Mt Field National Park and Russell Falls from Hobart

The giant eucalyptus trees are the star of this day out. At Mount Field, you walk beneath trunks that make ordinary forest trees look like garden plants, then follow an easy rainforest track to Russell Falls, one of Tasmania’s prettiest cascades. The trip also adds Salmon Ponds, morning tea, and a scenic run through the Derwent Valley.

I like the small maximum group of 15, which gives guides such as Dave, Carmel, Tim, and Brodie room to answer questions and help with photographs. I also like the gentle pace. You get time at each stop instead of being rushed from coach to viewpoint.

The main thing to consider is the long touring day, about 7 hours and 15 minutes, with lunch at your own cost. Pickups are available only from selected hotels, and the advertised onboard WiFi may not always work.

Key points at a glance

• Giant trees and rainforest in one outing: The Tall Trees Walk and Russell Falls give you two very different sides of Mount Field National Park.
• Salmon Ponds adds variety: Feed trout and salmon, enjoy morning tea, and look for a platypus in the gardens.
• Small-group touring: With no more than 15 people, the day feels more personal than a large coach excursion.
• Easy to moderate walking: The main falls walk is short and straightforward, though you should still bring good shoes.
• Guides make the drive useful: Dave, Carmel, Tim, Brodie, Phil, and Clare have all been praised for local information and friendly help.
• Good value for a full day: At $129.10 per person, the price covers transport, guide, park entry, morning tea, and several major stops.

From Hobart to the Derwent Valley

The tour begins at 9:00 am from the Mona Brooke Ferry Terminal at Franklin Wharf in Hobart. Hotel pickup is offered at selected hotels, but do not assume every Hobart address is covered. If you are arriving from a cruise ship, check the meeting point carefully. One guest had trouble getting clear directions before the pickup location was changed to a spot about 700 metres from the cruise terminal.

The trip is by air-conditioned coach, with a maximum of 15 people. That size matters. You spend a fair amount of time on the road, and a good guide can turn the drive into part of the experience by explaining Tasmania’s forests, farms, communities, and industries.

Guides named in the feedback include Dave, Carmel, Tim, Brodie, Phil, and Clare. Their styles vary, but the useful pattern is clear: the guide is not simply driving between stops. You can expect commentary about Tasmania along the way, help with photographs, and some flexibility when the group is small.

The tour runs for roughly seven hours and fifteen minutes. That is long enough to see several important sights west of Hobart without trying to cram in half the state. It is also a full day, so I would not book it immediately before a tight evening plan.

Salmon Ponds and a calm start to the day

The first major stop is Salmon Ponds Heritage Hatchery and Gardens, set in old English-style parkland. It is the oldest trout hatchery in the Southern Hemisphere, and the setting gives the tour a pleasant change of pace before the forest walks begin.

You have about an hour to explore, and admission is included. Morning tea is also provided. The café is useful if you want something more substantial, with salmon pancakes earning particular praise. You may also see salmon and trout close up, and there have been sightings of platypus here, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

This stop works well for several reasons. You can feed the fish, stroll through the gardens, and learn about the hatchery without needing a high level of fitness. It is also a good place to settle into the day before the taller trees and waterfalls take over.

I would not book this trip only for Salmon Ponds. The hatchery is an attractive and worthwhile extra, but Mount Field is the main event. Still, the stop adds history, gardens, food, and a chance to spot wildlife. That mix makes the overall day more varied than a simple waterfall transfer.

Walking among Mount Field’s Tall Trees

The Tall Trees Walk is the most unusual part of the outing. You walk through forest dominated by huge eucalyptus trees, including swamp gums that rise high above the track. The scale is hard to judge in photographs, so the first sight of these trunks is often the moment when the day clicks into place.

You get about 90 minutes here, including time for lunch at your own expense. The walk is described as accessible to a wide range of abilities, but you should still wear supportive shoes. Forest paths can be damp, uneven, or slippery, and Tasmania’s weather can change quickly.

This is not a frantic hike. The tour is designed to let you look upward, take photographs, and listen to the guide. Tim has been singled out for making the forest meaningful even to someone who did not consider herself a nature enthusiast. That is an important point: you do not need to know much about Australian trees before arriving.

The lunch arrangement is simple. Food is not included, so plan to buy or carry something according to the day’s arrangements. The supplied details do not specify a particular café or picnic setup, so do not count on a full included meal.

The Tall Trees stop is also where the weather advice matters most. Bring a fleece, sunscreen, and footwear with a good grip. One useful Tasmanian warning is that you can experience several seasons in one day. A cool, damp forest can feel very different from sunny Hobart.

Russell Falls and the rainforest track

Russell Falls is the emotional high point of the trip for many people. The walk begins through rainforest and fern glades, with the sound and sight of clear water building as you approach the falls. The route to the main viewpoint is about 15 minutes from the bus, making it a strong choice for anyone who wants dramatic scenery without a long hike.

You have around 90 minutes at Mount Field for the falls and nearby sights. That gives you time to photograph Russell Falls, slow down in the forest, and, for those who want more walking, continue toward Horseshoe Falls. Horseshoe Falls appears in the tour details and has also been part of the day for several visitors.

The falls are especially impressive after rain. If Hobart or Mount Field has had wet weather recently, the water should be fuller and more forceful. In drier conditions, the setting remains attractive, but the cascade may look less dramatic. This is one reason the operator notes that the experience depends on suitable weather.

I like the balance here. You get a genuine rainforest walk, not just a roadside photo stop, but the main route is short enough for people who do not want a demanding hike. If you want both Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls, use your time carefully and follow the guide’s instructions about when to return to the coach.

Good footwear is worth treating as essential rather than optional. The walk is not presented as strenuous, yet damp forest tracks and steps can still challenge anyone with poor balance. The tour requires moderate physical fitness, so it is best suited to people who can walk comfortably on a natural path for an extended period.

The Mount Field visitor centre

The Mount Field National Park Visitor Centre gives you about 30 minutes to explore at your own speed. It includes a Curiosity Room, along with information about local flora and fauna.

This is a short stop, but it helps put the forest into context. The falls are easy to admire as scenery. The visitor centre gives you a better sense of the plants and animals that make the national park distinct.

Do not expect a long museum visit. Thirty minutes is enough for a look around, not a detailed study. The stop is best viewed as a useful final layer after seeing the trees and falls in person.

How much walking and effort should you expect?

This is a nature tour, but it is not a strenuous bushwalking expedition. The main activities are the Tall Trees Walk, the Russell Falls track, and the optional continuation toward Horseshoe Falls. The supplied guidance calls for moderate physical fitness.

You should be comfortable walking on forest paths, standing during viewpoints, and keeping to the day’s schedule. The main Russell Falls route is easy enough for many ability levels, but the tour does not promise full accessibility or a completely level surface.

I would pack:

• Comfortable walking shoes with a firm sole
• A fleece or light warm layer
• Waterproof protection or a rain jacket
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Money or a card for lunch

The weather is part of the experience. Rain can make the forest feel cool and atmospheric while also making paths slick. A sunny morning does not guarantee a dry afternoon in the mountains.

What the small group changes

A maximum of 15 people is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. On a large coach, a guide must repeat every instruction and keep moving. In a small group, you have a better chance to ask about a tree, stop for a photograph, or get help framing a shot.

The guides receive unusually consistent praise. Dave is described as prompt, polite, and well informed about Tasmania. Carmel has been appreciated for her relaxed approach and practical help with photographs. Tim has a gift for making the forest meaningful, while Clare has been praised as a good photographer. Brodie is associated with a well-timed, leisurely day, and Phil with a friendly and well-paced tour.

That does not mean every guide will offer exactly the same commentary or itinerary. It does mean the operator has several guides who appear comfortable doing more than simply pointing out the next stop.

One small-group advantage is flexibility. A guide may be able to adjust the pace within reason, spend extra time helping with photos, or make an additional stop. A berry farm has been included on at least one outing, but you should treat that as an occasional extra rather than a guaranteed part of the published route.

Is $129.10 a fair price?

At $129.10 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Mount Field. You are paying for convenience, a full day of transport from Hobart, a guide, national park entry, morning tea, and a small group.

The value is strongest if you do not have a car or do not want to drive on unfamiliar roads. You get Salmon Ponds, the Tall Trees Walk, Russell Falls, possible Horseshoe Falls, and the visitor centre in one organized day. The coach also removes the need to plan park entry and route timing yourself.

The price is less attractive if you already have a rental car and only want to see Russell Falls. Driving yourself gives you more freedom to stay longer, skip Salmon Ponds, or choose a different walk. This tour earns its cost through the combination of transport, interpretation, and several stops rather than through one premium attraction.

Morning tea is included, but lunch is not. Keep that distinction in mind when calculating the real cost of the day. WiFi is listed as part of the vehicle amenities, though one passenger found that it did not work. I would treat it as a bonus, not a reason to book.

The current rating is 4.9 from 49 ratings, with 100 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong signal, especially because the praise covers different parts of the day: the forests, the waterfalls, the relaxed timing, the guides, Salmon Ponds, and the chance to see a platypus.

Who should book this Mount Field day trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a well-organized nature day from Hobart without renting a car. It suits first-time visitors who want major Mount Field highlights but do not need a challenging hike.

It is also a good match for mixed-age groups. The main walks are not presented as difficult, and the day includes gentler stops at Salmon Ponds and the visitor centre. The small group helps if different people in your party want different levels of explanation or photography time.

Nature lovers will get the most from it, especially if giant trees, rainforest, birds, fish, and waterfalls appeal to you. It also works for cruise passengers, but you must confirm the meeting point and leave enough time before sailing. One guide made a special effort to drop a passenger closer to the pier when the schedule was tight, but that should not be assumed.

I would hesitate if you dislike coach days, need a guaranteed long lunch, or want to spend most of your time on one serious hike. You should also think twice if wet weather would spoil your plans. The tour can be beautiful in rain, but the operator may cancel in poor conditions and offer another date or a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this Mount Field tour if you want a relaxed, small-group route that combines Salmon Ponds, giant trees, rainforest, and waterfalls in one day. The strongest reasons are the useful guide commentary, easy access from Hobart, and the chance to see more than Russell Falls alone.

Skip it if you have a car, prefer complete independence, or want a demanding walk rather than a guided sampler of the national park. For most first-time visitors without their own transport, $129.10 is a reasonable price for the amount of scenery and support included. Pack warm layers, good shoes, and patience for a full day outdoors.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is the Mona Brooke Ferry Terminal at Franklin Wharf, Hobart, Tasmania. The tour starts at 9:00 am and ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered from selected hotels only. You should confirm that your accommodation is covered before the day of departure.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense during the Tall Trees stop. Morning tea is included at Salmon Ponds.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to a maximum of 15 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or insufficient bookings cause the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.