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Boarding House Dam picnic area

Watagans National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Tue 7 November 2023, 4.29pm

Applies from Wed 26 Feb 2020, 10.38am to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 11.48am. Last reviewed: Tue 7 Nov 2023, 4.29pm.

Safety alerts: Watagan Road/Heaton Road closed due to landslips

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 geotechnical planning, 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.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Mon 27 Nov 2023, 8.30am to Mon 11 Dec 2023, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 27 Nov 2023, 8.51am

Safety alerts: Werakata State Conservation Area - Unnamed Werakata Trail (Austar Trail) - Planned Road Maintenance

Planned Road Maintenance is scheduled for Unnamed Werakata Trail (otherwise known as Austar Trail) from Monday 27th November 2023 until Monday 11th December 2023.

Heavy plant and machinery will be operating and pedestrians and vehicles should take caution when accessing this area.

For more information please contact the NPWS Lower Hunter Area office on (02) 4946 4100.

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Applies from Sat 28 Oct 2023, 3.54pm to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 4.17pm. Last reviewed: Sat 28 Oct 2023, 4.18pm

Closed areas: Daniels Pt Road and Maculata Fire Trail Closed -Jilliby SCA

The following fire trails are closed due to illegal 4WD damage:

  • Maculata fire trail west of Jilliby Road to Daniels Point fire trail
  • Eastern section of Daniels Point fire trail to Jilliby Jilliby Creek

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 Sun 1 Oct 2023, 3.58pm to Sun 31 Mar 2024, 3.59pm. Last reviewed: Mon 23 Oct 2023, 4.00pm

Fire bans: 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)

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.

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Applies from Wed 8 Mar 2023, 9.09am. Last reviewed: Mon 4 Sep 2023, 4.32pm

Closed areas: Muirs Lookout Picnic Area - Closed

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 Wed 26 Feb 2020, 10.38am to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 11.48am. Last reviewed: Tue 7 Nov 2023, 4.29pm

Safety alerts: Watagan Road/Heaton Road closed due to landslips

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 geotechnical planning, 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.

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Applies from Wed 13 Apr 2022, 10.37am. Last reviewed: Tue 7 Nov 2023, 4.28pm

Safety alerts: Prickly Ridge Road 4WD only

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 Sat 8 Oct 2022, 9.33am to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 11.01am. Last reviewed: Mon 6 Nov 2023, 9.08am

Closed areas: Great North Walk - partial closure

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 Tue 7 Oct 2014, 1.53pm to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 9.59am. Last reviewed: Mon 6 Nov 2023, 8.58am

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/boarding-house-dam-picnic-area/local-alerts

Park info

  • in Watagans National Park in the North Coast region
  • Watagans National Park is always open, but may have to close at times due to poor weather, roads closures or high fire danger.

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