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Grove Cave tour

Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve

Closed due to current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Fri 13 September 2024, 8.38am

Applies from Mon 9 May 2022, 9.53am to Mon 23 Dec 2024, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 13 Sep 2024, 8.38am.

Closed parks: Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve closed

Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve will remain closed to the public until Monday 23 December 2024, due to ongoing flood repairs. 

The closure affects the entire reserve, including walking tracks, campgrounds, caves and trails.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, call the local NPWS office on 02 4843 5976.

Affects 4 locations in this park: Show list

Upcoming management events

Upcoming management events
Date Event Title
1 November 2024 Fire bans Kanangra Reserves Details

Applies from Fri 1 Nov 2024, 12.00am to Mon 31 Mar 2025, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Fri 4 Oct 2024, 12.01pm

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.

However Wombeyan Caves campground in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is exempt.

During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:

  • They're under direct control of an adult
  • The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  • There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)

If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.

Affects 4 locations in this park: Show list

Details

Nearby alerts

Applies from Sat 9 Apr 2022, 1.03pm. Last reviewed: Wed 9 Oct 2024, 12.15pm

Closed areas: Parts of Blue Mountains National Park closed

Many roads, fire trails and walking tracks within Blue Mountains National Park are closed due to infrastructure upgrades or damage caused by wet weather including subsidence, rockfalls, landslides and fallen trees.

The following areas are closed:

Katoomba and Leura

  • Honeymoon Bridge is closed due to rockfall risk.
  • Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Gordon Falls picnic area and Elysian Rock lookout, due to a landslide. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information. Detours will also be in place via Olympian Parade. Parts of Cliff Drive near Leura Cascades will also be closed. See Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  • Prince Henry (& Grand Cliff Top Walk) will also be closed between Lady Darley and Wollumai Lookouts from the 14-15th October for a NSW Police exercise. 
  • Fern Bower track between Prince Henry Cliff walk (Grand Cliff Top walk) and Amphitheatre track is closed due to multiple landslides. Access to Leura Forest and Jamison Valley is via Amphitheatre track.
  • Ruined Castle, Golden Stairs, Solitary loop and Federal Pass, west of Scenic World are closed due to multiple landslides.
  • Lone Lyrebird track is closed between Gordon Road and the War Memorial, due to subsidence. Detour is in place.
  • Part of Lindeman Pass is closed due to a major landslide below Gladstone lookout. Roberts Pass is closed due to rockfall and landslide hazards.
  • Six Foot track from Katoomba (Explorers Tree) to Alum Creek campground will be closed on the Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 November 2024 to allow for aerial pest works.  
  • Six Foot track is affected by closures at Jenolan Caves.

Wentworth Falls and Woodford

  • Charles Darwin walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Fletcher Street and Weeping Rock. Detours are in place to provide directions to Wentworth Falls picnic area. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  • Part of National Pass (west of Wentworth Falls middle crossing) is closed due to a major landslide and ongoing risks.
  • Wentworth Pass and Slack Stairs are closed due to multiple landslides. No access to Roberts Pass and Vera Falls.
  • Bedford Creek and Andersons fire trails will be closed until Friday 11 October 2024 to allow for roadworks. There is no access to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists from Andersons fire trail or Murphys Road to Ingar campground. There is also no exit to Woodford from Andersons fire trail. Trails and campgrounds will be open on Saturday and Sunday. Ingar campground is open on Saturday night only.

Blackheath, Mount Victoria and Bells Line of Road

  • Mount Banks Road will be closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists until Tuesday 15 October 2024 for fire trail maintenance. No access to Mount Banks Summit walk will be permitted from Monday to Friday. The picnic area and Mount Banks Summit walking track will be open during weekends and public holidays. 
  • Govetts Leap will be closed for works Tuesday 15th October.
  • Williams track (Govetts descent) and Rodriguez Pass are closed due to rockfalls and landslides. The Grose Valley can be accessed from Perrys Lookdown. 
  • Pulpit Rock Reserve, lookouts and walking track are closed. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information. Pulpit Rock walking track from Popes Glen is open as far as the NPWS boundary (as shown on Google maps).

Adventure recreation, canyons, abseiling and rock climbing

Some adventure recreation areas and routes are specifically closed where the access or exit road/track is mentioned above.  

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.

Affects 1 park and 27 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 1 Oct 2024, 12.00am to Fri 25 Oct 2024, 11.59am. Last reviewed: Wed 9 Oct 2024, 9.48am

Closed parks: Park closed for aerial pest control operation

The following areas will be closed for an aerial pest control operation, running weekdays from Monday 14 October to Friday 25 October 2024.

  • Nattai NP
  • Nattai State Conservation Area
  • Burragorang SCA – (including Burragorang Lookout closure periods
  • Joadja Nature Reserve
  • Jellore Flora Reserve
  • Wollondilly River Nature Reserve
  • Bangadilly NP
  • Guula Ngurra National Park
  • Upper Nepean SCA including Stage 2 lands (nth of the Tourist Road)
  • Barrallier WaterNSW freehold lands
  • Yerranderie SCA
    • Wollondilly River Foreshore including Mittagong to Katoomba walk track closed

 

Please note that these parks will be open for weekends and public holidays during this period.

 

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

Applies from Mon 30 Sep 2024, 3.27pm to Fri 1 Nov 2024, 8.00pm. Last reviewed: Thu 3 Oct 2024, 11.57am

Closed areas: Areas closed for aerial shooting for feral animal control

The southern section of Blue Mountains National Park is closed between 7am Monday 14th October and 5pm Friday 1st November.

The closed area is bounded by the Kowmung River downstream of the junction with the Dennis Ridge Trail to the Coxs River junction, east of Kelpie Point Trail and Mitchells Creek Trail, Narrow Neck Plateau south of the Carlon Head Track junction, Kedumba Valley south of Sublime Point Trail, McMahons Road south of junction with Erskine Range Trail and the Green Wattle and Butchers Creek catchments.

The closed areas include:

  • Kedumba campground
  • Mt Solitary Walking Track Loop including all campsites
  • Mount Derbert Walking Track including Tarros Ladders between Medlow Gap and Carlon Head track
  • McMahons Point
  • Scotts Main Range

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

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 2 Oct 2024, 11.18am to Tue 31 Dec 2024, 11.19am. Last reviewed: Wed 2 Oct 2024, 11.27am

Other incidents: Mittagong to Wombeyan Caves road closed

Wombeyan Caves Road between Mittagong and Wombeyan Caves remains closed due to extensive storm damage. Visitors are advised to travel to the caves via Goulburn and Taralga, or via Oberon from the north. 

For updates, call Wingecarribee Council on 02 4868 0888.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 1 Oct 2024, 12.00am to Mon 31 Mar 2025, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Wed 2 Oct 2024, 10.45am

Fire bans: Park fire ban

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.

However, the following campgrounds in Blue Mountains National Park are exempt:

  • Galong Cabins
  • Dunphys Campground
  • Murphys Glen
  • Kedumba River Campground
  • Burralow Creek
  • Euroka campgrounds

During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:

  • They're under direct control of an adult
  • The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  • There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)

If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 1 Oct 2024, 12.00am to Mon 31 Mar 2025, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Fri 27 Sep 2024, 3.19pm

Fire bans: Parr SCA

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.

However, Heartbreak Hill campground is exempt in Parr State Conservation Area.

During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:

  • They're under direct control of an adult
  • The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  • There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)

If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.

Applies from Tue 1 Oct 2024, 12.00am to Mon 31 Mar 2025, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Fri 27 Sep 2024, 3.14pm

Fire bans: Yengo NP

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.

However, the following campgrounds and accommodation are exempt in Yengo National Park:

  • Big Yango House and Haddens Hall
  • Blue Gums
  • Finchley
  • Mogo
  • Mountain Arm

During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:

  • They're under direct control of an adult
  • The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  • There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)

If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.

Applies from Tue 1 Oct 2024, 12.00am to Mon 31 Mar 2025, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Fri 27 Sep 2024, 3.05pm

Fire bans: Wollemi NP

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.

However, the following campgrounds are exempt in Wollemi National Park:

  • Coorongooba,
  • Ganguddy (Dunns Swamp),
  • Newnes campgrounds
  • Wheeny Creek
  • Colo Meroo
  • Sheepskin Hut

During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:

  • They're under direct control of an adult
  • The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  • There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)

If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.

Applies from Tue 1 Oct 2024, 12.00am to Mon 31 Mar 2025, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Thu 26 Sep 2024, 3.47pm

Fire bans: Mudgee Reserves

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.

Capertee National Park

  • Capertee campground
  • Honeyeater Homestead
  • Capertee Homestead
  • Caretakers Cottage

Goulburn River National Park

  • Spring Gully campground
  • Big River campground

Goulburn River SCA

  • The Drip day use area

During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:

  • They're under direct control of an adult
  • The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  • There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)

If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.

Applies from Tue 1 Oct 2024, 12.00am to Mon 31 Mar 2025, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Thu 26 Sep 2024, 3.39pm

Fire bans: Hawkesbury-Nattai Reserves

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.

However, the following campgrounds are exempt in the following reserves:

Yellomundee Regional Park

  • Shaws Creek Aboriginal Place

During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:

  • They're under direct control of an adult
  • The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  • There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)

If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.

Applies from Tue 3 Sep 2024, 8.00am. Last reviewed: Tue 17 Sep 2024, 12.12pm

Fires - Not Applicable: Blue Pool Hazard Reduction

There is a fire in this park called Blue Pool Hazard Reduction. Refer to the Rural Fire Service for latest information. Do not enter any closed area or area with fire. If you see an unattended fire call Triple Zero (000). Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire safety in parks and reserves, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page for park safety guidelines.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 2 May 2024, 8.59am to Sat 2 Nov 2024, 9.00am. Last reviewed: Mon 29 Jul 2024, 2.20pm

Other planned events: Notice of ongoing 1080 baiting program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting ongoing ground baiting program from Thursday 2 May 2024 to Friday 1 November 2024 in the following areas:

  • Abercrombie River National Park
  • Abercrombie River State Conservation Area
  • Kanangra-Boyd National Park
  • Blue Mountains National Park (southern section)
  • Wollemi National Park (Wolga)
  • Gardens of Stone National Park
  • Jenolan Karst Conservation Area
  • Turon National Park
  • Marrangaroo National Park

The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes.

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

For more information, contact the NPWS Kanangra area office at Oberon on 02 6336 6200.

Affects 4 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 20 Jun 2024, 1.11pm to Mon 13 Jan 2025, 1.11pm. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Sep 2024, 8.20am

Safety alerts: Remote walking track conditions

Remote routes within the Kanangra Wilderness Area including Kanangra to Katoomba (K2K) trail have been impacted by heavy fire regrowth and flood damage.

In some places, tracks are no longer visible and are not easy to navigate, taking longer to traverse than expected. Limited to zero water sources are currently available along routes.

If you plan to walk in the area, please ensure you have an appropriate level of experience, navigation skills and equipment including Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

Mobile reception is limited so alternative communication methods are strongly recommended.

For more information, contact the NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Sun 22 Mar 2015, 2.11pm. Last reviewed: Tue 17 Sep 2024, 3.22pm

Closed areas: Waratah Native Gardens picnic area closed

Waratah Native Gardens picnic area is closed until further notice. This includes Gorge walking track. No access to the area is permitted. 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Hawkesbury-Nattai area office on 02 4720 6200.

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/guided-tours/grove-cave-tour/local-alerts

Park info

  • in Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve in the Country NSW region
  • Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve and caves are open Thursday to Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). The reserve and caves area open daily during NSW school holidays. Closed Christmas Day.

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