Applies from Fri 9 Dec 2022, 1.16pm to Fri 20 Jan 2023, 1.17pm. Last reviewed: Fri 9 Dec 2022, 1.40pm

Closed parks: Parks closed due to flooding

The national parks around Bourke are closed until further notice due to severe weather and flooding.

These closures will be reviewed regularly and may be extended.

Remember, it’s never safe to drive, ride or walk through flood waters. 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 further information, contact the Bourke National Parks Office on 02 6830 0200.

Affects 3 parks nearby. Show list

• Gundabooka State Conservation Area
• Toorale National Park
• Toorale State Conservation Area

Applies from Fri 9 Dec 2022, 1.20pm to Tue 28 Feb 2023, 1.20pm. Last reviewed: Fri 9 Dec 2022, 1.31pm

Safety alerts: Ben Lomond Road safety advice

Ben Lomond Road is currently not suitable for 2WD vehicles. 

The road is severely rough and potholed in sections caused by severe weather conditions in 2022. Roadworks are scheduled for repair by the Bourke Shire Council. When notified of these dates NPWS Bourke will update this alert. Take care and drive safely.

For more information, contact the local NPWS office or the Bourke Shire.

Affects 1 park and 10 locations nearby. Show list

• Gundabooka National Park
  • Belah Shearers' Quarters
  • Bennetts Gorge picnic area
  • Dry Tank campground
  • Dry Tank picnic area
  • Little Mountain lookout
  • Little Mountain walking track
  • Valley of the Eagles walk
  • Yapa (Mulgowan) Aboriginal art site walking track
  • Yapa (Mulgowan) art site lookout
  • Yapa (Mulgowan) art site picnic area

Applies from Mon 19 Sep 2022, 3.09pm. Last reviewed: Wed 7 Dec 2022, 9.59am

Closed areas: Billabong walk is inaccessible due to flooding

Billabong walk is inaccessible due to rising floodwaters of the Darling River.

Old Kinchega Homestead Ruins and Old Kinchega Cemetery can be accessed from the carpark. However, flood waters at the halfway point along Billabong walk are preventing access to the whole loop.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Kinchega National Park

Applies from Mon 31 Oct 2022, 11.59pm to Fri 31 Mar 2023, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Wed 7 Dec 2022, 9.58am

Fire bans: Park fire ban

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect from midnight Monday 31 October 2022 to midnight Friday 31 March 2023.  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.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Kinchega National Park

Applies from Mon 5 Dec 2022, 2.33pm. Last reviewed: Mon 5 Dec 2022, 2.39pm

Closed parks: Kinchega National Park is closed due to maintenance

Kinchega National Park is closed due to maintenance.  This closure will be reassessed on Monday 9 January 2023.  For further information please contact the Broken Hill National Parks office on 08 8084 2880.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Kinchega National Park

Applies from Thu 24 Nov 2022, 9.16am. Last reviewed: Mon 5 Dec 2022, 10.09am

Closed areas: Tandou Road access through Kinchega National Park is closed

Tandou Road from Woolshed Drive to Tandou Station boundary is closed due to rain.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Kinchega National Park

Applies from Mon 5 Dec 2022, 8.27am to Fri 16 Dec 2022, 8.33am. Last reviewed: Mon 5 Dec 2022, 8.36am

Closed areas: Whispering Oaks campground and picnic area closed

Whispering Oaks campground and picnic area is closed from Monday 5 December 2022 due to extensive localised rain affecting access trails. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

On-ground conditions will be re-assessed on Friday 16 December 2022 and an update provided at that time.

Public council roads into the park may also be closed. Check the Cobar Shire Council and Central Darling Shire Council websites for up-to-date information.

For more information, call the NPWS Central West Area office on 02 6841 7100.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

• Koonaburra National Park
  • Whispering Oaks campground and picnic area

Applies from Tue 22 Nov 2022, 9.10am. Last reviewed: Fri 2 Dec 2022, 9.20am

Closed areas: Closed access road into Kinchega National Park

The Little Menindee Creek Road access road (Low Road) has been damaged by floodwater and is closed.

For further information please contact the NPWS Broken Hill office on 08 8084 2880.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

• Kinchega National Park
  • Cawndilla campground
  • Morton Boulka picnic area

Applies from Thu 1 Dec 2022, 4.31pm to Fri 31 Mar 2023, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Thu 1 Dec 2022, 4.44pm

Fire bans: Park fire ban (solid fuel) - Koonaburra 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)

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. For further information please call the Bathurst Central West Area office on 02 6332 7640

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Koonaburra National Park

Applies from Thu 5 May 2022, 3.00pm. Last reviewed: Tue 29 Nov 2022, 2.59pm

Closed areas: Darling River Campground is closed due to river flooding

Darling River Campground and River Drive are currently closed due to the river flooding.

For more information please call the NPWS Broken Hill office on 08 8084 2880.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

• Kinchega National Park
  • Darling River campground

Applies from Mon 10 Jan 2022, 1.16pm. Last reviewed: Tue 29 Nov 2022, 2.58pm

Closed areas: Emu Lake Drive closed for maintenance

Emu Lake Drive is closed indefinitely due to ongoing maintenance.

Access to Emu Lake campground remains open when not affected by rain.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information please contact the NPWS Broken Hill office on 08 8084 2880.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Kinchega National Park

Applies from Fri 10 Feb 2017, 12.00am. Last reviewed: Mon 28 Nov 2022, 1.30pm

Fire bans: Solid fuel fire ban for Sturt National Park

There is a 'no solid fuel fire policy' in this park all year round. This park fire ban will remain in effect unless otherwise extended or removed. During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamite) 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, please contact the local park office before using a gas and/or electric barbecue or cooker. Penalties apply for non-compliance. To find out more about fire bans in parks and reserves, including your responsibilities, visit NSW National Parks safety page.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Sturt National Park

Applies from Fri 5 Mar 2021, 2.37pm. Last reviewed: Mon 28 Nov 2022, 1.29pm

Safety alerts: Sealing of the Silver City Highway north of Tibooburra

The Roads and Maritime Service has begun sealing the section of the Silver City Highway north of Tibooburra. Be aware of tankers carting water from dams on Sturt National Park, and expect to see water tankers on the road from Olive Downs out to the Silver City Highway, and on the Jump Up Loop Road south of Mount King. For further information call the Tibooburra NPWS office on 08 8091 3308.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Sturt National Park

Applies from Fri 2 Sep 2022, 2.13pm to Thu 2 Mar 2023, 2.13pm. Last reviewed: Tue 8 Nov 2022, 9.02am

Safety alerts: Unsealed council access roads in variable condition

Council-managed access roads to Koonaburra National Park are unsealed and in variable condition. Before travelling on any unsealed roads, please check the road condition report for Cobar Shire and Central Darling Shire.

There is a single access road to Koonaburra National Park, and conditions can change quickly due to the weather. If the council access road is closed, it is not possible to visit the national park.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

• Koonaburra National Park
  • Whispering Oaks campground and picnic area

Applies from Wed 6 Jan 2021, 12.37pm. Last reviewed: Thu 21 Apr 2022, 11.56am

Other incidents: Visitation restrictions

There are a number of restrictions on visitation and access by the general public to Yathong, Nombinnie and Round Hill Nature Reserves and Nombinnie State Conservation Area. 

• These reserves are not available for overnight camping or hiking. Visitation is restricted to day visits only.
• Vehicle access is restricted to the public roads passing through or adjoining the reserves. Management trails are closed to vehicles. However you are welcome to walk on the trails.
• Bird watchers are welcome to walk into the reserves and along management trails. However take care to make sure you can navigate back to your car - it is easy to get disorientated in mallee country.
• Trips to Round Hill Nature Reserve by bird watching clubs can be done by prior arrangement.
• There are a number of scientific research programs happening in the reserves and visitors should not disturb any field equipment if they come across it.
• The reserves are closed periodically to allow management programs to be undertaken. Please check the website for closures prior to visits.

For further information contact the NPWS Central West area, Bathurst office on 02 6332 7640.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Yathong Nature Reserve

Applies from Thu 23 Dec 2021, 4.08pm. Last reviewed: Thu 21 Apr 2022, 11.50am

Closed areas: Caryapundy lookout south loop closed

You'll need to complete this drive as a return trip instead of a loop, because Caryapundy lookout south loop drive is closed.

The closed section begins at the Narriearra scenic drive T-junction, and extends all the way up to Caryapundy tank bird hide.

The drive to Caryapundy tank bird hide is still around 70km when done as a return trip following Caryapundy lookout north loop from the Narriearra scenic drive T-junction.

Caryapundy lookout campground, Caryapundy tank bird hide, Narriearra scenic drive and Caryapundy lookout north loop are open.

The grey grasswren bird habitat is closed to the public while Bartons tank bird hide and the roads to the bird hide are being developed.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Tibooburra area office on 08 8091 3308.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

• Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park
  • Caryapundy lookout loop drive

Applies from Thu 23 Dec 2021, 4.15pm. Last reviewed: Wed 2 Mar 2022, 10.23am

Closed areas: Whittabrinnah heritage walk closed

Whittabrinnah heritage walk is closed for upgrades and is expected to open in early 2022.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Tibooburra area office on 08 8091 3308.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

• Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park
  • Whittabrinnah heritage walk