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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Basin Road car park

Nearest Road:Basin Rd
Nearest Town:Launceston
Locality:North
Latitude:S 41° 26′ 46″
Longitude:E 147° 7′ 20″
Elevation:40 m
Fee:Parking fee
Management:Local council
Road Surface:Sealed
Car Park:Sealed
Water:Mains tap
Toilets:Flush
Toilet Accessibility:Wheelchair
Shelter:Shelter
Picnic Table:Picnic table
Comment:Note parking fee, or park further back on the road and walk in. There is an inclinator to help those of limited mobility to descend to the Basin area.

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14 walks from Basin Road car park

Alexandra Lookout walk (as part of First Basin Circuit)

Goal:Alexandra Lookout
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:185 m
Return distance:370 m
Comment:Time and distance is in addition to the First Basin Circuit.Turn left over bridge (Signposted)

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts

5 minutes circuit
“… excellent view of First Basin,t he bridge and…”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts

5 minutes
“… short climb from the western end of the suspension bridge…”

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Aquatic Point walk from First Basin

Goal:Aquatic Point
Grade:Some steep
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:7,500 m
Return distance:15,000 m
Comment:Take the First Basin Track, cross at old power station and up the steps into Trevallyn Reserve. Follow track past HooHoo Hut Trevallyn Dam to Point

References

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 22, 22 - Cataract Gorge and Trevallyn

“A popular gorge trail through to Duck Reach and a favourite wild reserve.”

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Cataract Gorge Lookouts Circuit

Goal:Eagle Eyrie
Grade:Some steep
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:1,800 m
Comment:Cross suspension bridge. Keep left for Alexandra Lookout, then Cataract Lookout. Eagles Eyrie track is behind chairlift station.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts

1 hour 10 minutes circuit
“A range of short walks…to lookouts with impressive views of First Basin.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts

“One or several can be combined with the more gentle circuit of First Basin”

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Cataract Lookout walk (as part of First Basin Circuit)

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:Cataract Lookout
Grade:Long climb
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:300 m
Return distance:600 m
Comment:Time and distance is in addition to the First Basin Circuit. Cross bridge, turn left, then second left. (Signposted)

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts

20 minutes circuit
“… head west along side a small stream before climbing steeply to the south.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts

20 minutes
“This vantage point is both higher and further downstream…”

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Cataract Walk

Goal:Kings Bridge
Grade:Moderate
Type:One way pickup
One-way distance:1,000 m
Return distance:2,000 m
Comment:Cross river on bridge or causeway. Take Cataract Walk to Kings Bridge and return.

References

Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, Page 7, Number 3, Cataract Walk

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Circuit of First Basin

Goal:First Basin
Grade:Moderate
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:900 m
Comment:Wheelchairs recommended to access northern side via Cliff Ground car park off Gorge Rd.

References

Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, First Basin

15 minutes circuit
“Largely flat walk crossed the Alexandra Suspension Bridge.”

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Duck Reach Circuit Trail

Goal:Duck Reach Power Station
Grade:Some steep
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:4,500 m
Comment:Head upstream on south side of river. Cross at Duck Reach bridge and up steps. Right to Reedy Gully Tk, Right to Snake Gully Tk, back around Basin.

References

Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, Page 10, Number 6, Duck Reach Trail

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Duck Reach Track

Goal:Duck Reach Power Station
Grade:Some steep
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:4,500 m
Comment:Head upstream on south side of river from The Basin to Duck Reach Power Station. Return same way

References

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, 60 Great Short Walks Tasmania, P&WS, Duck Reach

1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“The walk can be one-way if you arrange car pickup from the track exit at Corin St.”

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First Basin Walk to Duck Reach

Goal:Duck Reach car park
Grade:Moderate
Type:One way pickup
One-way distance:2,250 m
Return distance:4,500 m
Comment:Track along inside of Gorge (on south side), with look-out over Second Basin

References

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, 60 Great Short Walks Tasmania, P&WS, Number 40, Duck Reach

1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“The track continues up the eastern side of the river. Return via the same track.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 14, Number 1, 1 - First Basin to Duck Reach

2 hours retrace route
“Scenic river views and pleasant picnic areas.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 14, Number 1, 1 - First Basin to Duck Reach

2 hours retrace route
“… an old and particularly attractive track…”

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First Basin Walk to Second Basin Lookout

Goal:Second Basin Lookout
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:1,500 m
Return distance:3,000 m
Comment:Walk south around Basin to Alexandra Bridge. Continue on track upstream (without crossing bridge) to Lookout over Second Basin. Return

References

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, 60 Great Short Walks Tasmania, P&WS, Number 40, Duck Reach

“There is a new lookout about halfway overlooking Second Basin”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 14, Number 1, 1 - First Basin to Duck Reach

2 hours retrace route
“There is a new lookout about halfway overlooking Second Basin”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 14, Number 1, 1 - First Basin to Duck Reach

2 hours retrace route
“There is a new lookout about halfway overlooking Second Basin”

Cowirrie, Walks known to Cowirrie and not yet sourced, not published

“Track along cliff face but well fenced. Great views”

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First Basin circuit walk to Kings Bridge

Goal:Kings Bridge
Grade:Some steep
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:2,700 m
Comment:Walk around First Basin then on to Kings Bridge via Cataract Walk. Return via ZigZag Track.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 18, Number 3, 3 - First Basin to Kings Bridge

1 hour circuit
“Good views and tranquil bushland close to the heart of Launceston.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 18, Number 3, 3 - First Basin to Kings Bridge

1 hour circuit
“A short but varied walk along the banks of the South Esk River through Cataract Gorge.”

Hikespeak, Zig-Zag Track, Cataract Walk, and Bridge Walk Loop in Cataract Reserve

“The circuit travels along the Gorge and around First Basin…”

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First Basin Loop Walk

Goal:Lookout down Cataract Gorge
Grade:Moderate
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:900 m
Comment:Walk around First basin then downriver on north side of Gorge to Kings Bridge. Cross bridge and return via Zig Zag track.

References

Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, Page 9, Number 5, First Basin Loop

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Snake Gully Walk

Goal:Snake Gully
Grade:Moderate
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:4,000 m
Comment:Cross Alexandra Bridge. At creek, take path left into Snake Gully Tk. Walk up to Reedy Gully Junction. Return.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 24, Number 6, 6 - Snake Gully

1 hour 30 minutes circuit
“Pleasant bushland with plentiful wildlife enroute and an unusual ambience in the gully itself.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 24, Number 6, 6 - Snake Gully

1 hour 30 minutes circuit
“… an unusual ambience in the gully itself.”

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Zigzag Walk

Goal:Kings Bridge
Grade:Some steep
Type:One way pickup
One-way distance:1,000 m
Return distance:2,000 m
Comment:From the Basin Travelator, follow track east on the southern side of the Gorge. Come out near Penny Royal for pickup in their car park.

References

Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, Page 8, Number 4, Zigzag Track

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