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

Feedback

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Deephole train terminal, Ida Bay

Nearest Road:South Cape Road
Nearest Town:Southport
Locality:South East
Latitude:S 43° 27′ 17″
Longitude:E 146° 58′ 2″
Elevation:5 m
Management:P&WS
Road Surface:No road
Car Park:Landing
Water:Dry
Toilets:Type uncertain
Toilet Accessibility:Unknown
Shelter:Shelter
Picnic Table:Picnic table
Comment:Take the Ida Bay railway ride to Deep Hole, or walk the 7.3km each way along Ida Bay Rd and then follow railway track.
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5 walks from Deephole train terminal, Ida Bay

Elliott Beach walk at Deephole Bay

Goal:Elliott Beach
Grade:Flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:400 m
Return distance:800 m
Comment:Explore Elliott Beach right beside the railway terminus.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 90, Number 39, 39 - Deep Hole to Southport Lagoon

“The trip out to Deep Hole takes about 25 minutes.”

Ingrid Roberts, Best Bush, Coast and Village Walks of South East Tasmania, Woodslane Press Pty Ltd, Page 202, Number 38, Southport Lagoon

One-off references or owner clarifications, Welcome to Ida Bay railway - tours

“There's a brief stop at a graveyard where your tour guide will tell you about some of the history”

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Southport Bluff walk

Goal:GeorgeIII Monument
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:4,000 m
Return distance:8,000 m
Comment:Southport Bluff Track to end, monument on eastern coast of Bluff. Return

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 90, Number 39, 39 - Deep Hole to Southport Lagoon

“A marked foot track provides a direct route to the bluff and the monument…”

Ingrid Roberts, Best Bush, Coast and Village Walks of South East Tasmania, Woodslane Press Pty Ltd, Page 202, Number 38, Southport Lagoon

“Australia's southernmost bush tramway leaves Ida Bay fro Deep Hole three to four times daily.”

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 67, Number 4, 20 - Southport Lagoon and George III Monument

6 hours retrace route
“The turnoff is marked by a wooden pole topped with orange paint and further poles mark the route.”

One-off references or owner clarifications, Welcome to Ida Bay railway - tours

“You must go down on the first train to get the last one back.”

Tags

Southport Circuit along edge of Lagoon

Goal:Southport Lagoon Cairn
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:3,300 m
Comment:Southport Bluff track, bear south to Lagoon. Beach SE, take cairn to circuit track and return.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 90, Number 39, 39 - Deep Hole to Southport Lagoon

“… meanders across coastal grasslands and through patches of scrub…”

Ingrid Roberts, Best Bush, Coast and Village Walks of South East Tasmania, Woodslane Press Pty Ltd, Page 202, Number 38, Southport Lagoon

“… an easy walk though open bushland to the shallow waters of Southport Lagoon”

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 69, Number 4, 20 - Southport Lagoon and George III Monument

“The long round trip”

One-off references or owner clarifications, Welcome to Ida Bay railway - tours

“You must go down on the first train to get the last one back.”

Tags

Southport Lagoon and return walk

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:Southport Lagoon
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:2,750 m
Return distance:5,500 m
Comment:Southport Bluff track, bear south to Lagoon. Return same route.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 90, Number 39, 39 - Deep Hole to Southport Lagoon

“A side track gives access to the lagoon.”

Ingrid Roberts, Best Bush, Coast and Village Walks of South East Tasmania, Woodslane Press Pty Ltd, Page 202, Number 38, Southport Lagoon

“… the beautiful crescent-shaped beach that lines the shallow Southport Lagoon.”

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 69, Number 4, 20 - Southport Lagoon and George III Monument

“To Southport Lagoon”

One-off references or owner clarifications, Welcome to Ida Bay railway - tours

1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“walk to the Southport Lagoon (1h 30 m return) - Bookings essential for return train.”

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Southport Lagoon Entrance and Bluff Circuit walk

Goal:Southport Lagoon Entrance
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:10,000 m
Comment:Soutport Lagoon, follow coast track to entrance. Back up beach to Bluff. Return on Bluff Track to Deep Hole.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 90, Number 39, 39 - Deep Hole to Southport Lagoon

4 hours retrace route
“… meanders across coastal grasslands and through patches of scrub…”

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 69, Number 4, 20 - Southport Lagoon and George III Monument

“The long round trip”

One-off references or owner clarifications, Welcome to Ida Bay railway - tours

“You must go down on the first train to get the last one back.”

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