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Circuit walking track

Watagans National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Thu 11 April 2024, 10.05am

Applies from Wed 26 Feb 2020, 10.38am to Sun 30 Jun 2024, 11.48am. Last reviewed: Thu 11 Apr 2024, 10.05am.

Safety alerts: Watagan Road/Heaton Road closed due to landslips

Watagan Road (also known as Heaton Road) is closed until further notice due to a major landslip on the Cessnock City Council section.

There is no access from the cattle grid at the southern end of Heaton Road, Quorrobolong south, uphill to the Georges Road intersection in the Watagans NP.

This access road to Olney, Heaton State Forests and Watagans National Park is closed.

Work is currently underway way but will be complex, involve geotechnical planning, major earthworks and road realignment. 

For information about closures in nearby state forests, please refer to the Forestry Corporation of NSW website for closures and notices.

For more information, contact the local NPWS Lake Munmorah area office on 02 4972 9000 or Cessnock City Council on 02 4993 4100.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Fri 31 May 2024, 8.00pm to Mon 3 Jun 2024, 8.00pm. Last reviewed: Thu 30 May 2024, 12.27pm

Safety alerts: Flood risk forecast

Forecast heavy rainfall may cause flooding of areas in Watagans National Park, Jilliby State Conservation Area, Brisbane Water National Park and Wyrrabalong National Park.

Creek crossings may become impassable with fast flowing water and increased water levels following heavy rainfall.

People planning to visit these parks are urged to check for closures, emergency warnings and severe weather updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and State Emergency Service before heading out.

Remember, it’s never safe to drive, ride or walk through flood waters, so you’ll need to reschedule your visit and avoid travel through areas in this park. Check Live Traffic NSW for up-to-date information about road closures. For assistance during severe weather visit the NSW SES website. In life-threatening situations call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 2 parks and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 26 Apr 2024, 8.09am. Last reviewed: Sat 1 Jun 2024, 9.16am

Other planned events: Watagan Forest Road traffic delays due to road maintenance works

Drivers / vehicles on Watagan Forest Road are advised to expect temporary delays due to road maintenance works being carried out.

Works include vegetation maintenance and surface grading on the road. Traffic control will maintain contraflow through out the works but delays may be incurred.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 14 Dec 2023, 3.34pm to Mon 1 Jul 2024, 1.57pm. Last reviewed: Thu 7 Mar 2024, 2.59pm

Safety alerts: Major Roadworks in Jilliby State Conservation Area - Commencing 27 December 2023

Major roadworks are scheduled to commence from Wednesday 27th December 2023 in Jilliby State Conservation Area (Southern Precinct) and part of Ourimbah State Forest.

Partial and intermittent road closures should be expected. The roads that will be affected are:

  • Red Hill Road
  • Prestons Ridge Road
  • Bradleys Point Road
  • Campbells Point Road and 
  • Tooheys Road.

 

Visitors are asked to avoid the area (if possible). Otherwise, please be aware of trucks and machinery using and working on the above roads and to drive to the conditions. Warning signs and traffic control will be in place. Work is expected to be completed by June 2024. The work is funded as part of the Fire Access and Fire Trail (FAFT) program aimed at providing safe and strategic fire trails for fire response and access.

For more information, please contact the NPWS Central Coast Area Office at Lake Munmorah on 02 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 13 Apr 2022, 10.37am. Last reviewed: Tue 30 Apr 2024, 12.43pm

Safety alerts: Prickly Ridge Road 4WD only

The section of Prickly Ridge Road between Watagan Forest Road and Cut-Rock Road is suitable for 4WD vehicles only.

To prevent further damage to the road and to protect visitor safety, please avoid this area and other trails in the reserve that are still slippery and potentially hazardous.  

For further information, please contact the Central Coast Area Office at Lake Munmorah on 02 4972 9000.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 26 Feb 2020, 10.38am to Sun 30 Jun 2024, 11.48am. Last reviewed: Thu 11 Apr 2024, 10.05am

Safety alerts: Watagan Road/Heaton Road closed due to landslips

Watagan Road (also known as Heaton Road) is closed until further notice due to a major landslip on the Cessnock City Council section.

There is no access from the cattle grid at the southern end of Heaton Road, Quorrobolong south, uphill to the Georges Road intersection in the Watagans NP.

This access road to Olney, Heaton State Forests and Watagans National Park is closed.

Work is currently underway way but will be complex, involve geotechnical planning, major earthworks and road realignment. 

For information about closures in nearby state forests, please refer to the Forestry Corporation of NSW website for closures and notices.

For more information, contact the local NPWS Lake Munmorah area office on 02 4972 9000 or Cessnock City Council on 02 4993 4100.

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Sat 28 Oct 2023, 3.54pm to Sun 30 Jun 2024, 4.17pm. Last reviewed: Thu 11 Apr 2024, 10.06am

Closed areas: Daniels Pt Road and Maculata Fire Trail Closed -Jilliby SCA

The following fire trails are closed due to illegal 4WD damage:

  • Maculata fire trail west of Jilliby Road to Daniels Point fire trail
  • Eastern section of Daniels Point fire trail to Jilliby Jilliby Creek

There is no vehicle access across Little Jilliby jilliby Creek in either direction. Locked gates are in place in several locations.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Central Coast area office on 02 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

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Applies from Wed 8 Mar 2023, 9.09am. Last reviewed: Thu 11 Apr 2024, 9.59am

Closed areas: Muirs Lookout Picnic Area - Closed

Muirs Lookout Picnic Area on Prickly Ridge Road has been closed due to ageing infrastructure, obstructed lookout views to the coast and very low public visitation. Alternative picnic facilities are located nearby in Olney State Forest and Watagans National Park. Further information on other places to visit can be obtained via the NPWS or Forestry Corporation websites. 

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 7 Oct 2014, 1.53pm to Thu 7 Oct 2027, 11.00am. Last reviewed: Tue 9 Apr 2024, 9.08am

Closed areas: Parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area closed

Parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area are closed for approved underground mining operations. The affected areas (see map) have been closed to protect visitor safety, because they're subject to subsidence and remediation activities from the mining operations.

Great North walk remains open. An update will be provided should this situation change.

If you're visiting the park, please be aware of subsidence and pollution incidents that took place in 2013, which were greater than what was expected from normal mining operations. These included a cliff fall in the north, and a subsidence and grout leak incident in the central part of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area.

If you're planning to visit the park during this time, please stay on formed tracks and trails and observe all barriers, warning signs and safety messages. Areas subject to possible cliff fall or subsidence in both areas of the park are clearly marked.

For more information, call the NPWS Lower Hunter area office on 02 4946 4100. NSW National Parks safety page.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/circuit-walking-track/local-alerts

Park info

  • in Watagans National Park in the North Coast region
  • Watagans National Park is always open, but may have to close at times due to poor weather, roads closures or high fire danger.

See more visitor info

Emergency services

For all NSW fires visit the Rural Fire Service

For the latest information on wildfires in your area please contact the NSW Rural Fire Service.

View all alerts for NSW