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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Cockle Creek car park at Fords Green

Nearest Road:Cockle Creek Rd
Nearest Town:Ida Bay
Locality:South East
Latitude:S 43° 34′ 58″
Longitude:E 146° 53′ 37″
Elevation:5 m
Fee:Parks Pass
Management:National Park
Road Surface:Unsealed
Car Park:Good unsealed
Water:Tank
Toilets:Type uncertain
Toilet Accessibility:Unknown
Shelter:Shelter
Picnic Table:No table
Comment:Drive south on the Huon Highway and to the end of the road at Cockle Creek. Cross Bridge to day parking area.

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5 walks from Cockle Creek car park at Fords Green

Blowhole Valley 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:End of the trees, start of marsh
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:2,500 m
Return distance:5,000 m
Comment:Start along South Cape Bay Walk, walk 2.5km to end of trees. Turn back at the edge of the open heathland and marsh of Blowhole Valley.

References

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 98, Number 43, 43 - South Cape Bay

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 108, Number 56, 56 - South Cape Bay

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 80, Number 24, 24 - South Cape Bay

“The track winds through light bush…”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 6, Number 5, South Cape Bay - 6 Jan 2014

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 9, South Cape Bay Walk

“Leave from the southern-most road in Australia.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 60, Number 10, 10 - South Cape Rivulet

John Chapman, South West Tasmania, 5th ed., John Chapman, Page 45, Number 1, South Coast Track

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Coal Bluff Base from Cockle Creek

Goal:Coal Bluff base
Grade:Moderate
Type:CircuitRetrace
One-way distance:17,000 m
Comment:Cockle Creek to South Cape Bay and then west. Continue along rocks past Lion Rock and around Coal Bluff to join track back (only at low tide).

References

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 60, Number 10, 10 - South Cape Rivulet

6 hours circuit retrace
“Do not attempt this at high tide or when big seas are running.”

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Lion Rock from Cockle Creek

Goal:Lion Rock
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:9,900 m
Return distance:19,800 m
Comment:Cockle Creek to South Cape Bay and then along coast. Continue along beach and rocks to Lion Rock. Return same way.

References

Melanie Ball, Top Walks in Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Page 390, Number 67, South Cape Back - Track to Tasmania's Wild West

“... walk about a kilometre along the sand for a closer view of Lion Rock off the end of the beach.”

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 80, Number 24, 24 - South Cape Bay

“Continue along the beach for about a kilometre until you reach Lion rock…”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 29, 29 - South Cape Bay

“Walk the beach with Lion Rock in view until you reach Lion Creek…”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 60, Number 10, 10 - South Cape Rivulet

5 hours retrace route
“At low tide continue along the beach to Lion Rock where the rocks begin.”

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South Cape Bay Walk

Goal:South Cape Bay
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:8,800 m
Return distance:17,600 m
Comment:From Cockle Creek to South Cape Bay on first stage of the South Coast Track. Return same way.

References

Melanie Ball, Top Walks in Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Page 390, Number 67, South Cape Back - Track to Tasmania's Wild West

5 hours retrace route
“The track brings you out on a shaly black bluff overlooking the Southern Ocean.”

Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks in and around Hobart, Hillside Publishing, Page 98, Number 43, 43 - South Cape Bay

5 hours retrace route
“The track continues a little way to the right to where there is easy access down to the beach.”

Mark Dickenson, Chris Howard, Greg Rubock, Day Walks in Tasmania, Envirobook, Page 108, Number 56, 56 - South Cape Bay

6 hours retrace route
“… skirts the south eastern edge of Blowhole Valley…”

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 80, Number 24, 24 - South Cape Bay

8 hours retrace route
“The track was remade… ans is now very easy, well marked with much of it boarded.”

Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 29, 29 - South Cape Bay

“The view soon opens up to dark shale cliffs and the wild Southern Ocean.”

TasTrails, TasTrails, Page 6, Number 5, South Cape Bay - 6 Jan 2014

5 hours retrace route
“… a must for any adventurous types visiting Cockle Creek.”

Michael Horton, Cowirrie, Vimeo, South Cape Bay 2013-04-08

“Video of South Cape Bay”

Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service Website - Explore our Parks, P&WS, Number 9, South Cape Bay Walk

4 hours retrace route
“It is a rare day when the wind isn't howling and the surf roaring at this breath-taking place.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 60, Number 10, 10 - South Cape Rivulet

5 hours retrace route
“… great views of the wild Southern ocean.”

John Chapman, South West Tasmania, 5th ed., John Chapman, Page 45, Number 1, South Coast Track

“An easy, return day trip”

Cowirrie Commentary, Cowirrie, Number 11, Walking to South Cape Bay

5 hours retrace route
“…track down the cliff too slippery to attempt”

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South Cape Rivulet Walk

Goal:South Cape Rivulet
Grade:Moderate
Type:Retrace route
One-way distance:11,400 m
Return distance:22,800 m
Comment:Cockle Creek to South Cape Bay and then along coast to South Cape Rivulet. Return same way.

References

Anne Nuss and Nell Tyson, Family Bush Walks in Tasmania's Huon Valley, Rivendell Books, Page 80, Number 24, 24 - South Cape Bay

“If the party is up to it, continue along to South Cape Bay Rivulet.”

John Chapman and Monica Chapman, Day Walks Tasmania, 2 ed., John Chapman, Page 60, Number 10, 10 - South Cape Rivulet

8 hours retrace route
“… great views of the wild Southern ocean.”

John Chapman, South West Tasmania, 5th ed., John Chapman, Page 45, Number 1, South Coast Track

8 hours retrace route
“A long return day trip”

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