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

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Cape Raoul parking area

Nearest Road:Stormlea Rd
Nearest Town:Nubeena
Locality:Tasman Peninsula
Latitude:S 43° 11′ 43″
Longitude:E 147° 46′ 38″
Elevation:220 m
Fee:Parks Pass
Management:National Park
Road Surface:Unsealed
Car Park:Side of road
Water:Dry
Toilets:Type uncertain
Toilet Accessibility:Unknown
Shelter:None
Picnic Table:No table
Comment:On the Tasman Peninsula take the B37 to Stormlea Rd and drive about 9km to the end where there is a signposted car park.

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6 walks from Cape Raoul parking area

Cape Raoul Walk

Goal:Cape Raoul
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:7,000 m
Return distance:14,000 m
Comment:Cape Raoul Track , keeping left at junction. Follow cliff top track to the Cape. Return.

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 47, Number 11, Cape Raoul

6 hours retrace route
“Coastal cliffs and heathland”

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 95, Number 49, 49 - Cape Raoul

6 hours retrace route
“… the track follows the cliff edge to finally overlook the dramatic rock columns …”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 36, Number 5, 5 - Cape Raoul

5 hours retrace route
“A seal colony near the end of the cape can normally be seen…”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Fully revised ed., Hillside Publishing, Page 86, Number 37, 37 - Cape Raoul

5 hours retrace route
“Near the end it traverses very open ground…”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 86, Number 37, 37 - Cape Raoul

6 hours retrace route
“A very scenic walk with spectacular cliffs and coastal scenery”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 6, Cape Raoul

5 hours retrace route
“… starts as a pleasant bushwalk… a stunning, often breathtaking journey.”

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 47, Number 27, Cape Raoul

5 hours retrace route
“Grade - medium”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 3, Number 7, Cape Raoul - 4 Jun 2013

5 hours retrace route
“Offering some of the most spectacular coastal lookouts in Tasmania…”

Denis, Hiking South East Tasmania, Cape Raoul - Sunday 8th May 2011

4 hours 35 minutes retrace route
“This is a stunning walk with fantastic coastal scenery…”

Di, Di's Walk a Month, Di, Page 10, Number 2017, Oct 2017 - Cape Raoul

“Compacted gravelpaths with attractive stone retaining borders and better graded inclines…”

Karen Meredith, Walking the Tasman Peninsula 2011, Number 11, Walk 11 - Cape Raoul 20-5-2011

5 hours retrace route
“… features stupendous cliffs, and none of them have the slightests fall protection.”

Tags

Bush
Coastal
Views
Sea cliffs
Foot pad
60 Great Short Walks

Raoul Bay Lookout Walk

Goal:Raoul Bay Lookouts
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:2,300 m
Return distance:4,600 m
Comment:Cape Raoul Track. Take left turn at track junction and continue along to lookout over cliffs. A short distance to the right is another lookout. Return

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 47, Number 11, Cape Raoul

“spectacular outlook on a cliff rim some 420m above sea level”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 36, Number 5, 5 - Cape Raoul

2 hours retrace route
“The track climbs gentrly through very open forest to Raoul Bay Lookout”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Fully revised ed., Hillside Publishing, Page 86, Number 37, 37 - Cape Raoul

“New lookouts under construction.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 86, Number 37, 37 - Cape Raoul

“… the drop is considerable and there are no fences or railings”

Di, Di's Walk a Month, Di, Page 10, Number 2017, Oct 2017 - Cape Raoul

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 26, Number 14, Raul Bay Lookout

1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“Grade - easy”

Karen Meredith, Walking the Tasman Peninsula 2011, Number 11, Walk 11 - Cape Raoul 20-5-2011

“… there are some very spectacular views to be had from this vantage point…”

Tags

Bush
Coastal
Views
Lookout
Sea cliffs
Foot pad

Shipstern Bluff Circuit

Goal:Shipstern Bluff
Grade:Some steep
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:10,000 m
Comment:Walk back north on road to farm gate with sign to Tunnel Bay and Shipstern Bluff. Follow directions on signs to sea. Return via Tunnel Bay Track .

References

Bushwalking in Tasmania, Photodiary of a Nomad, Bonus:Shipstern Bluff Circuit

“… following a wide and well-formed track…”

Tags

Bush
Coastal
Views
Geologic interest
Sea cliffs
4 WD track
Foot pad

Shipstern Bluff Lookout

Goal:Shipstern Lookout
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:2,000 m
Return distance:4,000 m
Comment:Cape Raoul Track, then right to Tunnel BayTrack to Lookout on edge of cliff. Return. (If steep descent, you have gone too far.)

References

Di, Di's Walk a Month, Di, Page 3, Number 2013, 30 March 2013 - Shipstern Bluff

1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“… a set of fantastic clifftop lookouts looking down towards Shipstern Bluff.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Fully revised ed., Hillside Publishing, Page 88, Number 38, 38 - Shipstern Bluff

“The track gently winds around the hillside and emerges from the forest at a cliff-top lookout.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 88, Number 38, 38 - Shipstern Bluff

“From here there is a clear view of Shipstern Bluff…”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 1, Number 7, Shipstern Bluff - 6 Jul 2012

“… a fantastic view of Shipstern and the nearby capes, including Cape Raoul.”

Tags

Bush
Views
Foot pad

Shipstern Bluff 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:Shipstern Bluff
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:4,500 m
Return distance:9,000 m
Comment:Cape Raoul Track then Tunnel Bay Track to right, Shipstern Bluff 4Wheel drive track. Can be combined with the walk to Tunnel Bay. 10km total walk.

References

Di, Di's Walk a Month, Di, Page 3, Number 2013, 30 March 2013 - Shipstern Bluff

4 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“When the tide is high, it is dangerous to try to get around the Bluff at the waterline.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Fully revised ed., Hillside Publishing, Page 88, Number 38, 38 - Shipstern Bluff

“… after crossing some large boulders, gives acces to an extensive shore platform.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, More Family Walks around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 88, Number 38, 38 - Shipstern Bluff

“… great care must be taken if the tide is high or if there is a rough sea running.”

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 49, Number 28, Shipstern Bluff (Flat Rock) and Tunnel Bay

“Grade - medium”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 1, Number 7, Shipstern Bluff - 6 Jul 2012

4 hours retrace route
“Things can get rather hectic at the base of Shipstern Bluff…”

Tags

Bush
Coastal
Views
Sea cliffs
4 WD track

Tunnel Bay Walk

Goal:Tunnel Bay
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:5,100 m
Return distance:10,200 m
Comment:Cape Raoul Track, then right to Tunnel Bay Track to Bay and return. Can be combined with the walk to Shipstern Bluff

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 51, Number 12, Raoul Vie - Tunnel Bay

5 hours retrace route
“The bay is quite wild and unsafe for swimming.”

Peter and Shirley Storey, Peninsula Tracks - 35 walks in and around the proposed Tasman National Park, 1st ed., Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Page 49, Number 28, Shipstern Bluff (Flat Rock) and Tunnel Bay

“Grade - medium”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 1, Number 7, Shipstern Bluff - 6 Jul 2012

“… a rocky cove with some explorable tunnel formations in the cliffs.”

Tags

Bush
Coastal
Views
Cave/Rock shelter
Sea cliffs
Foot pad