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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Stacks Bluff parking

Nearest Road:Storys Creek Rd
Nearest Town:Avoca
Locality:Fingal Valley
Latitude:S 41° 37′ 59″
Longitude:E 147° 43′ 27″
Elevation:760 m
Road Surface:Unsealed
Car Park:Side of road
Water:Dry
Toilets:None
Toilet Accessibility:No toilet
Shelter:None
Picnic Table:No table
Comment:Entering Storys Creek from the south, take first gravel road on left past an old cricket pitch. Continue uphill and as far as the road is fit to drive.

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4 walks from Stacks Bluff parking

Lake Youl walk

Goal:Lake Youl
Grade:Some Very Steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:6,000 m
Return distance:12,000 m
Comment:Take Stacks Bluff route to top of scarp, then head towards centreof plateau to lake. Return

References

Fingal Valley, Greater Esk Tourism Inc., Fingal Valley Walks

7 hours retrace route
“… head west towards the centre of the plateau and after about 2km the lake will come into view.”

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Stacks Bluff walk via Coal Falls

Goal:Stacks Bluff summit
Grade:Some Very Steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:7,000 m
Return distance:14,000 m
Comment:Follow track till it crosses Storys Creek. Follow creek up past Coal Falls to plateau. Follow edge of plateau west to summit. Return.

References

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 82, Number 41, 41 - Stacks Bluff

6 hours retrace route
“A rough road on the western side of town, near the old oval, is the starting point.”

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Stacks Bluff Walk via Tranquil Tarn

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:Stacks Bluff summit
Grade:Some Very Steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:4,000 m
Return distance:8,000 m
Comment:Park and walk on up 4WD track to a pole/cairn. Start at cairn and pole, on well-worn track north. Then its cairns and orange tags on scree.

References

Fingal Valley, Greater Esk Tourism Inc., Fingal Valley Walks

6 hours retrace route
“… it is better if a climber has a bit of experience seeking the markers… to cover some rough ground.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 46, Number 17, 17 - Stacks Bluff

6 hours
“… on a good day Mount Wellington is clearly visible far to the south.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 48, Number 18, 18- Stacks Bluff

6 hours
“… on a good day Mount Wellington is clearly visible far to the south.”

People and Other Strange Creatures, Stacks Bluff, Ben Lomond Plateau

“…well marked with cairns and tape (although the start is notoriously difficult to find).”

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Tranquil Tarn walk

Goal:Tranquil tarn
Grade:Some Very Steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:4,000 m
Return distance:8,000 m
Comment:Start on Stacks Bluff track, but veering right approaching the crags to tarn. Return.

References

Fingal Valley, Greater Esk Tourism Inc., Fingal Valley Walks

4 hours retrace route
“This climb should not be attempted in wet or overcast conditions.”

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