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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Apsley Gorge car park

Nearest Road:Rosedale Rd
Nearest Town:Bicheno
Locality:East Coast
Latitude:S 41° 51′ 56″
Longitude:E 148° 11′ 27″
Elevation:80 m
Fee:Parks Pass
Management:National Park
Road Surface:Unsealed
Car Park:Good unsealed
Water:Unknown
Toilets:Bush
Shelter:Shelter
Comment:Drive north 4.5km from Bicheno. West turn into Rosedale Rd for 7.5km, keeping left at each junction. Carpark on left at end of the road.

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5 walks from Apsley Gorge car park

Apsley Gorge circuit walk

Goal:Apsley Gorge
Grade:Some steep
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:8,000 m
Comment:Follow track across the hill to the gorge, and then walk back down the gorge if the water is low enough. Some parts will require walking in the water.

References

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 20, Number 1, 1 - Apsley Gorge

4 hours circuit
“Some scrambling over large rocks is required in the main gorge to skirt around large pools…”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 5, 05 - Apsley Gorge

“If water levels are low, rock-hop and scramble back down the river.”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 7, Number 2, Apsley River Gorge - 27 Oct 2015

4 hours retrace route
“This route is difficult and should only be attempted during the summer months when the water is low.”

Reid Marshall and Marina Santiago, Day Hikes Tasmania, Challenge and Beauty, Page 42, Number 5, #08 Apsley River Waterhole and Gorge

“You can make your way back along the river (good weather only)”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Apsley River Waterhole and Gorge

4 hours circuit
“This walk should only be attempted in dry weather and when water levels are low.”

Di, Di's Walk a Month, Di, Page 9, Number 2015, Seprember 2015 - Apsley Gorge

“There is no marked track … having to cross the river again and again to make progress.”

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Apsley Gorge Walk

Goal:Apsley Gorge
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:2,800 m
Return distance:3,600 m
Comment:Only cross river if water is low enough to wade or rockhop. Continue the Apsley Gorge Track over hill to river at west end of Gorge. Return same way.

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 180, Number 55, Apsley Gorge

2 hours 30 minutes retrace route
“River gorge and open forest”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 20, Number 1, 1 - Apsley Gorge

“When the ridge ends a steep descent in a gully leads to the Apsley River.”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 5, 05 - Apsley Gorge

“If water levels are high, turn back at base of low waterfall.”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 7, Number 2, Apsley River Gorge - 27 Oct 2015

“If you find any sections of the track difficult it is recommended that you retrace route.”

Reid Marshall and Marina Santiago, Day Hikes Tasmania, Challenge and Beauty, Page 42, Number 5, #08 Apsley River Waterhole and Gorge

3 hours retrace route
“… rock hopping across the river near the waterhole…”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 52, Apsley River Waterhole and Gorge

3 hours retrace route
“… crosses the Apsley River at the waterhold… decend back to the river at the Apsley Gorge.”

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Apsley Lookout Walk

Goal:Apsley Lookout
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:500 m
Return distance:1,000 m
Comment:Walk to the lookout and return.

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 180, Number 55, Apsley Gorge

“The view is of the Apsley River upstream and a large pool in its bed below.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 20, Number 1, 1 - Apsley Gorge

“… a short sidetrip to the nearby lookout which provides a view of the river.”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 5, 05 - Apsley Gorge

“soon after leaving the car, follow the side track to the lookout over the waterhole. Return.”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Douglas-Apsley

“27-Sep-16: The lookout was blocked off due to damage. Circuit track is still open - a pleasant walk”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Walks from Apsley Waterhole

15 minutes retrace route
“Please minimise erosion by keeping to the track”

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Apsley walk to steps above waterhole

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:Top of steps above waterhole
Grade:Flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:400 m
Return distance:800 m
Comment:Track is unsealed but good firm surface to top of steps above waterhole. Suitable for wheels as far as the top of the steps.

References

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 5, 05 - Apsley Gorge

“A short stroll on a good track down to the top of the steps overlooking the waterhole.”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 7, Number 2, Apsley River Gorge - 27 Oct 2015

20 minutes retrace route
“Leaving from the car park shelter the track leads gently downhill to the Apsley Waterhole 10 minutes”

Reid Marshall and Marina Santiago, Day Hikes Tasmania, Challenge and Beauty, Page 42, Number 5, #08 Apsley River Waterhole and Gorge

“… to the waterhole, it is well-graded and accessible to most.”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Douglas-Apsley

“27-Sep-16: The track is a pleasant bush walk and fairly level with a firm surface.”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Walks from Apsley Waterhole

“Please minimise erosion by keeping to the track”

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Apsley Waterhole Circuit

Goal:Apsley Waterhole
Grade:Fairly flat
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:1,200 m
Comment:Walk to the lookout and then on to explore the waterhole and back to parking area.

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 180, Number 55, Apsley Gorge

“The waterhole is a popular swimming spot.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 20, Number 1, 1 - Apsley Gorge

“From the car park follow the wide track west through a reserve … descend northwest to the river”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 5, 05 - Apsley Gorge

“Take the path to the lookout and then on down to waterhole. There are interesting rocks to explore.”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 7, Number 2, Apsley River Gorge - 27 Oct 2015

20 minutes retrace route
“… a short 10 minute walk and swim in the Apsley Waterhole is fantastic on its own.”

Reid Marshall and Marina Santiago, Day Hikes Tasmania, Challenge and Beauty, Page 42, Number 5, #08 Apsley River Waterhole and Gorge

“A great short loop… to the waterhole, returnign via the Nature Loop”

Stepscape contributors, Cowirrie - report from recent information, Cowirrie, Douglas-Apsley

“27-Sep-16: The lookout was blocked off due to damage. Circuit track is still open - a pleasant walk”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Loop Track - Apsley waterhole

15 minutes circuit
“… an easy stroll … through open forest…”

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