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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Merthyr Park carpark

Nearest Road:Second River Rd
Nearest Town:Lilydale
Locality:North East
Latitude:S 41° 14′ 23″
Longitude:E 147° 11′ 42″
Fee:No charge
Management:Local council
Road Surface:Sealed
Car Park:Good unsealed
Water:Dry
Toilets:None
Toilet Accessibility:No toilet
Shelter:None
Picnic Table:Picnic table
Comment:Parking at signed area on north side of Second River Rd. The road opposite leads to the local waste transfer station.

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4 walks from Merthyr Park carpark

Merthyr Park Large Circuit Walk

Goal:Cascade on Second River
Grade:Moderate
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:2,600 m
Comment:Bush park under regeneration. The route is well signposted as it crosses the main road twice.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 34, Number 11, 11 - Merthyr Park

1 hour circuit
“A relatively easy walk through picturesque forest and riverside.”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Northern Tasmania, John Chapman, Page 40, Number 11, 11 Merthyr Park

1 hour circuit
“As an alternative, it is possible to return to the car park via the road but watch out for traffic.”

Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, Page 28, Number 24, Merthyr Park

Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, Page 28, Number 24, Merthyr Park

Cowirrie Commentary, Cowirrie, Number 19, Walking around Merthyr Park, Tasmania

2 hours 10 minutes circuit
“The best part of the walk was the Second River.”

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Merthyr Park Lookout

Goal:Merthyr Park Lokout
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:400 m
Return distance:800 m
Comment:From car park take large circuit track. Path is fairly flat until it reaches a seat at a lookout over the gorge. Return same way to avoid steep part.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 34, Number 11, 11 - Merthyr Park

“Features a great variety of native plants, including orchids…”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Northern Tasmania, John Chapman, Page 40, Number 11, 11 Merthyr Park

“… a lookout which provides views of the forest and river.”

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Merthyr Park River Walk

Goal:Second River
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:500 m
Return distance:1,000 m
Comment:A relatively gentle slope down to the river - the easy side of the short circuit. Return same way

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 34, Number 11, 11 - Merthyr Park

20 minutes retrace route
“Features a great variety of native plants, including orchids…”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Northern Tasmania, John Chapman, Page 40, Number 11, 11 Merthyr Park

“… wide track decending gently to the river.”

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Merthyr Park Short circuit

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:Second River
Grade:Some steep
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:1,000 m
Comment:Mostly gentle gradient but with very steep steps in one section

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 34, Number 11, 11 - Merthyr Park

20 minutes circuit
“… picturesque forest and riverside…”

John and Monica Chapman, Short Walks Northern Tasmania, John Chapman, Page 40, Number 11, 11 Merthyr Park

“The track… climbs via a series of zigzags and steps to the main junction.”

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