Applies from Tue 20 May 2025, 2.19pm to Tue 27 May 2025, 2.00pm. Last reviewed: Tue 20 May 2025, 3.46pm

Closed parks: National parks closed due to impacts of severe weather

Many national parks and reserves in the Hastings Macleay area are closed from 2pm Tuesday 20 May to 2pm Tuesday 27 May due to widespread flooding and weather impacts. Many creek crossings, roads and trails are impassable due to severe rainfall causing dangerous conditions. Emergency services are requesting that people avoid unnecessary travel. 

Remember, it’s never safe to drive, ride or walk through flood waters. Roads into and throughout the park may also be closed. Check Live Traffic NSW for up-to-date information and contact the local park office.

This park will re-open as soon as staff have had the opportunity to assess conditions.

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.

Affects 4 parks nearby. Show list

• Clybucca Aboriginal Area
• Clybucca Historic Site
• Fishermans Bend Nature Reserve
• Hat Head National Park

Applies from Thu 15 May 2025, 5.00pm to Thu 22 May 2025, 6.00pm. Last reviewed: Thu 15 May 2025, 5.32pm

Closed areas: Gap Beach Road closure - Hat Head National Park

Gap Beach Road remains closed due to wet weather and unsafe driving conditions.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office..

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

• Hat Head National Park
  • Gap Beach picnic area

Applies from Sat 10 May 2025, 11.05am. Last reviewed: Sat 10 May 2025, 11.11am

Closed areas: Little Bay picnic area closed due to vandalism

The Little Bay Picnic Area sustained significant vandalism overnight on Friday, 9 May, and has been closed to allow for site clean-up and repairs.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact NSW Police on 131 444 or the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on 13000 PARKS.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

• Arakoon National Park
  • Little Bay picnic area

Applies from Mon 1 Mar 2021, 11.38am to Fri 30 Oct 2026, 9.17am. Last reviewed: Wed 30 Apr 2025, 3.42pm

Closed areas: Area permanently closed - Mermaid Pools

Access to Mermaid Pools is permanently closed including for swimming. Sudden large swells and tides create major waves that wash over the rocks and pools.

Do not access this area. The severe conditions at this site have caused a number of significant injuries and deaths in the past.

Mermaid Pools have never been a designated visitor site due to the extreme nature of the surf and tides at this location. There is no approved public access walking track to Mermaid Pools.

For further information call the NPWS Verges Creek area office on 02 6561 6700.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

• Arakoon National Park
  • Mermaid Pools

Applies from Mon 10 Feb 2025, 4.13pm to Sun 31 Aug 2025, 4.14pm. Last reviewed: Thu 8 May 2025, 10.23am

Closed areas: Trial Bay Gaol campground infrastructure upgrade

Sections of Trial Bay Gaol campground will be closed for upgrades from Monday 10 February 2025 until late August 2025. The Bayview campsites and northern area will be closed.

Open parts of the campground will be impacted by noise and machinery between Monday and Friday, 7am to 5pm. Access to parts of the campground will be impacted. Please refer to onsite maps for access information. Stay safe and follow directions on signage as well as instructions from staff.

Find out more about the improvements planned for Trial Bay Gaol campground. For more information about the closure, contact the NPWS campground office at 02 6566 6168.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

• Arakoon National Park
  • Front Beach
  • Mermaid Pools
  • Trial Bay Gaol campground