Mount Roland Tasmania | Everything You Need To Know To Explore The Reserve

Driving through the heart of Tasmania on winding country roads, watching the verdant farmlands roll by, you would never expect to see an enormous mountain range rise seemingly out of nowhere. But that is exactly how it feels when you drive into Sheffield and witness Mount Roland Regional Reserve for the first time.

The pink granite peaks of Mount Roland soar almost 1,000 m above the surrounding farmlands, creating a beautiful backdrop for the nearby rustic towns and enticing all kinds of adventurers to explore the rugged wilderness within.

On a recent visit to Mount Roland Regional Reserve, we spent many hours wandering beneath towering eucalypts and crossing vibrant alpine meadows on our mission to cover as much of the mountain range as possible within 3 days. 

And from our experience, we can honestly say that a visit to Mount Roland is worth your time. In this post, you’ll find every ounce of information you need to explore the depths of Mount Roland Regional Reserve, including where to stay, when to visit and the best hikes to choose.

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Your Ultimate Guide To Exploring Mount Roland Regional Reserve, Tasmania

Where Is Mount Roland?

Found in the heart of Tasmania, the Mount Roland Regional Reserve is a beautiful and rugged wilderness area that sprawls across central northern Tasmania. The mountain range towers above the lush farmlands of the Kentish Municipality and the closest town to the foothills of Mt Roland is Sheffield.

Mt Roland Regional Reserve is located 1 hr 15 mins west of Launceston and 3 hrs 20 mins northwest of Hobart.

How To Get To Mount Roland Regional Reserve

Part of Mt Roland’s charm is its lesser-known status that allows you to embrace the wilderness without the usual crowds you’d find at Mount Field or Hartz Mountains. However, this also means that there are no public transport or tour options for Mount Roland, resulting in the need for a car to explore the area. 

Note: If you’re in need of a hire car, we recommend checking Rental Cars to find the best deals on car hire.

Where To Stay Near Mount Roland, Tasmania

Mount Roland is surrounded by quaint private stays hidden in the hills, campgrounds nestled into the lush eucalypt forests and even the odd irresistible farm stays in the nearby rural towns. Where you choose to base yourself for a weekend of exploring Mt Roland will depend on your preferences.

Sheffield

Sheffield is the largest town closest to Mt Roland Regional Reserve, where you’ll find hundreds of murals painted across the town. Along with a supermarket, Sheffield offers an array of cute cafes and restaurants and is ideal for those wishing to have options within walking distance.

Sheffield is located 15 minutes west of Mount Roland Regional Reserve.

Moina

While you won’t find any facilities in Moina, it’s a stunning village tucked into the mountains. Moina is located smack bang in the middle of Cradle Mountain and Mount Roland, making it the perfect spot to base yourself in order to explore both mountain ranges.

Moina is located 20 minutes west of Mount Roland Regional Reserve.

Mole Creek

Mole Creek is the furthest from Mt Roland, but it deserves a mention as the Mole Creek caves are also a highly recommended visit in the area. This cute little town offers a brewery, cafes and some of the best honey you’ll taste in Tasmania.

Mole Creek is located 30 minutes south of Mount Roland Regional Reserve.

Camping Near Mt Roland Tasmania

There are plenty of camping sites near Mount Roland, including some free options. Our favourite place to camp is O’Neills Creek which is situated between two of the main trailheads.

• O’Neills Creek Campground
• Gowrie Park Wilderness Village
• Mount Roland Retreat
• Sheffield Hotel
• Honeycomb Caves Campsite
• Mole Creek Karst National Park Campground
• Cradle Mountain Fishery and Camping

Remote Camping

There are no rules against camping in the alpine of Mount Roland and there are a few flat spots that would work perfectly for a night camping in the mountains. However, there are no facilities within the reserve and sleeping overnight in the alpine requires skill and a solid understanding of the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

Remember to pack out what you pack in, be aware that the weather can change drastically, and make sure you know how to properly poop in the wilderness. 

When To Visit Mount Roland

Mount Roland Regional Reserve is a destination that can be explored year-round, where you’ll find snow dusting the peak in winter and wildflowers dominating the plateau in spring. However, as with any alpine area, there is always a unique challenge for each season.

Summer

In summer, you’re gifted with warm weather and long sunlit days. The alpine is alive with flowers and the rivers are enticing in the summer heat. However, Mt Roland has many exposed areas on the plateau where the sun is relentless and the snakes are often out in full force.

Autumn

Autumn brings the calmest weather to Tasmania, where you’ll find clear days and crisp nights. However, snow is not uncommon this early in the year and the freezing nights can be unexpected.

Winter

It’s quite common to find the peaks of Mt Roland dusted with snow in Winter, making it a beautiful destination to embrace from afar. Hiking during this time should only be attempted by intermediate to advanced walkers that have a good understanding of hiking in the snow.

Spring

While Spring is a beautiful time of year, with wildflowers beginning to bloom and an abundance of wildlife about, it’s also the most volatile for the weather. You’ll often be struck by a surprise rainstorm or high winds in Spring.

How Long Do You Need To Visit Mount Roland In Tasmania?

Mount Roland Regional Reserve is just 1 hr 15 minutes west of Launceston, making it an easy day trip from the city to complete the shorter hikes or simply view the mighty mountain range while exploring the quaint town of Sheffield.

However, if you’d like to experience as much of Mt Roland as possible, the ideal amount of time to spend within the reserve is 2 to 3 days. 

Things To Do In Mount Roland Regional Reserve

The Mount Roland Regional Reserve hosts an abundance of outdoor activities for all kinds of adventurers, but the main activity to do in Mt Roland is walking. The various trails will allow you to lose yourself for hours in the vast alpine plateaus or wander beside bubbling rivers on a pleasant nature walk.

In addition to the multiple walking trails navigating the mountains, the Mt Roland Regional Reserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife and hosts some of Tasmania’s lesser-known rock climbing routes.

Mount Roland Walks

There are several well-marked trails throughout the reserve that range from an easy 15-minute river walk to a full-blown rock scramble to reach Mt Claude’s summit. But no matter which walk you choose, you’re guaranteed sensational panoramic views of the sweeping landscape.

Mt Roland Face Track

One of our favourite Mt Roland walks is the Face Track, which provides a healthy dose of challenge for those willing to scramble up the steep slopes leading to the summit. Starting out in a dry eucalypt forest, the trail will guide you through ever-changing terrain until you’re standing atop the rugged pink granite boulders marking the peak of Mt Roland.

The summit rewards you with stunning views of the central highlands, the northwestern countryside and the distant coastline. The Mt Roland Face Track is a 6.6 km return walk that covers over 850 m of elevation. Most walkers take approximately 4 – 6 hours to complete this hike.

Mt Roland Main Track

Arguably the most popular trail found in the reserve, the Mt Roland Main Track allows you to gradually ascend through dense eucalypt and myrtle forests before crossing the alpine plateau between Mt Van Dyke and Mt Roland to reach the bouldered peak. 

Standing at 1,233 m tall, 1,000 m higher than the surrounding farmlands, the pink granite peak offers breathtaking views over the entire northern half of Tasmania. The 16.6 km return track climbs 965 m and generally takes walkers approximately 6 to 8 hours to complete.

Mount Van Dyke Circuit

If you’re looking for a hike that incorporates the majority of what Mt Roland has to offer within one circuit, then Mt Van Dyke is the trail for you. In addition to leading you through dense forests, over conglomerate boulders and across colourful alpine meadows, Mt Van Dyke is the only circuit that isn’t over 15 km long.

The Mount Van Dyke Circuit covers 13 km and climbs 829 m in elevation. Walkers generally take 5 to 6 hours to finish the hike and which direction you choose to walk is completely up to you.

Mount Claude Track

Starting out as a mellow hike through Mount Roland Regional Reserve, Mt Claude takes a drastic change of course as you reach the enormous bouldered summit. From the base of the pink granite peak, it will look next to impossible to find your way to the rock cairn sitting atop the highest boulder. But it’s possible, and it’s also a thrill crawling into the nooks and caves that allow you to reach the summit.

Once you’ve secured a spot on the precarious peak of Mt Claude, you’re gifted 360-degree vistas of the Cradle Mountain range, the Walls Of Jerusalem and the azure blue coastline beyond the northern countryside.

Mt Claude generally takes between 2 – 4 hours to complete the 6.5 km return walk, which leads you 379 m above Round Mountain Lookout.

The Three Peaks Track

As the name suggests, the Three Peaks Track traverses the entire Mt Roland range, allowing you to summit Mt Roland, Mt Van Dyke and Mt Claude in one fell swoop. The hike is generally completed as a point to point hike, beginning at whichever end you choose. 

This traverse requires a good level of fitness but if you have the time, the 19.3 km track is the best way to experience the entire mountain range without having to continuously climb the arduous tracks from the foothills. 

On average, this track takes 8 to 10 hours and ascends 1,090 m throughout the 19.3 km traverse. 

O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail

O’Neill’s Creek Nature Trail is the perfect summer evening or sunrise walk if you’re staying at Gowrie Park or O’Neill’s Creek Camping Grounds. The nature trail is an easy 15-minute stroll that follows the creek from the campgrounds to the Mt Roland trailhead, 700 m one way. 

Throughout the walk, you’ll wander beneath giant white gums, blackwoods and stringybark trees as you search the clear water for frogs, freshwater crayfish and the elusive platypus. 

Round Mountain Lookout

If you haven’t the time or want to walk any of the trails within Mt Roland Regional Reserve, the best way to get a grasp of what vistas the towering peaks provide is to drive to Round Mountain Lookout, located on Ollivers Rd, 20 minutes west of Sheffield.

From the lookout, you’re gifted with sweeping views of deep valleys carved by coursing rivers, the precipitous peaks of the Cradle Mountain range, and nearby forested summits rising from plunging gorges. 

Rock Climbing On Mount Roland

As with most things in Tasmania, information on rock climbing sites is scarce. But some reliable sources have informed me that the climbing routes found among the granite outcrops atop Mount Roland’s rambling summit are worth the effort.

There are several climbing routes that ascend Mt Roland’s granite mass and each one has a no bolts rule, making these climbs traditional only. The Sarvo is a great resource to find more information on rock climbing Mount Roland.

Mount Roland Waterfalls

Although you wouldn’t particularly travel to Mt Roland solely to visit the few waterfalls trickling from the steep mountain slopes, they’re still worthy of the adventure if you’re already planning a trip to Mount Roland Regional Reserve.

There are three waterfalls that flow from the steep slopes within the Reserve, Reggies Falls is the most commonly visited as it’s located along the track to Mount Roland. But Minnow Falls, when it’s flowing nicely, is the most impressive.

Minnow Falls

It’s no easy feat getting to Minnow Falls, where one section requires you to climb 450 m in elevation over a short 3.5 km. But the hike is half the fun as it forces you through tight caves and up rickety ladders as you make your way through a creek bed.

We are yet to complete this hike, so we can’t provide the exact distance and every resource we’ve found online varies. But what we can tell you is that the hike begins on Belstone Rd and depending on how far you can drive up the unsealed road, you’ll be looking at between 6 – 16 km to complete the circuit. 

Reggies Falls

Approximately 200 m below the track junction found in between Mt Roland and Mt Van Dyke, you’ll find pink tags leading you off the main path and into the forest towards O’Neills Creek and Reggies Falls. 

The waterfall is only worth exploring after heavy rainfall and we’d suggest adding it to your trek to Mt Roland or Mt Van Dyke rather than simply visiting Reggies Falls. When we completed this track, the creek was barely trickling which unfortunately meant that the waterfall wasn’t flowing. 

Phillips Falls

Found on the eastern fringe of Mt Roland Regional Reserve, the track to Phillips Falls begins on Cockatoo Rd, 5 minutes south of Round Mountain Lookout and the trailhead for Mt Claude. 

With a distance of 500 m return, it’s a quick and easy trail and a great addition to a trip to the lookout and/or Mt Claude. However, the waterfall is seasonal and only flows after heavy rain so we’d only recommend tacking this onto your trip after a good dose of rain.

Final Thoughts

The Mount Roland Regional Reserve is a beautiful and diverse wilderness area that exceeded our expectations. The impressive landscapes, abundant wildlife and wide range of walking trails kept us happily entertained for a full three days.

We can highly recommend a visit to Mt Roland in Tasmania’s central north no matter if you’re a nature lover, hiker, or simply looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle of city life. Have you been to Mt Roland? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below, and as always, feel free to ask us any questions and we’ll reply as soon as we can.

Happy Adventuring 🙂