Back to previous page

Mermaid Pools

Arakoon National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Thu 18 December 2025, 4.32pm

Applies from Mon 1 Mar 2021, 11.38am to Fri 30 Oct 2026, 9.17am. Last reviewed: Thu 18 Dec 2025, 4.32pm.

Closed areas: Area permanently closed - Mermaid Pools

Access to Mermaid Pools is permanently closed including for swimming. Sudden large swells and tides create major waves that wash over the rocks and pools.

Do not access this area. The severe conditions at this site have caused a number of significant injuries and deaths in the past.

Mermaid Pools have never been a designated visitor site due to the extreme nature of the surf and tides at this location. There is no approved public access walking track to Mermaid Pools.

For further information call the NPWS Verges Creek area office on 02 6561 6700.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Fri 21 Mar 2025, 2.16pm to Tue 31 Mar 2026, 2.17pm. Last reviewed: Wed 17 Dec 2025, 9.15am

Closed areas: Closed roads in multiple north coast national parks due severe weather damage

Some roads are closed in New England National Park, Dunggir National Park and Gumbaynggirr National Park and Station Conservation Area due to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred and other flood events. 

Roadblocks have been installed on Horseshoe Road to prevent vehicle movements at the Killikrankie Mountain Lookout intersection in the north 

Affected roads include:

  • Horseshoe Road – culvert blow out and undermining of road, no through access. Remediation will begin in January 2026 when weather is suitable for equipment access across wet roads. 
  • Gaddes Ridge Road – major landslip, no through access. This road will remain closed indefinitely, after an independent geotechnical engineer's assessment identified an unacceptable risk of ongoing landslip. Please travel via Cedar Road.

These closures will remain in place until geohazard assessments can be undertaken and works completed. You may need to reschedule your visit and avoid travel through areas in these parks. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

For more information, contact the Coffs Harbour office 02 6652 0900.

Affects 2 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 30 Sep 2025, 4.45pm. Last reviewed: Fri 2 Jan 2026, 9.18am

Closed parks: Yessabah Reserve Permanently Closed

Access to Yessabah Nature Reserve is permanently closed to unauthorised personnel. The former quarry area has limestone rock faces that are unstable and prone to rock fall. Other areas of the reserve are geologically unstable.

Do not access this park. For further information call the NPWS Macleay area office on 02 6561 6700.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 1 Sep 2025, 2.57pm to Sat 14 Mar 2026, 3.04pm. Last reviewed: Tue 2 Dec 2025, 11.03am

Other planned events: Notice of Fox Baiting Program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an ongoing ground baiting program in Gaagal Wanggaan National Park, from 10 September 2025 to 28 February 2026. The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of foxes. The program is designed to minimise fox impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species. Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW NPWS-managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs) and should be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and also must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance. Please contact the local Coffs Coast NPWS area office for more information on 02 6652 0900.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 19 Mar 2024, 9.25pm. Last reviewed: Mon 5 Jan 2026, 9.16am

Closed areas: Ngambaa Feral Predator Free Area - Closed Roads

Construction is complete on the Ngambaa Feral Predator-Free Area which has necessitated the closure of roads in the reserve for visitor safety.

 

Cedar Park picnic area will remain open and available for visitor access. 

 

The following roads are subject to permanent closure as part of the construction and operation of the feral predator free area: 

  • Wittigs Road
  • parts of Stockyard Creek Road
  • Seams Road
  • Jacks Road
  • Buds Crossing Road

 

Construction works were completed in August and the 23k of fencing is complete. 

 

Construction works have included:

  • clearing the fence corridor
  • building the fence
  • installing bridge and culvert crossings.

 

Closed areas: Closed for ground pest control operations

Pest animal control shooting operations will also occur in these areas

Shooting operations will occur on select nights throughout this period. The operations will run from sunset to sunrise in areas that are closed for public access.

 

Information regarding the project can be obtained via the following link: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/return-of-threatened-and-declining-species/ngambaa-feral-predator-free-area

 

For further information please contact the NPWS Coffs Coast area office on 02 6652 0900

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 25 Jul 2023, 7.14am. Last reviewed: Mon 24 Nov 2025, 7.07am

Closed areas: Landslip on Hanging Rock Road in State forest

Access to Kosekai Lookout is currently NOT possible via Hanging Rock Road due to a section of Hanging Rock Road being damaged during March 2021 flooding event.  The damaged section of road is managed by Forestry Corporation.  Access to the lookout is now only possible in 4WD vehicles from the south via Boat Harbour Road and then turning onto Kosekai Road

Affects 1 park and 1 location 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/lookouts/mermaid-pools/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