Floods and park closures

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Following heavy rainfall, flooding and damaging winds caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred most national parks in northern NSW, including campgrounds and day use areas will remain closed for safety.

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Gap Beach picnic area

Hat Head National Park

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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Fri 14 Mar 2025, 4.20pm to Mon 24 Mar 2025, 4.22pm. Last reviewed: Fri 14 Mar 2025, 4.25pm

Closed parks: National Parks closed due to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred

For safety, some national parks and reserves on the North Coast are closed until Monday 24 March due to damage caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Areas will be opened once inspections, and any necessary works, are completed. Public access roads through parks will not be affected by park closures.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 14 Mar 2025, 1.45pm to Fri 21 Mar 2025, 1.46pm. Last reviewed: Fri 14 Mar 2025, 1.56pm

Closed areas: Closed walking tracks and visitor precincts due to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred

The following areas are closed until Friday 21 March due to damage caused by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred:

  • End Peak walking track, Ulidarra NP
  • Peak Base walking track, Ulidarra NP
  • Uidarra Walking Track, Ulidarra NP
  • Summit to Sea Track, Yarriabini NP
  • Visitor Precinct - Woolgoolga Creek, Sherwood NR
  • Woolgoolga Creek Day Use Area, Sherwood NR
  • Falls Walking Track, Sherwood NR

 

Remember, it’s never safe to drive, ride or walk 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.

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Applies from Wed 5 Mar 2025, 4.00pm to Fri 21 Mar 2025, 8.00am. Last reviewed: Fri 14 Mar 2025, 1.23pm

Closed parks: National Parks closed due to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred

For safety, many national parks and reserves from the QLD/NSW border to the Hastings River at Port Macquarie are closed until Friday 21 March due to damage caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Areas will be opened once inspections, and any necessary works, are completed. Public access roads through parks will not be affected by park closures.

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

Check Live Traffic NSW for up-to-date information. Remember, it’s never safe to drive, ride or walk through flood waters.

For assistance during severe weather visit the NSW SES website. In life-threatening situations call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).

Affects 2 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 10 Mar 2025, 10.55am to Mon 24 Mar 2025, 2.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 14 Mar 2025, 12.53pm

Closed areas: Campgrounds closed due to severe weather impacts

The following areas are closed until Monday March 24 due to impacts from severe weather:

  • Nymboida River campground, Nymboida National Park
  • Pebbly Beach Yuraygir campground, Yuraygir National Park
  • Rocky Point campground, Yuraygir National Park
  • Shelley Head campground, Yuraygir National Park
  • Station Creek campground, Yuraygir National Park
  • The Junction campground, Nymboi-Binderay National Park
  • 1st Bay campground, Gaagal Wanggaan National Park
  • 2nd Bay campground, Gaagal Wanggaan National Park

 

Remember, it’s never safe to drive, ride or walk 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.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 11 Mar 2025, 4.27pm to Fri 21 Mar 2025, 4.32pm. Last reviewed: Thu 13 Mar 2025, 10.19am

Closed areas: Walking Tracks closed after wet weather

NPWS have a number of walking tracks closed after enduring rain and wind associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

 

These tracks have either sustained damage or are still to be assessed by staff for associated risks.

 

Please follow instructions and signage. Do not enter closed areas as it may be unsafe to do so.

 

For further information regarding closures please contact the local NPWS Area office on 02 6561 6700.

Affects 4 parks and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 6 Aug 2024, 11.37am to Mon 31 Mar 2025, 11.38am. Last reviewed: Tue 25 Feb 2025, 11.18am

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 (South Beach) National Park, Moonee Beach Nature Reserve and Bongil Bongil National Park, from 10 August 2024 to 28 February 2025. 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 area. 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.

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Applies from Wed 19 Feb 2025, 2.30pm to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 2.34pm. Last reviewed: Wed 19 Feb 2025, 2.52pm

Safety alerts: Connors Trail, Hat Head National Park - washouts on walking track

The northern section of Connors walking track has sutained some erosion due to recent weather events. Works are underway to repair. Please exercise caution and avoid leaving the track to avoid damage to the trackside vegetation. NPWS apologises for any inconvenience.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 12 Feb 2025, 10.38am to Tue 18 Mar 2025, 5.40pm. Last reviewed: Wed 12 Mar 2025, 10.37am

Other planned events: Trial Bay Gaol boat ramp temporary closure

Trial Bay Gaol boat ramp will be closed for 2 days, Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th March 2025 while NPWS undertake upgrade works within Trial Bay Gaol campground.

 

The Trial Bay Gaol campground is the first stage of the highly anticipated Macleay Destination Project. 

 

If you would like further information on the Project or closures please refer to the NPWS website otherwise please phone the Trial Bay Gaol office on 02 6561 6750 between 9am - 4.30pm daily.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 24 Jul 2023, 2.39pm to Fri 24 Jul 2026, 2.39pm. Last reviewed: Wed 22 Jan 2025, 2.26pm

Closed areas: West End Trail - New England NP - Closed.

West End Trail in New England NP permanently closed due to multiple bridges out.

 

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 1 Mar 2021, 11.38am. Last reviewed: Tue 21 Jan 2025, 8.09am

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.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 23 Dec 2024, 9.17am to Tue 30 Sep 2025, 9.40am. Last reviewed: Mon 23 Dec 2024, 9.55am

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 10 Feb 2025, 4.13pm to Sun 31 Aug 2025, 4.14pm. Last reviewed: Wed 5 Feb 2025, 9.52am

Closed areas: Trial Bay Gaol campground infrastructure upgrade

Sections of Trial Bay Gaol campground will be closed for upgrades from Monday 10 February 2025 until late August 2025. The Bayview campsites and northern area will be closed.

Open parts of the campground will be impacted by noise and machinery between Monday and Friday, 7am to 5pm. Access to parts of the campground will be impacted. Please refer to onsite maps for access information. Stay safe and follow directions on signage as well as instructions from staff.

Find out more about the improvements planned for Trial Bay Gaol campground. For more information about the closure, contact the NPWS campground office at 02 6566 6168.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 19 Mar 2024, 9.25pm. Last reviewed: Fri 14 Feb 2025, 10.04pm

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.

 

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: Fri 14 Feb 2025, 8.25am

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/picnic-areas/gap-beach-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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