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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Hartz Mountains car park

Nearest Road:Hartz Rd
Nearest Town:Geeveston
Locality:South
Latitude:S 43° 13′ 2″
Longitude:E 146° 46′ 14″
Elevation:850 m
Fee:Parks Pass
Management:National Park
Road Surface:Unsealed
Car Park:Good unsealed
Water:Stream
Toilets:Bush
Toilet Accessibility:Unknown
Shelter:Shelter
Picnic Table:Picnic table
Comment:Drive to the end of the Hartz Rd to parking area. Three tracks leave from here.

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13 walks from Hartz Mountains car park

Arthur Tarn walk

Goal:Arthur Tarn
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:3,000 m
Return distance:6,000 m
Comment:Follow track past Ladies Tarn. About 100m after track starts climb, take track left (south) to Arthur Lake. Return same way.

References

Mark Hanna, Walk the Huon, Mt Snowy and Arthur and Emily Tarns

“The correct way heads slightly east of south, climbing slightly. After a while, cairns will be found”

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Emily Tarn Circuit

Goal:Emily Tarn
Grade:Some steep
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:11,000 m
Comment:Follow track to Hartz peak. Continue south to saddle to Mt Snowy, then down north to Emily Tarn. Follow track back past Arthur Tarn to rejoin track.

References

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 41, Number 3, 12 - Emily Tarn

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 106, Number 55, 55 - Hartz Peak

5 hours circuit retrace
“This track skirts Emily and Arthur Tarns before rejoining the main track near Ladies Tarn.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 55, Number 9, 9 - Hartz Peak and Mt Snowy

“From the saddle … follow the cairned pad north … to Emily Tarn.”

Mark Hanna, Walk the Huon, Mt Snowy and Arthur and Emily Tarns

5 hours circuit retrace
“Of course, this walk can be done in reverse from the summit of Hartz peak.”

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Geeves Memorial walk

Goal:Geeves Memorial plaque
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:400 m
Return distance:800 m
Comment:Start walking along the Hartz Peak Track. 400km along the track is the Geeves memorial. It is in a clump of bush to the side of the track. Return.

References

Melanie Ball, Top Walks in Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Page 380, Number 65, Hartz Peak

10 minutes retrace route
“About 5 minutes into the walk you pass a memorial to 2 members of the pioneering Geeves family…”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 55, Number 9, 9 - Hartz Peak and Mt Snowy

“On the left side of the track in a copse of trees is Geeves memorial.”

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Hartz Lake Walk

Goal:Hartz Lake
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:3,750 m
Return distance:7,500 m
Comment:Follow track to pass, then continue straight ahead on track down to Hartz Lake. Return same way.

References

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 106, Number 55, 55 - Hartz Peak

“… the better option for lunch in bad weather.”

Melanie Ball, Top Walks in Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Page 380, Number 65, Hartz Peak

“From Hartz Pass, the side track continues downhill to the lake”

Mark Hanna, Walk the Huon, Hartz Peak and Lake

“The track is quite overgrown, especially close to the lake.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 55, Number 9, 9 - Hartz Peak and Mt Snowy

4 hours retrace route
“Medium. Follow the first 3.1km … to the saddle… then follow sidetrip down to Hartz Lake, return..”

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Hartz Pass Walk

Goal:Hartz Pass
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:3,000 m
Return distance:6,000 m
Comment:Continue on from Ladies Tarn up a steep climb to the pass with views to the west. Return.

References

Di, Di's Walk a Month, Di, Page 2, Number 2018, February 2018 - Mt Hartz

“… climbed the steep path to the ridgeline,”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Hartz Pass

3 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“You will need to be a reasonably fit walker”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 86, Number 37, 37 - Hartz Peak

“… a short but steep climb up on to a saddle.”

Melanie Ball, Top Walks in Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Page 380, Number 65, Hartz Peak

“A steep and stony step-up through assorted heath plants deposits you on rock-strewn Hartz Pass”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 2, Number 5, Hartz Peak - June 4, 2013

“The track climbs a steep but short ascent of roughly 100m to the saddle…”

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 39, Number 3, 11 - Lake Esperance

“… you can get some very good views into the South West from the saddle itself.”

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Hartz Peak Summit Walk

Goal:Hartz Peak summit
Grade:Some Very Steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:3,700 m
Return distance:7,400 m
Comment:A well-marked track from car park to summit. Return same way.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 86, Number 37, 37 - Hartz Peak

“… only a very short distance of boulder scrambling at the top.”

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 106, Number 55, 55 - Hartz Peak

4 hours retrace route
“… harsh and changeable weather conditions that occur all year round.”

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 39, Number 3, 10 - Hartz Peak

7 hours retrace route

Melanie Ball, Top Walks in Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Page 380, Number 65, Hartz Peak

4 hours retrace route
“It can be screamingly windy up here with only a few sheltered spots behind rocks, but persevere…”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 4, 04 - Hartz Peak

“Divert to Lake Esperance and Ladies Tarn along the way.”

Peter Franklin, Bushwalk Track Notes, Page 5, Number 2011, Hartz Peak - 1 May 2011

5 hours retrace route
“The rock work from the junction with the Hartz Lake juncion saddle is very impressive…”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 2, Number 5, Hartz Peak - June 4, 2013

4 hours retrace route
“There is a 400m climb over the entire 8km …”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 55, Number 9, 9 - Hartz Peak and Mt Snowy

4 hours retrace route
“One of the best alpine day walks in the state…”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 12, Hartz Peak Summit

5 hours retrace route
“As the peak is 1254m high, it is subject to severe weather.”

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Ladies Tarn Walk

Goal:Ladies Tarn
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:2,000 m
Return distance:4,000 m
Comment:Start on Hartz Peak Track, past Lake Esperance to Ladies Tarn. Return same route.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 86, Number 37, 37 - Hartz Peak

“The main track … skirts Ladies Tarn”

Melanie Ball, Top Walks in Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Page 380, Number 65, Hartz Peak

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 4, 04 - Hartz Peak

“Glacial lake - see cushion plants and even a platypus…”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 2, Number 5, Hartz Peak - June 4, 2013

“… reaching Ladies Tarn on your right.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 55, Number 9, 9 - Hartz Peak and Mt Snowy

2 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“Easy. Follow the first 2.6 km of the walk to Ladies Tarn and return the same way.”

Tags

Lake Esperance Walk

Goal:Lake Esperance
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:1,700 m
Return distance:3,400 m
Comment:Start on Hartz Peak Track, turning off right for Lake Esperance after 1.5km. Return same route.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 86, Number 37, 37 - Hartz Peak

“About 1.5km from the hut there is a signposted turnoff on the right leading to Lake Esperence…”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 4, 04 - Hartz Peak

“Glacial lake - see cushion plants and even a platypus…”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 55, Number 9, 9 - Hartz Peak and Mt Snowy

1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“Easy. Follow the first 1.6km of the walk tl Lake esperence and return.”

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 39, Number 3, 11 - Lake Esperance

2 hours retrace route
“It is a small picturesque lake in a glacial cirque and has open grassy areas on the foreshore…”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 1, Number 5, Lake Esperance - July 4, 2012

1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“… the glacier formed lakes edge where seats are available.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 11, Lake Esperance Walk

2 hours retrace route
“Much of the walk is on well-constructed board-walk…”

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Lake Osborne Walk

Goal:Lake Osborne
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:1,000 m
Return distance:2,000 m
Comment:The track to the west leads to Lake Osborne and Lake Perry. Veer left for Lake Osborne at track junction.

References

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 38, Number 3, 9 - Lake Osborne

1 hour retrace route
“The track leads gently uphill for about a kilometre before reaching Lake Osborne”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Lake Osborne

40 minutes retrace route
“… picturesque glacial lake.”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Southern Tasmania, 1st ed., John Chapman, Page 70, Number 22, Lake Osborne

45 minutes retrace route
“The walk to the lake initially passes through alpine forest…”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 84, Number 36, 36 - Lakes Osborne and Perry

“.a very wet and boggy region … so keep to the tracks.”

Denis, Hiking South East Tasmania, Old Hartz Track 27 June 2015

“Soon it was blowing a gale. It was freezing.”

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Lake Perry and Lake Osborne Walk

Goal:Lake Perry
Grade:Moderate
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:3,800 m
Comment:Take track for Lake Osborne, but veer right at junction for Lake Perry. On return to junction, visit Lake Osborne.

References

website, Bushwalk Australia, The Devil's Backbone

“Instructions to find the Lake Perry Track from Lake Osborne”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 84, Number 36, 36 - Lakes Osborne and Perry

2 hours retrace route
“Both lakes are quite beautiful…”

Denis, Hiking South East Tasmania, Old Hartz Track 27 June 2015

“… reached Lake Osborne and found a track on the eastern side that was heading towards Lake Perry”

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Mount Snowy Circuit

Goal:Mt Snowy summit
Grade:Some steep
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:10,000 m
Comment:Track to Hartz Mt and on to Mt Snowy. Return via Emily and Arthur Tarns.

References

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 55, Number 9, 9 - Hartz Peak and Mt Snowy

5 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“There are numerous small rocky towers and the easiest route is to cross the scree slopes…”

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Mount Snowy walk

Goal:Mt Snowy summit
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:5,000 m
Return distance:10,000 m
Comment:Follow track past Ladies Tarn. About 100m after track starts climb, take track left (south) past Arthur and Emily tarn, up to saddle and on to summit.

References

Mark Hanna, Walk the Huon, Mt Snowy and Arthur and Emily Tarns

5 hours retrace route
“The climb to Mt Snowy is cairned from the saddle and is quite steep towards the top…”

Tags

Old Hartz Track from Hartz Peak car park to Kermandie Falls car park one way

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:Kermandie Falls Car Park
Grade:Some steep
Type:One way pickup
One-way distance:14,000 m
Return distance:28,000 m
Comment:Follow track down to Bennetts Rd. Walk left (north) to continue track down past Kermandie Falls to parking area on

References

Denis, Hiking South East Tasmania, Old Hartz Track

“… it was much harder to stay upright going downhill…”

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