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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Ferndene car park

Nearest Road:Ironcliffe Rd
Nearest Town:Penguin
Locality:North West
Latitude:S 41° 8′ 38″
Longitude:E 146° 2′ 1″
Elevation:65 m
Fee:No charge
Management:P&WS
Road Surface:Sealed
Car Park:Good unsealed
Water:Mains tap
Toilets:Flush
Toilet Accessibility:No access
Shelter:Shelter
Picnic Table:Picnic table
Comment:From Penguin, south on Ironcliffe Rd. Ferndene Park on left.

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4 walks from Ferndene car park

Ferndene Circuit walk via Mt Gnomen and Mt Dial

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 Dial junction
Grade:Very Steep
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:12,000 m
Comment:Walk out along Ironcliffe Rd, up Mt Dial Track, return back down the Ferndene Track

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 230, Number 74, Fernden - Mount Gnomen

5 hours circuit
“Suited to dry weather only”

Tags

Ferndene Dry Walk

Goal:Ironcliffe Rd
Grade:Moderate
Type:Circuit
One-way distance:700 m
Comment:Set off uphill on track behind toilet block to meet Ironclifffe Rd. Return on road

References

Tyrone Thomas & Andrew Close, 100 Walks in Tasmania, Explore Australia, Page 230, Number 74, Fernden - Mount Gnomen

Tags

Ferndene flat walk

Goal:McBrides Creek
Grade:Flat
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:200 m
Return distance:400 m
Comment:Cross bridge and follow path along creek until it starts uphill. Return

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, Family Walks in Northwest Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 48, Number 18, Thoresby Tunnel

“A short riverside walk through beautiful fern glades…”

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Thoresby Tunnel Walk

Goal:Thoresby Tunnel entrance
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:1,000 m
Return distance:2,000 m
Comment:Creekside walk under massive manferns. Steep only on tunnel access sections. Return

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, Family Walks in Northwest Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 48, Number 18, Thoresby Tunnel

45 minutes retrace route
“The tunnel is horizontal, dry and of reasonable height, and extends some 100m…”

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