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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Lees Paddocks parking

Nearest Road:Mersey Forest Rd
Nearest Town:Mole Creek
Locality:Central Highlands
Latitude:S 41° 49′ 59″
Longitude:E 146° 11′ 35″
Elevation:565 m
Management:Sustainable Timber Tasmania
Road Surface:Narrow unsealed
Car Park:Rough
Water:Stream
Toilets:None
Toilet Accessibility:No toilet
Shelter:None
Picnic Table:No table
Comment:Drive south on Mersey Forest Road past Lake Rowallan and to carpark for Lees Paddocks walk, where 4WD track heads downhill to the west beside old cattle yards.

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6 walks from Lees Paddocks parking

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.

Devils Cauldron walk

Goal:Devils Cauldron
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:8,000 m
Return distance:16,000 m
Comment:Follow Wurragarra Creek upstream to the Cauldron. Return same way

References

Waterfalls of Tasmania, Jubec Systems and Design, Devils Cauldron

7 hours retrace route
“The track is incredibly muddy in many sections…”

Craig Doumouras, Waterfalls of Tasmania - Day Trips to Waterfalls - Vol. 1, Craig Doumouras, Page 16, Number 1, Devils Couldron

9 hours retrace route
“… walk along eastern side of Wurragarra Creek. In dry periods, you will be able to wade upstream…”

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Ladder Falls walk

Goal:Ladder Falls
Grade:Some Very Steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:8,500 m
Return distance:17,000 m
Comment:Lees Paddock track then continue on up Mersey to Ladder Creek. Climb beside creek for series of falls. Return.

References

Waterfalls of Tasmania, Jubec Systems and Design, Ladder Falls

9 hours retrace route
“Easy to moderate. Some steep sections near the waterfalls”

Craig Doumouras, Waterfalls of Tasmania - Day Trips to Waterfalls - Vol. 1, Craig Doumouras, Page 16, Number 1, Ladder Falls

9 hours retrace route
“Ladder Falls is the largest of the waterfalls on Ladder Creek.”

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 52, Number 22, Lees Paddocks

“Lees Plains are at their most picturesque in September and October when the wattles flower.”

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Ladder Falls, Oxley Falls and Lewis Falls Walk

Goal:Ladder Falls - lower tier
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:9,000 m
Return distance:18,000 m
Comment:Three worthwhile waterfalls in the Lees Paddocks area.

References

Waterfalls of Tasmania, Jubec Systems and Design, Ladder Falls

9 hours retrace route
“Easy to moderate. Some steep sections near the waterfalls”

Michael Horton, Cowirrie, Vimeo, Ladder Falls 2014-12-31

“Video also contains the side trip to Oxley falls on the Mersey River”

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 52, Number 22, Lees Paddocks

“Lees Plains are at their most picturesque in September and October when the wattles flower.”

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Lees Paddocks Walk (from Mersey Forest Road)

Goal:Lees Paddocks
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:7,000 m
Return distance:14,000 m
Comment:Take old 4WD track down to swinging bridge. Turn left over bridge and follow track. Private property so show due care. Return.

References

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 52, Number 22, Lees Paddocks

6 hours retrace route
“An easy walk, once described as 'downhill both ways'…”

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Lewis Falls Walk (from Mersey Forest Road)

Goal:Lewis Falls
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:2,500 m
Return distance:5,000 m
Comment:4WD v rough track to suspension bridge over Mersey. Walk south 1750m. Turn left at stump with small cairn on top. Follow footpad to falls. Return

References

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 52, Number 22, 22 - Lees Paddocks

“… the first 400m follow a 4WD track leading down from the road.”

Craig Doumouras, Waterfalls of Tasmania - Day Trips to Waterfalls - Vol. 1, Craig Doumouras, Page 14, Number 1, Lees Paddocks Track - Lewis Falls

1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“Lewis Falls is the first waterfall to access on this walk… a 10 minute diversion from the main track.”

Michael Horton, Cowirrie, Vimeo, Lewis Falls - 17 Sep 2017

“The Mersey River makes two spectacular waterfalls on its way from Lees Paddocks to Lake Rowallan.”

Waterfalls of Tasmania, Jubec Systems and Design, Lewis Falls - Mersey Forest

1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“… not signposted…”

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Oxley Falls and Lewis Falls Walk

Goal:Oxley Falls
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:4,000 m
Return distance:8,000 m
Comment:4WD track to bridge over Mersey. Walk south 1750m. Pad to left with cairn on stump to Lewis. On main pad 600m to next stump and cairn for Oxley

References

Michael Horton, Cowirrie, Vimeo, Ladder Falls - 31 Dec 2014

“Video also contains the side trip to Oxley falls on the Mersey River”

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 52, Number 22, Lees Paddocks

“… a minor track branches left to Oxley Falls on the Mersey River.”

Michael Horton, Cowirrie, Vimeo, Lewis Falls - 17 Sep 2017

“The Mersey River makes two spectacular waterfalls on its way from Lees Paddocks to Lake Rowallan.”

Craig Doumouras, Waterfalls of Tasmania - Day Trips to Waterfalls - Vol. 1, Craig Doumouras, Page 15, Number 1, Oxley Falls

“… second waterfall along this walk - approx 20 minutes from Lewis Falls”

Waterfalls of Tasmania, Jubec Systems and Design, Oxley Falls, Mersey Forest

“Oxley Falls along with Lewis Falls are diversions from the main track, both of which are not signed.”

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