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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Taylors Flats (Black Bluff) car park

Nearest Road:Taylors Flat Rd
Nearest Town:Ulverstone
Locality:North West
Latitude:S 41° 24′ 52″
Longitude:E 145° 58′ 34″
Elevation:350 m
Road Surface:Narrow unsealed
Car Park:Good unsealed
Water:Stream
Toilets:None
Toilet Accessibility:No toilet
Shelter:None
Picnic Table:Picnic table
Comment:Follow Loongana Rd past Leven Canyon to Taylors Flats Rd. Park before old bridge and walk across.

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5 walks from Taylors Flats (Black Bluff) car park

Black Bluff Junction from Taylors Flat

Goal:Four way junction on saddle above Paddys Lake
Grade:Long climb
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:5,500 m
Return distance:11,000 m
Comment:Continue up Brookes Track past Paddys Lake to saddle with four way track junction, return.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, Family Walks in Northwest Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 56, Number 22, Black Bluff

“It is a good, clear and generally well-drained track which marches steadily onward and upward…”

Penguin Cradle Trail, Wildcare Tasmania, Penguin Cradle Trail - map and notes

“The track is not closed and work is continuing”

Penguin Cradle Trail, Wildcare Tasmania, Penguin Cradle Trail - map and notes

“This map and notes package is the definitive guide to the long distance trail …”

Sean Smith, Safarihiker, Safarihiker: Hiking, journeys and audacious adventures in lesser known places, Penguin Cradle trail, Tasmania

“Undulating high country plodding through buttongrass…”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Taylors Flat

4 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“2017-02-25 Walking access only across Taylors Bridge. Track overgrown in places. Steep, rough, wet.”

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Black Bluff Walk from Taylors Flat

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:Black Bluff trig
Grade:Long climb
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:6,500 m
Return distance:13,000 m
Comment:track) from Taylors Flat to Paddys Lake. Steep uphill to saddle track junctions. Track west to summit. Return .

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 254, Number 82, Black Bluff

7 hours retrace route
“…the higher reaches tend to be quite wet, and mud cannot usually be avoided.”

Penguin Cradle Trail, Wildcare Tasmania, Penguin Cradle Trail - map and notes

“The track is not closed and work is continuing”

Penguin Cradle Trail, Wildcare Tasmania, Penguin Cradle Trail - map and notes

“This map and notes package is the definitive guide to the long distance trail …”

Wings Wildlife Park, Wings Wildlife Park, EMMARK STUDIOS, Number 15, 15 - Puff up Black Bluff

5 hours retrace route
“… on clear days enjoy summit views…”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Taylors Flat

“2017-02-25 Walking access only across Taylors Bridge due flood damage. Track overgrown in places.”

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Paddys Lake Walk from Taylors Flat

Goal:Paddys Lake
Grade:Long climb
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:5,000 m
Return distance:10,000 m
Comment:Follow Black Bluff Track (Brookes track) from Taylors Flat to Paddys Lake. Return

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, Family Walks in Northwest Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 56, Number 22, Black Bluff

“It is a good, clear and generally well-drained track which marches steadily onward and upward…”

Penguin Cradle Trail, Wildcare Tasmania, Penguin Cradle Trail - map and notes

“The track is not closed and work is continuing”

Penguin Cradle Trail, Wildcare Tasmania, Penguin Cradle Trail - map and notes

“This map and notes package is the definitive guide to the long distance trail …”

Sean Smith, Safarihiker, Safarihiker: Hiking, journeys and audacious adventures in lesser known places, Penguin Cradle trail, Tasmania

“… mountain country and the loveliness of Black Bluff”

Wings Wildlife Park, Wings Wildlife Park, EMMARK STUDIOS, Number 14, 14 - Picnic at Paddys Lake

4 hours retrace route
“… walk through the forest up to the alpine area.”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Taylors Flat

4 hours retrace route
“2017-02-25 Walking access only across Taylors Bridge due flood damage. Track overgrown in places.”

Tags

Taylors Flat walk to creek crossing

Goal:Creek crossing
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:1,100 m
Return distance:2,200 m
Comment:Cross bridge follow Brookes Track upstream near Leven River to first creek crossing. Track then climbs steeply. Explore river accesses on return.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, Family Walks in Northwest Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 56, Number 22, Black Bluff

“Within 10 minutes enter the forest on a very distinct and pleasant track.”

Wings Wildlife Park, Wings Wildlife Park, EMMARK STUDIOS, Number 13, Pebbles at Taylors Flat

“… a lovely calm section of the Leven River…”

Penguin Cradle Trail, Wildcare Tasmania, Penguin Cradle Trail - map and notes

“The track is not closed and work is continuing”

Penguin Cradle Trail, Wildcare Tasmania, Penguin Cradle Trail - map and notes

“This map and notes package is the definitive guide to the long distance trail …”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Taylors Flat

“2017-02-25 Walking access only across Taylors Bridge due flood damage. Track in good order to creek.”

Tags

Winter Brook above falls from Taylors Flat

Goal:Winterbrook crossing
Grade:Long climb
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:6,000 m
Return distance:12,000 m
Comment:Paddys Lake on PCT to WinterBrook Crossing (above falls), return.

References

Penguin Cradle Trail, Wildcare Tasmania, Penguin Cradle Trail - map and notes

“The track is not closed and work is continuing”

Penguin Cradle Trail, Wildcare Tasmania, Penguin Cradle Trail - map and notes

“This map and notes package is the definitive guide to the long distance trail …”

Sean Smith, Safarihiker, Safarihiker: Hiking, journeys and audacious adventures in lesser known places, Penguin Cradle trail, Tasmania

“… snow pickets lead through annoying spiky shrubs of … mostly knee height.”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Taylors Flat

5 hours retrace route
“2017-02-25 Walking access only across Taylors Bridge. Track overgrown in places. Steep, rough, wet.”

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