Lake Barrington Foreshore Walk
- September 16, 2026
An easy, flat loop walk around the foreshore of Lake Barrington, Tasmania's international rowing lake, with picnic grounds and open…
Rising to 1,233 metres above the Kentish municipality, Mount Roland is one of North West Tasmania’s most recognisable landmarks – and O’Neill’s Track, starting near Gowrie Park, is the preferred and easier of its two main summit routes. A long but steadily graded climb leads through forest and onto the mountain’s high plateau before reaching the trig point at the summit, where clear conditions reveal spectacular 360-degree views across North West Tasmania. While still a demanding day’s outing, O’Neill’s Track avoids much of the steep and exposed scrambling associated with the alternative Face Track, making it the more sensible choice for most walkers wanting to stand on the summit of Mount Roland.
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Location: Mount Roland Regional Reserve, near Gowrie Park, North West Tasmania
Distance: Approximately 9 km return
Time: Approximately 4–6 hours return
Summit: 1,233 metres
Difficulty: Hard
Track Type: Return, climbing to the summit of Mount Roland
Track Surface: 4WD track initially, narrowing to forest and mountain walking track, with rocky and exposed sections across the plateau
Best Time: A clear, calm day for the best summit views
The walk begins near O’Neill’s Creek at Gowrie Park, beneath the imposing northern slopes of Mount Roland. The first section follows a 4WD track that climbs steadily through the forest. It’s a relatively gentle introduction to what eventually becomes a much more demanding mountain walk. The route crosses O’Neill’s Creek before continuing uphill through increasingly elevated forest. As the climb progresses, the track narrows and becomes steeper, eventually emerging from the trees onto the exposed upper reaches of Mount Roland. From here, the character of the walk changes completely as the route crosses the broad high plateau towards the summit.
The lower slopes of Mount Roland are covered in attractive native forest, providing shade during the early stages of the climb. The steady ascent gives walkers plenty of time to settle into a comfortable pace before reaching the more exposed sections higher on the mountain. O’Neill’s Creek and the surrounding forest provide a pleasant start to the walk, particularly after rain when the creek is flowing strongly. As elevation increases, the vegetation gradually changes, signalling the transition from the sheltered lower slopes to the harsher conditions of the plateau above.
Reaching the high plateau is one of the highlights of the Mount Roland walk. The enclosed forest suddenly gives way to a much more open landscape of moorland, low alpine vegetation and rocky outcrops. From here, the summit may appear deceptively close, but there is still some distance to cover across the exposed plateau. The landscape has a distinctly alpine character and provides increasingly impressive views as you make your way towards the trig point. In poor weather, however, the plateau can become a very different place. Cloud can quickly obscure landmarks and strong winds, rain and cold conditions can make navigation considerably more difficult.
At 1,233 metres above sea level, the summit of Mount Roland provides one of the great viewpoints of North West Tasmania. A trig point marks the summit and, in clear conditions, the panorama stretches across the surrounding farmland and towns towards Bass Strait. Looking inland, the rugged mountains of Tasmania’s Central Highlands and Cradle Mountain region dominate the horizon. Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff can be visible in favourable conditions, while the agricultural landscape around Sheffield and Kentish spreads out far below.
After enjoying the summit, return to Gowrie Park by retracing O’Neill’s Track.
The panoramic view is the major reward for the long climb. On a clear day, the summit provides sweeping views across a remarkable portion of northern Tasmania. Depending on visibility, landmarks may include:
Because the quality of the summit experience depends heavily on visibility, it’s worth saving Mount Roland for a good weather day whenever possible.
O’Neill’s Track covers several different types of terrain during the climb.
Expect:
Although O’Neill’s Track is generally considered the easier approach to Mount Roland, this shouldn’t be confused with an easy walk. It’s a substantial mountain outing requiring appropriate footwear, clothing and preparation.
Rated Hard, Mount Roland via O’Neill’s Track is best suited to fit and reasonably experienced walkers. The route has a gentler gradient than the alternative Face Track, but there is still significant climbing and several hours of sustained walking. The distance itself is only part of the challenge. Weather exposure on the upper mountain, rougher terrain and the possibility of poor visibility can make the walk considerably more demanding.
There are two commonly used approaches to the summit of Mount Roland.
O’Neill’s Track is generally the better choice for most walkers. Although longer, it provides a more gradual approach to the mountain and avoids much of the steep scrambling found on the Face Track. The Face Track provides a steeper and more direct climb but includes much more challenging terrain and is better suited to experienced walkers comfortable with steep mountain conditions. If your main objective is simply to reach the summit and enjoy the views, O’Neill’s Track is usually the more straightforward option.
Weather is one of the most important considerations when walking Mount Roland. Conditions at Gowrie Park can be calm and relatively warm while the exposed plateau and summit experience strong winds, low cloud and much colder temperatures. Cloud can also arrive quickly and dramatically reduce visibility across the plateau. Check the forecast carefully before setting out and carry clothing suitable for cold, wet and windy conditions regardless of the weather at the trailhead.
Choose your weather carefully. The summit views are the main reward for climbing Mount Roland, and the exposed plateau can become difficult to navigate when cloud descends. If the summit is already covered in heavy cloud before you leave Gowrie Park, consider saving the walk for another day.
Mount Roland via O’Neill’s Track is not generally recommended for young children because of the sustained climb, mountain weather and 4–6 hour walking time. Fit and experienced older teenagers who are accustomed to longer bushwalks may manage the route with appropriate equipment and experienced adult supervision. Families wanting a much easier introduction to the area should consider the O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail at the base of the mountain.
Dogs are not permitted within the Mount Roland Regional Reserve.
O’Neill’s Track begins near Gowrie Park at the northern foot of Mount Roland. From Sheffield, travel south towards Gowrie Park and Mount Roland. At Gowrie Park, follow O’Neill’s Road towards the O’Neill’s Creek area and the walking-track access. Allow extra time to locate the trailhead and organise your equipment before beginning the climb, particularly if you’re planning an early start.
There are no facilities on Mount Roland itself, so walkers need to be completely self-sufficient once they begin climbing. The nearby O’Neill’s Creek Picnic Reserve provides useful facilities at the base of the mountain.
Carry all the food and drinking water you require for the mountain walk.
The Mount Roland and Sheffield district has several shorter walks that are worth exploring before or after tackling the summit.
The O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail provides a much gentler introduction to the forest around Gowrie Park. The approximately 1.4 km return walk takes around 30 minutes and follows O’Neill’s Creek through white gum, blackwood, myrtle, sassafras and fern-filled forest.
The Redwater Creek Falls Walk near Sheffield is an easy walk of approximately 5 km return. The track follows farm tracks and forest trails to a seasonal waterfall and takes approximately 1–1.5 hours.
The Kimberley’s Lookout via Redwater Creek Falls is an excellent moderate alternative for walkers wanting superb views of Mount Roland without climbing the mountain itself. The approximately 7.7 km circuit takes around 2.5–3 hours and climbs through the Badger Range to one of the best viewpoints overlooking Mount Roland.
The Mount Roland Summit via O’Neill’s Track is the most accessible way to reach the top of one of North West Tasmania’s most distinctive mountains. The walk packs an impressive variety of landscapes into a single outing, beginning beside O’Neill’s Creek and climbing through native forest before emerging onto a rugged high plateau. Reaching the 1,233-metre summit is a genuine achievement, and on a clear day the reward is a spectacular panorama stretching across the Kentish countryside towards Bass Strait, Cradle Mountain and the mountains of Tasmania’s Central Highlands. It’s a serious day’s walk rather than a casual outing, but for fit and well-prepared walkers, O’Neill’s Track provides one of the most rewarding mountain walks in the Sheffield region.
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