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

Send

Cynthia Bay Visitor Centre car park

Nearest Road:Lake St Clair Rd
Nearest Town:Derwent Bridge
Locality:Central Highlands
Latitude:S 42° 7′ 1″
Longitude:E 146° 10′ 41″
Elevation:740 m
Fee:Parks Pass
Management:National Park
Road Surface:Sealed
Car Park:Good unsealed
Water:Tap if open
Toilets:Flush
Shelter:Shelter
Picnic Table:Picnic table
Comment:There is a large parking area at Cynthia Bay. Select a spot suitable for where and how long you are staying.

Show driving directions

Correct this information
Send

16 walks from Cynthia Bay Visitor Centre car park

Cynthia Bay Jetty 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:Cynthia Bay Jetty
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:250 m
Return distance:500 m
Comment:Walk right from the front of the visitor centre to visit the jetty. Return by path, or along the lake.

References

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Lake St Clair

“A gentle stroll around the lake shore at Cynthia Bay will suit just about everyone.”

Tags

River/Creek/Lake
Sealed path
Shop/Café
Visitor centre

Forgotten Lake Walk

Goal:Forgotten Lake
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:6,000 m
Return distance:12,000 m
Comment:To Forgotten Lake via Watersmeet and Shadow Lake then continue on Little Hugel Track to Forgotten Lake. Return the same way.

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 326, Number 95, Lake St Clair - Forgotten Lake

“A very muddy pad Leads … up Mt Little Hugel, but this is not recommended.”

Peter Franklin, Bushwalk Track Notes, Page 4, Number 2008, Rufus Hugel Tracks - 17 April 2008

4 hours retrace route
“… good boardwalk built over a wet buttongrass plain… that was once an unpleasant section.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Shadow and Forgotten Lakes

6 hours retrace route
“… suitable for families as long as suitable clothing is worn.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 72, Number 30, Shadow Lake and Forgotten Lake

4 hours retrace route
“Excellellent view of Mt Hugel and Mt Rufus loom up beyond the lake.”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 7, 07 - Shadow Lake and Little Hugel

“… Forgotten Lake, pooled at the base of Little Hugel.”

Tags

Bush
River/Creek/Lake
Boardwalk
Formed track
Foot pad
Rainforest
Fishing

Forgotten Lake Walk via Shadow Lake Circuit

Goal:Forgotten Lake
Grade:Moderate
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:15,000 m
Comment:Follow Shadow Lake Circuit. At Shadow Lake, take Little Hugel Track to Forgotten Lake and return. Continue circuit.

References

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 7, 07 - Shadow Lake and Little Hugel

“Return along the continuation of the Shadow Lake Circuit.”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 1, Number 1, Shadow Lake Circuit - July 1, 2014

4 hours 40 minutes circuit
“… a 40 minute return side track along raised board walk takes you to Forgotten Lake…”

Tags

Bush
Beach
River/Creek/Lake
Boardwalk
Formed track
Foot pad
Rainforest

Lake St Clair Lake Walk

Goal:Frankland Beaches Pt
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:1,500 m
Return distance:3,000 m
Comment:From Visitor Centre, walk to the lake shore. Turn right (east) and walk around the lake shore as far as you wish to explore.

References

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Lake St Clair

“Walk as far as you want to go.”

Tags

Remnant bush
Urban park
River/Creek/Lake
Foot pad
Rockhopping
Beach walking
Shop/Café
Visitor centre

Lake St Clair Lookout Walk at Visitor Centre

Goal:Lake St Clair Lookout
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:100 m
Return distance:200 m
Comment:There is a lookout on the shore of the lake in front of the visitor centre and clear of the trees.

References

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Lake St Clair

“… panoramas of Mount Olympus… and of the Traveller Range and Mounts Rufus and Hugul.”

Tags

Remnant bush
River/Creek/Lake
Views
Lookout
Wheelchair accessible
Sealed path
Shop/Café
Visitor centre

Lake St Clair triple walk

Goal:Platypus Walk junction
Grade:Moderate
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:4,700 m
Comment:To Watersmeet on Overland Track, Complete Platypus walk, return on Larmairremener tabelti Track, then short piece of Mt Rufus Track.

References

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Lake St Clair Walks

1 hour 30 minutes circuit
“All three walks can be combined for … a figure-of-eight loop.”

Tags

Bush
River/Creek/Lake
Aboriginal History
Formed track
Foot pad
Platypus habitat
60 Great Short Walks
Shop/Café
Visitor centre

Larmairremener tabelti Walk

Goal:Aboriginal interpretive walk returning via Watersmeet track
Grade:Moderate
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:2,500 m
Comment:To Watersmeet on Overland Track, return on Larmairremener tabelti Track, then short piece of Mt Rufus Track.

References

Lake St Clair - Pumphouse Point - Tasmania, Lake St Clair - Pumphouse Point - Tasmania, F - Larmairremener tabelti walk

“… creative interpretation panels to introduce the Larmairremener, the indigenous people …”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 18, Lake St Clair

“… an insight into the Aboriginal people who lived around leeawuleena for thousands of years.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Platypus Bay and Larmairremener Tabelti - Aboriginal cultural walk

“Continue on from Watersmeet”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 324, Number 94, Watersmeet - Platypus Bay

“Aboriginal cultural walk”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Southern Tasmania, 1st ed., John Chapman, Page 83, Number 185, Watersmeet Circuit

“This track in an Aboriginal culture walk.”

Tags

Aboriginal History
Child focus
Formed track
Foot pad
Big trees
Rainforest
Waratahs (in late spring)

Little Hugel Circuit Walk

Goal:Little Hugel
Grade:Some Very Steep
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:17,500 m
Comment:Take Shadow Lake Circuit route, but from Forgotten Lake continue on to Little Hugel. Return and continue circuit.

References

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 88, Number 17, 17 - Mt Rufus Circuit

6 hours circuit
“… include the 2.6km side trip to the summit of Little Hugel.”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 7, 07 - Shadow Lake and Little Hugel

“… The climb to Little Hugel.. Up a boudery ridge to a vast view…”

Tags

Bush
Beach
Views
Summit
Boardwalk
Formed track
Foot pad
Rainforest

Little Hugel Walk

Goal:Little Hugel
Grade:Some Very Steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:9,000 m
Return distance:18,000 m
Comment:Take track out past Shadow Lake and Forgotten Lake and then on up track to Little Hugel. Return same way.

References

Lake St Clair - Pumphouse Point - Tasmania, Lake St Clair - Pumphouse Point - Tasmania, I - Little Hugel Walk

4 hours 20 minutes retrace route
“… intermediate walk with some challenging boulder hopping involved…”

Peter Franklin, Bushwalk Track Notes, Page 4, Number 2008, Rufus Hugel Tracks - 17 April 2008

5 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“… until the rock scree is reached. It is then a clamber up the rocks to the summit.”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 7, 07 - Shadow Lake and Little Hugel

“The climb to Little Hugel passes though a tall pandani grove.”

Tags

Bush
River/Creek/Lake
Views
Summit
Boardwalk
Formed track
Foot pad

Mount Rufus Circuit

Goal:Mount Rufus Summit
Grade:Long climb
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:18,000 m
Comment:Mt Rufus Track to summit, return via Mt Rufus Circuit Track and Shadow Lake Track.

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 329, Number 96, Lake St Clair - Mt Rufus

8 hours circuit
“One day, hard”

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 58, Number 26, 26 - Mount Rufus

7 hours circuit
“…provides a genuine alpine experience on a well-marked and generally clear track.”

Wild Tiger - Bushwalking and mountaineering Tasmania. Real people, wild adventures., Wildtiger Blog team, Mount Rufus - April 7, 2006

7 hours circuit
“There were some interesting sandstone rock formations on the lower slopes.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 19, Mt Rufus

7 hours circuit
“During early summer the flowering of scoparia can be spectacular.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 88, Number 5, 17-Mt Rufus Circuit

7 hours circuit
“An anti-clockwise direction …. so that south-westerly wind come from behind while on summit ridge.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Mt Rufus Circuit

7 hours circuit
“… a more demanding walk that takes 7 hours.”

Peter Franklin, Bushwalk Track Notes, Page 4, Number 2008, Rufus Hugel Tracks - 17 April 2008

5 hours 40 minutes retrace route
“At the summit cairn there is a route east back to Cynthia Bay or south to Rufus Canal Rd.”

Tags

Bush
River/Creek/Lake
Views
Summit
Boardwalk
Foot pad
Rainforest
60 Great Short Walks

Mount Rufus Walk

Goal:Mt Rufus summit
Grade:Long climb
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:7,500 m
Return distance:15,000 m
Comment:Start on Watersmeet Track. Turn left to Mt Rufus track to summit. Return by same route

References

Lake St Clair - Pumphouse Point - Tasmania, Lake St Clair - Pumphouse Point - Tasmania, H - Mt Rufus Walk

7 hours retrace route
“… breathtaking panoramic views over the western wilderness…”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 329, Number 96, Lake St Clair - Mt Rufus

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 58, Number 26, 26 - Mount Rufus

“… you can return via the same route…”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 19, Mt Rufus

“While long and occasionally steep, this walk is accessible to capable… walkers.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 88, Number 17, 17 - Mt Rufus Circuit

6 hours retrace route
“The summit of Mt Rufus is marked by a large cairn”

Tags

Bush
Views
Summit
Boardwalk
Foot pad
Rainforest

Platypus Bay Circuit

Goal:Platypus Bay, added on to Watersmeet walk
Grade:Moderate
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:4,000 m
Comment:From Visitors Centre to Watersmeet on Overland Track, then Platypus Bay Circuit and return via Watersmeet track.

References

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 18, Lake St Clair

“… where platypus are sometimes seen.”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 6, Number 1, Platypus Bay -24 Nov 2014

1 hour 30 minutes circuit retrace
“… you may be able to spot the local platypi during twilight hours.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Platypus Bay and Larmairremener Tabelti - Aboriginal cultural walk

“… wide uninterupted views across the lake to the Traveller Range.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 324, Number 94, Watersmeet - Platypus Bay

“The best times to see a platypus would be early and late in the day”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Southern Tasmania, 1st ed., John Chapman, Page 83, Number 185, Watersmeet Circuit

“… platypus are normally only active at dusk.”

Tags

Bush
Beach
River/Creek/Lake
Foot pad
Rainforest
Platypus habitat

Shadow Lake Circuit

Goal:Shadow Lake
Grade:Moderate
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:11,500 m
Comment:To Shadow Lake via Watersmeet and return via Shadow Lake Circuit Track and Mt Rufus Track. Or vice versa.

References

Di, Di's Walk a Month, Di, Page 2, Number 2013, 3 Feb 2013 - Shadow Lake Circuit

5 hours circuit
“Walk was longer than anticipated but still well worth it.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 326, Number 95, Lake St Clair - Forgotten Lake

5 hours circuit
“There are pockets of rainforest in gullies, alpine sedge, button grass plain and sub-alpine woodland”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 88, Number 17, 17 - Mt Rufus Circuit

5 hours circuit
“Recommended if the summit of Mt Rufus is under cloud.”

Peter Franklin, Bushwalk Track Notes, Page 4, Number 2008, Rufus Hugel Tracks - 17 April 2008

3 hours 40 minutes retrace route
“This (link) traqck is relatively new having been put in somewhere close to year 2000.”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 7, 07 - Shadow Lake and Little Hugel

“Return along the continuation of the Shadow Lake Circuit.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 20, Shadow Lake Circuit

5 hours circuit
“A delightful alpine lake amidst impressive mountains…”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 1, Number 1, Shadow Lake Circuit - July 1, 2014

4 hours circuit
“… a brilliant family walk that highlights just some of the unique and beautiful landscape…”

Tags

Bush
Beach
Boardwalk
Formed track
Foot pad
Rainforest
Fishing
60 Great Short Walks

Shadow Lake Walk

Goal:Shadow Lake
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:4,500 m
Return distance:9,000 m
Comment:To Shadow Lake via Watersmeet and return

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 326, Number 95, Lake St Clair - Forgotten Lake

“A straightforward 4km walk, basically up a ridge on the Shadow Lake Track.”

Peter Franklin, Bushwalk Track Notes, Page 4, Number 2008, Rufus Hugel Tracks - 17 April 2008

“Beaches of brownish gravelly sand are on the northern side.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 72, Number 30, Shadow Lake and Forgotten Lake

“Well-made track, only gently climbing, beautiful lake and mountain views.”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 7, 07 - Shadow Lake and Little Hugel

“Cross dry alpine woodland to Shadow Lake.”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 1, Number 1, Shadow Lake Circuit - July 1, 2014

“Shadow Lake itself is beautiful and provides a picturesque”

Tags

Bush
Beach
River/Creek/Lake
Boardwalk
Foot pad
Rainforest
Fishing

Watersmeet Circuit

Goal:Platypus Bay
Grade:Moderate
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:4,700 m
Comment:Figure 8 shape walk via Larmairremener tabelti walk and the Platypus Bay walk.

References

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 18, Lake St Clair

1 hour 30 minutes circuit
“The confluence of the Cuvier and Hugel rivers.”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 6, Number 1, Platypus Bay -24 Nov 2014

“… you may be able to spot the local platypi during twilight hours.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 324, Number 94, Watersmeet - Platypus Bay

2 hours circuit

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Southern Tasmania, 1st ed., John Chapman, Page 83, Number 185, Watersmeet Circuit

2 hours circuit
“Take wet weather clothing as this is a region of high rainfall”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 5, Number 1, Watersmeet Nature Trail - 24 Nov 2014

“The trail ends where the Cuvier and Hugel rivers join before feeding into Lake St Clair.”

Tags

Bush
Beach
River/Creek/Lake
Aboriginal History
Formed track
Foot pad
Rainforest
Waratahs (in late spring)
Platypus habitat

Watersmeet Walk

Goal:Hugel Bridge
Grade:Flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:1,200 m
Return distance:2,400 m
Comment:Overland Track to Hugel Bridge at Watersmeet and return

References

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 18, Lake St Clair

“The confluence of the Cuvier and Hugel rivers.”

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

1 hour retrace route
“This easy walk follows the crest of a glacial moraine…”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 324, Number 94, Watersmeet - Platypus Bay

“… the rushing crystal-clear waters of the Hugel River…”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Southern Tasmania, 1st ed., John Chapman, Page 83, Number 185, Watersmeet Circuit

“… bridge above the junction of the Hugel and Cuvier Rivers…”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 5, Number 1, Watersmeet Nature Trail - 24 Nov 2014

45 minutes retrace route
“… ends where the Cuvier and Hugel rivers join before feeding into Lake St Clair.”

Tags

Bush
Formed track
Rainforest
Waratahs (in late spring)
Shop/Café
Visitor centre