Bonorong and Richmond make a smart afternoon plan because you get animals and history in one tight loop. You’ll start with a classic Tasmanian town stop, then switch gears to a rescue-focused wildlife sanctuary where feeding and close-up viewing are part of the fun.

I especially like that the tour is paced for real sightseeing, with enough time in Richmond to actually walk and graze. I also appreciate the guiding style I’ve seen praised for its practical storytelling, including guides like Barry and Phil, who help the trip feel less like a drive-by.

The one thing I’d keep in mind is that if you’re chasing specific sightings like koalas, you should be ready for the fact that animal viewing can vary on the day.

Key points at a glance

• Historic Richmond: old bridge, old jail, old Catholic church, plus time to browse antiques and snack stops
• Feeding kangaroos and wallabies: you’re handed food pellets, and the animals are used to visitors
• Hands-on sanctuary experience: guide-led paths with commentary and frequent photo moments
• Tasmanian devil feeding time: you may be able to watch devils at work in an open setting
• Small-group feel on a full tour: up to 48 people, with air-conditioned coach comfort and guided stops

Richmond Bridge stop: time to walk the oldest stuff

Richmond is the kind of place where you slow down on purpose. Your first stop is the Richmond Bridge area, and you get about an hour to wander at your own pace. That matters, because Richmond isn’t just one viewpoint. It’s a cluster of historic details you can piece together as you walk.

This is also where you’ll find several of the area’s anchor sights, like the oldest Catholic Church in Australia, the oldest jail, and the oldest bridge. If you like history that you can touch with your feet, this is a good match. And if you like quirky detours, Richmond has plenty of those too, like the Pooseum, the outdoor maze called Amaze, and sweet-shop style stops such as Sweets and Treats. Even if you only dip into one or two, the town’s layout makes it easy to browse without feeling rushed.

Practical note: with only around an hour, choose your priorities early. If your focus is antiques, aim for the storefronts you’re most drawn to first, then save time for coffee or bakery snacks.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: what the feeding experience really gives you

After Richmond, the mood shifts fast—from old stone and shopfronts to native animals up close. At Bonorong, you get about an hour in the sanctuary, and that hour is built around a simple idea: see the animals, then learn what’s happening behind the scenes.

You’ll be given food pellets to feed kangaroos and wallabies. That’s the main hands-on moment, and it’s why this stop feels different from a typical zoo visit. You’re not just watching from a distance; you’re part of the routine in a controlled, guided way.

You’ll also move through enclosures with a guide meeting the group along the way and providing commentary. That walking-and-talking format matters. It turns the visit into more than photos. You get context for what you’re seeing, which also helps you know what to look for next.

One more detail that can help you plan what to wear: the sanctuary isn’t presented as a smooth, fully paved path the whole way. Comfortable shoes are a smart call so you can keep walking and take your time around the feeding areas.

Tasmanian devils and koalas: managing expectations (and scoring the best moments)

Bonorong is best known for its Tasmanian devil viewing, and it’s set up so you can watch feeding in an open environment. If that’s on your must-see list, you’ll want to be ready to focus when your group reaches the devil area. This is the part of the visit where attention pays off for photos and for the experience itself.

Koalas are also part of the standard promise for this combo tour. Still, some people report missing koalas during their visit. That doesn’t mean the sanctuary is failing at anything you planned for, but it does mean you should treat koala viewing as a potential bonus, not a guarantee.

A helpful planning tip based on what’s been shared about devil behavior: if the day is hot, think about when you’ll be outside. One piece of advice I’ve seen is that Tasmanian devils may be less visible during heat. If you’re flexible and the schedule allows, cooler timing can improve your chances of seeing more activity. On this specific tour from Hobart, you’ll be arriving mid-afternoon, so keep that in mind.

If koalas are your #1 animal, it may be worth weighing whether a different timing or a dedicated koala-focused stop fits your priorities better. But if devils, kangaroos, and wallabies are high on your list, this is a strong way to combine them in one half day.

Feeding wallabies and kangaroos: the fun part with real etiquette

Feeding is the headline, but it’s also where small details make a difference. You’ll be given pellets, and the animals are used to visitors coming through. Still, you’ll get the most from it if you keep your expectations realistic: the point is interaction, not a staged moment.

Go in ready to stand close, watch for handlers’ instructions, and follow the pace of the guide. I like this setup because it makes the animals feel less like a distant exhibit and more like part of a working sanctuary routine.

Also, take advantage of the time the animals are actively taking the pellets. If you wait for the perfect photo angle, you can miss the best chance for a calm, steady interaction.

Tour length and pacing: 4 hours 15 minutes that stays worthwhile

This is a half-day experience at roughly 4 hours 15 minutes, starting at 1:00 pm. That timing is ideal if you want to see something beyond Hobart’s immediate waterfront without committing to a full day.

The pacing is basically two blocks: one hour in Richmond, then about one hour at Bonorong. Between those two, the travel time is part of the deal, but it’s not the focus. People who dislike long coach drives tend to like this format because you don’t spend most of the afternoon stuck on the road.

Still, there’s a trade-off. If you love browsing slowly in Richmond, you’ll feel the time limit. One hour can be enough to hit a couple of highlights and grab a snack, but not enough to deeply explore everything you might notice while walking.

For that reason, I recommend you treat Richmond like a focused wandering walk rather than a full day of town exploration. Eat first if you know you’ll be hungry, and decide which Richmond sights you care about most before you arrive.

Guides, group size, and coach comfort: why it feels easy

This combo tour is operated by Experience Tasmania Gray Line Day Tours, and the experience includes an English-speaking guide plus air-conditioned coach transport. Pickup and drop-off are offered from select Hobart hotels, which can take a lot of friction out of your afternoon.

The group size cap is 48, which usually means you won’t be fighting for elbow room the whole time. It also helps the guide keep the flow moving between stops.

Guide quality is a big part of why this tour works. In particular, guides like Mark, Tim, Allen, and Baz have been called out for being on time, friendly, and effective with storytelling. That storytelling isn’t just trivia. It helps you connect what you’re seeing in Richmond to the wider Tasmanian context, and it helps the sanctuary visit feel more purposeful.

One practical caution: pickup timing and location can create confusion if you’re not watching for the details provided to you. If you’re doing this from a specific hotel, double-check the exact pickup point and time in the day-before or day-of instructions you receive.

Price check: is $89.66 good value?

At about $89.66 per person, this isn’t a cheap add-on. The value comes from combining two very different experiences into one smooth afternoon: historic Richmond time plus a guided wildlife encounter with included sanctuary entry.

Here’s how I’d judge it:

• You’re paying for a coach, a guide, and included access to the sanctuary experience.
• You’re also paying for time-saving convenience through pickup and drop-off where available.
• You’re not paying for meals, so you should budget a snack or bakery stop in Richmond and plan your food accordingly.

If you’re the type who likes animal encounters that include some interaction (not just looking), the included feeding aspect can make this feel like a good deal. If your main goal is deep Richmond exploration or an all-day wildlife visit with guaranteed koalas, you may feel the time limits. In that case, a different itinerary might fit better. But for a first-time Tasmanian afternoon, this combo is priced like a practical sampler.

Who should book this Bonorong and Richmond afternoon

This tour fits best if you want:

• One afternoon with both wildlife and a walkable historic town
• Hands-on animal time (feeding kangaroos and wallabies with pellets)
• Guided context so the stops don’t feel random
• A plan that’s easy to execute from central Hobart

It may be less ideal if:

• You want a long, unhurried day in Richmond
• Your trip revolves around a strict koala checklist with no tolerance for day-to-day variation
• You hate being on a set schedule and prefer total freedom

Should you book this tour from Hobart?

If you’re excited by the idea of feeding native animals and you want a simple afternoon with historic Richmond on the side, I’d book it. The structure makes it easy to get value without planning every stop yourself, and the guide-led format helps both halves of the day feel connected.

If koalas are your #1 animal, I’d still consider it, but I’d plan mentally for the possibility they might not be the star of your visit. In that case, you could pair this with another option later in your trip, or adjust your expectations for what you’ll definitely see.

FAQ

What does the tour cost?

The price is $89.66 per person.

How long is the Bonorong and Richmond afternoon tour?

It runs for about 4 hours 15 minutes.

When does the tour start?

The start time is 1:00 pm.

Where does the tour begin?

It starts at Mona Brooke Ferry Terminal, Franklin Wharf, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point (the same meeting location).

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered from select Hobart hotels, and drop-off is included as part of the tour.

What’s included in the price?

An air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off (select hotels), an English-speaking guide, and admission to the sanctuary are included.

Are meals included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included.

What can I do at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary?

You receive free food pellets to feed kangaroos and wallabies, and you can see Tasmanian devils and other native animals during the guided visit.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 48 travelers.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.