Rainforest walks and devil feeding in one day. This cruise-day excursion is built for Hobart visitors who want real nature time fast, with a guided route through Mount Field National Park plus wildlife at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s a focused day that trades wandering crowds for short, rewarding stops.

I especially like the way the day strings together two classic Mount Field moments: Russell Falls and the quieter follow-up toward Horseshoe Falls. I also love the Tall Trees part of the outing, where you walk among Swamp Gums that can shoot over 80 meters into the sky. One thing to consider is that this is tightly timed to match cruise ship schedules, so you’ll want to show up early at the meeting point and be ready for an active walking day.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• Cruise-schedule friendly timing designed to fit ship arrival and departure hours
• Russell Falls in three tiers, reached on a straightforward, guided walk
• Horseshoe Falls on the same park day, after rainforest glades and ferns
• Tall Trees Trail + Swamp Gums rising to over 80 meters
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary meet-and-learn time, including resident wombats
• Tasmanian Devil feeding show, plus hands-on wildlife interactions like wallaby feeding

Cruise-Day Timing That Keeps This From Feeling Rushed

This tour is made specifically for cruise ship passengers. That matters, because the day is planned around one hard reality: ships don’t wait for your “maybe later” moment. If your priority is seeing something wild without the stress of figuring out transport and timing on your own, this style of excursion is a smart fit.

In practice, the schedule is the kind you can plan your day around. Most cruise visits to Hobart follow a pattern like an 8:45am meet with a 9:00am departure, and you’re back around 4:00pm. The meeting point is at the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre at 20 Davey Street, which is an easy, short walk from the cruise terminal area. You don’t need a complicated plan for meeting up—just get there early and you’re set.

The “small group” format also helps the day feel human-sized. You’ll still be walking and moving through checkpoints, but you’re not dealing with a bus full of chaos. One pro tip: build in a buffer for getting through any on-shore logistics you need to do before the meet time, because the schedule is part of the design.

Getting to Mount Field National Park: Short Trip, Big Feel

Mount Field National Park is about 1.5 hours from Hobart. Even with that drive, the payoff is that you’re not spending your limited cruise day stuck in transit. Once you’re there, the park delivers the kind of variety Tasmania does best: lush temperate rainforest, moody alpine moorland, and cascading waterfalls.

What makes the park segment especially good for first-timers is that it mixes “wow” views with walkable distances. You’re not hiking for hours. Instead, you’re guided through a set of short walks that connect the main highlights without turning it into a checklist sprint.

A quick refresh break is built in along the way (New Norfolk is part of that route), giving you time to reset before the walk portions start. Those little pauses matter. They help you enjoy the scenery instead of rushing because you’re tired.

Russell Falls and the Rainforest Walk You’ll Remember

The day starts with an easy walk alongside a quiet stream—exactly the kind of warm-up your legs appreciate after a cruise morning. Then the trail leads you to Russell Falls, one of Mount Field’s most iconic sights.

Here’s the detail that makes this stop feel special: the waterfall spills over rock in three tiers. You get a proper chance to take it in because the walk is paced to be scenic, not rushed. And the rainforest around the falls gives you that classic temperate look—ferns, filtered light, and a “just step a little closer” kind of atmosphere.

If you like waterfalls but hate chaotic crowds, this is a good setup. You’re guided through the experience, which means you spend less time guessing where to stand and more time actually enjoying the moment. Plus, since you’re walking with others, you’ll often catch small “look here” points from your guide—little things like what direction the light is hitting the falls from.

Horseshoe Falls: The Calm Shift After the Main Splash

After Russell Falls, you continue through the glades with dappled light and ferns. That transition is more than scenery—it’s a pacing change. Russell Falls is your big visual cue. Horseshoe Falls is where the day settles in and feels more peaceful.

Horseshoe Falls is reached after pushing on through that softer rainforest feel, and it’s a nice reminder that Mount Field isn’t just about the headline waterfall. This stop is still visually impressive, but it comes with a calmer rhythm, so the day doesn’t feel like nonstop adrenaline.

If you’re the type who likes to take photos but also wants a breath of quiet, this is a strong middle-of-the-day highlight. You’ll have time to look around and enjoy the setting, not just take one quick picture and move on.

Tall Trees Trail and Swamp Gums Over 80 Meters

This part of the tour is where Tasmania’s scale really shows. You join the Tall Trees Trail, designed for people who want a memorable nature walk without committing to a long hike.

The star here is the Swamp Gums—trees that can reach over 80 meters. That number is hard to feel until you’re actually looking up and realizing how tall the trunks and canopy reach. The walk helps you slow down visually. You’re not just staring at leaves; you’re seeing how the forest structure changes around you.

One smart move is to wear shoes that grip well and plan for damp surfaces. Rainforest areas can be slick, especially if there’s been any recent moisture. You’ll be glad you came prepared when the trail is uneven and you want steady footing.

This stop is also a great “family style of nature” segment: it’s awe-inspiring, but it doesn’t require advanced hiking skills. For a lot of visitors, it’s the moment the park starts to feel truly wild.

New Norfolk Break: A Tiny Reset That Helps the Day Feel Doable

There’s a short break along the route in New Norfolk (about 15 minutes). It may not sound like much, but on a 7-hour cruise day, those quick resets are the difference between feeling okay and feeling drained.

Use that time for the basics: water refills, a restroom stop if needed, and a quick snack if you brought something small. Then you’ll roll into the park walking segment with less hassle. It’s also a moment to mentally reset, since once you’re in Mount Field, you’ll be focused on waterfalls and trails.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: Wombats, Wallabies, and the Devil Feeding Show

After Mount Field, the day shifts from rainforest to a wildlife experience—still active, but more hands-on. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is where you get to slow down just enough to connect with Tasmania’s animals.

You’ll meet resident wildlife and there’s even time to hand feed wallabies. That’s a big part of why this sanctuary stop works for cruise visitors: it turns wildlife viewing into interaction. You get learning plus closeness, without you needing to book separate arrangements.

Wombats are the big draw here, too. You’ll have the chance to meet the resident wombats, and that alone makes the sanctuary stop worth it for many first-timers. Tasmanian wildlife has a strong “only here” feel, and wombats are one of the animals that deliver that wow factor fast.

Then comes the Tasmanian Devil feeding show. It’s a short, intense wildlife moment. Tasmanian Devils are carnivorous marsupials found only in Tasmania, and they have the reputation for being feisty—plus one of the strongest bites in the animal world. Watching the feeding show is one of those experiences that feels like pure Tasmania, because it’s not something you can replace with a zoo stop elsewhere.

A practical thought: keep your camera ready, but also keep space in front of you for the show. When animals get active, people instinctively lean forward. Give yourself room so you can watch comfortably instead of craning.

What Guides Do Best on This Tour (Including One Name)

This is a guided day, and that’s a key difference from self-driving. A good guide doesn’t just provide facts; they manage the flow of the walk so you don’t lose time at the wrong spots.

The pace can move. One guide named Trevor is known for keeping the group moving with a quick rhythm while still being considerate—especially if someone is missing or no-shows happen. That mix is important on a cruise day. It helps keep your time useful without turning the experience into a frantic sprint.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to know what you’re looking at—why a trail matters, what the trees are, what you’re seeing at the falls—this format tends to pay off. You get structure, and you get better chances of catching the little moments (like spotting wildlife in thicker growth) because the guide is watching the same way you are.

Lunch, Snacks, and the One Thing You Should Plan For

Meals and drinks aren’t included. Instead, you have the chance to purchase a bakery-style takeaway lunch along the way, and lunch happens in the relaxed setting of the Mount Field National Park picnic area.

That means you control your food choices, which is nice—no boxed lunch surprise. But it also means you should come with a plan:

• Bring water, since you’re doing walking segments.
• Pack a small snack if you like having a backup before you can buy lunch.
• Dress for weather changes, because you may not get long indoor breaks.

On cruise days, food timing can make or break your enjoyment. If you eat early and keep hydrated, you’ll enjoy the falls and trees more instead of focusing on energy dips.

Price and Value: Why $130 Can Make Sense

At $130 per person for a 7-hour, guided, small-group day, the real value question is what you get for that money. Here’s the cost-to-benefit angle that matters:

You’re not only paying for a seat. Entry fees for Mount Field National Park and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary are included. You also get guided walks with professional tour guides and a full-day plan built around cruise schedules.

You’re also saving decision fatigue. On your own, you’d need transport to Mount Field, navigation to key stops, and a separate plan for wildlife time at Bonorong. Even if you’re confident renting or arranging transport, you’re still juggling timing. This tour packages it for you, so your “planning time” drops and your “walking and seeing time” rises.

The main catch is that this isn’t a slow sightseeing day. If you want flexible pacing, long stays, and frequent stops on your own schedule, you might feel the pressure of the cruise timeline. But if you want a well-run highlights day, $130 can be a fair trade.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This excursion is set up for a cruise-ship mindset: time-efficient, scheduled, and active.

It’s a strong fit if you:

• Want rainforest and waterfalls without doing independent driving
• Enjoy guided walks and seeing key highlights in a single day
• Care about Tasmanian wildlife, especially wombats and Tasmanian Devils

It’s not a fit if you have mobility limitations or use a wheelchair. It also isn’t suitable for children under 6. And if you’re hoping for lots of lounging time, you may find the day more active than you expected.

Should You Book This Hobart Shore Excursion?

Book it if you want the best “Tasmania in a day” combo: guided walks through Mount Field’s waterfall scenery, followed by a wildlife sanctuary experience that includes wombats, wallaby feeding, and a Tasmanian Devil show. The price feels more reasonable when you factor in park and sanctuary entry fees plus a structured guided plan built for cruise timing.

Skip it or look for an easier alternative if your priority is slow travel, long free time at each stop, or if walking distance could be an issue for you. Also, if you tend to run late when plans change, give yourself extra margin—this kind of tour runs on ship time.

If you want a confident, highlights-first day in Tasmania, this is the type of shore excursion that actually delivers.

FAQ

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

The tour duration is 7 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $130 per person.

What’s included in the price?

The price 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 format.

Is lunch included?

Meals and drinks aren’t included. You’ll have a chance to purchase a bakery-style takeaway lunch along the way, with lunch in the Mount Field National Park picnic area.

Where do I meet the tour?

The meeting point is the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre at 20 Davey Street, Hobart. It’s a very short, easy walk from the cruise terminal.

Is this tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

It isn’t suitable for children under 6, and it’s also not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.