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Illawarra tourism route

Barren Grounds Nature Reserve

Closed due to current alerts

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Mon 30 March 2020, 9.01am

Applies from Mon 30 Mar 2020, 9.01am. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Mar 2020, 9.01am.

Closed parks: Barren Grounds Nature Reserve Closed.

Barren Grounds Nature Reserve is closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff. Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information.

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Nearby alerts

Applies from Tue 31 Mar 2020, 3.22pm to Tue 14 Apr 2020, 3.19pm. Last reviewed: Tue 31 Mar 2020, 4.49pm

Closed parks: Thirlmere Lakes National Park closed

Thirlmere Lakes National Park is closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff. Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information.

Applies from Wed 25 Dec 2019, 8.07pm. Last reviewed: Tue 31 Mar 2020, 3.55pm

Closed areas: Blue Mountains National Park - closed areas

All campgrounds, high visitation areas and historic sites across NSW are closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff. You’ll receive a refund if you made a booking. Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information.

The following areas of Blue Mountains National Park are also closed due to bushfire, track works and/or flood damage:

Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls

  • Wentworth Falls picnic area
  • National Pass from Valley of Waters to Slacks Stairs, due to rockfall risk.
  • Undercliff track
  • Part of Amphitheatre track from the base of Bridal Veil Falls to Fern Bower, due to rockfall risk.
  • Prince Henry Cliff walk between Leura Cascades round walk and Leura Cascades picnic area, and between Gordon Falls lookout and Olympian lookout, due to landslides. Detours in place. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  • Part of Charles Darwin walk north of Weeping Rock circuit. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  • Andersons fire trail, McMahons Lookout Road and McMahons Point, due to fire damage.
  • Kedumba and Ruined Castle campgrounds closed due to fire damage. Ingar campground closed to vehicles due to private access.
  • Ruined Castle, Golden Stairs, Tarros Ladders and Mount Solitary walking tracks.
  • Wild Dog Mountains routes (including Kanangra to Katoomba, closed at Tarros Ladders, Breakfast Creek, Mobbs Swamp, Katoomba to Mittagong, Coxs River, Yellow Pup Spur).

Bullaburrra to Linden

  • Andersons fire trail
  • Bedford Creek crossing not suitable for vehicles.

Blackheath, Medlow Bath, Mount Victoria and Bells Line

  • Grand Canyon walking track
  • Evans lookout
  • Govetts Leap lookout
  • Hat Hill Road in BMNP closed due to floods and repairs. Lookouts open to walkers.
  • All walking tracks into and around Grose Valley including Perrys (below Docker lookout), Victoria Falls, Mount Banks, Pierces Pass (Hungerfords) and Short Ridge (Lockleys Pylon closed below Pylon) and Rodriguez Pass.
  • Green Gully (Dunphys) and Acacia Flat campgrounds. Perrys campground closed to vehicles.
  • Walking tracks around Blackheath including: Walls Cave, Popes Glen, Cliff Top, Rodriguez Pass, Bridal Veil Falls, Braeside walk and Pulpit Rock.

Eastern Blue Mountains National Park

  • Vale of Avoca lookouts, walking tracks and routes.
  • Burralow campground - closed to camping and vehicles.

Glenbrook

  • Closed to camping and vehicles. Jellybean pool, Red Hands cave, Nepean and Mount Portal lookouts also closed.

Southern Blue Mountains National Park

  • All park fire trails are closed to the public including The Range fire trail, which is undergoing maintenance works and is impassable due to wet conditions.
  • Oberon-Colong stock route to Yerranderie, and Langs Road are only open for local traffic. See relevant local council for updates.
  • Mount Werong campground is closed due to fire damage.

Canyons

  • Canyons around Bells Line of Road and Grose Valley including Bowens Creek, Claustral, Yileen and Butterbox/Mount Hay.

Rock climbing areas

  • Pulpit Rock.
  • Rock climbing areas around Narrow Neck that have been burnt, including Castle Head and Diamond Falls.

 

The following areas of Blue Mountains National Park are open:

Katoomba

  • Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls cliff top walking tracks, where not impacted by other closures.
  • Overcliff at Wentworth Falls.
  • Nellies Glen and Devils Hole.
  • Six Foot track is currently open to walkers (no camping permitted). Vehicle access to Jenolan Caves is via Oberon.
  • Kings Tableland Road.
  • Kedumba Valley Road to Sublime Point trail, and Sublime Point trail.
  • Narrow Neck cycle route and fire trail. No walking tracks or descents open.
  • Faulconbridge Point.
  • Blue Gum swamp.
  • Mount Hay Road and walking tracks. Lockleys Pylon is closed below Pylon, with no access to Grose Valley.

Blackheath and Medlow Bath

  • Braeside fire trail (not walk)
  • Hat Hill Road is open to walkers and bike riders all the way to Perrys lookdown, Wind Eroded Cave and Anvil Rock lookout are also open.
  • Burramoko Ridge fire trail and Hanging Rock/Baltzer lookouts.
  • Point Pilcher lookout
  • Victoria Falls Road and walking track to lookout and Asgard Swamp (no access to Grose Valley).
  • Bells Line lookouts and roads (including Mount Banks and Pierces Pass roads, Banks Walls cycle and lookout, Walls lookout and Rigby Hill lookout and walk).

Canyons

  • Canyons around Mount Wilson including Wollangambe, Serendipity, DuFaurs, Whungee Wheengee, and Joe's. Bell Creek, Birrabang and Dalpura are also open. Conditions in canyons may have changed due to the effects of fire and flood. Check all abseil anchor points/hand lines and allow extra time.
  • Empress, Grand Canyon, Juggler (Point Pilcher), Fortress, Arethusa, and Hat Hill.

Rock climbing areas

  • Climbing and abseiling areas: Narrow Neck, Malatia Point and Wall exiting east. Narrow Neck unburnt areas.
  • Rock climbing areas in the Grose Valley (Ikara, Bowens Creek and Bell Super-crag).

NSW National Parks will be clearing fallen trees, removing tree hazards and undertaking minor repairs on damaged infrastructure over the next few months. Some tracks and sites may remain closed for longer periods where major infrastructure needs replacing.

To check which areas are closed, click the 'Show list' button on the Blue Mountains National Park page alert.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).

Applies from Fri 27 Mar 2020, 11.16am. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Mar 2020, 4.43pm

Closed areas: Areas closed

Parts of Dharawal National Park and Dharawal State Conservation Area are closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff.

The closed areas are:

  • Victoria Road, Wedderburn precinct, including O'Hare's Creek lookout and walking track and Minerva Pool and Jingga walking tracks
  • Maddens Falls precinct including Maddens Falls walking track/boardwalk.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information.

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 30 Mar 2020, 10.26am. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Mar 2020, 1.58pm

Closed areas: Bundanoon Precinct closed

Bundanoon precinct is closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff. Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information.

Affects 1 park and 8 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 26 Mar 2020, 3.23pm to Tue 23 Jun 2020, 3.20pm. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Mar 2020, 1.24pm

Closed areas: Minnamurra Rainforest Centre closed

Minnamurra Rainforest Centre including all walking tracks, lookouts, picnic areas and visitor facilities are closed until further notice for the health and safety of visitors and staff. You can still contact us by phone on 02 4236 0469 or email for information. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information.

Affects 1 park and 6 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 27 Mar 2020, 11.12am. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Mar 2020, 12.41pm

Closed areas: Walking track, picnic area and lookout closures

The following areas in Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area are closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff:

  • Sublime Point walking track
  • Robertsons lookout
  • Byarong Park

Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 27 Mar 2020, 12.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Mar 2020, 12.29pm

Closed areas: Campground closures

The following campgrounds are closed until further notice, to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff:

  • Bungonia campground
  • Carrington Falls campground
  • Gambells Rest campground

You’ll receive a refund if you made a booking. Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information.

Affects 2 parks and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 30 Mar 2020, 10.15am. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Mar 2020, 10.15am

Closed areas: Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve closed

Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve is closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff. Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 27 Mar 2020, 9.31am. Last reviewed: Sat 28 Mar 2020, 4.36pm

Closed areas: High visitation areas and hard roofed accommodation closed

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has temporarily closed all campgrounds, high visitation areas and historic sites across NSW until further notice.

All campgrounds are closed.

The following high visitation areas and hard roofed accommodation are also closed:

Blue Mountains National Park

  • Wentworth Falls picnic area
  • Govetts Leap picnic area
  • Grand Canyon walking track
  • Evans Lookout picnic area
  • Glenbrook precinct (Red Hands Cave, Jelly Bean Pool, Mount Portal and Nepean lookout)
  • Vale of Avoca area
  • Blue Mountains Heritage Centre - calls and emails only

Wollemi National Park

  • Newnes picnic area
  • Glow Worm picnic area

Capertee National Park

  • Capertee Homestead
  • Capertee Cottage

Hartley Historic Site

  • Hartley Historic Visitor Centre (including the shop and gallery)
  • Hartley Courthouse
  • Old Trahlee
  • St Bernards Presbytery
  • St Bernards Church

Hill End Historic Site

  • Bald Hill Tourist Mine
  • Hill End Heritage Centre
  • Lyle Park picnic area
  • Hospital picnic area
  • Hosies, the Pines, Post Office residence

Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve

Goulburn River National Park

  • The Drip picnic area and walking track

Burragorang State Conservation Area

  • Burragorang lookout

Thirlmere Lakes National Park

  • Thirlmere Lakes picnic area

Bargo River State Conservation Area

  • Caves Creek picnic area.

Affects 2 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 26 Mar 2020, 3.31pm to Tue 23 Jun 2020, 3.26pm. Last reviewed: Fri 27 Mar 2020, 5.03pm

Closed areas: Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre and precinct closed

Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre, including all walks, picnic areas and lookouts, is closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff. You can still contact us by phone on 02 4887 7270 or by email. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information.

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 13 Nov 2019, 12.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Mar 2020, 2.25pm

Closed parks: Park closed due to fire and flood damage

This park is closed due to fire and flood damage. Do not enter this park. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information contact the local NSW National Parks office.

Applies from Wed 19 Feb 2020, 12.01pm. Last reviewed: Fri 27 Mar 2020, 10.27am

Closed areas: Wollemi National Park - closed areas

The following areas of Wollemi National Park remain closed due to the bushfire and/or flood damage and associated hazards:

  • Newnes campground and picnic area
  • Glow Worm picnic area
  • Glow Worm walking track from Newnes campground
  • Weir-Long Cave walk is closed at junction with Pagoda Rocks walking track (Dunns Swamp)
  • River Gauging station (Dunns Swamp)
  • Bicentennial National trail – Widden to Glen Alice, Glen Alice to Jenolan
  • Deep Pass campground and canyons in Wollemi National Park
  • Newnes Industrial Ruins
  • Wheeny Creek
  • Sheepskin Hut
  • Pipeline track

The following areas of Wollemi National Park are now open:

  • Bob Turner track

Safety advice:

  • Please be aware that due to recent fires and floods there may be dangerous hazards in this park. These include falling trees and branches, flooded creeks and crossings, and debris on tracks.
  • If accessing remote areas of national parks, please visit the Think before you TREK page
  • A Solid Fuel Ban is in place until Tuesday 31 March 2020

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).

Applies from Mon 10 Feb 2020, 10.26am. Last reviewed: Fri 27 Mar 2020, 9.27am

Closed areas: Goulburn River National Park - closed areas

Some areas in Goulburn River National Park are closed due to bushfire damage. The closed areas are:

  • Big River and Spring Gully campgrounds
  • Lees Pinch walking track
  • The Drip picnic area and walking track

The rest of the park remains open. To check which areas are closed, click the 'Show list' button on the Goulburn River National Park page alert. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).

Applies from Sat 7 Mar 2020, 12.27pm. Last reviewed: Mon 9 Mar 2020, 9.30am

Closed areas: Goulburn River National Park - Aerial pest management operation

Some areas in this park are closed from 6am, Thursday 12 March 2020 until 6pm, Friday 13 March 2020 for an aerial pest control operation. The closed areas are:

  • Spring Gully campground
  • Big River campground

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on 02 6370 9000.

Applies from Thu 30 Jan 2020, 2.50pm. Last reviewed: Wed 12 Feb 2020, 2.59pm

Closed parks: Park closed - bushfires and aerial pest control operations

This park is closed due to active bushfires in the area. NPWS are also conducting aerial pest control programs as part of the bushfire response. Do not enter this park. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information contact 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) or visit the Rural Fire Service website.

Affects 6 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 7 Feb 2020, 12.03pm to Tue 21 Apr 2020, 9.00am. Last reviewed: Fri 7 Feb 2020, 12.37pm

Other planned events: 1080 fox and wild dog control ground baiting program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is doing 1080 ground baiting of foxes and wild dogs in the Carrington Falls, Knights Hill and Barren Grounds areas.

This baiting program will run from Thursday 21 October 2019 to Wednesday 21 October 2020 to reduce the impacts on threatened species.

Baits have been placed on NPWS estate, private properties and Crown road reserves with permissions. 

There will be 1080 baiting signs at the entrance to baiting areas. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. Some baits may be buried. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is lethal to pets (including domestic dogs and cats) and working dogs. In the event of accidental poisoning, seek immediate veterinary assistance. Domestic pets, including dogs and cats are not permitted in national parks or reserves. Restrain working and assistance dogs to ensure they don’t enter the baiting areas. If you need your dogs to work in the baiting area outside of national park estate, we suggest muzzling them.

For more information, contact Melinda Norton at the NPWS office at Fitzroy Falls on 02 4887 8244 or email npws.illawarrahighlands@environment.nsw.gov.au

Affects 2 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 7 Feb 2020, 11.15am to Tue 21 Apr 2020, 9.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 13 Feb 2020, 9.06am

Other planned events: 1080 fox and wild dog control ground baiting program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting a baiting program using ground baits containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes. The program will be conducted between Thursday 21 October 2019 and Wednesday 21 October 2020 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. Penalties apply for non-compliance. 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. 

For further information please call the NPWS Highlands office on 024887 8244.

Affects 4 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 20 Jan 2020, 6.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 23 Mar 2020, 9.22am

Closed areas: Most of Morton National Park closed

Most of this park is closed due to bushfires and aerial pest programs.

The open areas are: 

  • Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre, including East and West Rim walking tracks
  • Main Falls lookout 
  • Three Views walk in Kangaroo Valley
  • Gambells Rest campground and picnic area
  • Echo Point, Bonnie View and Wishing Well in the Bundanoon precinct
  • Mount Carnarvon walking track 
  • Badgerys Spur walking track
  • Long Point lookout and McCallums Flat walking track

All other areas in the park are closed. This includes all campgrounds, walking tracks, lookouts and picnic areas not listed as open.

Do not enter the closed areas of this park. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information contact 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) or visit the Rural Fire Service website.

Affects 1 park and 28 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 18 Jun 2019, 9.18am. Last reviewed: Wed 19 Feb 2020, 9.01pm

Closed areas: No Access to Macquarie Rivulet via top of Macquarie Pass

You can't access Macquarie Rivulet from the top of Macquarie Pass. If you access the rivulet from the top of the escarpment, you will be trespassing on private property and this action may result in police involvement.

The recommended access points for Macquarie Rivulet are via Clover Hill Road and from the Cascades/Rivulet carparks. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please call the NPWS Illawarra area office on 02 4224 4188.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 29 Jun 2017, 12.48pm. Last reviewed: Tue 25 Feb 2020, 9.30am

Closed areas: Access to base of Belmore Falls prohibited

All access to the base of Belmore Falls from Hindmarsh and Belmore Falls lookout and picnic area is permanently closed due to safety risks. Access is also closed from the causeway to the top of the falls. These access points are prohibited to visitors and penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact NPWS Fitzroy Falls 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 Fri 7 Feb 2020, 12.27pm to Tue 21 Apr 2020, 9.00am. Last reviewed: Fri 7 Feb 2020, 12.43pm

Other planned events: 1080 bait disposal pit

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is disposing of used 1080 baits and baiting products in an approved disposal pit on NPWS estate within the Fitzroy Falls area.

Burial of used baits and products will occur from Thursday 21 October 2019 to Wednesday 21 October 2020. All bait material in the pit will be buried under at least 500mm of soil, clear of waterways so as not to cause pollution of waterways, in accordance with Pesticide Control Order (1080 bait products) 2019.

There will be 1080 baiting signs at the entrance to disposal pit site.

1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is lethal to pets (including domestic dogs and cats) and working dogs. In the event of accidental poisoning, seek immediate veterinary assistance. Domestic pets, including dogs and cats are not permitted in national parks or reserves. Restrain working and assistance dogs to ensure they don’t enter the baiting areas. If you need your dogs to work in the baiting area outside of national park estate, we suggest muzzling them.

For more information, contact Melinda Norton at the NPWS office at Fitzroy Falls on 02 4887 8244 or email npws.illawarrahighlands@environment.nsw.gov.au

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/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
Lookout over the waterfall. Photo:John Yurasek