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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Risdon Brook Dam parking area

Nearest Road:GrassTree Hill Rd
Nearest Town:Risdon
Locality:Hobart
Latitude:S 42° 48′ 20″
Longitude:E 147° 20′ 15″
Elevation:65 m
Fee:No charge
Road Surface:Sealed
Car Park:Sealed
Water:Mains tap
Toilets:Flush
Shelter:Shelter
Picnic Table:Picnic table
Comment:Turn off East Derwent Highway into Grass Tree Hill Rd, and then north into Risdon Brook Reservoir site. Park at sealed parking area.

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3 walks from Risdon Brook Dam parking area

Mount Direction (South) walk plus dam circuit

Goal:Mount Direction (S) Summit
Grade:Some steep
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:8,000 m
Comment:The Mount Direction at Risdon Dam near Hobart. Start along west side of dam on road, then up mountain. Return on east side of dam.

References

Di, Di's Walk a Month, Di, Page 2, Number 2016, February 2016 - Mt Direction

3 hours 30 minutes circuit retrace
“The uphill stretch was definitely mounain-like, with several rests required.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 33, Number 5, Mount Direction

3 hours 30 minutes circuit
“Easy, but with a steep pinch”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 2, Number 3, Mount Direction - 19 Apr 2015

3 hours circuit retrace
“The views north from the summit are fantastic…”

Greater Hobart Trails, Derwent Estuary Program, Mt Direction Track

“A steep climb is rewarded with spectacular views…”

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Mount Direction (South) walk to summit

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:Mount Direction (S) Summit
Grade:Very Steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:2,500 m
Return distance:5,000 m
Comment:The Mount Direction at Risdon Dam near Hobart.Walk in on west side of dam, then up Mt Direction Track. Return same way.

References

Di, Di's Walk a Month, Di, Page 2, Number 2016, February 2016 - Mt Direction

“The uphill stretch was definitely mounain-like, with several rests required.”

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 33, Number 5, Mount Direction

“Easy, but with a steep pinch”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Fully revised ed., Hillside Publishing, Page 28, Number 8, 8 - Mount Direction

3 hours retrace route
“The top is marked by a magnificent old circular cairn and a small communications station.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 24, Number 6, 6 - Mount Direction

3 hours retrace route
“A short, steep but satisfying climb”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 2, Number 3, Mount Direction - 19 Apr 2015

“At the summit a large rock cairn and communications station can be found.”

Greater Hobart Trails, Derwent Estuary Program, Mt Direction Track

“A steep climb is rewarded with spectacular views…”

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Risdon Brook Dam Circuit walk

Goal:Risdon Brook quarry
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:4,000 m
Comment:Walk around dam on the access road, staying on the track closest to the water.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 18, Number 3, 3 - Risdon Brook Dam

1 hour 30 minutes circuit
“a gentle walk around the edge of the Risdon Brook Reservoir.”

Greater Hobart Trails, Derwent Estuary Program, Risdon Brook Track

“The wide track is mostly flat but undulates a little…”

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