[2] The name Roelands relates to a property of the same name granted to the Swan River Colony's first Surveyor General in 1830, John Septimus Roe, as part of the 20 square kilometres (5,000 acres) to which he was entitled for bringing considerable capital to the colony.

The first pastoralists and shepherds arrived in the area in the 1880s seeking improved pasture for their stock.

The demand on the area from the timber and coal business led to the construction of the Colliefields Hotel.

Harry Lupton (United Aborigines Mission) and Ken Cross started it.

Roelands has a small school called Hope Christian College located on Government Road, established in 1999, with approximately 500 students currently enrolled.