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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Cradle Mountain Parks Office bus stop

Nearest Road:Cradle Mountain Rd
Nearest Town:Cradle Mountain
Locality:Western Highlands
Latitude:S 41° 35′ 45″
Longitude:E 145° 55′ 50″
Elevation:800 m
Fee:Parks Pass
Management:National Park
Road Surface:Sealed
Car Park:Good unsealed
Water:Tap if open
Toilets:Flush
Toilet Accessibility:No access
Shelter:Shelter
Picnic Table:Picnic table
Comment:The bus stop just inside the park at Pencil Pine Creek.

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8 walks from Cradle Mountain Parks Office bus stop

Cradle Valley Boardwalk to Dove Lake

Goal:Dove Lake
Grade:Moderate
Type:One way pickup
One-way distance:8,700 m
Return distance:17,400 m
Comment:Park entrance to Dove Lake via Cradle Valley Boardwalk and Lake Lilla Track

References

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Northern Tasmania, John Chapman, Page 68, Number 23, 23 Cradle Valley Boardwalk

“Follow the timbered track through the forest then across buttongrass plains below Quailes Hill.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 301, Number 89, Pencil Pine - Dove Lake

7 hours retrace route
“Much of the way is over open alpine terrain into light alpine woodland”

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Cradle Valley Boardwalk to Ronny Creek

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:Ronny Creek
Grade:Moderate
Type:One way pickup
One-way distance:5,500 m
Return distance:11,000 m
Comment:Park Entrance to Ronny Creek via Cradle Valley Boardwalk

References

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Northern Tasmania, John Chapman, Page 68, Number 23, 23 Cradle Valley Boardwalk

2 hours one way pickup
“Follow the timbered track through the forest then across buttongrass plains below Quailes Hill.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 301, Number 89, Pencil Pine - Dove Lake

“At Ronny Creek, the shuttle bus stops here too.”

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Cradle Valley Boardwalk to Snake Hill

Goal:Snake Hill
Grade:Moderate
Type:One way pickup
One-way distance:3,400 m
Return distance:6,800 m
Comment:Park Entrance to Snake Hill vial Cradle Valley Boardwalk

References

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Northern Tasmania, John Chapman, Page 68, Number 23, 23 Cradle Valley Boardwalk

“Follow the timbered track through the forest then across buttongrass plains below Quailes Hill.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 301, Number 89, Pencil Pine - Dove Lake

“At Snake Hill there is a summer time shuttle bus stop.”

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Dove Canyon Circuit via Pencil Pine Creek and Dove River

Goal:Dove Canyon
Grade:Moderate
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:6,000 m
Comment:Follow Pencil Pine Creek to Dove Canyon, return via Dove River track then Cradle Valley Boardwalk

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, Family Walks in Northwest Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 60, Number 24, Dove River Circuit

3 hours
“A moderately strenuous walk”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 289, Number 85, Dove River Gorge

2 hours 30 minutes circuit
“There is a steep rocky descent at the gorge”

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Enchanted Falls (or Pencil Pines Cascade)

Goal:Enchanted Falls
Grade:Flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:200 m
Return distance:400 m
Comment:Walk back to bridge over Pencil Pine Creek to see the falls from the bridge. Also called Pencil Pines Cascade.

References

Chris Bishop, Discover NorthWest Tasmania, westinlet@tassie.net.au, Enchanted Falls

5 minutes retrace route
“… a beautiful little cascading waterfall, easily viewed from the bridge”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Northern Tasmania, John Chapman, Page 66, Number 22, 22 Enchanted Walk & King Billy Walks

“…cross the road bridge over the Dove River with a view of the cascade…”

Waterfalls of Tasmania, Jubec Systems and Design, Pencil Pine Cascades - Cradle Mountain

“… view the cascades from the bridge.”

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Enchanted Falls Walk (or Pencil Pines Cascade Walk)

Goal:Pencil Pine Creek crossing
Grade:Flat
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:1,100 m
Comment:Start by bridge on south side of creek. Follow creek to second bridge. Cross bridge to northern side of the creek to return on boardwalk.

References

Pete, Travel with Pete - Walking in Australia and Beyond, The Enchanted Forest

“The majority of this walk is beside Pencil Pine Creek”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 287, Number 84, Enchanted Walk

20 minutes circuit
“Dripping wet, mossy rainforest…”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Enchanted Walk

20 minutes circuit
“… meanders through magical, mossy forest, along a cascadign creek”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Northern Tasmania, John Chapman, Page 66, Number 22, 22 Enchanted Walk & King Billy Walks

“These tracks cross the Lodge's land , but all the tracks are open for public use.”

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Enchanted Forest, King Billy and Rainforest Walk

Goal:King Billy Pine
Grade:Moderate
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:3,500 m
Comment:Enchanted Walk, then King Billy Walk and finish with Rainforest Walk

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 287, Number 84, Enchanted - King Billy

1 hour circuit
“The myrtle forest is seen to its best”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Northern Tasmania, John Chapman, Page 66, Number 22, 22 Enchanted Walk & King Billy Walks

1 hour circuit
“These tracks cross the Lodge's land , but all the tracks are open for public use.”

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Visitor Centre Rainforest Walk

Goal:Pencil Pine Falls Lookout
Grade:Flat
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:300 m
Comment:Wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through rainforest to Pencil Pine Falls lookout

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 287, Number 84, Enchanted - King Billy

“Boardwalk… see the falls from a lookout”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Visitor Centre rainforest Walk

10 minutes circuit
“… meander through a patch of cool temperate rain forest…”

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