Tasmania feels different when the cruise crowds thin. This Hobart shore excursion takes you into Mount Field’s rainforest and waterfalls, then finishes with real animal time at Bonorong.

I love how the walk is short but scenic: Russell Falls is a classic start, and Horseshoe Falls keeps the mood quiet. I also like the Tall Trees Trail, where Swamp Gums can shoot over 80 meters into the sky.

One possible drawback: this is timed for cruise ships. If you miss the meeting window, the day can move on without you, so plan for extra time.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Cruise-schedule friendly timing, with a meeting point that’s a quick walk from the terminal
• Three waterfall experiences built into one guided Mount Field stop
• Tall Trees Trail and Swamp Gums that feel almost unreal
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary with hands-on wallaby feeding plus wombats
• Tasmanian Devil feeding show, a rare animal encounter you only get in Tasmania

Cruise-Schedule Timing From the Hobart Waterfront

This tour is designed for cruise days, and that matters more than you might think. If you’ve ever wandered Hobart on your own with limited time, you know how fast the clock eats your plans. Here, the day is planned so you get out of town, do two major nature stops, and still come back to Hobart by mid-afternoon.

Most cruise ships typically work with a meet around 8:45am and a departure around 9:00am, with a return around 4:00pm. The meet point is at the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre, 20 Davey Street, which is described as only about a five-minute walk from the cruise terminal. That closeness is a big quality-of-life upgrade when you’re running on cruise time.

Also, this is a specialised cruise ship passenger tour. That means you’re not competing with regular-day crowds in the same way, and the route is set up to maximize your time in the National Park and at Bonorong.

The New Norfolk Break: A Small Pause That Helps

After you start from 20 Davey St, there’s a short break in New Norfolk (about 15 minutes). It’s not long enough to turn it into a separate sightseeing stop, but it’s long enough to do the basics: bathroom break, grab water, and reset before you start real walking in the park.

I like these quick pauses because they help you avoid the most common problem on shore tours: arriving at the first hike feeling rushed or underprepared. Even with the guided structure, having a moment to refuel makes the rest of the day smoother.

Mount Field National Park: Guided Walks With Real Variety

Mount Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s oldest National Parks, and the day plan gives you a good mix of what it’s known for. You’re looking at rainforest walking, cascading waterfalls, and then a tall-tree experience that shifts the whole mood.

The guided portion is about 3 hours, and the structure is built around several short walks. That’s a smart approach because it keeps the day active without turning it into one long grind. You also get local guidance, which helps you notice what you’d otherwise pass by—especially in dense rainforest where everything can look similar until you know what to watch for.

Russell Falls: Classic, Easy, and Photogenic

The day starts with an easy walk along a quiet stream toward Russell Falls. The highlight is that the falls pour over rock in three tiers. It’s the kind of waterfall that instantly gives you Tasmania visuals: water, green growth, and that cool misty feeling you get around shaded falls.

What I like here is that it’s early enough in the trip that everyone’s still fresh. If you’re the type who gets impatient on long transfers, this opening walk is a good payoff right away.

Horseshoe Falls: The Calmer Follow-Up

After Russell Falls, you push on through dappled light and ferns glades to reach Horseshoe Falls. The vibe shifts slightly: you’re still in the same park system, but the walk feels more shaded and peaceful than the initial waterfall viewpoint.

This is a nice pairing because it’s not just one waterfall and done. You get two different looks and two different walking rhythms, without stretching the day beyond what fits a cruise schedule.

Tall Trees Trail and Swamp Gums Over 80 Meters

Next comes the Tall Trees Trail, focused on the Swamp Gums—trees that can grow over 80 meters. Even if you’re not a hardcore tree person, this stop hits you in the best way: the scale becomes the experience. A few minutes on a trail under tall growth changes how you see the whole park.

In practical terms, this is also where comfortable shoes matter. Even though you’re not in a multi-hour trek, you still want to feel stable and confident on uneven ground. If you’re tempted to wear slip-on sneakers or sandals, resist that impulse. You’ll enjoy the towering trees more if you’re not worrying about your footing.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: Close Encounters You Can Feel

The second half of the day is Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for about 1.5 hours. This is the stop that turns a nature walk into a wildlife day.

You meet native animals, including chances to hand feed wallabies, and you’ll also meet resident wombats. That hands-on element is a major part of the value because it’s not just looking from a distance. It’s still not guaranteed that you’ll have a perfect photo, but it’s a more interactive setting than most zoos.

Tasmanian Devils and the Feeding Show

Then there’s the Tasmanian Devil portion. Tasmanian Devils are carnivorous marsupials found only in Tasmania. They’re often described as looking like a small bear, and they have a reputation for being feisty, with one of the most powerful bites in the animal kingdom.

You also get a feeding show, and that’s the part I’d prioritize if you have even a little animal interest. A feeding moment compresses a lot of learning into a short time: movement, behavior, and that unmistakable wild energy.

A Small Bonus the Guide Can Add

One great detail from a previous day: guide Trevor spotted a pandamelon in thick tree growth, giving the group a chance for extra wildlife viewing and photos. The park and sanctuary are already worthwhile on paper, but this kind of on-the-ground spotting is what turns a scheduled tour into a memorable day.

How Fast the Day Moves (and Why That’s a Good Thing)

The pacing here is “active, but not crazy.” You get guided time for the park, guided walking stops for the waterfalls, and a set allotment at Bonorong. That keeps the day from turning into wandering.

I’ve seen shore excursions where you spend half your day waiting at stops. This one is more structured. When the guide keeps things moving, you end up with more of the important stuff done, especially under cruise constraints.

That said, pace is a tradeoff. Short walks add up, and you’ll be walking more than you might expect for a seven-hour day. If you’re someone who dislikes timed schedules, this might feel tighter than you prefer.

What to Bring: Small Choices That Make a Big Difference

The tour is weather-dependent, so pack like you’ll see rain at some point. You’ll want:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water
• Outdoor clothing

Good shoes matter most for the waterfalls and the Tall Trees Trail. Rain on rainforest paths can make surfaces slick, even when the walking route looks calm.

Food-wise, meals and drinks aren’t included. You should plan on buying a bakery-style takeaway lunch along the way, with lunch in the relaxed setting of the Mount Field picnic area. If you skip snacks until lunchtime, you can feel it. Bring a small stash of something if you tend to get hungry between stops, even if the tour includes a lunch purchase option.

Price and Value: Is $130 Fair for This Day?

At $130 per person for a 7-hour small-group shore excursion, the key question is what’s included. Here, you’re paying for:

• Mount Field National Park entrance fees
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entrance fees
• Guided walks with professional tour guides
• A small-group active day format

That’s where the value comes from. If you tried to do this on your own, you’d be juggling entrance tickets, transport, and the timing puzzle of cruise ship returns. The tour solves that problem for you and concentrates your time on two top-tier experiences: waterfalls and wildlife.

This is also the kind of day where guidance pays off. In places like rainforest and around animal enclosures, knowing what to look for changes how rewarding the walk feels. A good guide can keep you on route, adjust walking lengths when needed, and point out things you’d miss.

If you’re the type who hates group tours, $130 might feel steep. But if you want a “do it all in one day” plan with less stress, it’s a pretty solid deal.

The One Logistical Risk: Don’t Miss the Meeting Window

Here’s the blunt part. This is cruise-based, and meeting times can be unforgiving. In at least one real situation, a passenger arrived late after immigration delays and found the group had already moved on from the meeting point. The operator had promised to wait, but the tour still left.

You can’t control immigration lines. You can control your buffer. When you’re on a cruise day, treat the meet point like a train platform: arrive early, stay close, and don’t assume there’s a lot of flexibility.

If your day is likely to run long for any reason, build in extra time for getting from ship to meeting point and getting through any quick check-in steps.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This Hobart shore excursion is a strong match for:

• Cruise passengers who want nature and wildlife without complex planning
• People who enjoy short walks with waterfall highlights
• Animal lovers who want hands-on moments at Bonorong and a Tasmanian Devil feeding show
• Anyone who prefers a small-group structure over DIY logistics

It’s also not for everyone. The tour is not suitable for children under 6, and it’s not designed for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. If mobility is a concern, this isn’t the right day plan.

Should You Book This Hobart Shore Excursion?

If you have one day in Tasmania and want maximum payoff, I think this is a smart booking. You get a guided Mount Field day with waterfalls and the Tall Trees Trail, then you finish at Bonorong for wallabies, wombats, and the Tasmanian Devil feeding show. That pairing is efficient in the best way: you’re not just seeing nature, you’re meeting Tasmania’s animal side too.

Book it if you:

• Want a cruise-ready schedule
• Like active walking, but not all-day hiking
• Care about wildlife encounters, especially Tasmanian Devils

Skip it if you:

• Hate strict timing and meeting-point rules
• Need a fully accessible route
• Prefer unguided exploring with long, flexible breaks

For most people doing Hobart on a tight schedule, this is one of the more sensible ways to spend the day—because it’s built around doing the important stuff, and doing it in a way that keeps you safely on track for the ship.

FAQ

How long is the Hobart Mt Field National Park & Bonorong shore excursion?

The tour duration is 7 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $130 per person.

Where do I meet the tour?

The meeting point is the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre at 20 Davey Street, Hobart.

What are the typical timing details for cruise ships?

Most cruise ships work with an 8:45am meet and a 9:00am departure, with a return around 4:00pm.

What does the tour include?

It includes Mount Field National Park entrance fees, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entrance fees, guided walks with professional tour guides, and a small group active day tour adventure.

What is not included in the price?

Meals and drinks are not included. You can purchase a bakery-style takeaway lunch along the way, with lunch in the Mount Field National Park picnic area.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and outdoor clothing.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 6 years.

Can I cancel for free?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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