Hobart: Mt Field National Park & Wildlife Shore Excursion

Tasmania gets wilder just beyond Hobart. This seven-hour shore excursion pairs the cool rainforest and waterfalls of Mount Field National Park with close encounters at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. I like the sensible mix of easy walking and wildlife, especially Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and the towering Swamp Gums. I also like that the schedule is built around cruise ships, with a meeting point only five minutes from the terminal.

The main drawback is time. Mount Field receives about three hours, and Bonorong about 90 minutes, so both stops give you a taste rather than a full day at either place. The walks are not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and you need to keep moving to stay with the group.

Key points at a glance

• Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls: Follow a rainforest stream to Tasmania’s best-known waterfall, then continue through fern-filled forest to a second cascade.
• Tall Trees Trail: Look up at Swamp Gums that can reach more than 80 meters, a dramatic change from Hobart’s waterfront.
• Bonorong wildlife time: Hand feed wallabies, meet wombats, and watch a Tasmanian Devil feeding presentation.
• Cruise-friendly timing: Meet at 20 Davey Street at about 8:45 a.m. for a 9 a.m. departure, returning around 4 p.m.
• Small-group format: A guide leads the walks and adjusts the pace, though the day still follows a fairly brisk schedule.
• Good value at $130: National park and wildlife park entrance fees are included, along with guided walks.

From Hobart’s waterfront to Mount Field

The meeting point is the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at 20 Davey Street. From the cruise terminal, it is a short and easy walk of about five minutes, which matters when you are working with a ship’s departure deadline.

Most ships suit an 8:45 a.m. meeting time and 9 a.m. departure. The return is planned for around 4 p.m., giving you a full shore day without requiring a long transfer across town. This is a specialised cruise excursion, so the schedule is designed around ship arrival and departure times rather than a general sightseeing timetable.

The road to Mount Field takes about 1.5 hours from Hobart. New Norfolk provides a 15-minute break along the way. This is useful after leaving the city, though it is not a major sightseeing stop. Think of it as a chance to stretch your legs, use facilities, and pick up anything you need before the forest walks.

Because food and drinks are not included, bring water and snacks. There is also an opportunity to buy a bakery-style takeaway lunch along the route. Lunch is taken in the relaxed setting of the Mount Field National Park picnic area, so you do not need to plan a restaurant meal. You should, however, expect a simple outdoor lunch rather than a long sit-down break.

Mount Field’s rainforest and waterfalls

Mount Field is one of Tasmania’s oldest national parks, and the appeal is easy to understand once the road gives way to forest. The park brings together temperate rainforest, waterfalls, fern glades, streams, and higher moorland. You will not see all of those environments in detail during this outing, but the guided visit gives you a useful sample of the park’s best-known short walks.

The first walk follows a quiet stream toward Russell Falls. This is an easy route, but comfortable walking shoes are still important because the day includes several walks and outdoor surfaces. The forest provides shade and a cooler feel than Hobart, although Tasmania’s weather can change quickly.

Russell Falls drops over rock in three distinct tiers. It is the park’s signature sight, and the setting does much of the work: water, ferns, tall trees, and filtered light create a calm start to the day. The waterfall is scenic without requiring a strenuous hike, making it a good fit for people who want nature without a demanding climb.

From Russell Falls, the route continues through fern-filled forest to Horseshoe Falls. This second waterfall is quieter and more enclosed, with the walk itself forming much of the experience. Dappled light and thick greenery give the short route a different mood from the open viewing area around Russell Falls.

You should be ready for a steady walking pace. One guide, Trevor, was praised for keeping the group moving while still stopping to point out wildlife. He spotted a pademelon in thick tree growth, a small but memorable moment that shows why it pays to watch the forest rather than simply follow the path.

The guide’s role is particularly useful here. Without local direction, it would be easy to focus only on the waterfalls and miss movement in the undergrowth. A guide can also explain the park and help keep the group on schedule, which is important when a ship is waiting back in Hobart.

Looking up on the Tall Trees Trail

The Tall Trees Trail adds scale to the Mount Field visit. Here, Swamp Gums can reach more than 80 meters into the sky. After walking beside waterfalls and low fern growth, you suddenly find yourself craning your neck to see the tops of the trees.

This is one of the strongest parts of the outing for anyone who likes forests for more than photographs. The trail shows how different parts of the park work together: water and mossy ground at the falls, then huge tree trunks and an open vertical view in the tall forest.

Do not expect a long independent hike. The Mount Field portion lasts about three hours and includes the guided walks, the waterfalls, and the Tall Trees Trail. That is enough time for a satisfying introduction, but not enough for a broad exploration of the park’s other routes or alpine areas.

The schedule also means you should wear shoes that are comfortable for continuous walking. Outdoor clothing is essential because conditions can vary. A light layer, rain protection, and water are more useful than dressing only for Hobart’s weather at the cruise terminal.

Lunch in the national park

The lunch arrangement keeps the day practical. You can purchase a bakery-style takeaway meal along the way and eat at the Mount Field picnic area. This avoids losing time to a formal restaurant stop and lets you stay in the park setting.

The tradeoff is choice. Food and drinks are not included, and the information provided does not promise a large selection. If you have dietary needs or simply prefer a particular meal, bring snacks from Hobart and carry enough water for the walks.

This is also a good time to reset before Bonorong. The day moves from forest walking to animal encounters, so the picnic break creates a useful pause between the two main parts of the excursion.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Tasmania’s native animals

After Mount Field, the group visits Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for about 1.5 hours. The sanctuary gives you a different way to understand Tasmania. Instead of looking for animals in dense forest, you can see native species at close range and learn about their place in the island’s wildlife.

Hand feeding wallabies is one of the more direct activities. It offers a simple, memorable encounter, especially if you have children over six or family members who want more than distant wildlife sightings. You will also meet the resident wombats, which are among the visit’s most appealing animals.

The sanctuary visit includes time with Tasmanian Devils, marsupials found only in Tasmania. The feeding presentation shows their forceful behavior and explains why these animals are so distinctive. They may look bear-like at a glance, but their powerful bite and feisty nature make them much more than a cute photo opportunity.

The 90-minute visit is useful but limited. One person enjoyed the guide and the overall day but wanted more time at Bonorong. That is a fair concern. With wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian Devils, and other native animals to see, you may find yourself wishing the wildlife portion lasted longer.

The benefit of the short visit is that it allows you to combine Bonorong with Mount Field in one cruise day. If you spent a full day at the sanctuary, you would lose the rainforest and waterfall experience. This outing is best understood as a two-part sampler, not an in-depth wildlife park visit.

How much value does $130 offer?

At $130 per person, the price is reasonable for a seven-hour guided shore excursion. The cost includes Mount Field National Park entrance fees, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary admission, and guided walks with a professional guide.

You are also paying for the coordination that is easy to underestimate on a cruise stop. The tour connects a distant national park and a wildlife sanctuary, handles the timing, and brings you back to the Hobart waterfront. Independent transport to both locations would require more planning and would carry more risk if delays affected your return to the ship.

The price is less attractive if you want a slow, flexible day. You cannot linger as long as you might on a private outing, especially at Bonorong. The schedule has to serve the whole small group and protect the return time.

For many cruise passengers, the included admissions and guided transport make the cost worthwhile. You get two of Tasmania’s major nature experiences without spending your short Hobart stop arranging separate tickets and transfers.

Guide quality and pace

The strongest praise goes to the guides. One guide was described as fantastic, while Trevor was singled out for his understanding of Mount Field, his brisk but manageable pace, and his care with the group. Those details matter because this day depends on good timing and clear direction.

A guide can also adjust how long the group spends at each stop. One strong guide was flexible about the length of different sections, which is helpful when weather, wildlife sightings, or group energy changes the ideal schedule.

Still, small group does not mean private tour. You should expect to stay with the guide and follow the planned sequence. Trevor reportedly waited for guests who did not show, which suggests care for the group, but delays can reduce time at later stops.

There was also a serious communication problem for one passenger who experienced a delayed immigration process and was left behind after the group departed. This is a useful warning for cruise passengers: the meeting point is near the terminal, but you should leave the ship as early as possible and go directly to 20 Davey Street. If your arrival is delayed, contact the tour operator and the guide, but do not assume the vehicle can wait indefinitely.

Who should book this shore excursion?

I would recommend this outing to cruise passengers who want rainforest, waterfalls, and wildlife in one day. It suits active adults, couples, and families with children aged six and older who can manage several easy walks and a full outdoor schedule.

It is also a good choice if you want a guide to handle the route and timing. You do not need to arrange national park access, wildlife park admission, or transport between Hobart and the two sites.

I would be cautious if you have limited mobility, use a wheelchair, or find continuous walking difficult. The experience is specifically not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The pace can also be brisk, and there is not much spare time if you stop often.

Photographers should like the variety: waterfalls, fern glades, huge trees, wallabies, wombats, and Tasmanian Devils all offer different subjects. Just remember that sightings in the national park are not guaranteed. The pademelon spotted by Trevor was an especially lucky moment, not a scheduled part of the day.

Practical details before you go

Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing suited to changing outdoor conditions. Bring water, snacks, and any food you may need before the takeaway lunch opportunity.

Meet at the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, 20 Davey Street, at about 8:45 a.m. for the usual 9 a.m. departure. The return to the same location is planned for around 4 p.m.

The experience is conducted in English with a live guide. Children under six cannot join, and wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments should choose another activity.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Since cruise schedules and immigration delays can create tight timing, check your ship’s arrival process carefully and go straight to the meeting point once you are ashore.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the most varied nature day you can reasonably fit into a Hobart cruise stop. Mount Field supplies the scenery, while Bonorong provides close wildlife encounters and a clear introduction to Tasmania’s unusual native animals.

Skip it if your priority is a long, unhurried visit to either the national park or the wildlife sanctuary. The day is active and well planned, but the two major stops divide your time.

At $130, the combination of admissions, guided walks, small-group transport, and cruise-friendly timing gives the tour solid value. Arrive early, pack water and weather-ready clothing, and expect a brisk day with waterfalls, enormous trees, wombats, wallabies, and a few memorable Tasmanian Devils.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Hobart?

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

What time does the excursion usually start?

Most cruise ships suit an 8:45 a.m. meeting time and a 9 a.m. departure.

What time does the tour return?

The planned return to 20 Davey Street is around 4 p.m.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts seven hours.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Mount Field National Park entrance fees and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entrance fees are included.

Is lunch included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, water, snacks if needed, and outdoor clothing suitable 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. Children under six are also not permitted.