Walls of Jerusalem Circuit Road — Lake Rowallan to Walls of Jerusalem via Mersey Forest Road
Pencil pines and mud at the plateau's edge.
The Mersey Forest Road system north of Lake Rowallan is the kind of track that separates the tourists from the overlanders. Dropping south from the Lake Highway near Mersey River, the route punches through Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage country across wet dolerite-capped ridgelines, buttongrass moorland, and river flats that turn to mud at the first hint of rain. The creek crossing at Mersey River itself is the crux — knee-deep in summer, impassable in winter — and the corrugated forestry spurs beyond it demand patience and aired-down tyres. The track terminates near the Walls of Jerusalem National Park trailhead, where pencil pines several centuries old stand like sentinels above the plateau edge.
This is genuine high-clearance 4WD territory, not a track for a stock wagon or a light crossover. Lift, lockers, and a snatch kit are not optional. Snow can fall on the central plateau any month of the year, so July through September is firmly out unless you’re prepared for full winter conditions. Fuel up in Deloraine — there’s nothing between there and the turnaround. No phone signal throughout. The payoff is complete solitude in World Heritage wilderness, with dispersed camping on the forest road before the national park boundary.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3609 ft |
| Best season | November-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Lifted 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Deloraine, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Forestry Tasmania / Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | parks.tas.gov.au |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock GXL LandCruiser 200 handle this trail, or do I need a lift and lockers?
A stock 200 Series will struggle on the wetter sections — the mud on the upper plateau approach gets axle-deep after rain. A 2-inch minimum lift and rear locker are strongly recommended; a front locker will save you on the steeper clay climbs near the plateau edge.
When is the Mersey Forest Road actually driveable, and what happens if you go in winter?
November through April is the realistic window — snow and ice close the upper sections in winter and the button grass plains turn to bog that'll swallow a poorly equipped rig. Even in summer, a single night of heavy rain can make sections impassable for days.
Do I need a permit for the forestry section, the national park, or both?
You need a Tasmania National Parks Pass to access the Walls of Jerusalem National Park end of this route — buy it online through Parks Tasmania before you leave, as there's zero cell service on trail. The Mersey Forest Road section is managed by Forestry Tasmania and currently requires no separate permit, but check current access status before departing as logging operations can trigger temporary closures.
What's the hardest section, and what actually makes it hard?
The climb onto the plateau via the upper forest tracks is where rigs get stuck — loose wet clay over embedded rock with off-camber shelf road and no recovery room on the downhill side. If you're solo, this is the section where a snatch block setup and a solid anchor plan matter most.
Is there any water available on trail, and how far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead?
Stream crossings on this route are also your water sources — treat everything, as upstream grazing activity is present in parts of the catchment. Fuel up in Deloraine before you leave; it's roughly 50km to the Lake Rowallan start and there's nothing between town and the trail.
Trail track
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