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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 Thu 1 May 2025, 9.27am. Last reviewed: Thu 1 May 2025, 9.30am

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.

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Applies from Fri 21 Feb 2025, 10.45am to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 5.46pm. Last reviewed: Thu 1 May 2025, 8.30am

Other planned events: Rope Road and Click Creek Fire Trail Closed For Road Maintenance

Planned Road maintenance is scheduled for Rope Road and Click Creek Fire Trail from Monday 10th February 2025 until Monday 30th June 2025.

 

During these times the roads will be closed and pedestrian and vehicle access is not permitted.

 

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

 

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

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Applies from Thu 6 Feb 2025, 12.33pm to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 5.33pm. Last reviewed: Thu 1 May 2025, 8.29am

Other planned events: Georges Road, 125R Lookout Road and Watagan Road Repairs and Maintenance Work

Planned road maintenance is scheduled for Georges Road, 125R Lookout Road and Watagan Road.

 

Temporary closure may occur between Monday 3rd February 2025 and Monday 30th June 2025.

 

Heavy plant and machinery will be operating from the intersection of Heaton Road and Watagan Road, then west along Georges Road.

 

Pedestrians and vehicles should take caution when accessing these areas.

 

For more information, please contact the NPWS Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000.

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Applies from Fri 31 Jan 2025, 11.19am to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 5.30pm. Last reviewed: Thu 1 May 2025, 8.29am

Other planned events: Watagan Forest Road / Boarding House Dam Road Repairs and Maintenance

Planned road maintenance is scheduled for Watagan Forest Road / Boarding House Dam Road from Monday 10th February 2025 until Monday 30th June 2025.

 

Heavy plant and machinery will be operating from the intersection of Heaton Road / Watagan Forest Road south along Watagan Forest Road to the intersection of New Mill Road / Watagan Forest Road.

 

During these times Watagan Forest Road and the Boarding House Dam visitor precinct may be closed and pedestrian and vehicle access is not permitted.

 

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

 

For more information, contact NPWS Central Coast Area office on 49 4972 9000.

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Applies from Tue 8 Apr 2025, 2.48pm to Mon 26 May 2025, 6.00pm. Last reviewed: Wed 30 Apr 2025, 10.14am

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 14 April 2025 to 26 May 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 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.

Please contact the Lower Hunter NPWS Area Office for more information on (02) 4946 4100.

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 1 May 2025, 2.48pm to Sun 29 Jun 2025, 2.48pm. Last reviewed: Mon 28 Apr 2025, 9.11am

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 aerial baiting program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an aerial baiting program in Abercrombie River National Park (NP), Abercrombie River State Conservation Area (SCA), Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve (KCR), Kanangra-Boyd NP Mares Forest NP, and Turon NP from Monday 19th May – Sunday 1st June 2025.

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 the 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.

Please contact the local Oberon NPWS area office for more information on 02 6336 6200.

Applies from Sat 18 Jan 2025, 8.36am. Last reviewed: Mon 28 Apr 2025, 8.51am

Closed areas: Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road Closed Due to Landslip and Rockfall

Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road is closed as it is no longer suitable for 2WD or 4WD vehicles due to risk of landslip and rockfall. This affects access from Watagans National Park to Quorrobolong.

 

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

 

For further information, please contact NPWS Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000.

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Applies from Fri 19 Jul 2024, 10.21am to Tue 30 Jun 2026, 10.21am. Last reviewed: Sun 23 Mar 2025, 2.02pm

Closed areas: Gap Creek Forest Walk Part Closed Due to Landslip and 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 Mon 5 Aug 2024, 6.30am to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 11.00pm. Last reviewed: Tue 22 Apr 2025, 11.50am

Safety alerts: Periodic closures of Tomago Precinct for deer control shooting operation

Parts of Hunter Wetlands National Park may be closed within a date range of 6:30am Monday 5th August 2024 to 11:00pm Monday 30th June 2025 for deer control shoot operations preventing localised economic impacts and protecting biodiversity assets within the park.

 

When active the shoot operation area will be delineated by signage advising visitors “do not enter” at any time during the night time operation.

 

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

 

For more information, call the local park office on 02 4946 4100 or email npws.lowerhunter@environment.nsw.gov.au.

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Applies from Tue 7 Oct 2014, 1.53pm to Thu 7 Oct 2027, 11.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 17 Apr 2025, 10.21am

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.

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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.

View all alerts for NSW

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