bakery to buy lunch and snacks for the day. Since the morning lasts several hours, buying food early is sensible. You will not want to depend on finding a meal once you are deep into the park.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary after the forest

After Mount Field, the day shifts from waterfalls to native animals at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. You spend about two and a half hours here, including an informative wildlife tour led by sanctuary staff.

This is the part of the day that adds creatures you might not spot during a forest walk. You can see Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, and other native fauna. One particularly enjoyable feature is the chance to feed kangaroos.

Bonorong is also useful because wildlife sightings in the national park are never guaranteed. Small pademelons may appear around the forest, but animals can stay hidden. At the sanctuary, you have a more dependable chance to see Tasmania’s unusual species and learn about the pressures facing rare native animals.

Keep your expectations sensible. Even in a wildlife park, animals do not perform on command. Tasmanian devils and wombats may be visible, while other animals may be resting or out of sight. That is not a failure of the tour, but it is worth knowing if animal encounters are your main reason for booking.

The sanctuary stop also provides a welcome change after the uphill walking. You are still on your feet, but the pace is less demanding than the Three Falls Circuit. The combination works well for a full day: exertion first, wildlife and interpretation later.

The climb to kunanyi/Mt Wellington

The final major stop is kunanyi/Mt Wellington, the mountain rising behind Hobart. The summit reaches 1,271 metres above sea level, and the drive from Bonorong takes about an hour.

You get roughly 30 minutes at the summit. That is not a long time, but it can be enough for photographs and a quick look across southern Tasmania when the weather is clear. The views provide a useful contrast to the enclosed rainforest earlier in the day. At Mount Field, trees and waterfalls fill your view. On the mountain, the scene opens out.

Weather matters here. Mountain conditions can change, and the tour requires good weather to operate. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Even when the tour runs, cloud or wind may limit what you see from the summit.

That uncertainty is part of visiting a mountain. Do not judge the entire day by the final view. Mount Field and Bonorong remain worthwhile even if kunanyi/Mt Wellington is cloudy. On a clear afternoon, though, the summit makes a fitting finish and helps you understand the geography around Hobart.

What the guide adds to the day

The driving time would feel much longer without useful commentary. The guides have been praised for explaining Hobart and Tasmania in a way that helps you get your bearings early in your stay.

Hannah has been singled out for her information during the hike. Carl has been praised for managing the timing across several activities, which matters on a schedule this full. Paris has shared information about Tasmania, the forest, and Indigenous culture, while Ben has been described as patient when explaining unfamiliar English words.

Guiding quality can vary from one departure to another, but the tour is designed around professional guides and interpretive walks rather than simple transport. That makes a real difference in Mount Field. Without context, the trees and waterfalls are beautiful. With an explanation of the forest and its scale, the walk becomes more memorable.

The group maximum is 20 people. That is small enough to hear the guide and keep the walking group reasonably together, though it is not a private tour. If you want a completely flexible pace, you may find the schedule restrictive. If you want someone else to handle the route and timing, the structure is helpful.

Is $132.69 good value?

At $132.69 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Hobart. The value depends on how many of the included pieces you would otherwise arrange yourself.

The price covers the national park entrance, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entry, transport for the day, professional guiding, and interpretive walks. You also avoid working out how to connect Mount Field, the waterfalls, the sanctuary, and the mountain in one outing.

Lunch is extra. You stop at a local bakery in a regional town to buy food and snacks, so budget for that separately. The tour also begins early and occupies most of the day, which means you are paying for a substantial outing rather than a short half-day transfer.

For a first visit to Hobart, I think the combination is strong. You get waterfalls, tall trees, wildlife, and a high viewpoint without booking separate admissions or driving unfamiliar roads. The main limitation is not the price but the pace. You are paying for breadth, not extended time at each location.

Who should book this active Tasmania tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to see several major natural attractions in one day and enjoy walking. It suits visitors with reasonable fitness who are comfortable with stairs, forest tracks, and a long day that starts at 7:30 am.

It is also a good choice if you do not have a car. Mount Field is far enough from Hobart that independent access takes more planning, and adding Bonorong and kunanyi/Mt Wellington makes the logistics more complicated. Here, the route is handled for you.

The tour may not suit you if you want a slow wildlife experience, a gentle walk, or lots of free time. The Mount Field section is more demanding than the phrase reasonable fitness might suggest. An older couple reportedly found the walking harder than expected, so assess your knees, balance, and stamina honestly.

English ability matters because the day relies on guide commentary. A visitor who spoke limited English still found the guide patient and helpful, but much of the explanation will be difficult to follow without functional English.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, water, weather-ready clothing, and money for lunch. Keep a little energy in reserve for the stair climb, and do not assume every animal at Bonorong will be active.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a high-value sampler of southern Tasmania and you are happy to work for the waterfalls. The route is well planned, the included admissions keep the cost reasonable, and the mix of forest, wildlife, and mountain views gives you a strong first day beyond Hobart.

Skip it if your idea of a holiday day means minimal walking or unhurried time in one place. For everyone else, especially first-time visitors without a car, this is an efficient and memorable way to meet Tasmania’s rugged side.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 12 hours.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 7:30 am.

Where does the tour meet?

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

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point on Davey Street.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour stops at a regional bakery where you can purchase lunch and snacks.

Are park admission fees included?

Yes. The national park entrance fee is included.

Is Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary admission included?

Yes. The wildlife park entrance fee is included.

How difficult is the walking?

The tour includes a walk to Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and the Tall Trees section of the Three Falls Circuit. It involves stairs, including a reported uphill section of about 400 steps, so reasonable fitness is needed.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The experience requires a minimum number of participants as well, and a cancellation for that reason also offers a different date, another experience, or a full refund.