Back to previous page

Somersby Falls picnic area

Brisbane Water National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Mon 13 November 2023, 2.03pm

Applies from Tue 13 Jun 2023, 6.00am to Sun 30 Jun 2024, 8.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 13 Nov 2023, 2.03pm.

Closed areas: Somersby Falls picnic area and walking track closed

Somersby Falls picnic area and walking track, including access to the waterfalls will be closed until 30 June 2024 while the picnic area is being upgraded.

The proposed upgrade will improve visitor safety, accessibility and protect sensitive cultural heritage.

Consider visiting the nearby Girrakool picnic area less than 5 minutes away which also has waterfalls, walking tracks and a well established picnic area.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS Central Coast Area Office on 02 4320 4200.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Tue 13 Jun 2023, 6.00am to Sun 30 Jun 2024, 8.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 13 Nov 2023, 2.03pm

Closed areas: Somersby Falls picnic area and walking track closed

Somersby Falls picnic area and walking track, including access to the waterfalls will be closed until 30 June 2024 while the picnic area is being upgraded.

The proposed upgrade will improve visitor safety, accessibility and protect sensitive cultural heritage.

Consider visiting the nearby Girrakool picnic area less than 5 minutes away which also has waterfalls, walking tracks and a well established picnic area.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS Central Coast Area Office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 4 Dec 2023, 7.00am to Mon 18 Dec 2023, 7.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 9 Nov 2023, 2.13pm

Closed areas: Areas closed for trail upgrades

Some parts of Bouddi NP will be closed from Monday 4 December to Monday 18 December 2023 while management trails are being upgraded. The closed areas are:

  • Old Quarry trail
  • Bombi Moor trail
  • Third Point trail
  • 81 trail
  • 78 trail 
  • Little Beach carpark

Little Beach campground will remain open and parking is available along Grahame Drive

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Girrakool NPWS office on (02) 43204200.

 

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

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.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

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.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 29 Sep 2014, 1.49pm to Sun 11 Aug 2024, 11.58am. Last reviewed: Tue 12 Sep 2023, 4.16pm

Closed areas: No access to Old Wagstaffe trail through private property

There is no public access to Old Wagstaffe trail through private property. Signs show where public access is not permitted. 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Central Coast area office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

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. 

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

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.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Sun 17 Sep 2023, 5.00pm to Fri 9 Aug 2024, 8.09am. Last reviewed: Fri 17 Nov 2023, 8.25am

Closed parks: Muogamarra Nature Reserve closed

Muogamarra Nature Reserve is only open to the public for 6 weeks every year, around spring time.

Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access is restricted at other times to approved educational and research activities only.

For more information about the reserve, call the NPWS Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 or the NPWS North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Sat 1 Jul 2023, 8.19am to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 6.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 13 Nov 2023, 9.30am

Other planned events: Notice of fire trail maintenance program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is undertaking fire trail maintenance works at various locations throughout Brisbane Water National Park. Work is expected to be completed by the 31 December 2023 (pending suitable weather conditions).

The maintenance work will repair damaged surfaces, drainage assets and infrastructure that supports and is essential to the ongoing operation of the trails as well as maintaining vegetation clearances.

Trails will remain open for the duration of the construction works, with adequate signage and diversions (if required) in place.

Please contact the the local Central Coast area office on 02 4320 4200 for more information.

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Sat 1 Jul 2023, 8.12am to Sun 3 Mar 2024, 6.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 13 Nov 2023, 9.32am

Closed areas: Kariong Brook Waterhole and Waterfall Closed

The waterhole and waterfall at Kariong Brook is closed until further notice due to risk of rockfall.

The adjacent Great North Walk will remain open.

Signs are in place around the closed area.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Central Coast NPWS office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 30 Sep 2020, 11.54am to Wed 31 Jan 2024, 6.00am. Last reviewed: Mon 13 Nov 2023, 9.30am

Safety alerts: Ironbark Road access to picnic area - Last 850m 4WD only

The last 850m along Ironbark Road (Crown Road) to access Ironbark picnic area is currently limited to 4WD vehicles only. This section is not suitable to conventional 2WD vehicles due to a severely eroded hill along the Crown Road. Visitors to this section of the park travelling by conventional 2WD vehicles will have to walk the last 850 metres to access to the start of the park and Ironbark picnic area.

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

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).

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/somersby-falls-picnic-area/local-alerts

Park info

  • in Brisbane Water National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
  • Two picnic areas in Brisbane Water National Park close in the evening:

    • Girrakool picnic area is open 7am to 8pm during daylight savings and is open 7am to 6pm at other times
    • Somersby Falls picnic area is open 8am to 8pm during daylight savings and is open 8am to 5pm at other times

    Other areas of Brisbane Water National Park will be open at all times, however may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

     

     

  • Park entry fees:

    $8 per vehicle per day. The park has pay machines that accept both card and coins, or you can pay via the Park'nPay app.

    Other fees:

    You will need a permit to hold a wedding or undertake commercial photography within the park.

    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