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Boarding House Dam picnic area

Watagans National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Thu 15 May 2025, 2.47pm

Applies from Sat 17 May 2025, 6.00pm to Sat 24 May 2025, 8.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 15 May 2025, 2.47pm.

Safety alerts: Flood risk warning

Forecast heavy rainfall may cause flooding of areas in Watagans, Brisbane Water and Wyrrabalong National Parks and Munmorah and Jilliby State Conservation Areas.

Creek crossings may become impassable with fast flowing water and increased water levels following heavy rainfall.

People planning to visit these parks are urged to check for closures, emergency warnings and severe weather updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and State Emergency Service before heading out.

Remember, it’s never safe to walk, ride or drive through flood waters, so you’ll need to reschedule your visit and avoid travel through areas in this park. Check Live Traffic NSW for up-to-date information about road closures. For assistance during severe weather visit the NSW SES website. In life-threatening situations call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on 02 4320 4200.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Thu 15 May 2025, 4.29pm to Fri 23 May 2025, 4.29pm. Last reviewed: Wed 21 May 2025, 3.59pm

Closed areas: Gap Creek and Bangalow Campground Closures

Bangalow and Gap Creek campgrounds will be closed between 19th May - 23rd May 2025 to facilitate maintenance work. Signs will be in place around closed areas. You can still access Gap Creek carpark and the Gap Creek Falls walking track during this time.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Central Coast Area Office on 4972 9000. 

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Sat 17 May 2025, 6.00pm to Sat 24 May 2025, 8.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 15 May 2025, 2.47pm

Safety alerts: Flood risk warning

Forecast heavy rainfall may cause flooding of areas in Watagans, Brisbane Water and Wyrrabalong National Parks and Munmorah and Jilliby State Conservation Areas.

Creek crossings may become impassable with fast flowing water and increased water levels following heavy rainfall.

People planning to visit these parks are urged to check for closures, emergency warnings and severe weather updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and State Emergency Service before heading out.

Remember, it’s never safe to walk, ride or drive through flood waters, so you’ll need to reschedule your visit and avoid travel through areas in this park. Check Live Traffic NSW for up-to-date information about road closures. For assistance during severe weather visit the NSW SES website. In life-threatening situations call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 2 parks and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Sun 11 May 2025, 5.51pm to Fri 27 Feb 2026, 5.51pm. Last reviewed: Thu 8 May 2025, 6.00pm

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 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 13 Jan 2025, 5.02pm to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 5.03pm. Last reviewed: Thu 15 May 2025, 10.21am

Safety alerts: Road Maintenance

Fire trail maintenance works will be undertaken at various locations throughout Jilliby State Conservation Area from January until June 2025. Partial and intermittent closures should be expected. Please follow the directions of any construction staff onsite and safety signage. Take care and drive to conditions.

For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 49729000.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 8 Mar 2023, 9.09am. Last reviewed: Tue 13 May 2025, 11.15am

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. 

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 13 Apr 2022, 10.37am. Last reviewed: Tue 13 May 2025, 11.15am

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.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

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.

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/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

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