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Astills picnic area

Werakata National Park

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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Tue 18 Nov 2025, 11.00am to Fri 28 Nov 2025, 11.00am. Last reviewed: Tue 18 Nov 2025, 10.54am

Closed areas: Ramsar Road Closed

Ramsar Road Ash Island closed due to essential emergency works from 18/11/2025 to 25/11/2025. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office (02) 4946 4100.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 13 Nov 2025, 2.23pm. Last reviewed: Thu 13 Nov 2025, 2.32pm

Closed areas: Ramsar Road

Ramsar Road - Ash Island in Hunter Wetlands National Park is closed from Thursday 13 November 2025 until further notice

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office (02) 4946 4100.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 1 Oct 2025, 9.16am to Tue 31 Mar 2026, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Mon 27 Oct 2025, 4.45pm

Fire bans: Park Fire Ban - Blue Mountains National Park

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

However the following campgrounds are exempt:

  • Galon Cabins
  • Murphy's Campground
  • Dunphy's Campground
  • Burralow Creek Campground
  • Euroka Campground

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 Thu 2 Oct 2025, 9.28am to Tue 31 Mar 2026, 9.30am. Last reviewed: Fri 17 Oct 2025, 12.04pm

Fire bans: Park Fire Ban - Abercrombie River NP/SCA

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed. 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 Wed 1 Oct 2025, 9.00am to Tue 31 Mar 2026, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Fri 17 Oct 2025, 9.24am

Fire bans: Park Fire Ban - Hawkesbury-Nattai Reserves

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

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)

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

Yellomundee Regional Park

  • Shaws Creek Aboriginal Place

 

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 Wed 1 Oct 2025, 9.19am to Tue 31 Mar 2026, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Fri 17 Oct 2025, 9.22am

Fire bans: Park Fire Ban - Wollemi National Park

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

However the following campgrounds are exempt:

  • Coorangooba
  • Dunns Swamp (Ganguddy)
  • Newnes campground
  • Wheeny Creek
  • Colo Meroo
  • Sheepskin Hut

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 Wed 1 Oct 2025, 9.12am to Tue 31 Mar 2026, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Fri 17 Oct 2025, 9.16am

Fire bans: Park Fire Ban - Wollemi-Yengo Reserves

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

However the following campgrounds are exempt:

Dharug National Park

  • Mill Creek Campground

Mount Royal National Park

  • Youngville Campground

Yengo National Park

  • Blue Gums Campground
  • Mountain Arm Campground
  • Yengo House
  • Finchley Campground
  • Mogo Campground

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 5 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 1 Oct 2025, 9.05am to Tue 31 Mar 2026, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Fri 17 Oct 2025, 9.11am

Fire bans: Park Fire Ban - Mudgee Reserves

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

However the following campgrounds are exempt:

Capertee National Park

  • Capertee Campground
  • Honeyeater Homestead
  • Capertee Homestead
  • Capertee Cottage

Goulburn River National Park

  • Spring Gully campground
  • Big River campground

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 Fri 10 Oct 2025, 10.26am to Tue 31 Mar 2026, 11.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 20 Nov 2025, 12.37pm

Other planned events: Closed areas: Watagans National Park partial closure for ground shooting for feral animal control

Areas within Watagans National Park may be intermittently closed from 5pm to 5am between Monday 27 October 2025 to Tuesday 31 March 2026 for ground shooting for feral animal control.

 

Areas will be closed by signage. Do Not Enter. Penalties apply

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Sun 12 Oct 2025, 11.59pm to Mon 15 Dec 2025, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Sun 2 Nov 2025, 3.49pm

Closed areas: Bangalow Road closed for maintenance works

Bangalow Road will be closed for maintenance from 13 October 2025 to mid-December 2025 (subject to weather). Heavy plant and machinery will be operating along Bangalow Road.

Areas that will also be closed due to these works include:

  • Bangalow Campground and Day use area
  • Gap Creek Campground and Day use area
  • Gap Creek Falls walking track

During this time, pedestrian and vehicle access is not permitted.

There will be no available campground bookings from 8 September 2025 to mid-December 2025. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

For more information, contact NPWS Central Coast Area office on (02) 4972 9000.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 1 Oct 2025, 11.50am. Last reviewed: Thu 20 Nov 2025, 12.38pm

Closed areas: Monkey Face Road planned maintenance

Planned maintenance and repairs is scheduled from 7 October 2025 until late January 2026. Heavy plant and machinery will be operating along Monkey Face Road. Areas that will be closed due to these works include: 

  • Monkey Face Road
  • Monkey Face Lookout
  • Gap Creek Lookout

Pedestrian and vehicle access is not permitted. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Central Coast Area Office on (02) 4972 9000.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 26 Sep 2025, 3.14pm to Sat 24 Jan 2026, 3.14pm. Last reviewed: Tue 30 Sep 2025, 3.16pm

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting a ground baiting program in Hunter Wetlands National Park from 30 September to 24 December 2025.

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

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

For more information contact the Lower Hunter Area NPWS office on 4946 4100.

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 26 Sep 2025, 3.30pm. Last reviewed: Mon 27 Oct 2025, 9.57am

Closed areas: Watkins Road Wangi

Watkins Road Wangi will be closed for Road Maintenance from Tuesday 7 October to Thursday 9 October 2025. Buses are excepted from the closure.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office 49 464100.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 4 Sep 2025, 3.10pm to Tue 30 Jun 2026, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Thu 4 Sep 2025, 3.48pm

Closed areas: Tomago precinct: intermittent closures for feral animal control (ground shooting)

On selected nights between 4 September 2025 and 30 June 2026, the Tomago precinct of Hunter Wetlands National Park will be closed for ground shooting operations targeting feral deer. When operations are active, affected areas will be signposted “Do not enter.”

Other feral animals, including rabbits and foxes, will be targeted if observed during the operations.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on 02 4946 4100 or email npws.lowerhunter@environment.nsw.gov.au.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 19 Jul 2024, 10.21am to Tue 30 Jun 2026, 10.21am. Last reviewed: Sat 1 Nov 2025, 10.44am

Closed areas: Gap Creek Forest Walk partially closed due to rockfall risk

Gap Creek Forest Walk is part closed due to the risk of landslip and rockfall.

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

For more information, contact NPWS Central Coast office on 02 4972 9000

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 25 Jul 2025, 5.26pm. Last reviewed: Fri 25 Jul 2025, 5.28pm

Closed areas: Closed areas: Werakata State Conservation Area partial closure for ground shooting for feral animal control

Small areas within Werakata State Conservation Area may be intermittently closed from 5pm to 5am between Monday 21 July 2025 to Friday 11 September 2026 for ground shooting for feral animal control.

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

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 21 Jul 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Sun 2 Nov 2025, 6.45pm

Closed areas: Werakata National Park partial closure for ground shooting for feral animal control

Small areas within Werakata National Park may be intermittently closed from 5pm to 5am between Monday 21 July 2025 to Friday 11 September 2026 for ground shooting for feral animal control.

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

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 3 Jul 2025, 11.38am to Tue 30 Jun 2026, 11.44am. Last reviewed: Thu 23 Oct 2025, 9.43am

Closed areas: Rope Road and Click Creek Fire Trail closed due to road conditions

Rope Road and Click Creek Fire Trails are temporarily closed as it is not suitable for 2WD or 4WD vehicles. The areas will reopen as soon as they are considered safe. To prevent further damage to the road and to protect visitor safety, please avoid these areas and other trails within the reserve that are potentially hazardous.

Penalties apply for non-compliance

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Sun 11 May 2025, 5.51pm to Fri 27 Feb 2026, 5.51pm. Last reviewed: Tue 17 Jun 2025, 8.52am

Safety alerts: Major roadworks in Sugarloaf State Conservation Area

Major roadworks are ongoing in Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. Partial and intermittent road closures should be expected.

Visitors are asked to avoid the area (if possible). Otherwise, please be aware of trucks and machinery working on roads within Sugarloaf SCA and to drive to the conditions.

For more information, please contact the NPWS Lower Hunter Area Office on 02 4946 4100.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 1 May 2025, 9.27am. Last reviewed: Wed 5 Nov 2025, 2.25pm

Closed areas: The Welcome Mangrove Walk, Ash Island is closed due to damage

The Welcome Mangrove Walk of Ash Island, Hunter Wetlands NP is closed due to damage, from Monday 26th August until further notice.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS Shortland office on 4946 4100.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 7 Oct 2014, 1.53pm to Thu 7 Oct 2027, 11.00am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Oct 2025, 10.03am

Closed areas: Parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area closed

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.

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/picnic-areas/astills-picnic-area/local-alerts

Park info

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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.

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