Back to previous page

Illawarra tourism route

Barren Grounds Nature Reserve

Open, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Sun 29 June 2025, 4.40pm

Applies from Wed 21 Sep 2022, 1.08pm to Fri 8 Aug 2025, 5.09pm. Last reviewed: Sun 29 Jun 2025, 4.40pm.

Other planned events: 1080 fox ground baiting program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is conducting a continual and ongoing 1080 ground baiting program for the control of foxes from Thursday 12 December 2024 to Friday 8 August 2025.

The program targets target foxes in the Carrington Falls, Budderoo Plateau, Knights Hill and Barren Grounds areas. Bait stations are located on NPWS estate and Crown road reserves with permissions. Both buried baits and Canid Pest Ejectors are used in this program.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, particularly the threatened species within these areas.

1080 baiting signs are at all entries to the baiting location. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. 

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.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Fitzroy Falls office on 02 4887 8244 or send an email.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Tue 1 Jul 2025, 7.59am. Last reviewed: Thu 3 Jul 2025, 5.31pm

Closed areas: Nellies Glen closed due to high rainfall and winds

Nellies Glen is closed due to high rainfall and winds. It will re-open once it is safe to do so. Penalties apply for non- compliance. 

Please contact the Fitzroy Falls NPWS office for more information on (02) 4887 8244

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 3 Jul 2025, 10.25am. Last reviewed: Thu 3 Jul 2025, 10.29am

Closed areas: Minnamurra Falls walk is temporarily closed

Minnamurra Falls walk is temporarily closed due to recent heavy rainfall. The walk will re-open as soon as it is safe.

For further information call the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre on 02 4236 0469.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 2 Jul 2025, 8.53am. Last reviewed: Wed 2 Jul 2025, 9.04am

Closed areas: Closure to Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre due to significant weather event

Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre and visitor precinct and walking tracks are currently closed due to the weather event bringing heavy rain and minor flooding. 

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

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 1 Jul 2025, 10.56am to Sat 12 Jul 2025, 10.00pm. Last reviewed: Tue 1 Jul 2025, 11.00am

Closed areas: Lake Couridjah toilet block closed for upgrades until Saturday 12 July 2025

Lake Couridjah toilet block will be closed for upgrade works until Saturday 12 July 2025.

  • Please use Lake Werri Berri toilet block during this time as an alternate facility.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on 4720-6200

Applies from Tue 1 Jul 2025, 9.52am to Mon 14 Jul 2025, 9.53am. Last reviewed: Tue 1 Jul 2025, 10.05am

Closed parks: Comerong Island Nature Reserve Closed

Comerong Island Nature Reserve is closed due to widespread flooding and strong winds. Access will be reviewed on Tuesday 14 July 2025.

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

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 1 Jul 2025, 9.26am. Last reviewed: Tue 1 Jul 2025, 9.29am

Closed areas: Mt Kembla Ring track closed

The Mt Kembla Ring track is closed from Tuesday 1 July until further notice due to heavy rainfall. Mt Kembla Ring track track will re-open once it has been assessed and safe to do so.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 4224 4188

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 1 Jul 2025, 9.22am. Last reviewed: Tue 1 Jul 2025, 9.25am

Closed areas: Mount Keira Ring track closed

The Mt Keira Ring track is closed from Tuesday 1 July until further notice due to heavy rainfall. Mt Keira Ring track track will re-open once it has been assessed and safe to do so.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 4224 4188

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 1 Jul 2025, 9.00am. Last reviewed: Tue 1 Jul 2025, 9.22am

Closed areas: Sublime Point walking track closed

The Sublime Point walking track is closed from Tuesday 1 July until further notice due to heavy rainfall. The walking track will re-open once it has been assessed and safe to do so.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 4224 4188

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 26 May 2025, 7.00am to Tue 15 Jul 2025, 10.00am. Last reviewed: Fri 27 Jun 2025, 1.02pm

Closed areas: Mt Kembla Ring Management Trail

Mt Kembla Ring Management Trail is closed from Monday 26 May to Friday 11 July 2025 while roadworks is underway. Please follow all roadwork signs and directions of NPWS staff.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Wollongong NPWS office on 02 4224 4188.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 9 Dec 2022, 9.15am. Last reviewed: Fri 27 Jun 2025, 12.58pm

Closed areas: Lower Escarpment Fire Trail Closed

The Lower Escarpment Fire Trail is closed while roadworks are underway. Please follow all roadwork signs and directions of NPWS staff.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Wollongong NPWS office on 02 4224 4188.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 20 Sep 2022, 9.00am. Last reviewed: Fri 27 Jun 2025, 6.37am

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 ground baiting program

A baiting program using ground baits containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes will be conducted between August 01 2024 to August 01 2025 in the Kangaroo Valley, Budgong and Illaroo areas.

All baiting locations will be identifiable by signs.

Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. 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.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information, call the NPWS Shoalhaven area office on 02 4428 6300.

Affects 4 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 23 Jun 2025, 12.00am to Sun 31 Aug 2025, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Jun 2025, 2.13pm

Other planned events: Special Areas Catchment Pig Control Program 23/6/2025 - 31/8/2025

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Hawkesbury-Nattai Area will be conducting a Special Areas Catchment Pig Control Program in the following areas below.

- Nattai National Park  

- Nattai State Conservation Area, 

 including the following Trails - W4I, W4H, Valley Roads and Burragorang Valley

 

The operation consists of the following Control Methods

 

*The Use of Hoggone (Sodium Nitrite) bait

Hoggone contains peanuts. Anyone with a Peanut allergy is advised not to handle bait product.

Hoggone is lethal to pets and domestic animals, so it is recommended that you contain any livestock or animals during the program.

 

*Pig trapping through Nattai NP and SCA and Burragorang SCA during this period through the W4I, W4H, Valley Roads and Burragorang Valley.

This will involve the use of firearms to shoot pigs in traps.

 

Signage and a site assessment will be undertaken before any firearms are discharged; however, staff and contractors should be aware.

 

A contractor will also be used for pig trapping in the Southern section of our program.

 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office (02) 4720 6200.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 29 May 2025, 3.21pm. Last reviewed: Tue 1 Jul 2025, 7.49am

Closed areas: Coal Wharf toilet - damaged

The toilet facilities located at Coal Wharf have been damaged by the recent weather and are currently closed.

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

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 21 Sep 2022, 1.08pm to Fri 8 Aug 2025, 5.09pm. Last reviewed: Sun 29 Jun 2025, 4.40pm

Other planned events: 1080 fox ground baiting program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is conducting a continual and ongoing 1080 ground baiting program for the control of foxes from Thursday 12 December 2024 to Friday 8 August 2025.

The program targets target foxes in the Carrington Falls, Budderoo Plateau, Knights Hill and Barren Grounds areas. Bait stations are located on NPWS estate and Crown road reserves with permissions. Both buried baits and Canid Pest Ejectors are used in this program.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, particularly the threatened species within these areas.

1080 baiting signs are at all entries to the baiting location. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. 

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.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Fitzroy Falls office on 02 4887 8244 or send an email.

Affects 2 parks and 14 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 29 Jun 2017, 12.48pm. Last reviewed: Thu 26 Jun 2025, 6.08pm

Closed areas: Access to base of Belmore Falls prohibited

All access to the base of Belmore Falls is permanently closed as there is a risk of falling from the cliff edge and severe injury or death. This includes access from Hindmarsh and Belmore Falls lookouts and picnic areas.

Access is also closed to the top of Belmore Falls, including from the Belmore Falls Road causeway. 

There is limited mobile phone reception in this area. You may not be able to call for help if you need it and access for emergency services is difficult. 

The walk will remain permanently closed to the public to protect visitor safety.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Fitzroy Falls area office on 02 4887 8244 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 6 Feb 2024, 10.28am to Tue 30 Sep 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 2 Jun 2025, 8.40am

Closed areas: Woodward track is closed due to storm damage

Woodward track (accessed via Sublime Point) is closed due to damage from heavy rainfall events. Repair works are currently underway and is scheduled to reopen in September 2025 (weather permitting).

For more information, contact the local park office.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 17 Apr 2025, 11.04am to Thu 31 Jul 2025, 11.05am. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Jun 2025, 8.00am

Closed areas: Killalea Campground closed for maintenance work

Killalea Campground will be closed from Tuesday 28 January 2025 to Thursday 31 July 2025. Construction works will be underway during this time to replace the campground amenities block.

For more information, contact the Illawarra NPWS office 02 4224 4188.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 18 Sep 2024, 2.22pm to Fri 24 Oct 2025, 2.23pm. Last reviewed: Mon 10 Mar 2025, 2.39pm

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 ongoing program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an ongoing ground baiting program from Monday 23rd September 2024 to Tuesday 23rd September 2025. The operation will use a Felixer containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of feral cats, and approved meat baits, meat bait products, and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPE) for the control of foxes and wild dogs.

The program will be conducted in Nattai National Park.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species.

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 Hawkesbury-Nattai NPWS area office on (02) 4720 6200 for more information.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 12 Apr 2024, 11.52am. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Jun 2025, 8.01am

Closed areas: Lyrebird Loop walk partial closure

Lyrebird Loop walk is partially closed until further notice due to flood damage. This closure affects the start of the Lyrebird Loop walk, which restricts wheelchair access.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For any further information, please contact the NPWS Minnamurra Rainforest Centre on 02 4236 0469.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 10 Feb 2023, 9.21pm. Last reviewed: Wed 21 May 2025, 12.04pm

Closed areas: Informal track to Clover Falls is is closed due to rockfall risk

Due to rockfall risk, the unsanctioned walking track from the end of Clover Hill Road at Macquarie Rivulet to Clover Hill Falls is closed.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 14 Dec 2020, 11.55am. Last reviewed: Fri 6 Jun 2025, 7.14am

Closed areas: Macquarie Rivulet - Jump Rock track closed

Access to Macquarie Rivulet (also known as 'Jump Rock') is not permitted. The track is steep and eroded, and contains unstable surfaces, cliffs and drop offs.

There is a high risk of injury from falls from heights. Do not enter the closed areas of this park.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information call 1300 072 757.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 18 Jun 2019, 9.18am. Last reviewed: Fri 6 Jun 2025, 7.14am

Closed areas: Restricted access to Macquarie Rivulet

There is no access to Macquarie Rivulet from Mount Murray, at the top of Macquarie Pass. If you access the rivulet from the top of the escarpment, you will be trespassing on private property. Access to Macquarie Rivulet is only permitted via Clover Hill Road.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please call the NPWS Illawarra area office on 02 4224 4188.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 1 Mar 2024, 3.12pm. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Jun 2025, 8.19am

Safety alerts: Beaches at Killalea Regional Park are unpatrolled

The beaches at Killalea Regional Park are unpatrolled.  There is no lifesaving service.  There may be strong currents, shallow water, unexpected large waves, rips and sudden drop offs.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Sat 2 Dec 2023, 6.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 19 Jun 2025, 9.19am

Closed areas: Access to the base of Gerringong Falls is prohibited

Access to the base of Gerringong Falls is prohibited.

The area around and down to the base of the Gerringong Falls has loose rocks, steep cliffs and unstable ground surface making it dangerous to access. The walk will remain permanently closed to the public to protect visitor safety.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the local Area at npws.illawarrahighlands@environment.nsw.gov.au or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 5 Mar 2021, 1.54pm. Last reviewed: Thu 3 Jul 2025, 8.48am

Closed areas: Camping areas closed due to flood and fire damage

Camping is closed indefinitely at the following campgrounds due to fire damage and flooding. The closed campground include (open for day-use only): 

  • Pauls Point
  • Sundeck 
  • Sawyers 
  • Burrawang

Please note that the campgrounds will remain open for day use. Some campgrounds may be affected by flood debris following heavy rain, and there may be steep sand walls to access sites.

Please be cautious and move onto another campground if safety issues occur. There have been many changes to campgrounds along the river, including reduced campground capacity. Some sites also have extensive regrowth following fires.

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

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 10 Nov 2020, 2.24pm. Last reviewed: Mon 16 Jun 2025, 9.59am

Closed areas: Minnamurra Rainforest Cafe closed

Minnamurra Rainforest Cafe is closed until further notice. Light refreshments and hot beverages are available for purchase from Minnamurra Rainforest Centre.

For further information contact Minnamurra Rainforest Centre on 02 4236 0469.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 2 Jul 2020, 4.56pm. Last reviewed: Tue 8 Apr 2025, 9.27am

Other incidents: Minnamurra Rainforest may close at short notice

Minnamurra Rainforest is a popular location and will close at short notice if needed. This is to ensure visitation levels do not exceed safe capacity or due to the carpark reaching capacity. 

NPWS encourages you to plan your visit outside of peak periods of 11am to 2pm. 

Affects 1 park and 5 locations 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/driving-routes/illawarra-tourism-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

Why create an account?

  • Create lists of your next adventures
  • Get closure alerts by email
  • Save your personal info to make it fast and easy to fill in trip intention forms
  • And more features coming soon