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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Tower Hill boom gate parking

Nearest Road:Cabin Rd
Nearest Town:Fingal
Locality:East
Latitude:S 41° 32′ 48″
Longitude:E 147° 51′ 41″
Elevation:950 m
Fee:No charge
Management:Sustainable Timber Tasmania
Road Surface:Narrow unsealed
Car Park:Side of road
Water:Dry
Toilets:None
Toilet Accessibility:No toilet
Shelter:None
Picnic Table:No table
Comment:From Fingal, Brown St then right after bridge for 6km on Mathinna Rd, left into Mullens Rd for 7km. Right into Tower Hill Rd. Cabin Rd is 5 km on left. Park before boom gate.

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3 walks from Tower Hill boom gate 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.

East Tower walk

Goal:East Tower Hill summit rocks
Grade:Long climb
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:1,300 m
Return distance:2,600 m
Comment:Park near locked boom gate. Walk 1.2km up road to East Tower car park. Many steps up to fire watcher cabin. Gate may be locked below that.

References

Bill Wilkinson, The Abels - Tasmania's Mountains over 1100m high, 1 ed., The Tasmanian Outdoors Collection, Page 98, Number 138, East Tower

30 minutes retrace route
“… formed steps and several fixed ladders on the steep climb up to the fire lookout cabin.”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Tower Hill (East and West)

“Tower Hill can also be accessed from Mathinna on Golden Gate Rd to start of Cabin Rd.”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Tower Hill East and West

“Cabin Rd is narrow, steep and winding, with no easy turning space at boom gate.”

Mowser, Mowser Productions, Tower Hills (East and West Towers) - 21 April 2019

“I headed up the peak (after sneaking through the gate).”

Louise Fairfax, Naturelover's Walks, West Tower, East Tower 2014 March

“I didn't expect to find any enjoyment in East Tower… but the view from the top was much better…”

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Tower Hill Junction walk

Goal:Junction of Cabin Rd and old fire trail to West Tower
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:1,000 m
Return distance:2,000 m
Comment:Park near locked boom gate. Walk 1km up road. Stone cairn on left marks start of old mossy fire trail to West Tower. A good spot for a break.

References

Bill Wilkinson, The Abels - Tasmania's Mountains over 1100m high, 1 ed., The Tasmanian Outdoors Collection, Page 98, Number 138, East Tower

30 minutes retrace route
“… formed steps and several fixed ladders on the steep climb up to the fire lookout cabin.”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Tower Hill (East and West)

“Tower Hill can also be accessed from Mathinna on Golden Gate Rd to start of Cabin Rd.”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Tower Hill East and West

“Cabin Rd is narrow, steep and winding to boom gate, with no easy turning space at boom gate.”

Mowser, Mowser Productions, Tower Hills (East and West Towers) - 21 April 2019

“I headed up the peak (after sneaking through the gate).”

Louise Fairfax, Naturelover's Walks, West Tower, East Tower 2014 March

“I didn't expect to find any enjoyment in East Tower… but the view from the top was much better…”

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West Tower walk

Goal:West Tower Hill summit cairn
Grade:Challenging
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:4,000 m
Return distance:8,000 m
Comment:From Tower Hill Junction, follow old mossy fire trail south and west. Pink tags mark where to leave fire trail to cross saddle to West Tower. Return.

References

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Tower Hill (East and West)

“Access as for Tower Hill Junction.”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Tower Hill (East and West)

“Many fallen logs over old fire trail. Pink ribbon track gets denser further west”

Mowser, Mowser Productions, Tower Hills (East and West Towers) - 21 April 2019

2 hours 54 minutes retrace route
“After about 1.5km Turned off the road onto a very rough fire trail.”

Bill Wilkinson, The Abels - Tasmania's Mountains over 1100m high, 1 ed., The Tasmanian Outdoors Collection, Page 100, Number 150, West Tower

3 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“It is pointless traversing the ridgeline (of West Tower) as it has several sheer terminations.”

Louise Fairfax, Naturelover's Walks, West Tower, East Tower 2014 March

“We walked uphill from the locked boom gate for 12 mins … remains of an old road to the left… a cairn”

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