Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area
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Last reviewed: Thu 23 March 2023, 9.01am
Applies from Thu 2 Feb 2023, 2.42pm. Last reviewed: Thu 23 Mar 2023, 9.01am.
Wangi Circuit Link walking track will be intermittently closed for track maintenance from Friday 3 February 2023 to Monday 1 May 2023.
You can still access Wangi Circuit walking track from Reserve Road.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
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Applies from Fri 4 Jan 2019, 1.28pm to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 1.38pm. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.20am.
The Morisset section of Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area is closed from Thursday 20 December 2019. There is now no public access to the following areas:
Alternative picnic areas are located in the Lake Macquarie Council area in and around the Morisset and Bonnells Bay foreshores. There is no public access to view the kangaroos that frequent the hospital site. Members of the public can contact the hospital administrative office on 02 4973 0222.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Lake Munmorah area office on 02 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
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Applies from Fri 24 Mar 2023, 7.00am to Wed 19 Apr 2023, 4.08pm. Last reviewed: Fri 24 Mar 2023, 1.42pm
Helicopter lift operations will be carried out on Wednesday 19 April 2023 as part of the planned Grass Tree walking track upgrade, .
Frazer Beach southern carpark will be used as a staging area for these operations and closed prior to and during these operations from Monday 17 April to Wednesday 19 April 2023.
The closed areas are:
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 4972 9000.
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Applies from Fri 24 Mar 2023, 1.28pm to Mon 24 Apr 2023, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 24 Mar 2023, 1.33pm
Six Shooter Mountain bike track in Glenrock State Conservation Area will be temporarily closed from 27th March until 24th April for track upgrade works.
A detour is available via Gun Club Road. These works are part of the Glenrock Mountain Bike Trail (MTB) network improvement program. Information about the upgrade works and other visitor improvements in Glenrock SCA can be found here.
Please help the contractors by respecting the closure of the tracks and adhering to signage on park. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
For more information, contact the local NPWS office on (02) 4946 4100.
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Applies from Thu 23 Mar 2023, 4.26pm to Thu 31 Aug 2023, 4.27pm. Last reviewed: Thu 23 Mar 2023, 4.40pm
Grass Tree walking track will be closed for construction works from 18 April to 31 August 2023. Works will repair erosion damage throughout this section of walking track.
To continue on the Coast walking track a detour will be in place. Walkers will detour from Frazer Beach around National Park roads which include; Frazer Beach Road, Campbell Drive and Wybung Road, this will allow walkers to re-join the Coast walking track at Geebung walking track section.
Walkers are advised to be mindful of traffic and to keep off the roads and try to walk to the side if choosing to take these detours. Note that these are rough and not easy to traverse.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 4972 9000.
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Applies from Sat 4 Feb 2023, 5.20am. Last reviewed: Thu 23 Mar 2023, 9.06am
Seismic mountain bike track will be temporarily closed from Monday 27 February 2023 to Friday 31 March 2023 for track upgrade works.
These works are part of the Glenrock Mountain Bike Trail (MTB) network improvement program. Information about the upgrade works and other visitor improvements in Glenrock SCA can be found here.
Please help the contractors by respecting the closure of tracks and adhering to signs. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
For more information, contact the local NPWS office on (02) 4946 4100.
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Applies from Wed 22 Mar 2023, 9.48am. Last reviewed: Wed 22 Mar 2023, 10.33am
The Sugarloaf North Management Trail in Sugarloaf State Conservation Area is closed due to Mine Subsidence from Wednesday 22 March 2023 until further notice
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office (02) 49464100.
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Applies from Fri 23 Sep 2022, 12.11pm to Thu 1 Jun 2023, 12.16pm. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.39am
Watagan Forest Road remains the only vehicle access road into and out of Watagans National Park and the adjacent Heaton State Forest for the remainder of 2022 and up to the end of June 2023. This is due to major landslips on both Mount Faulk Road and Watagan / Heaton Road.
Access to both Watagan Forest Road and Heaton Sate Forest is either via Martinsville Hill Road, Martinsville or Walkers Ridge Road, Bucketty from Friday 23 September 2022.
The following visitor areas will be accessible via Watagan Forest Road:
Please note:
For assistance during severe weather visit the NSW SES website. In life-threatening situations call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).
For information about closures in nearby state forests, please refer to the Forestry Corporation of NSW website for closures and notices.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Central Coast area office at Lake Munmorah on 02 4972 9000.
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Applies from Mon 20 Feb 2023, 3.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.36am
Carrolls Road and Ingles Road are closed temporarily to all vehicles for road reconstruction due to severe erosion and 4WD damage. This closure will commence from Monday 20th February and be completed toward the end of March 2023.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Lake Munmorah area office on 02 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
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Applies from Sun 5 Feb 2023, 10.05am to Fri 30 Jun 2023, 10.06am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.34am
Feral animal control work is currently underway in Watagans NP and on some adjoining private properties in the Congewai Valley with the consent of landowners. The control work will target wild-dogs, foxes, feral cats and goats up until the 30th of June 2023. Control methods will include trapping and euthanasia and also limited shooting programs within defined precincts and subject to an endorsed shoot plan . Control areas targeted will have signs displayed indicating temporary access restrictions. The work is aimed at reducing the predation of protected native fauna including the endangered Brush-tailed rock wallaby.
1080 poison baiting may also be deployed during this time and will be subject to specific notification protocols before commencing. ( 1080 poison is toxic to domestic cats and dogs. Visitors are reminded not to touch, handle or disturb any baits). Visitors are also reminded that domestic animals are not permitted in the national park at any time. For more information contact the Central Coast Area Office at Lake Munmorah on (02) 4972 9000.
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Applies from Thu 7 Jul 2022, 10.30am to Thu 1 Jun 2023, 11.03am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.32am
Mount Fault Road is closed until further notice due to a major landslip below Bangalow Road.
There is no vehicle or pedestrian access into Heaton State Forests or Watagans National Park due to the landslip, which has removed a larger section of the access road . Please avoid the area due to the high safety risk. Repair work is schedule to begin mid February 20223
Road barriers are in place on Mount Faulk Road below Bangalow Road and the corner of Mount Fault Road and Monkey Face Road.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the Central Coast area office on 02 4972 9000 or visit the Forestry Corporation of NSW website.
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Applies from Wed 26 Feb 2020, 10.38am to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 11.48am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.31am
Watagan Road (also known as Heaton Road) is closed until further notice due to a major landslip on the Cessnock City Council section.
There is no access from the cattle grid at the southern end of Heaton Road, Quorrobolong south, uphill to the Georges Road intersection in the Watagans NP.
This access road to Olney, Heaton State Forests and Watagans National Park is closed.
Work is currently underway way but will be complex, involve major earthworks and road realignment.
For information about closures in nearby state forests, please refer to the Forestry Corporation of NSW website for closures and notices.
For more information, contact the local NPWS Lake Munmorah area office on 02 4972 9000 or Cessnock City Council on 02 4993 4100.
Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list
Applies from Sun 4 Apr 2021, 11.11am to Thu 6 Apr 2023, 11.12am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.25am
There is no visitor access along Bangalow Road due to significant road damage and new landslides on this road and nearby Mount Faulk Road. The following areas remain closed:
The entry gate will remain locked and there will be no visitor access, including pedestrians.
NPWS is aiming to have all work completed and visitor access restored prior to Easter. A new major landslide on nearby Mount Faulk Road on Thursday 7 July 2022 has also affected access for planned heavy plant repair machinery to reach and repair the Bangalow Road landslip.. However work is scheduled to start on the Mt Faulk Road landslip on the 20th Feb and on the Bangalow Road landslip on 6 March 2023
For information about closures in nearby state forests, please refer to the Forestry Corporation of NSW website for closures and notices.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information please contact the NPWS Central Coast area office at Lake Munmorah on 02 4972 9000.
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Applies from Thu 25 Sep 2014, 3.51pm to Fri 29 Dec 2023, 9.26am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.22am
Click Creek fire trail is closed due to extensive storm damage. The trail will remain closed until maintenance works can be completed.
Penalties apply for non-compliance For more information, contact the NPWS Central Coast area office at Lake Munmorah on 02 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
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Applies from Wed 8 Mar 2023, 9.09am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.15am
Muirs Lookout Picnic Area on Prickly Ridge Road has been closed due to ageing infrastructure, obstructed lookout views to the coast and very low public visitation. Alternative picnic facilities are located nearby in Olney State Forest and Watagans National Park. Further information on other places to visit can be obtained via the NPWS or Forestry Corporation websites.
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Applies from Sat 31 Dec 2022, 9.57am to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 9.58am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.14am
The following fire trails are closed due to illegal 4WD damage:
There is no vehicle access across Little Jilliby jilliby Creek in either direction. Locked gates are in place in several locations.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Central Coast area office on 02 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
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Applies from Sat 8 Oct 2022, 9.33am to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 11.01am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.12am
The section of Great North Walk between the Cherry Lane track-head and Tooheys Road, Kulnura, is closed until further notice due to track and bridge damage from recent severe weather events.
For your safety, please avoid this area until damage assessments can be made and any safety issues rectified. This area will re-open as soon as it is safe for visitors.
Alternative bushwalking access is via Tooheys Road to Forest Road, then west to the intersection of Cherry Lane and Greta Road, Kulnura.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4972 9000 or call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).
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Applies from Wed 31 Aug 2022, 12.45pm to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 12.45pm. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.10am
The section of Lemon Tree Road, between Prickly Ridge Road and Yambo Forest Road, is closed to all vehicles for reconstruction. This closure will remain in place due to severe erosion and 4WD vehicle damage. Rain has delayed the work again.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Lake Munmorah area office on 02 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
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Applies from Wed 13 Apr 2022, 10.37am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 8.49am
The section of Prickly Ridge Road between Watagan Forest Road and Cut-Rock Road is suitable for 4WD vehicles only.
To prevent further damage to the road and to protect visitor safety, please avoid this area and other trails in the reserve that are still slippery and potentially hazardous.
For further information, please contact the Central Coast Area Office at Lake Munmorah on 02 4972 9000.
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Applies from Tue 8 Nov 2022, 12.38pm to Tue 2 May 2023, 12.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 9 Mar 2023, 1.35pm
Hickson Street walking track has structural damage, at the beach interface, as a result of recent coastal erosion and weather events.
Please take care and proceed with caution when in the area. For more information, contact the NPWS Lower Hunter area office on 02 4946 4100
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Applies from Wed 3 Aug 2022, 10.43am. Last reviewed: Wed 8 Mar 2023, 8.39am
Rock fishing is a popular activity for many national park visitors and your safety whilst fishing is important. Parts of the NSW Central Coast are a declared high risk area due to large swells and hazardous surf conditions. In these high risk areas under the NSW Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016, you are required by law to wear an appropriate life jacket. This includes children and anyone helping you fish. This is regulated by NSW Fisheries and poses an on the spot $100 fine if non-compliant.
Before rock fishing you should always:
Stay safe, always watch the local conditions, never turn your back on the ocean and never fish alone.
If you’re in doubt don’t go out.
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Applies from Fri 4 Nov 2022, 2.38pm to Sun 30 Apr 2023, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Wed 1 Mar 2023, 12.08pm
Brunkerville trail is closed due to impacts caused by weather incidents.
Planning is in progress to undertake maintenance and reopening in coming months
For more information, contact the Lower Hunter Area office 02 4946 4100.
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Applies from Tue 7 Feb 2023, 3.58pm to Fri 30 Jun 2023, 8.59pm. Last reviewed: Tue 7 Feb 2023, 4.30pm
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting various scheduled pest control operations between the hours of 9pm to 5:30am from Tuesday 7th February 2023 through until Friday 30th June 2023.
This program will target rabbits and foxes. It aims to reduce the significant impact they have on native plants and animals, including threatened species and recreational areas.
Warning closure signs will be placed at visitor entry points to areas of the park that will be closed during these operations. Please do not enter closed areas during this time, this includes beaches and rock platforms.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information phone the National Parks local area office on 4972 9000.
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Applies from Tue 7 Oct 2014, 1.53pm to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 9.59am. Last reviewed: Wed 22 Mar 2023, 9.23am
Parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area are closed for approved underground mining operations. The affected areas (see map) have been closed to protect visitor safety, because they're subject to subsidence and remediation activities from the mining operations.
Great North walk remains open. An update will be provided should this situation change.
If you're visiting the park, please be aware of subsidence and pollution incidents that took place in 2013, which were greater than what was expected from normal mining operations. These included a cliff fall in the north, and a subsidence and grout leak incident in the central part of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area.
If you're planning to visit the park during this time, please stay on formed tracks and trails and observe all barriers, warning signs and safety messages. Areas subject to possible cliff fall or subsidence in both areas of the park are clearly marked.
For more information, call the NPWS Lower Hunter area office on 02 4946 4100. NSW National Parks safety page.
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Applies from Mon 7 Nov 2022, 3.08pm. Last reviewed: Fri 13 Jan 2023, 8.47am
The Timber Beach walking track is closed until further notice. The track is impassable due to recent severe storm damage causing hazardous conditions. For visitor safety this track is currently closed to the public. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information, please contact the local NPWS office on 49729000
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Applies from Wed 7 Dec 2022, 5.39pm to Mon 27 Jan 2025, 5.40pm. Last reviewed: Wed 8 Mar 2023, 8.40am
Pink Caves are closed to visitors because they are extremely unsafe to visit.
The caves are filled with water at high tide. Even at low tide they can be dangerous, as ocean swell sends unpredictable waves sweeping into the caves and across the rock shelf. Sudden rogue waves can cause serious injury and may drag visitors across the rocks or out to sea.
There’s no lifeguard service in this area and access for emergency services is limited. There’s no approved walking track to this location. Access to the caves involves walking over a rock shelf which is slippery, uneven and dangerous.
Visitors should take care when traversing all rock shelves and coastal areas located within Munmorah State Conservation Area.
For further information call the NPWS Lake Munmorah office on 02 4972 9000.
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Applies from Thu 6 Oct 2022, 1.29pm. Last reviewed: Mon 13 Mar 2023, 9.03am
The south Moonee beach access trail located at the northern end of the Moonee Beach fire trail will be closed indefinitely due to cultural heritage sensitivity.
Alternate access to the beach is provided via Moonee Beach Trail, or, Hooey Street Catherine Hill Bay.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4972 9000.
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Applies from Wed 3 Aug 2022, 12.57pm. Last reviewed: Thu 23 Mar 2023, 9.01am
Rock fishing is a popular activity for many national park visitors and your safety whilst fishing is important. Parts of the NSW Central Coast are a declared high risk area due to large swells and hazardous surf conditions. In these high risk areas under the NSW Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016, you are required by law to wear an appropriate life jacket. This includes children and anyone helping you fish. This is regulated by NSW Fisheries and poses an on the spot $100 fine if non-compliant.
Before rock fishing you should always:
Stay safe, always watch the local conditions, never turn your back on the ocean and never fish alone.
If you’re in doubt don’t go out.
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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/lake-macquarie-cruise-guided-nature-walk/local-alerts
Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area is always open but may have to close at times due to extreme weather or fire danger.
For the latest information on wildfires in your area please contact the NSW Rural Fire Service.
View all alerts for NSW