Black Bluff 1:50,000 Topographic Map – Tasmania

An essential field map for navigating, planning and exploring the Black Bluff Range, Leven Canyon and the spectacular Penguin–Cradle Trail.

The Black Bluff 1:50,000 Topographic Map provides a clear and accurate representation of this rugged and varied region of northwestern Tasmania. Produced in 2018, Edition 1 features enhanced building symbols, hill shading and simplified vegetation classification, making the landscape easier to interpret both in the field and during trip planning.

At 1:50,000 scale, 1 centimetre on the map represents 500 metres on the ground—an excellent balance between regional coverage and practical topographic detail.

🗺️ Map Coverage

The eastern portion of the Black Bluff sheet follows the remarkable Penguin–Cradle Trail from Pencil Pine, in the heart of Cradle Mountain country, across the Black Bluff Range and towards the River Leven and Gunns Plains.

Important locations, routes and features shown include:

• Pencil Pine near the Cradle Mountain region

• The Penguin–Cradle Trail

• The rugged Black Bluff Range

• Elevated viewpoints overlooking the Vale of Belvoir

• The River Leven

• The dramatic terrain of Leven Canyon

• The trail corridor extending north towards Gunns Plains

• Extensive timber plantations in the western portion of the sheet

• A complex network of forestry roads and tracks

Beginning at Pencil Pine, the Penguin–Cradle Trail ascends the Black Bluff Range before overlooking the broad Vale of Belvoir. It then descends towards the River Leven, negotiates the rugged country surrounding Leven Canyon and follows the river north in the direction of Gunns Plains.

To the west, the landscape changes considerably, becoming dominated by timber plantations crossed by a dense and potentially confusing network of forestry roads. The combination of remote walking country, steep terrain and numerous road junctions makes this map an essential navigational aid.

⛰️ Map Content and Features

The 1:50,000 map series is designed to provide a clear portrayal of topographic information for navigation, recreation and professional fieldwork. Features include:

• Contours and hill shading for interpreting elevation, slope and terrain

• Peaks, ridges, ranges, valleys and canyon terrain

• Rivers, creeks and drainage features

• Walking tracks and long-distance trail routes where mapped

• Forestry roads, tracks and access routes

• Buildings and infrastructure

• Simplified vegetation classification

• Production forests, plantations and surrounding natural vegetation

• Localities and named geographic features

• Campsites and other points of interest where mapped

• Standard topographic symbols for efficient map reading

🧭 Who Uses This Map?

The Black Bluff 1:50,000 Topographic Map is suitable for:

• Multi-day bushwalkers travelling on the Penguin–Cradle Trail

• Bushwalkers and hikers exploring the Black Bluff Range and Leven Canyon region

• Outdoor guides and expedition groups operating in remote country

• Forestry workers and land managers navigating plantation-road networks

• Emergency services and search and rescue teams

• Conservation workers and environmental researchers

• Surveyors and field professionals requiring detailed terrain context

• Geography students and outdoor educators

• Local residents and visitors exploring northwestern Tasmania

The Penguin–Cradle Trail crosses remote and physically demanding terrain. Weather, track conditions, river levels and access arrangements can change quickly. Always obtain current information before departure and carry appropriate clothing, emergency equipment, a personal locator beacon and more than one reliable form of navigation.

Forestry roads may be private, restricted, closed, rerouted or subject to active operations. This map does not confer a right of access, so observe all signs, gates and current access requirements.

💧 Field-Ready Options for Rugged Use

Choose the format that best suits your intended use—from detailed trip planning to prolonged use in wet and demanding field conditions.

✅ Standard Paper

• Printed on 100 gsm FSC® coated paper

• Produces crisp, clear text and finely defined map symbols

• Lightweight and convenient for general reference or protected field use

• An economical choice for trip planning, research and office applications

✅ Waterproof and Tearproof Tyvek®

• Made from genuine DuPont™ Tyvek®, an advanced synthetic material composed of pure polyethylene fibres

• Waterproof, tear-resistant, foldable and extremely lightweight

• Printed using HP pigment-based inks for a permanent waterproof finish

• Suitable for backpacks, vehicles and prolonged outdoor use

• Ideal for multi-day walkers, forestry personnel, emergency services and field professionals

• Provides exceptional durability without the weight and bulk of lamination

✅ Laminated

• Fully encapsulated between two 80-micron gloss laminate sheets

• Highly resistant to water, stains, smudges and tearing

• Draw on the surface with whiteboard markers for route planning or instruction

• Use Mark-It-Dots to identify campsites, road junctions, access points or hazards without marking the map permanently

• Wipeable and reusable

• Ideal for offices, classrooms, operations centres and repeated field reference

📐 Map Details

• Title: Black Bluff Topographic Map

• Series: Tasmania 1:50,000 Topographic Map Series

• Edition: 1

• Production year: 2018

• Scale: 1:50,000

• Ground distance: 1 cm represents 500 metres

• Datum: Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 — GDA94

• Coverage: Pencil Pine, Penguin–Cradle Trail, Black Bluff Range, Vale of Belvoir, River Leven, Leven Canyon, Gunns Plains approaches and western forestry areas

• Available formats: Paper, waterproof Tyvek® or laminated

• ISBN: 9318923027648

Important Datum Information

This map uses GDA94. When transferring coordinates between the map and a GPS receiver, navigation application or other spatial data source, ensure the equipment and coordinates are set to the same datum.

🔍 Preview the Area in LISTmap

Use the LISTmap coverage preview to confirm that your walking route, forestry access road or area of interest falls within the Black Bluff sheet before ordering.

🛒 Choose the Right Format

• Paper: Best for trip planning, office reference and protected field use

• Tyvek®: Best for multi-day walking, forestry work and wet or demanding conditions

• Laminated: Best for repeated use, route marking, education and operational planning

🎯 Summary

Whether you are following the Penguin–Cradle Trail from Pencil Pine, crossing the Black Bluff Range, descending towards the River Leven, exploring the Leven Canyon region or navigating the complex forestry-road network in the west, the Black Bluff Topographic Map provides the detail and regional context needed for confident route planning.

Plan with purpose. Navigate with confidence. Explore Tasmania’s northwest with accuracy.