One day. Big Tasmania energy. This active loop outside Hobart mixes waterfalls, wildlife, and summit views without wasting time. You hit Mt Field’s rainforest mood, then walk the classic Russell Falls area, meet native animals at Bonorong, and end high on kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

I especially like the way the day is paced for variety: short walks when your legs are fresh, then longer set-piece scenery stops. I also like that admission fees for the national park and wildlife sanctuary are included, so you can focus on the experience instead of ticket math. One thing to consider: this is not a stroll-only day, and you’ll face plenty of steps—some climbs can feel like a workout.

Key highlights that make this day tour click

• Mt Field National Park: big-tree temperate rainforest plus dramatic waterfall country, all within one morning
• Russell Falls + Horseshoe Falls: two iconic drops with easy-to-moderate walking and stairs
• Tall Trees Walk: a real feel for Tasmania’s scale, including the famous tall Swamp Gums
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: chances to see Tasmanian devils, wombats, and echidnas up close
• kunanyi/Mt Wellington: a summit stop with wide views over Southern Tasmania
• Small group size (max 20): more attention on walks and a smoother day than bigger bus tours

A 12-hour nature loop built around your time

This is an approx. 12-hour active day from 7:30am to back near the start in Hobart. You’ll meet at 20 Davey St, Hobart, then spend the day moving between major nature hits south of the city.

The flow is simple: start with forests and giant trees, switch to waterfalls, shift gears to wildlife, and then top it off with a mountain viewpoint. With a group capped at 20 travelers, you’re less likely to get stuck waiting while everyone shuffles at their own pace.

Value note: it’s priced at $132.69 per person, but a lot of the “pay later” cost is already handled through included admission fees. That matters on a day like this, where you’d otherwise buy tickets for multiple venues.

Mt Field National Park: giant trees and rainforest-to-moody views

You’ll spend a solid block of time in Mt Field National Park, with about 5 hours built in. It’s only around 1.5 hours from Hobart, so you get out of the city fast without feeling like the day is just transit.

Mt Field is known for temperate rainforest feel, then changes mood as you move through alpine moorland areas. In other words, you don’t just get one “pretty forest” scene—you get different textures, light, and plant life in the same region.

What I like here for real travelers: this is a classic place to visit if it’s your first trip to Tasmania. You can feel the island’s personality quickly—cool, wet, forested, and dramatic—even before you reach the waterfalls.

Practical consideration: you’ll be on your feet for multiple walking segments during the day, and Mt Field sets the tone. Wear shoes you can trust on uneven ground.

Russell Falls: the easy walk that still feels like an event

Russell Falls is a centerpiece stop, with about 45 minutes for the walk. This is Tasmania’s most recognizable waterfall setting, known for its tiered drop—three layers that make the walk worth it even if you aren’t chasing waterfalls nonstop.

The walking here is described as easy and enjoyable, along a forest track with mixed forest scenery. That’s a good mental break in the middle of an active day: it’s scenic, not punishing.

One smart move: treat Russell Falls as both a photo stop and a time-management stop. The day’s later climbs can be tougher, so enjoy this one while your energy is higher.

Horseshoe Falls: stairs, steps, and a waterfall inside the forest

Just beyond Russell Falls you climb stairs to reach Horseshoe Falls, with about 30 minutes allocated. The falls sit in the forest in a way that feels tucked-in and sheltered, and some people even rank it as more impressive than Russell.

This stop is where you start feeling the “active day” part more clearly. Even if you’re fine with walking, stairs change the game—especially when you’ve already been hiking earlier.

A useful heads-up from real-world experience on this kind of route: the number of steps can surprise you. One reviewer described the last step climb in the national park as a killer (around 400 steps straight uphill). You don’t need to dread it, but you should plan for it with good footwear and a steady pace.

Tall Trees Track: see the scale (and bring patience)

After the Russell and Horseshoe area, you continue along the Three Falls Circuit and into the Tall Trees Track for about 1 hour. This is where you get Tasmania’s big-plant drama up close.

High above you are the giant Swamp Gums, around 80 metres tall, described as the world’s tallest flowering plant. Even if you don’t memorize plant trivia (no one does), the point is simple: you get that rare moment when your “small human” feeling turns into awe.

For many visitors, this is the most “Tasmania” sensation of the day—forest that feels ancient, tree scale that’s hard to picture from sea-level life.

Tip: if the track is busy or you’re a slower walker, you’ll want to keep moving steadily. It’s not an easy “stop every five seconds” trail if you don’t want to feel rushed later.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: devils, wombats, echidnas, and the reality of animal days

Next comes Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for about 2 hours 30 minutes. This is a dedicated wildlife block, not a quick photo pass, and that time matters if you want to actually watch behavior rather than just spot animals.

The tour focuses on Tasmanian wildlife, including Tasmanian devils, wombats, and echidnas. You also get an informative wildlife tour led by expert staff at Bonorong, which is the best way to understand what you’re seeing.

Now for the honest part: wildlife can hide. One traveler noted the animals were in hiding and it wasn’t the tour company’s fault. That’s normal—so don’t treat silence or still cages as a failure. Move calmly, check with staff during quiet moments, and give yourself time to look.

Also, if animals are active that day, this stop can be a highlight. It’s the kind of place where you feel Tasmania is more than scenery—it’s creatures you can’t see elsewhere.

Mt Wellington summit: your last climb ends in wide views

Finally, you head to kunanyi/Mt Wellington. There’s about a 60-minute drive from Bonorong, then you get about 30 minutes at the top.

The summit is 1271 metres above sea level, and it’s sitting behind Hobart like a backdrop you finally get to step into. You’ll have time for views across Southern Tasmania—exactly the kind of payoff that makes a long day feel worth it.

Because the summit is weather-sensitive, think “layer day.” Mountain weather can shift, and even when clouds don’t ruin everything, wind can make you want a jacket fast.

This is also one of the few times in the itinerary where you’re not fighting stairs the whole time—so take a breath. Enjoy the fact that you earned the view.

Pacing, fitness, and what to expect from the hiking

This tour is marketed as “active,” and the day reflects that. You do multiple walks: Russell Falls (easy), Horseshoe Falls (stairs), Tall Trees Track (around an hour), plus time in Mt Field.

The biggest fitness factor is stairs and step climbs. One reviewer specifically called out a steep uphill climb of roughly 400 steps near the end of a national park segment. Another mentioned there are “quite a few steps,” so it’s not just one short stair sprint.

My practical advice:

• Bring water and take small breaks, even if you feel fine at the start.
• Pace yourself on the stairs. Don’t sprint to beat everyone.
• If you’re unsure about your leg stamina, consider how you handle long uphill walks at home. This is similar energy.

Good news: the tour says most travelers can participate. That usually means there’s enough flexibility in walking speed and rest breaks for a typical visitor—just don’t assume it’s flat.

Price and value: why $132.69 can feel fair on this route

At $132.69 per person, the ticket isn’t cheap, but this itinerary gives you several major attractions in one package. You’re paying for a guided day that bundles:

• Mt Field National Park entry (included)
• Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls access (included admission for the waterfall areas)
• Tall Trees Track walking within the circuit
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entry (included)
• A Mt Wellington summit viewpoint stop

The day also includes a guide, interpretive walks, and a small-group format (max 20). On a route like this, group size and guidance can matter because you’ll get context while you’re moving, and the timing is managed so you see more than just one or two sites.

What’s not included is lunch. You stop in a regional town at a local bakery to buy lunch and snacks to take along. That’s actually a smart approach for a full-day active tour: you can choose what fits your food needs, and you don’t lose time hunting for a sit-down meal.

What the guides help you notice

Guides are a big part of making this kind of day tour feel worth it. Multiple guides are referenced with strong reviews, including Hannah, Carl, Ben, and Paris.

What stands out across those guide notes is time management—making sure you hit key moments without feeling dragged. Guides also seem to bring facts and local context during walks and drives, so you don’t just pass scenery. Instead, you understand why a forest plant looks the way it does, why a waterfall sits where it does, and what makes Tasmanian wildlife special.

If you prefer learning by listening, you’ll probably enjoy the on-the-go interpretive style. If you don’t, you can still tune in selectively—most groups let you step away for a few minutes when you want quiet.

Who should book this Hobart active day tour

This tour is a great fit if you want a “first Tasmania hits” day with real variety:

• nature lovers who like waterfalls + forests + animals
• first-time visitors to Hobart who don’t want to rent a car
• travelers who can handle stairs and a full day outdoors

It’s also a good choice if you like structured days. The itinerary has clear blocks of time at each location, and the guidance helps you move efficiently.

It may not be ideal if you want a low-walking day or if steep steps make you nervous. You’ll face multiple staircase moments and a notable steep climb later in the national park portion.

Should you book this Hobart waterfalls, wilderness & wildlife tour?

I’d book it if your goal is to see a lot of Tasmania nature without turning your day into a logistics project. You get major scenery, a wildlife sanctuary stop, and a summit viewpoint in one run—plus admissions are mostly handled.

I wouldn’t book it if you’re hoping for a mostly flat, casual outing. The day has steps and a steep uphill moment that can feel like a real workout, even for fit people.

One last “make it easy” move: dress for changing conditions. Start warm, add layers, and keep a light jacket handy for Mt Wellington. If you do that, you’ll enjoy the waterfalls, the giant-tree feeling, and the native wildlife experience with fewer surprises.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 7:30am, with pickup at 20 Davey St, Hobart TAS 7000.

How long is the tour?

It runs for approximately 12 hours.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Lunch isn’t included. You’ll stop en route at a regional town bakery where you can purchase lunch and snacks.

Are admission fees included?

Yes. National Park entrance fees and the wildlife sanctuary entrance fee are included, and the waterfall stops list admission as included where applicable.

What wildlife can I expect to see at Bonorong?

The tour highlights Tasmanian devils, wombats, and echidnas at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers, and it’s described as small and friendly.

Does weather matter?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.