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Hastings Forest Way touring route

North Coast, Country NSW

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Tue 20 May 2025, 3.46pm

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.

Applies from Wed 7 May 2025, 3.03pm. Last reviewed: Wed 7 May 2025, 3.18pm.

Safety alerts: 4WD recommended

Adverse weather conditions have caused erosion to some access trails to Werrikimbe NP. Hastings Forest Way remains the best access to Brushy Mountain and Plateau Beech Campgrounds and 4WD vehicles are recommended. 

Cockerawombeeba Road is not suitable for 2WD vehicles and access via this road should be avoided. 

Visitors should check the depth of waterway crossings before driving vehicles through, particularly at Forbes River crossing on Racecourse Road. 

For more information, contact the Port Macquarie NPWS office on (02) 6588 5555.

Applies from Tue 4 Mar 2025, 4.20pm to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Thu 10 Apr 2025, 10.27am.

Closed parks: National Parks closed due to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred

For safety, some national parks and reserves on the North Coast are closed until end of June 2025 due to damage caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Areas will be opened once inspections, and any necessary works, are completed. Public access roads through parks will not be affected by park closures.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Wed 21 May 2025, 3.36pm to Sun 25 May 2025, 11.37pm. Last reviewed: Wed 21 May 2025, 4.04pm

Closed areas: Halls Peak campground and picnic areas are closed due to hazardous road conditions and inclement weather

Hall Peaks Picnic Area and Campground is closed from the 21 May 2025 and reopening on the 29 May 2025 due to hazardous road conditions and inclement weather.

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 Armidale on 02 6738 9100.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 21 May 2025, 12.24pm to Tue 27 May 2025, 11.59am. Last reviewed: Wed 21 May 2025, 1.09pm

Closed areas: Tia Falls Campground and Day Use Areas closed due to hazardous road conditions

The following areas are closed from Wednesday 21 May to Midnight Tuesday 27 May due to widespread rain causing hazardous road conditions:

  • Tia Fall Campground
  • Tia Falls Picnic Area
  • Tia Falls lookout
  • Tia Falls walk
  • Tia Gorge View lookout
  • Tiara lookout
  • Tiara View lookout
  • Tiara walking track

 

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 at Walcha on 02 6777 4700 or Armidale on 02 6738 9100.

Affects 2 parks and 8 locations nearby. Show list

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 5 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 19 May 2025, 11.23am to Mon 26 May 2025, 10.00am. Last reviewed: Tue 20 May 2025, 3.11pm

Closed areas: Youdales Hut campground and picnic area closed due to widespread rain

The following areas are closed from 19 May to 10am Monday 26 May 2025 due to widespread rain and high risk of flooding:

  • Youdales Hut picnic area
  • Youdales Hut campground

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 NPWS Walcha office on 02 6777 4700 or NPWS Armidale office on 02 6738 9100.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Sun 27 Apr 2025, 2.00pm to Mon 16 Jun 2025, 2.00pm. Last reviewed: Thu 15 May 2025, 4.49pm

Closed areas: Budds Mare and Riverside trail and campground closed for track works

Budds Mare campground and picnic area and Riverside campground and picnic area will be closed from 2PM Sunday 27 April until 2PM Monday 16 June 2025 due to major track works on the Riverside Trail. 

Vehicle access along the Riverside Trail is strictly prohibited during this time. The hike along Riverside Trail between Budds Mare and Riverside campground is also closed. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

For more information, contact the Walcha NPWS office on 02 6777 4700. 

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 7 May 2025, 3.03pm. Last reviewed: Wed 7 May 2025, 3.18pm

Safety alerts: 4WD recommended

Adverse weather conditions have caused erosion to some access trails to Werrikimbe NP. Hastings Forest Way remains the best access to Brushy Mountain and Plateau Beech Campgrounds and 4WD vehicles are recommended. 

Cockerawombeeba Road is not suitable for 2WD vehicles and access via this road should be avoided. 

Visitors should check the depth of waterway crossings before driving vehicles through, particularly at Forbes River crossing on Racecourse Road. 

For more information, contact the Port Macquarie NPWS office on (02) 6588 5555.

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 5 May 2025, 9.00am to Tue 5 Aug 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 2 May 2025, 11.45am

Other planned events: 1080 Ground Baiting Operation

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting a ground baiting program in Kumbatine National Park from Monday 5th May 2025 to Tuesday 5th August 2025. The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs. The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise the impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.

Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Neighbours are advised to take relevant precautions to exclude animals from entering the baiting location – 1080 is lethal to cats and dogs, thus pets and working dogs may be affected. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

For further information call the NPWS Port Macquarie  Area office on 02 6588 5555.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 12 May 2025, 12.01am to Fri 23 May 2025, 11.54am. Last reviewed: Wed 14 May 2025, 8.34am

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 Aerial Baiting Program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an aerial baiting program from Monday 12 May 2025 to Friday 23 May 2025. The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of feral animals including wild dogs and foxes.
The program will take place in Avondale State Conservation Area (SCA), Back River Nature Reserve (NR), Booralong NR, Bulagaranda (Mt Yarrowyck) Aboriginal Area (AA), Cottan-Bimbang National Park (NP) & SCA, Curracubundi NP, Indwarra NP, Mummel Gulf NP & SCA, Ngulin NR, Nowendoc NP, Oxley Wild Rivers NP & SCA, Single NP, The Basin NR, Tomalla NR, Tuggolo Creek NR, Warrabah NP and Werrikimbe NP.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise the impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.
Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
Please contact the local New England NPWS area office for more information on 6738 9100.
 

Affects 2 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 4 Mar 2025, 4.20pm to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Thu 10 Apr 2025, 10.27am

Closed parks: National Parks closed due to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred

For safety, some national parks and reserves on the North Coast are closed until end of June 2025 due to damage caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Areas will be opened once inspections, and any necessary works, are completed. Public access roads through parks will not be affected by park closures.

Affects 2 parks 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/4wd-touring-routes/hastings-forest-way-touring-route/local-alerts

Park info

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

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