Mt Field is one of Tasmania’s great “step out of the city” days. You’ll ride through the Derwent Valley, stop at New Norfolk, then trade bus windows for rainforest walks and waterfall views. Russell Falls is the kind of place that makes even a short walk feel worth it.

I especially like the hands-on moments. At the Salmon Ponds, you can feed trout and salmon at the established hatchery, and you’ll do it during your included morning tea stop with a hot beverage to steady you for the walking. I also love the Mt Field style of nature viewing: the Tall Trees Walk in the rainforest canopy is the easy route to see the giant eucalyptus up close.

One consideration: the day includes about a 1 km walk on hardened surface. It’s not a long hike, but you’ll want comfy shoes, and you’ll feel the weather if the rainforest drizzle shows up.

Key highlights you’ll actually feel

• Salmon Pond Trout Hatchery feeding: a hands-on break that turns a stop into an event
• Tall Trees Walk: rainforest canopy walking to see giant eucalyptus without a big climb
• Russell Falls, 3-tier look: a compact walk to a big visual payoff
• New Norfolk quick wander: enough time to stretch your legs in a historic rural town
• Included morning tea and hot drink: practical energy before the park time

From Brooke Street Pier to the Derwent Valley scenery

Your day starts at Brooke Street Pier, where you’ll look for the Gray Line Day Tours desk inside the pier building at 12 Franklin Wharf. Then it’s aboard the coach for the drive out of Hobart. This part matters more than it sounds. Tasmania’s best “warm up” is the scenery between stops, and this route takes you along the Derwent River with farmland views outside the city.

You’ll also pass through the kinds of working landscapes that explain why the region is so good for produce and small-town life. The drive includes a stop in New Norfolk, which gives you a chance to reset your legs before the nature portion begins.

If you hate feeling rushed, this itinerary helps. New Norfolk is short but not micro. It’s enough time to walk around, grab bearings, and enjoy the rural pace.

New Norfolk stop: quick legs and a taste of rural Tasmania

You’ll spend about 15 minutes in New Norfolk. It’s the kind of stop that works well early in the day because you’re not yet tired from walking. Think of it as a breather between “city transport” and “rainforest time.”

New Norfolk is described as the third oldest settlement in Tasmania, so the charm here is the old-meets-present feel of a lived-in town rather than a staged tourist strip. You don’t need a plan for 15 minutes; just use it to stretch, use the restroom if you need to, and do a quick look around before heading to the Salmon Ponds.

A small tip: if you want photos, this is a decent moment to grab them before the day gets more shaded under the trees.

Salmon Ponds and the trout feeding moment

Next comes the heart of the morning: the Salmon Ponds stop, around 45 minutes. This is where the tour earns a lot of its charm because it’s interactive. You can feed the trout and salmon at the established Salmon Pond Trout Hatchery. That hands-on bit is one of the most praised parts, and it makes the stop feel lively rather than just educational.

The hatchery setting also comes with that calm, park-like feel—English-style parklands are part of the experience. You can wander, watch the fish activity, and then settle in for the included morning tea and hot beverage.

This is practical value, not fluff. When you get to the national park later, you’ll already have a warm drink and a snack in your system. It also reduces the need to buy something on the go, which makes the overall price easier to justify.

One thing to note: the tour data mentions you might also get a seasonal stop to buy fresh raspberries from roadside stalls. That’s optional and depends on the time of year, but it’s the sort of extra you can appreciate without needing to turn it into a shopping mission.

Mt Field National Park: rainforest canopy and giant eucalyptus

You’ll then head into Mt Field National Park for about 2.5 hours, which is plenty of time for both the easy walk and the waterfall focus. The day’s walking is mostly manageable, with the tour noting about 1 km on hardened surface total. That aligns with a route that feels accessible without turning it into a stand-in-place photo tour.

The key highlight here is the start of your walk: you’ll go for a leisure stroll through the rainforest canopy on the way to the Tall Trees Walk. This is the part where I’d expect most people to slow down. Even when you know eucalyptus are big, it’s different to see giant eucalyptus in their natural setting, framed by the canopy and damp air of the rainforest.

Your guide’s live commentary is a real part of the value in this section. One review highlighted that the guide had a lot of information about Mt Field and made the tall trees walk feel more meaningful. That’s the difference between a walk that feels like steps and a walk that feels like you’re learning the place as you go.

Practical advice for this section:

• Wear shoes with grip; rainforest paths can be slick when conditions are wet.
• Bring insect repellent. It’s specifically recommended, so don’t treat it as optional.
• Pack a jacket even in warmer months; rainforest weather can change fast.

Russell Falls walk: the 3-tier payoff

After the Tall Trees Walk, you’ll reach Russell Falls, where the experience centers on a 3-tiered waterfall view. The walk time is about 30 minutes, which usually translates to a manageable rhythm: walk in, see the falls from the key points, and then walk out without feeling like you missed something.

Russell Falls is one of those sights that can be tricky to describe until you see it. The “three tiers” detail matters because it gives the waterfall depth and layers, not just one wide sheet. You’ll feel that on-site—more visual angles, more movement in the water, and more chances for photos as you move along the viewing route.

This stop also helps balance the day. Salmon Ponds is interactive. Tall trees is atmospheric. Russell Falls is the big, clear visual reward that wraps the national park time into something you can talk about.

And yes, you’ll likely be ready to rest after this. The tour plan anticipates that with time to enjoy lunch afterward.

Lunch on your own: plan for food and water

Lunch is not included, and the itinerary notes lunch is at your own expense in the park area after your walk. This is worth planning for because it prevents an unpleasant surprise. If you’re hungry, you’ll need to know where you can buy something or what you want to bring.

The tour data also says water/cold beverages aren’t included. Since it’s rainforest and walking—even if it’s only around a 1 km hardened-surface total—bring your water and keep sipping. If you wait until you feel thirsty, the day can get uncomfortable faster than you expect.

If you like options, treat lunch as your choice moment: eat light, eat filling, whatever fits your pace. Just don’t ignore it. The return drive to Hobart is long enough that you’ll want energy.

Drive back to Hobart: use the time to decompress

The return includes about 75 minutes by bus/coach and brings you back to Brooke Street Pier. This is often when the day’s structure pays off: you’re not forced into more walking after the falls. You can sit, look back out the window, and mentally file away what you saw.

I like using the ride back for simple reflection. If you go in cold, Mt Field can feel like “trees and water.” If you go in with attention, it turns into an actual place you understand a bit better—rainforest canopy, giant eucalyptus, and a waterfall with real layers.

Price and value: what you get for $127 per person

At $127 per person, this is not a bargain in the way a cheap bus ride might be. But it’s also not overpriced when you look at what’s bundled.

Here’s what you get included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Live commentary from a local driver/guide
• Morning tea plus a hot beverage
• Entrance to Mt Field National Park
• Entrance to the Salmon Ponds
• A full-day coach tour with transportation time built in

When a tour includes admissions and morning tea, it usually saves you from paying for multiple separate items. It also buys you less decision-making during the day, which is a big deal when you’re trying to do a rainforest itinerary without stress.

The only things you should expect to pay for yourself are lunch and water/cold beverages. That’s pretty normal, and it’s also manageable because the tour already feeds you earlier.

Who this day trip suits best

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a Hobart day trip that feels like nature without major hiking
• Like guided storytelling that helps you understand what you’re seeing
• Enjoy compact, high-reward sights like Russell Falls
• Prefer an itinerary that includes an easy, structured walk and then time to rest

It’s also a good choice for first-timers to Tasmania who want to tick off major highlights without renting a car.

Should you book this Mt Field and Russell Falls tour?

If you want an easy-to-manage day that still gives you the best visual moments—Tall Trees Walk and 3-tier Russell Falls—this is the kind of tour that delivers. The added value is the included Salmon Ponds trout feeding plus the morning tea, which means you’re not just traveling and hoping you’ll be comfortable later.

I’d only hesitate if you’re sensitive to wet weather walking or you prefer zero walking at all. The tour notes a short walk on hardened surface, and you’ll need comfortable shoes either way.

Overall: this is a practical, well-timed day that turns Mt Field into more than a passing stop.

FAQ

How long is the day trip?

The duration is listed as 405 minutes.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at the Gray Line Day Tours desk inside the Brooke St Pier building, 12 Franklin Wharf Hobart.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense in the park.

What walking is involved?

The activity includes about a 1 km walk on a hardened surface.

What’s included in the price?

Included are hotel pickup and drop-off, live commentary, local driver/guide, morning tea, a hot beverage, entrance to Mt Field National Park, and entrance to the Salmon Ponds.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.