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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Fortescue Bay parking area

Nearest Road:Fortescue Rd
Nearest Town:Taranna
Locality:Tasman Peninsula
Latitude:S 43° 8′ 36″
Longitude:E 147° 57′ 48″
Elevation:5 m
Fee:Parks Pass
Management:National Park
Road Surface:Unsealed
Car Park:Good unsealed
Water:Tank
Toilets:Bush
Toilet Accessibility:No access
Shelter:Shelter
Picnic Table:Picnic table
Comment:From Arthur Highway turn east into Fortescue Bay Rd. Drive to the end of the road and park in day parking area by beach.

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13 walks from Fortescue Bay parking area

Arthurs Peak Walk

Goal:Arthurs Peak Summit
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:6,000 m
Return distance:12,000 m
Comment:Old Cape Pillar Track, then find Arthurs Peak Track to right after an hour or so. Return same route. It is rough and overgrown. Now closed..

References

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Arthurs Peak

“This walk is now closed. The only way to Arthurs Peak is to approach from the north and walk out to the east as the track is now one way.”

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 58, Number 33, Arthurs Peak

6 hours retrace route
“Grade - hard.”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 2, Number 7, Arthurs Peak - 29 May 2013

5 hours retrace route
“This is a challenging walk… Note of warning; wear pants.”

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Bivouac Bay Walk from Fortescue Bay

Goal:Bivouac Bay
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:5,000 m
Return distance:10,000 m
Comment:Foot track from camp ground or beach walk then Tasman Trail round coast to Canoe Bay and then Bivouac Bay (with toilet). Return.

References

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 9, Number 7, Bivouac Bay - February 11, 2015

4 hours retrace route
“… this lesser-walked trail dodges a lot of the crowds…”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 4, Bivouac Bay Track

3 hours retrace route
“A delightfully varied coastal walk that feels remote but is quite accessible.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 66, Number 17, Fortescue Bay - Bivouac Bay

4 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“Most of the walk is within forest, with views through the trees out across the water.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 102, Number 45, 45 - Fortescue Bay to Bivouac Bay

5 hours retrace route
“… walk northwest along the beach to the far end…”

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 21, Number 11, Fortescye Bay to Canoe Bay and Bivouac Bay

4 hours retrace route
“Grade - easy”

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Canoe Bay Walk from Fortescue Bay

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:Canoe Bay
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:2,000 m
Return distance:4,000 m
Comment:From Fortescue Bay walk beach or track from campground to end of beach. Follow Tasman Trail to Canoe Bay and return.

References

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 9, Number 7, Bivouac Bay - February 11, 2015

2 hours retrace route
“… fantastic swimming and snorkelling… including a wreck dive…”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Canoe Bay

2 hours retrace route
“The walk departs from the northern end of Fortescue Bay Beach”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 66, Number 17, Fortescue Bay - Bivouac Bay

“… the site of the old fish freezer.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 102, Number 45, 45 - Fortescue Bay to Bivouac Bay

“Walk around Canoe Bay, crossing Walkers Creek…”

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 21, Number 11, Fortescye Bay to Canoe Bay and Bivouac Bay

2 hours retrace route
“Grade - easy”

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Cape Hauy Walk

Goal:Cape Hauy
Grade:Some Very Steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:4,700 m
Return distance:9,400 m
Comment:Fortescue Bay to Cape Hauy and return by same route.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 102, Number 46, 46 - Cape Hauy

6 hours retrace route
“The new track is well cut and easy to follow.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 64, Number 16, Cape Hauy

4 hours retrace route
“… the really fantastic spires of rock known as the Candlestick and the Totem Pole.”

Ingrid Roberts, Best Bush, Coast and Village Walks of South East Tasmania, Woodslane Press Pty Ltd, Page 106, Number 18, Cape Hauy

5 hours retrace route
“Recently rebuilt wide foot track with stone steps in steep sections.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 5, Cape Hauy

4 hours retrace route
“A stunning there and back walk to some awe-inspiring cliffs.”

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 42, Number 24, Cape Hauy

4 hours retrace route
“… from here the track is never far from the cliff edge…”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 17, 17 - Cape Hauy

“Coastal walk from a sheltered bay up to heathland and exposed cliffs…”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 4, Number 7, Cape Hauy - 20 Jun 2013

4 hours retrace route
“… extensive views of the coast and astonishing cliff faces.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Cape Hauy Track

4 hours retrace route
“… through a variety of heath and woodland…”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 32, Number 4, 4 - Cape Huay and Mt Fortescue

“Care needs to be taken as there are no safety fences and it is often windy.”

Di, Di's Walk a Month, Di, Page 5, Number 2012, Late May 2012 - Cape Hauy

4 hours retrace route
“In fact, there were 2019 stone steps, as counted by Phillip.”

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Cape Hauy-Mt Fortescue walk

Goal:Mount Fortescue lookout
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:8,700 m
Return distance:17,400 m
Comment:Walk to Cape Hauy, then retrace to junction and follow cliff track to Mt Fortescue summit and lookout. Return to Fortescue Bay.

References

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 32, Number 4, 4 - Cape Huay and Mt Fortescue

8 hours retrace route
“Take care and keep away from cliff edges…”

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Cape Pillar Day Walk

Goal:Cape Pillar
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:14,500 m
Return distance:29,000 m
Comment:Follow Old Cape Pillar Track, starting near Ranger Office at Fortescue Bay and linking with 3 Capes Track at Tornado Ridge.

References

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 101, Number 52, 52 - Cape Pillar

11 hours retrace route
“In high winds it is not safe to proceed beyond Perdition Ponds”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 10, Number 7, Cape Pillar - 11 Jan 2016

“The power of this place is outstanding, ungraspable and awe-inspiring.”

Peter Franklin, Bushwalk Track Notes, Page 1, Number 2017, Cape Pillar 13 Jan 2017

12 hours retrace route
“The track from Fortescue Bay along the old Cape Pillar track is in good condition…”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Cape Pillar Track

“Walkers can access Cape Pillar via old Cape Pillar track from Fortescue Bay.”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 12, Number 7, Three Capes Track with only a Parks Pass? - 12 Jan 2016

“Leaving and finishing at Fortescue Bay, via inland (Old Cape Pillar) track”

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Dolomieu Point Walk

Goal:Dolomieu Point
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:5,700 m
Return distance:11,400 m
Comment:Walk from Fortescue Bay to Bivouac Bay then on a further 700 m to the views from Dolomieu Point lookout. Return.

References

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 9, Number 7, Bivouac Bay - February 11, 2015

“… views across Fortescue Bay to Cape Hauy…”

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Fortescue Bay to Waterfall Bay Walk

Goal:Waterfall Bay Lookout
Grade:Moderate
Type:One way pickup
One-way distance:10,000 m
Return distance:20,000 m
Comment:Follow Tasman Coastal Track from Fortescue Bay to Waterfall Bay.

References

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 40, Number 23, Fortescue Bay to Waterfall Bay

8 hours one way pickup

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Tasman Coastal Trail

8 hours one way pickup
“… follows along the clifflines…”

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Fortescue Lagoon Walk

Goal:Fortescue Lagoon
Grade:Flat
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:750 m
Comment:Track from north end of campground, come back by beach track

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 102, Number 45, 45 - Fortescue Bay to Bivouac Bay

“Walk northwest along the beach…”

Nano Solutions, Beachsafe, Surf Life Saving Australia, Number 309, T309 - Fortescue Bay Tas

“… Agres Creek, which is impounded behind the centres of the beach as the small Fortescue Lagoon.”

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Monument Lookout

Goal:Monument Lookout
Grade:Unknown
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:3,800 m
Return distance:7,600 m

References

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 32, Number 4, 4 - Cape Huay and Mt Fortescue

“Follow the narrow walking track to the clifftop where there is a lookout…”

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 44, Number 25, Monument Lookout

2 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“Grade - medium”

Karen Meredith, Walking the Tasman Peninsula 2011, Walk Number 25 - Monument Lookout 11-11-2011

3 hours retrace route
“… a great one if you are short on time but still want to experience the fantastic views…”

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Mount Fortescue Walk

Goal:Mount Fortescue summit
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:7,300 m
Return distance:14,600 m
Comment:Follow the Three Capes Track in reverse. Veer right at Cape Huay Track. Turn back at Mt Fortescue.

References

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 32, Number 4, 4 - Cape Huay and Mt Fortescue

6 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“The summit is marked by a small cairn in the forest… a short sidetrack to the left … a small lookout”

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 45, Number 26, Mount Fortescue

7 hours retrace route
“Grade - medium”

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Retakunna Creek Walk

Goal:Wughallee Falls
Grade:Unknown
Type:One way pickup
One-way distance:14,000 m
Return distance:28,000 m
Comment:A continuation of the Mount Fortescue Walk but walk out on the old Cape Pillar Track.

References

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 54, Number 31, Retakunna Creek Circuit

9 hours circuit
“Grade - hard”

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Wughallee Falls Walk

Goal:Retakunna Creek
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:6,000 m
Return distance:12,000 m
Comment:Shorter end of the Retakunna Creek Circuit. Walk in from Fortescue Bay on old Cape Pillar Track and return same way.

References

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 54, Number 31, Retakunna Creek Circuit

3 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“Grade - hard”

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