Mt Field National Park and Russell Falls from Hobart

Tasmania gets wild fast. This 7-hour-15-minute trip from Hobart links the Salmon Ponds, Mount Field National Park, the Tall Trees Walk, and Russell Falls without asking you to plan the driving. I especially like the small maximum of 15 people, which gives the guide room to answer questions and adjust the pace, and the mix of wildlife, forest, waterfalls, and local stories.

The price is $129.10 per person, and that is fair value for a full day with transport, park entry, a local guide, air conditioning, WiFi, and morning tea included. The main consideration is lunch, which you buy yourself, plus the fact that WiFi has not always worked as promised and pickup information can be unclear for cruise passengers.

Five things worth knowing before you book

• Tall trees and two waterfalls: The day includes the Tall Trees Walk, Russell Falls, and the option to continue toward Horseshoe Falls.
• A genuinely small group: With no more than 15 people, the outing feels more personal than a large coach excursion.
• Salmon Ponds adds variety: You get historic gardens, trout and salmon, morning tea, and the chance to look for platypuses.
• Easy to moderate walking: Russell Falls is reached by an easy rainforest walk, but comfortable shoes are still important.
• Weather can change quickly: Bring good footwear, a fleece, and sunscreen. Tasmania can serve up several seasons in one day.
• Cruise passengers need to check pickup carefully: The listed meeting point is Mona Brooke Ferry Terminal, but selected hotel pickup is also offered.

Leaving Hobart for the Derwent Valley

The tour begins at 9:00 am at the Mona Brooke Ferry Terminal on Franklin Wharf in Hobart. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available at selected hotels, so check the exact arrangement before you pay. If you are arriving by cruise ship, do not assume the terminal itself is the pickup point. One reported problem involved unclear directions, followed by a change to a tour counter about 700 metres from the cruise terminal.

That small bit of planning matters. Hobart is easy to explore on foot, but a port day runs on a tight clock. If your ship is sailing later, confirm where you will meet the bus and where you will be dropped off. One guide, Dave, even helped a group get closer to its cruise pier when time was running short, but that should be viewed as kindness, not a guarantee.

Once aboard, the appeal is simple: you can watch the scenery change while your guide explains Tasmania’s farming, towns, forests, and communities. The air-conditioned vehicle is useful in changeable weather, and the full-day format gives you a much better taste of the Derwent Valley and Mount Field than a quick waterfall stop would.

The group size is a real advantage here. Fifteen people is small enough for a guide to chat with you rather than speak only to the front row. Guides named in the feedback include Dave, Brodie, Carmel, Tim, Phil, and Clare. Their styles differ, but the strongest pattern is clear: visitors value guides who explain Tasmania along the road, help with photographs, and keep the day relaxed.

Salmon Ponds, gardens, and a gentle start

Your 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, a detail that gives this stop more weight than a simple morning break.

You have about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes here. Entry is included, and morning tea is provided. The cafe also receives praise for its food, including a salmon pancake, so this is more than a quick stretch of the legs. Since lunch later is at your own expense, a substantial morning tea can help you manage the long day.

The ponds are the star for many people. You can feed salmon and trout, walk through the gardens, and look for platypuses. Platypus sightings are never something you should count on, but one was reported here, making it worth keeping your eyes open near the water.

I like this opening because it eases you into the day. You are not immediately asked to tackle a forest walk. Instead, you get a dose of local history, a calm setting, and time to learn about fish farming in Tasmania. It also suits mixed-age groups, since the stop offers interest for people who may not want every minute of the day spent hiking.

The limitation is that the stop may feel less exciting if your only goal is wild forest. The gardens and ponds are pleasant rather than dramatic. Still, the included entry and morning tea make it a useful first chapter, not filler.

The Tall Trees Walk and Mount Field’s giant eucalypts

The next main stop gives the tour its biggest sense of scale. At the Tall Trees Walk, you spend about 90 minutes among enormous swamp gum trees and other forest growth. The route lets you look upward into the canopy and understand just how large these trees are.

The walk is one of the most praised parts of the day. You do not need to be a serious hiker to appreciate it, and the pace is described as leisurely. That makes this a good match if you want proper time in the forest without signing up for a demanding full-day trek.

You also have time for lunch here, but it is not included. Bring money and allow for the fact that the exact food arrangements are not spelled out in the tour details. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator before departure rather than relying on a last-minute option.

The value of this stop comes from the guide’s interpretation. A giant tree can be impressive for about 30 seconds. With context about the forest, the trees become easier to read: their height, age, relationship to the surrounding plants, and place in Tasmania’s natural story all become part of the experience.

Tim received special praise for helping a city visitor appreciate the forest, while other guides helped people find good spots for photographs. Clare was also singled out as a fine photographer. That kind of personal help can make a difference, especially if you are traveling alone or want a group photo without handing your phone to a stranger.

Bring shoes with a good grip. The walking is not described as strenuous, but forest paths can be damp, and the weather may shift during the day. A fleece and sunscreen are both sensible. Tasmania’s fresh air is free, but the sun still charges its usual price if you forget protection.

Russell Falls through rainforest and fern glades

Russell Falls is the emotional high point for many people, and the walk to reach it is part of the reward. You begin with an easy path through rainforest and fern glades before arriving at the tiered cascade and its clear water.

The walk to the falls takes about 15 minutes from the bus according to one detailed account, though the full stop lasts around 90 minutes. That leaves time to take photographs, enjoy the forest, and continue toward Horseshoe Falls if conditions and timing allow.

This is a particularly good stop after rain. The waterfall looks strongest when the area has had recent rainfall, so a wet day in Hobart can produce a better Russell Falls than a long dry spell. The tradeoff is obvious: wet conditions can make paths and surfaces slippery, so footwear matters even more.

Horseshoe Falls adds a second reward for people who want a little more walking. The tour information presents it as an option rather than a promise of a separate, fixed stop, so ask your guide about the available route and time on the day.

I like the way this section combines a short, manageable walk with a strong visual payoff. You do not have to commit to a strenuous hike to see one of Tasmania’s best-known waterfalls. At the same time, the surrounding rainforest keeps the stop from feeling like a quick roadside photo opportunity.

Photography is easy here, but do not rush straight to the viewpoint. Pause among the ferns and tree trunks. The quiet forest is as important as the falling water, and guides such as Carmel have been praised for pointing out good photo positions.

A short stop at the Mount Field visitor centre

The Mount Field National Park Visitor Centre gives you about 30 minutes to explore independently. Its Curiosity Room explains local flora and fauna, adding useful background after you have already walked among the trees and seen the falls.

This is a modest stop, but it helps tie the day together. Instead of seeing the park only as a collection of pretty views, you get a chance to learn about the plants and animals that make the forest work.

Do not expect a long museum visit. Thirty minutes is enough for a look around, not a detailed study. If you prefer outdoor time, you may find the stop brief and practical. If you like natural history displays, it gives you a quiet pause before the return trip.

Entry to Mount Field National Park is included, so you are not paying extra at the gate. That matters when judging the overall price, especially since the tour also includes Salmon Ponds and transport from Hobart.

What the $129.10 price really covers

At $129.10 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Mount Field. You are paying for more than fuel, though. The price includes a full day of coach transport, a local guide, selected hotel pickup and drop-off, park entry, Salmon Ponds admission, morning tea, air conditioning, and onboard WiFi.

The strongest value comes from the time saved and the guide’s input. Driving yourself means arranging the route, checking park access, finding parking, and managing the return to Hobart. This tour removes those jobs and gives you a planned sequence of stops that fills most of the day.

The small group improves the value further. A large bus can get you to the same park, but a maximum of 15 people gives you a better chance to ask about Tasmania, get help with photographs, or request clarification about the walking routes.

Lunch is not included, so keep that cost in mind. Also, WiFi should be treated as a useful extra rather than a reason to book. One visitor found no WiFi onboard despite it being advertised. If staying connected is important, bring your own mobile data plan.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 49 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. Those figures suggest very strong satisfaction, but the practical details still matter more than a number. You will get the most from this outing if you value scenery, gentle walks, and a guide who adds local context.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this experience to first-time visitors to Hobart who want to see beyond the city without arranging a car. It is also a good choice for cruise passengers, provided the pickup and return timing are confirmed in advance.

Nature lovers will find plenty to like: tall eucalypts, rainforest, ferns, clear water, two waterfalls, and the chance of seeing a platypus at Salmon Ponds. The walking suits people with moderate physical fitness, and the Russell Falls route is described as easy.

It also works well for couples, friends, and families with older children. The fish hatchery and visitor centre break up the walking, while the small group keeps the day from feeling anonymous.

I would think twice if you want a hard hike, a very late start, or complete independence at each stop. The itinerary is relaxed but still structured, and time at each place is limited. You also need to buy lunch and prepare for weather changes.

Practical ways to make the day better

• Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip.
• Pack a fleece and sunscreen, even if Hobart begins with mild weather.
• Bring money for lunch.
• Confirm your pickup point, especially if you are coming from a cruise ship.
• Ask about Horseshoe Falls if you want to extend the waterfall walk.
• Keep your phone charged for photographs, since guide Clare and others have helped visitors capture memorable shots.
• Do not rely on the advertised WiFi for essential communication.
• Allow the full seven hours and 15 minutes, including the return to Hobart.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The operator can also cancel for poor weather or if the minimum number of participants is not reached, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Mount Field and Russell Falls tour?

Book it if you want a well-paced introduction to Tasmania’s forests and waterfalls, with transport and park admission handled for you. The best reasons are the small group, the calm pace, the impressive Tall Trees Walk, and the easy route to Russell Falls.

The tour is especially useful when you have only one free day in Hobart. It gives you more variety than a simple waterfall transfer, while avoiding the effort of driving yourself.

Skip it if you want a long, strenuous wilderness walk or if your schedule cannot tolerate any uncertainty around port pickup. For most first-time visitors, though, $129.10 buys a full and varied day in the Derwent Valley and Mount Field, with enough free time to enjoy the forest rather than merely point a camera at it.

FAQ

How long does the Mount Field and Russell Falls tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes, beginning at 9:00 am and ending back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

The listed starting point is the Mona Brooke Ferry Terminal on Franklin Wharf in Hobart, Tasmania.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels only. Confirm your exact pickup location before departure.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transport by air-conditioned coach, a local guide, WiFi onboard, morning tea, admission to Salmon Ponds, and entry to Mount Field National Park.

Is lunch included?

No. You have time for lunch during the Tall Trees Walk stop, but lunch is at your own expense.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants.

How difficult are the walks?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The walk to Russell Falls is described as easy, while the Tall Trees Walk provides time to walk through the forest at a relaxed pace.

Can I see Horseshoe Falls?

The Russell Falls portion can continue to Horseshoe Falls for those who want to see more. Ask the guide about the available time and route on the day.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered a different date, another experience, or a full refund.