Lake Barrington Foreshore Walk – An Easy Lakeside Amble

A Gentle Walk Around Tasmania’s International Rowing Lake

Surrounded by forested hills and farmland in Tasmania’s beautiful Kentish region, Lake Barrington provides a relaxed change of pace from the steeper mountain and waterfall walks around nearby Mount Roland, Sheffield and Wilmot. The Lake Barrington Foreshore Walk explores the shoreline through the lake’s recreation areas, combining open water views, lakeside bushland and attractive picnic grounds. Lake Barrington was created on the Forth River as part of Tasmania’s hydro-electric development, but today it is equally well known as one of Australia’s premier rowing venues. The easy terrain makes the foreshore an excellent option for families, casual walkers or anyone wanting to enjoy the scenery without committing to a demanding bushwalk.

Walk Overview

Location: Lake Barrington, near Sheffield and Wilmot, North West Tasmania

Distance: Approximately 3 km

Time: Approximately 45 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Track Type: Foreshore walk through the lakeside recreation area

Track Surface: Formed, mostly level tracks through picnic grounds and lakeside bushland

Best Time: Calm mornings, when the lake is often at its stillest and most reflective

See also:

• Camping Gowrie Park
• Camping Lake Gairdner
• Camping Cradle Mountain
• Camping Lake Barrington

The Walk

The Lake Barrington Foreshore Walk is less about reaching a particular destination and more about enjoying the peaceful setting of the lake itself. Starting from the recreation areas beside the water, follow the formed tracks and foreshore through a mixture of open picnic grounds and pockets of native vegetation. The lake remains close by for much of the walk, providing regular views across the water towards surrounding hills, forest and farmland. There are no major climbs or difficult sections, so it’s easy to take your time, stop beside the water or combine the walk with a picnic. Depending on rowing events and activity around the lake, you may also see rowing crews, kayakers and other water users training on the long, sheltered stretch of water.

Lake Barrington

Lake Barrington is an artificial lake on the Forth River created as part of Tasmania’s hydro-electric power system. The lake was formed following construction of Devils Gate Dam, with the hydro-electric development completed in 1969. Stretching for approximately 20 kilometres through the valley, the long and relatively sheltered lake has become an important recreational destination as well as part of Tasmania’s electricity infrastructure. The surrounding landscape of forested slopes and agricultural country makes it particularly attractive when viewed from the foreshore.

A World-Class Rowing Venue

Lake Barrington is best known internationally for rowing. The sheltered water and long, straight sections of lake provide excellent conditions for competitive rowing, and Lake Barrington has developed into Tasmania’s premier rowing venue. Its most famous moment came in 1990, when Lake Barrington hosted the World Rowing Championships. The event brought elite international rowers to this quiet corner of North West Tasmania and firmly established the lake’s reputation within the sport. Today the rowing course continues to host competitions, training camps and regular rowing activity. Depending on when you visit, you may see crews powering along the course while coaches follow from the shoreline.

Open Lake Views

The broad views across Lake Barrington are the main attraction of the foreshore walk. On calm mornings the water can become beautifully still, reflecting the surrounding forest and hills. Mist occasionally hangs over the lake during cool mornings, creating a particularly atmospheric scene before lifting as the day warms. At other times, rowing shells, kayaks and other watercraft provide activity against the otherwise peaceful backdrop. The open foreshore also provides plenty of places to stop and simply enjoy the view.

Kentish Park

Kentish Park, on the eastern side of Lake Barrington, is one of the main recreation areas around the lake. Its grassy foreshore and picnic facilities make it a popular destination for families, day visitors and people attending rowing events. The park provides easy access to the water and makes a convenient starting point for exploring the lakeshore. Bring a picnic and allow some additional time after your walk to relax beside the lake.

Lake Barrington Park

Another access point is Lake Barrington Park on the western side of the lake near Wilmot. This side of the lake provides another attractive recreation area with access to the foreshore and surrounding countryside. Which side you choose may depend on whether you’re approaching from Sheffield or Wilmot and what other walks you plan to visit during the day.

Terrain

The Lake Barrington Foreshore Walk is an easy, mostly level walk suitable for a wide range of visitors.

Expect:

• Formed walking tracks
• Grassy recreation areas
• Lakeside bushland
• Mostly level terrain
• Gentle undulations
• Open sections beside the water
• Potentially damp or muddy patches after rain

There are no substantial climbs, scrambling sections or exposed mountain terrain.

Difficulty

Rated Easy, the Lake Barrington Foreshore Walk is suitable for most ages and fitness levels. The gentle terrain makes it a good choice for families, casual walkers and visitors wanting a recovery walk after tackling one of the more demanding tracks around Mount Roland. Because the foreshore contains several recreation areas and access points, it’s also easy to shorten the walk if required.

Wildlife

The lake and surrounding bushland provide habitat for a variety of native birds and animals. Waterbirds can often be seen around quieter sections of shoreline, while forest birds inhabit the surrounding vegetation. Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times to watch for wildlife, particularly when the recreation areas are quieter. Keep an eye on the forest margins and grassy areas for wallabies and other native animals.

Top Tip

Visit early in the morning.

Calm conditions can turn Lake Barrington into an enormous mirror, with reflections of the surrounding hills and forest across the water. Early morning is also one of the quieter times around the recreation areas and provides a better chance of seeing wildlife.

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Drinking water
• Sun protection
• Waterproof jacket in unsettled weather
• Picnic or snacks
• Camera
• Binoculars for birds or rowing activity

Safety

• Supervise children closely beside the lake.
• Take care around boat ramps, jetties and steep water edges.
• Stay clear of rowing and boating operations.
• Be aware of vehicles around recreation and boat-launching areas.
• Do not enter restricted areas during rowing competitions.
• Watch for slippery grass or muddy surfaces after rain.
• Conditions on the water can change quickly during windy weather.

Is the Walk Suitable for Children?

Yes. Lake Barrington is one of the more relaxed family walking destinations in the Kentish region. The mostly level terrain, short distance and open picnic grounds make it suitable for younger walkers. The lake, rowing activity and large grassy areas also provide plenty of interest beyond the walk itself. Children should always be closely supervised near the water, boat ramps and jetties.

Are Dogs Allowed?

Dogs may be permitted on leash in designated recreation areas around Lake Barrington. Keep dogs under effective control, clean up after them and follow any current signs at Kentish Park, Lake Barrington Park and other foreshore areas. Restrictions may apply around sporting events or particular facilities, so check local signage when you arrive.

Getting There

Lake Barrington lies between Sheffield and Wilmot in North West Tasmania. From Sheffield, Kentish Park can be reached via West Kentish Road and the local roads leading towards the eastern shore of Lake Barrington. The park is approximately 12 kilometres from Sheffield. Visitors approaching from Wilmot can access the western side of the lake and Lake Barrington Park, approximately 4 kilometres from the township. Road signs in the district provide directions towards Lake Barrington and its recreation areas.

Facilities

Lake Barrington’s main recreation areas are well equipped for a picnic or relaxed day beside the water.

Depending on the access point and current availability, facilities around the lake include:

• Car parking
• Public toilets
• Picnic tables
• Sheltered picnic areas
• BBQ facilities
• Grassy recreation areas
• Boat-launching facilities
• Rowing facilities

Facilities and access can be busier or restricted during major rowing events.

What You’ll See

• Lake Barrington
• Forth River valley
• Forested hills
• Kentish farmland
• Lakeside bushland
• Waterbirds
• Rowing course
• Rowing crews and training activity
• Picnic grounds
• Reflections across the lake in calm conditions

Walk Tips

• Visit early for the calmest conditions and best reflections.
• Bring a picnic and make the walk part of a longer visit to the lake.
• Check whether a major rowing event is taking place before visiting.
• Bring binoculars if you’re interested in birds or rowing.
• Supervise children closely around the water.
• Wear sun protection as sections of the foreshore are exposed.
• Carry a waterproof jacket if the weather is unsettled.
• Allow additional time simply to relax beside the lake.

Nearby Bushwalks

Lake Barrington is well placed for combining with several walks around Wilmot, Sheffield, Gowrie Park and Mount Roland.

Forth Falls Walk

The Forth Falls Walk explores fern-filled forest above Lake Barrington before reaching the Upper and Lower Forth Falls. The approximately 3–4 km return walk takes around 1.5–2 hours and provides a much rougher and more adventurous contrast to the easy lakeside walking at Lake Barrington.

O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail

The O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail at Gowrie Park is another easy option. The approximately 1.4 km return walk takes around 30 minutes and follows O’Neill’s Creek through beautiful fern-filled forest beneath Mount Roland.

Mount Roland Summit via O’Neill’s Track

The Mount Roland Summit via O’Neill’s Track provides a completely different challenge.

The approximately 9 km return walk takes around 4–6 hours, climbing through forest and across an exposed plateau to Mount Roland’s 1,233-metre summit.

Mount Vandyke

The Mount Vandyke Loop branches from the Mount Roland route and climbs steeply towards a quieter boulder-strewn alpine summit.

The approximately 8 km return walk takes around 3–4 hours and is best suited to experienced walkers.

Kimberley’s Lookout via Redwater Creek Falls

The Kimberley’s Lookout via Redwater Creek Falls is a moderate approximately 7.7 km circuit through the Badger Range near Sheffield. The lookout provides superb views towards Mount Roland and makes an excellent half-day walk.

Make a Day of Lake Barrington

Lake Barrington is an easy place to spend several hours rather than simply completing the foreshore walk and leaving. Start with a relaxed walk beside the water before stopping for a picnic at one of the recreation areas. If you’re looking for something more adventurous afterwards, continue to nearby Forth Falls for a walk through fern-filled forest to the waterfalls. Alternatively, combine Lake Barrington with Sheffield, Gowrie Park and one of the shorter walks beneath Mount Roland.

Why Walk Lake Barrington Foreshore?

The Lake Barrington Foreshore Walk provides a relaxed way to experience one of North West Tasmania’s most attractive inland waterways. There are no steep climbs or difficult mountain sections – just easy walking beside a long, sheltered lake surrounded by forested hills and the farmland of the Kentish district. The lake’s history as part of Tasmania’s hydro-electric system and its international reputation as a rowing venue add interest to what would otherwise simply be a peaceful lakeside stroll. For families, casual walkers or anyone looking for an easy outing between the more demanding walks around Forth Falls and Mount Roland, Lake Barrington provides an enjoyable change of pace.