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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Lake Dobson car park

Nearest Road:Lake Dobson Rd
Nearest Town:Westerway
Locality:South West
Latitude:S 42° 41′ 5″
Longitude:E 146° 35′ 38″
Fee:Parks Pass
Management:National Park
Road Surface:Unsealed
Car Park:Good unsealed
Water:Tank
Toilets:Flush
Toilet Accessibility:No access
Shelter:Shelter
Comment:Drive past visitors's centre at entrance to Mt Field National Park. Drive to end of Lake Dobson Rd to large parking area. (This is a very narrow, steep and winding unsealed road, slippery when wet.

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14 walks from Lake Dobson car park

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.

Lake Seal walk

Goal:Lake Seal
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:3,750 m
Return distance:7,500 m
Comment:Pandani Grove, Mawson Rd, Lake Webster Track, Lake Seal Route. Return.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 56, Number 22, 22 - Lake Dobson, Platypus Tarn and Lake Seal

4 hours retrace route
“Picturesque Fairy Tarn, to the left of the main track just beyond this turnoff…”

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Lions Dens walk up Rodway Range

Goal:Lions Den
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:3,400 m
Return distance:6,800 m
Comment:Track to Ski Fields, then Mt Field West Track up along Rodway Range to Lions Den. Return same way

References

Jeremy Payling, Walkweb: Bushwalking, Hiking, Rambling, Tramping, A site dedicated to exploring the world on foot, Bushwalking - Mt Field West, Tasmania

“… following the occasional track marker and red painted marks on the rocks themselves.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 76, Number 14, 14 - Mt Field West

3 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“After a rest in this sheltered cleft return along the same track.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Fully revised ed., Hillside Publishing, Page 54, Number 21, 21 - Rodway Range

“… a small rocky defile which offers some respite in windy conditions.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 52, Number 20, 20 - Rodway Range

“After about 500m th track drops in the Lions Den…”

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MacKenzie Tarn Walk

Goal:MacKenzie Tarn
Grade:Long climb
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:6,600 m
Comment:Urquart Track and Mt Mawson Rd to Ski Village. Snow Gum Track to Rodway Day shelter and to MacKenzie Tarn. Return via track through ski buildings.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Fully revised ed., Hillside Publishing, Page 52, Number 20, 20 - Tarn Shelf

“… without necessarily going all the way to the end.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 50, Number 19, 19- Tarn Shelf

“… very picturesque with its many small lakes and views out over Lake Seal and the Broad River Valley”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 71, Number 13, 13 - Tarn Shelf and Lake Webster

3 hours circuit retrace
“Continue north for 500m visiting the first 2 tarns on the Tarn Shelf…”

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Mount Field West walk

Goal:Mt Field West summit
Grade:Long climb
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:10,000 m
Return distance:20,000 m
Comment:Mt Mawson Rd to ski fields. Mt Field West Track over K-Col, past Naturaliste Peak to summit. Return same way.

References

Jeremy Payling, Walkweb: Bushwalking, Hiking, Rambling, Tramping, A site dedicated to exploring the world on foot, Bushwalking - Mt Field West, Tasmania

7 hours retrace route
“… fairly demanding with some strenuous climbs and rock scrambling…”

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 115, Number 61, 61 - Mount Field West

8 hours retrace route
“… extreme exposure … adverse weather conditions should be expected at all times.”

Peter Franklin, Bushwalk Track Notes, Page 4, Number 2012, Mount Field West - 8 April 2012

8 hours retrace route
“… the plateau can be difficult to navigate in misty weather.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 76, Number 14, 14 - Mt Field West

7 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“The track to this peak follows high exposed ridges… be prepared to turn back if the weather changes.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Mt Field West

“… Should not be attempted in wet and windy conditions…”

Wild Tiger - Bushwalking and mountaineering Tasmania. Real people, wild adventures., Wildtiger Blog team, Mt Field West

6 hours 15 minutes retrace route
“A bit footsore after 85 percent of the walk was on rocks or stones…”

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Naturalist Peak walk

Goal:Naturalist Peak
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:7,500 m
Return distance:15,000 m
Comment:Follow route to Mt Field West until on the ridge leading to Naturalist Peak. Take untracked route to summit. Return same way.

References

Jeremy Payling, Walkweb: Bushwalking, Hiking, Rambling, Tramping, A site dedicated to exploring the world on foot, Bushwalking - Mt Field West, Tasmania

“… leaving the main trail to the south-west of the summit provided reasonably easy access”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 76, Number 14, 14 - Mt Field West

“There are no marked tracks to the summit of this peak”

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Pandani Grove Nature Walk

Goal:Pandani Grove
Grade:Flat
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:1,500 m
Comment:Take track on west side of Lake Dobson till it comes out on Mt Mawson Rd. Head south on Rd back to car park.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 54, Number 21, 21 - Lake Dobson Road Nature Trails

1 hour circuit
“The trail is flat and easy with duck-boards over the wet sections”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 17, Pandani Grove

40 minutes circuit
“… a delightful green oasis nestled beneath the ski slopes of Mt Field.”

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Peterson Memorial Hut walk

Goal:Peterson Memorial Hut
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:5,000 m
Return distance:10,000 m
Comment:Follow route to Mt Field West as far as K-Col. Turn back at Peterson Memorial Hut

References

Jeremy Payling, Walkweb: Bushwalking, Hiking, Rambling, Tramping, A site dedicated to exploring the world on foot, Bushwalking - Mt Field West, Tasmania

“The way climbs upwards towards the ridgeline… before descending another rockfield down to K.Col.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 76, Number 14, 14 - Mt Field West

3 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“After a rest in this sheltered cleft return along the same track.”

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Platypus Tarn Walk

Goal:Platypus Tarn
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:1,750 m
Return distance:3,500 m
Comment:Clearly marked trail along the western (left) side of Lake Dobson. Left on Mawson, right to Lake Wesbster Track, left to Platypus Tarn Track. Retrace.

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 90, Number 26, EagleTarn - Platypus Tarn

1 hour 15 minutes retrace route
“… small but picturesque Playtpus Tarn.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Fully revised ed., Hillside Publishing, Page 56, Number 22, 22 - Lake Dobson and Platypus Tarn

1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“… shortcut back to the car by continuing on the Mawson Rd around the eastern edge of Lake Dobson.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 56, Number 22, 22 - Lake Dobson, Platypus Tarn and Lake Seal

1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“… with the left fork descending wuite steeply down to Platypus Tarn.”

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Rodway Day Shelter walk

Goal:Rodway Day Shelter
Grade:Long climb
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:3,500 m
Return distance:7,000 m
Comment:Follow Mt Mawson Rd past barrier and up to Ski Village. Follow Tarn Shelf Track west to Rodway Day Shelter (at foot of westernmost ski tow). Return

References

Recent Information of track condition (as available), Cowirrie, Mt Rodway Day Shelter

“A shorter, steeper and rockier route is via Urquhart Track and Snow Gum Track.”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 12, 12 - Tarn Shelf

“Turn back after reaching the Rodway Day Shelter”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 71, Number 13, 13 - Tarn Shelf and Lake Webster

“… a short rocky descent leads to the spacious Rodway Day Shelter.”

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Rodway Range - Tarn Shelf Circuit

Goal:Newdegate Pass
Grade:Some steep
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:15,700 m
Comment:Mt Mawson Rd to ski fields. Mt Field West Track to K-Col, Rodway Track north and via Newdegate Pass to Tarn Shelf for return.

References

Denis, Hiking South East Tasmania, Newdegate Pass -Wednesday 8th January 2014

6 hours circuit retrace
“After walking through the pass the track deteriorated somewhat and became quite wet and muddy…”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Rodway Range - Tarn Shelf Circuit

“… recommended for fit walkers only.”

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Rodway Range walk

Goal:Rodway Range
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:4,000 m
Return distance:8,000 m
Comment:Start along west side of Lake Dobson, up Urquart Track to Ski Fields. Tarn Shelf Track then Mt Field West Track along Rodway Range top. Return.

References

Jeremy Payling, Walkweb: Bushwalking, Hiking, Rambling, Tramping, A site dedicated to exploring the world on foot, Bushwalking - Mt Field West, Tasmania

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 76, Number 14, 14 - Mt Field West

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Fully revised ed., Hillside Publishing, Page 54, Number 21, 21 - Rodway Range

4 hours retrace route
“… climbs again to another high point from where the best vuews over the mountains and the southwest”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 52, Number 20, 20 - Rodway Range

4 hours retrace route
“It is best to return from here…”

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Snow Gum Walk to Lake Seal Lookout

Goal:Lake Seal Lookout
Grade:Some steep
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:3,400 m
Comment:From top of Mawson Rd take Snow Gum Track to Lake Seal Lookout. Circle back via ski village

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 87, Number 25, Tarn Shelf

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 12, 12 - Tarn Shelf

“Turn back after enjoying the view from the Lake Seal lookout”

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Tarn Shelf - Lake Webster circuit

Goal:Broad River
Grade:Very Steep
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:12,200 m
Comment:Ski Fields to Tarn Shelf to Lake Newdegate and Lake Webster. Return to Lake Dobson.

References

Jeremy Payling, Walkweb: Bushwalking, Hiking, Rambling, Tramping, A site dedicated to exploring the world on foot, Bushwalking - Tarn Shelf Circuit, Mt Field National Park

“A fantastic circuit walk… a series of alpine tarns… a couple of rustic huts … exhilarating walking.”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 12, 12 - Tarn Shelf

“Turn back after enjoing the view from the Lake Seal lookout”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 83, Number 24, Tarn Shelf - Lake Webster

5 hours circuit
“Forget this walk if the weather is poor”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 71, Number 13, 13 - Tarn Shelf and Lake Webster

6 hours circuit
“… cold, wet and windy weather can occur at any time of the year.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Tarn Shelf/ Lake Newdegate? Twilight tarn and Lake Webster

“The rustic Twilight Tarn hut … contains skiing memorabilia from earlier decades.”

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Tarn Shelf walk

Goal:Lake Newdegate
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:5,350 m
Return distance:10,700 m
Comment:Start along west side of Lake Dobson, up Urquart Track then Blue Gum Track and on to Tarn Shelf Track. Turn back at Lake Newdegate, or sooner.

References

Di, Di's Walk a Month, Di, Page 4, Number 2013, 21 April 2013 - Tarn Shelf, Mt Field

5 hours retrace route
“By the time we reached Backhouse Tarn… we were ready to head back along the track.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 87, Number 25, Tarn Shelf

4 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“…continue on the broad, ice-swcoured ledge of Tarn Shelf.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Fully revised ed., Hillside Publishing, Page 52, Number 20, 20 - Tarn Shelf

4 hours retrace route
“… the Tarn Shelf, which extends some 2.5lm o Lake Newdegate”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 50, Number 19, 19- Tarn Shelf

4 hours retrace route
“From the top of the car park follow the signs to the skifields.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Tarn Shelf

“A delightful series of small glacial lakes.”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 12, 12 - Tarn Shelf

“In winter the tarns and lakes freeze…”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 71, Number 13, 13 - Tarn Shelf and Lake Webster

5 hours retrace route
“… walk along the Tarn Shelf to Newdegate Hut then return the same way to the start.”

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