O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail – A Gentle Introduction to Mount Roland

An Easy Streamside Stroll at Gowrie Park

Linking the picnic reserve at Gowrie Park to the start of the Mount Roland walking track, the O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail is an easy, meandering walk beside O’Neills Creek, with interpretive signs identifying the diverse forest along the way. It’s a lovely stretch-the-legs walk in its own right, or a gentle warm-up before tackling Mount Roland itself. The track winds through white gum, blackwood, browntop stringybark, myrtle, sassafras and dogwood, with the creek’s steady murmur setting a calm, meditative pace.

See also:

• Free Camping Gowrie Park
• Camping O’Neills Creek
• RV Friendly Sheffield

Walk Overview

Location: Gowrie Park, foot of Mount Roland, North West Tasmania

Distance: Approximately 1.4 km return

Time: Approximately 30 minutes return

Difficulty: Easy

Track Type: Return, following O’Neill’s Creek

Track Surface: Formed nature trail with interpretive signage

Best Time: Any time of year; particularly pleasant after rain when O’Neill’s Creek is flowing well

The Walk

The O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail begins from the O’Neill’s Creek Picnic Reserve at Gowrie Park, beneath the impressive slopes of Mount Roland. From the picnic area, the track follows O’Neill’s Creek through attractive forest towards the beginning of the Mount Roland walking track. Unlike the challenging climb to Mount Roland, this walk stays relatively flat and provides a relaxed way to explore the forest at the foot of the mountain. The sound of the creek accompanies much of the walk, while fern-filled sections and a mixture of native trees create plenty of interest despite the trail’s short distance. At the end of the nature trail, walkers can simply turn around and retrace their steps to the picnic reserve.

Terrain

The track follows O’Neill’s Creek through a surprisingly diverse section of forest. White gum eucalypts, blackwood and browntop stringybark grow alongside cool-temperate rainforest species including myrtle, sassafras and dogwood. Fern glades line sections of the creek, particularly in damper areas, adding to the cool and sheltered atmosphere of the walk. The track is generally well formed and easy to follow, although creek-side sections can become damp or slippery after rain.

Difficulty

Rated Easy, O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail is a short, relatively flat and family-friendly walk suitable for most fitness levels. There are no significant climbs and the approximately 1.4-kilometre return distance makes it a good choice for younger children, casual walkers or anyone wanting a short nature walk around Gowrie Park.

Walk Highlights

O’Neill’s Creek

The gently flowing O’Neill’s Creek is the defining feature of the walk, with the trail following the waterway through the forest. The creek is particularly attractive after rain, when water flows through the shaded forest and fern-lined banks.

Wildlife-Rich Creek

O’Neill’s Creek provides habitat for a surprising variety of wildlife. Keep an eye out for dragonflies, frogs, yabbies and freshwater crayfish around the creek and its banks. Platypus also inhabit Tasmanian freshwater environments such as this, although seeing one requires considerably more luck and patience.

Interpretive Signage

Interpretive signs positioned along the trail identify some of the plants and trees growing in the surrounding forest. This adds an educational element to the walk and makes the trail particularly suitable for families interested in learning more about Tasmania’s native vegetation.

Mount Roland

Although this walk remains in the forest at the base of the mountain, Mount Roland dominates the surrounding landscape. Rising dramatically above Gowrie Park, the mountain provides an impressive backdrop and a reminder that this gentle nature trail also forms an introduction to one of the region’s much more challenging bushwalks.

Top Tip

Combine the walk with a coffee, lunch or picnic at O’Neill’s Creek Picnic Reserve before or after exploring the trail. If you’re planning to tackle Mount Roland, the nature trail also makes an excellent short warm-up before beginning the much longer climb.

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Drinking water
• A picnic to enjoy at the reserve before or after the walk
• Insect repellent during the warmer months
• A light waterproof jacket if rain is forecast

Safety

• Watch your footing on damp creek-side sections after rain.
• Supervise young children near the creek banks.
• Take care on wet rocks, tree roots and muddy sections.
• Weather around Mount Roland can change quickly, even when conditions at Gowrie Park appear settled.

Is the Walk Suitable for Children?

Yes. O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail is one of the easiest and most family-friendly walks around Mount Roland. The short distance, relatively flat terrain, creek and interpretive signs make it particularly suitable for younger children or families wanting a gentle outdoor activity.

Are Dogs Allowed?

Dogs are not permitted, as the trail lies within the Mount Roland Regional Reserve.

Getting There

O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail is located at Gowrie Park, near the northern foot of Mount Roland. From Sheffield, travel south-west towards Gowrie Park and Mount Roland. Access to the trail is from the C136 at O’Neill’s Creek Picnic Reserve. The reserve is approximately 16 kilometres from Sheffield and provides access to both the nature trail and the Mount Roland walking track.

Facilities

The adjoining O’Neill’s Creek Picnic Reserve provides useful facilities for walkers and visitors.

• Car parking
• Picnic tables and benches
• Picnic shelter
• BBQ facilities
• Short-stay camping area
• Access to O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail
• Access towards the Mount Roland walking track

The reserve is a pleasant place to stop for lunch even if you’re not planning to tackle one of the longer walks in the area.

What You’ll See

• O’Neill’s Creek
• Fern-lined creek banks
• White gum
• Blackwood
• Browntop stringybark
• Myrtle
• Sassafras
• Dogwood
• Native birds
• Freshwater wildlife
• Forest beneath Mount Roland

Nearby Bushwalks

Gowrie Park and the Sheffield area provide several excellent walks, ranging from short waterfall tracks to the challenging climb onto Mount Roland.

Mount Roland Walk

The Mount Roland Walk is the major bushwalking challenge of the area, climbing from the forests around Gowrie Park into exposed alpine country before reaching the summit. It is a substantial step up in difficulty from O’Neill’s Creek and should be treated as a full mountain bushwalk, with appropriate clothing, equipment and preparation.

Redwater Creek Falls Walk

The Redwater Creek Falls Walk near Sheffield is an easy walk of approximately 5 km return, following farm tracks and forest trails to a seasonal waterfall.

Allow approximately 1–1.5 hours.

Kimberley’s Lookout via Redwater Creek Falls

The Kimberley’s Lookout via Redwater Creek Falls combines the waterfall with a longer climb through the Badger Range. The approximately 7.7 km circuit takes around 2.5–3 hours and rewards the extra effort with one of the best views of Mount Roland in the Sheffield area.

Why Walk O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail?

The O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail is the easiest way to experience the forest at the foot of Mount Roland without committing to the demanding climb onto the mountain itself. In just 30 minutes, the trail offers a peaceful combination of flowing water, fern-lined creek banks, diverse native forest and opportunities to spot freshwater wildlife. Add the interpretive signs and picnic facilities at Gowrie Park and you have an easy, family-friendly short walk that’s equally worthwhile as a destination in its own right or as a gentle introduction to Mount Roland.