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Platypus picnic area

Gibraltar Range National Park

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Fri 20 Mar 2020, 9.00am. Last reviewed: Fri 3 Apr 2020, 11.54am

Safety alerts: Take care when visiting this park

This park has been damaged by bushfire. For your safety please stay on formed walking tracks and trails. Please take care as some directional signage may be missing.

Affects 2 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 31 Mar 2020, 4.18pm to Tue 30 Jun 2020, 4.01pm. Last reviewed: Tue 31 Mar 2020, 4.48pm

Closed areas: Part of Werrikimbe National Park closed - bushfire damage

Some parts of this park are closed due to bushfire damage. The closed areas are:

  • Hastings Forest Way touring route
  • Brushy Mountain campground and walking tracks
  • Plateau Beech picnic area and walking tracks
  • Racecourse trail and Coachwood trail

Do not enter the closed areas. Penalties apply for non-compliance. 

For more information, contact the local NPWS Port Macquarie office on 02 6588 5555 or visit the Rural Fire Service website.

Applies from Tue 31 Mar 2020, 4.00pm to Tue 30 Jun 2020, 3.53pm. Last reviewed: Tue 31 Mar 2020, 4.47pm

Closed parks: Willi Willi National Park

Willi Willi National Park is closed due to extensive bushfire damage. Hastings Forest Way is also closed due to extensive damage during recent bushfires in the area.

Do not enter the park. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

For more information, contact the local NPWS Port Macquarie office on 02 6588 5555 or visit the Rural Fire Service website.

Applies from Thu 5 Mar 2020, 9.17am to Tue 30 Jun 2020, 8.00am. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Mar 2020, 3.24pm

Closed parks: Majority of park closed - Werrikimbe

The majority of Werrikimbe National Park and State Conservation Area are closed due to bushfire damage.

  • Mooraback picnic area is open
  • Cobcroft picnic area and walking track are due to open on Saturday 30 May 2020
  • Plateau and Brushy Mountain picnic areas and campgrounds are due to open on Tuesday 30 June 2020

These dates are indicative only. Please monitor this website for further updates and alerts. Do not enter closed areas. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

Applies from Mon 30 Mar 2020, 12.36pm. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Mar 2020, 3.18pm

Closed areas: Camping not permitted and Four Bull Hut closed

Camping, including caravans and motorhomes, is not permitted in Washpool National Park until further notice to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff. Four Bull Hut will also be closed until further notice. You’ll receive a refund if you made a booking. Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information.

Affects 2 parks and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 30 Mar 2020, 12.06pm to Sun 31 May 2020, 8.00am. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Mar 2020, 3.06pm

Closed parks: Closed parks and reserves - Clarence area

This park is closed due to bushfire damage and fire recovery works. Do not enter the park. This park is expected to reopen on Sunday 31 May 2020. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 66411 500.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 26 Mar 2020, 4.28pm. Last reviewed: Thu 2 Apr 2020, 4.45pm

Closed areas: Camping not permitted - Gibraltar House closed

Camping, including caravans and motor-homes, will not be permitted in Gibraltar Range National Park until further notice for the health and safety of staff and visitors. Gibraltar House will also be closed until further notice. Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check our COVID-19 update for more information or call 1300 072 757.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 20 Mar 2020, 9.00am to Fri 26 Jun 2020, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 3 Apr 2020, 11.56am

Closed areas: Washpool walk closed

Washpool walk in Washpool National Park is closed due to fire damage. Do not enter the closed area.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Northern Tablelands area office on 02 6739 0700.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 20 Mar 2020, 9.00am to Fri 26 Jun 2020, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 3 Apr 2020, 11.35am

Closed areas: The Needles walk closed

The Needles walk in Gibraltar Range National Park is closed due to fire damage. Do not enter the closed area.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Northern Tablelands area office on 02 6739 0700.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Sun 10 Nov 2019, 3.01pm to Tue 30 Jun 2020, 8.00am. Last reviewed: Tue 17 Mar 2020, 1.54pm

Closed parks: Closed national parks and reserves - Hastings Macleay area

This park is closed due to bushfire damage and fire recovery works. Do not enter the park. This park is expected to reopen on Tuesday 30 June 2020. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 6588 5555 or 02 6566 6168.

Applies from Wed 26 Nov 2014, 4.28pm. Last reviewed: Mon 24 Jul 2017, 4.17pm

Closed areas: Road closure

Some areas of this park are closed due to demolition of bridge from past flooding event. This closure applies until further notice. Closed areas include the 4WD access to North Washpool, an area also known as Washpool rest area, entering from Baryulgil onto Collum Collum Road. The bridge is washed away, at the junction of Washpool Creek and Collum Collum Road.

  • Washpool National Park’s 2WD entrance off Gwydir Highway onto Coachwood Drive and Washpool Forest Way is open.
  • Bellbird campground, Coombadjha campground and the Granites lookout and picnic areas are accessible.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Glen Innes area office (02) 6739 0700 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

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/platypus-picnic-area/local-alerts

Park info

  • in Gibraltar Range National Park in the North Coast and Country NSW regions

  • Gibraltar Range National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather, road damage, or high fire danger.

  • Park entry fees:

    $8 per vehicle per day. The park uses a self-registration fee collection system. Please bring the correct change and display your receipt.

    Buy annual pass
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
Platypus picnic area, Gibraltar Range National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary