StepScape

What is StepScape?

This site is working towards showing every published Tasmanian day walk on a single map.

StepScape is a work in progress, currently showing 2,212 of an estimated 3,000 published bushwalks in Tasmania.

StepScape is also available as an app for iPhone and iPad.

Read about what the StepScape app does differently from this website.

Caution

This site is a list of walks, not a walking guide. Before undertaking any walk, consult the references provided.

Most of the references made every attempt at accuracy but did not guarantee it. Some are books that are now out of print, so information that was once accurate may not remain so. Changes may include:

  • Land becoming private or reserved
  • Tracks being damaged or rehabilitated
  • Road access being blocked
  • Bad weather or bushfires temporarily making a walk unsafe
Sites to check before you walk How do I get started?

Every pin on the map represents a car park with at least one known walk. Click on the pins for information. Or, click on the Filter tab above to only show the walks that interest you.

Every walk includes a References section listing the books, brochures or websites that mention it. Consult those sources for more information.

What are the latest additions?

Latest car park

Mount Saddleback 4WD parking

Latest walk

Mount Saddleback Track by 4WD

Latest change

Added 2WD and 4WD parking options for Mount Saddleback.

Updated on

2023-07-18

Who made this website?

The StepScape website was created by Cowirrie, a small software development company in Launceston. We take information and present it so it is accessible and useful to people. Our other work includes the SepiaScape guide to historic Tasmania and the PBPhonics app for basic English literacy practice.

We have also taken some of these walks ourselves, and written comprehensive walk reports about them.

Data Entry

Jan Horton

Programming

Michael Horton

Maps

Google Maps JavaScript API

Components

jQuery, used under the MIT License

jQuery CSV, used under the MIT License

jQuery UI, used under the MIT License

jQuery UI Touch Punch, used under the MIT License

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Franklin River car park

Nearest Road:Lyall Highway
Nearest Town:Queenstown
Locality:West
Latitude:S 42° 12′ 55″
Longitude:E 146° 1′ 12″
Elevation:380 m
Fee:Parks Pass
Management:National Park
Road Surface:Sealed
Car Park:Good unsealed
Water:Stream
Toilets:Bush
Toilet Accessibility:Unknown
Shelter:Shelter
Picnic Table:Picnic table
Comment:Beside Lyell Highway, beside bridge over Franklin River.

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2 walks from Franklin River car park

Franklin River Nature Trail

Caution

This site is a list of walks, not a walking guide. Before undertaking any walk, consult the references below.

For additional information about safe walking in Tasmania, go to the StepScape tab.

Goal:Surprise River
Grade:Flat
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:1,000 m
Comment:The circuit walk starts at the car park. It has a good surface, suitable for most wheels.

References

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 22, Franklin Nature Trail

25 minutes circuit
“A part-boardwalk track takes you through beautiful mossy rainforest.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 198, Number 61, Franklin River

30 minutes circuit
“… a quite short but beautiful nature trail”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Southern Tasmania, 1st ed., John Chapman, Page 86, Number 28, Franklin River

30 minutes circuit
“… a picnic area and a nature trail winding its way along the river…”

West Coast Council - Walks, West Coast Council, Page 2, Number 1, Franklin River Nature Trail

25 minutes
“… a walk through cool temperate rainforest…”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 4, Number 8, Franklin River Nature Trail - April 10, 2014

30 minutes circuit
“… the trail passes two rivers; the Franklin River and the Surprise River.”

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Franklin River viewing spot

Goal:Steps to river
Grade:Flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:5 m
Return distance:10 m
Comment:Start circuit, keeping to right at junctions till you find steps down to river. Return at this point if you just want a short walk.

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 198, Number 61, Franklin River

“It is great to just sit by the river under the myrtles for a while and enjoy the surrounds.”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Southern Tasmania, 1st ed., John Chapman, Page 86, Number 28, Franklin River

“Turn right onto a side track. Steps lead down onto the banks of the Franklin River.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 22, Franklin River Nature Trail

“Plan a rest stop here and enjoy the tranquility of water and rainforest”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 4, Number 8, Franklin River Nature Trail - April 10, 2014

“Meandering through lush temperate rainforest populated with stunning myrtle and sassafras trees…”

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