Nearby alerts
Applies from Thu 22 May 2025, 12.27pm to Fri 6 Jun 2025, 12.32pm. Last reviewed: Sat 31 May 2025, 8.36am
Safety alerts: Hawke Head Drive - 4WD recommended
Hawke Head Drive is currently not recommended for 2WD vehicles due to slippery areas and water damage from excessive rain.
This affects vehicle access to Tallow Beach campground, Box Head walking track, and the Flannel Flower walk.
Please drive to conditions and be mindful of other road users.
For more information, contact the NPWS Central Coast Area on 02 4320 4200
Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list
Applies from Thu 22 May 2025, 12.16pm to Fri 6 Jun 2025, 2.00pm. Last reviewed: Sat 31 May 2025, 8.28am
Closed areas: Little Beach campground closed
Little Beach campground is closed from 12pm Thursday 22nd May to 2pm Friday 6th June 2025 due to severe weather.
The campsites and surrounding picnic area are waterlogged from excessive rain.
Please avoid the area. Ongoing use is causing damage to the ground surface.
Penalties apply for non-compliance.
For more information, contact the NPWS Central Coast Area office on 02 4320 4200.
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Applies from Thu 22 May 2025, 11.11am to Sun 15 Jun 2025, 11.12am. Last reviewed: Thu 29 May 2025, 3.01pm
Closed areas: Areas closed due to severe weather and flooding
The following areas in the Watagans National Park are closed until further notice due to severe weather, tree fall risk and flooding:
- Bangalow Road
- Bangalow Picnic Area and Campground
- Gap Creek Picnic Area and Campground
- Gap Creek Falls Walking Track
- Gap Creek Forest Walking Track
- Circuit Walking Track
- Monkey Face Road (4WD drive access only)
Many creek crossings, roads and trails will be affected and may be impassable due to severe rainfall causing dangerous conditions. The areas will re-open as soon as they are considered safe.
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.
Applies from Mon 26 May 2025, 2.22pm to Thu 5 Jun 2025, 2.25pm. Last reviewed: Thu 29 May 2025, 9.29am
Closed areas: Frazer Campground closed due to severe weather and flooding
Frazer Campground is closed until 5 June 2025 due to severe weather and flooding. The campground will re-open as soon it is considered safe.
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 this area.
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 Central Coast Area Office on (02) 4972 9000.
Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list
Applies from Mon 26 May 2025, 8.53am to Sun 1 Jun 2025, 8.00pm. Last reviewed: Thu 29 May 2025, 9.28am
Safety alerts: Flood risk warning
Recent heavy rainfall may cause flooding of areas in Jilliby State Conservation Area.
Creek crossings may become impassable with fast flowing water and increased water levels following heavy rainfall.
People planning to visit 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.
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Applies from Fri 23 May 2025, 11.05am to Fri 1 Aug 2025, 11.08am. Last reviewed: Fri 23 May 2025, 11.09am
Closed areas: Geebung Walking Track closed for upgrade maintenance works
Geebung walking track is closed for upgrade maintenance works. This closure will be in place until the end of July.
Works have been slow due to wet weather conditions.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the local NPWS office on 02 4972 9000.
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Applies from Fri 16 May 2025, 12.22pm to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 12.23pm. Last reviewed: Fri 16 May 2025, 12.24pm
Closed areas: Quarry Fire Trail closed for maintenance upgrade works
Quarry Fire Trail will be closed from Wednesday 02 April 2025 for maintenance upgrade works.
This closure will be in effect until works are complete. They have been delayed due to the recent wet weather.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 4972 9000.
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Applies from Fri 2 May 2025, 4.31pm to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 4.32pm. Last reviewed: Fri 2 May 2025, 4.41pm
Closed areas: Road reseal project - partial road closures
Road reseal project will result in partial road closers and delays through the park.
This will be in effect for the duration of works. Starting 10 May 2025 until 30 June 2025
Your patience during this time will be appreciated.
Further questions can be directed to the local area office on 4972 9000.
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Applies from Mon 29 Sep 2014, 1.49pm to Mon 11 Aug 2025, 11.58am. Last reviewed: Thu 24 Apr 2025, 9.05am
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.
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Applies from Tue 28 Jan 2025, 9.22am to Wed 7 Apr 2027, 9.23am. Last reviewed: Wed 30 Apr 2025, 1.55pm
Closed areas: Pink Caves - closed to the public
Pink Caves are closed to visitors because they are extremely unsafe to visit.
The caves are filled with water at high tide. Even at low tide they can be dangerous, as the ocean swell sends unpredictable waves sweeping into the caves and across the rock shelf. Sudden rogue waves can cause serious injury and may drag visitors across the rocks or out to sea.
There is no lifeguard service in this area and access for emergency services is limited. There’s no approved walking track to this location. Access to the caves involves walking over a rock shelf which is slippery, uneven and dangerous.
Visitors should take care when traversing all rock shelves and coastal areas located within Munmorah State Conservation Area.
For further information call the NPWS Local Area office on 02 4972 9000.
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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.
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Applies from Mon 7 Nov 2022, 3.08pm. Last reviewed: Sat 1 Mar 2025, 1.09pm
Closed areas: Timber Beach and Timber Beach walking track are CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
Timber Beach walking track is permanently CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. This area has high coastal risks and is extremely hazardous. This closure is in place to keep the public safe.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information, please contact the local NPWS office on 49729000
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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.
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Applies from Thu 29 Feb 2024, 11.44am. Last reviewed: Thu 8 May 2025, 11.48am
Other planned events: Temporary access closures to trails at Middle Camp - Catherine Hill Bay - Munmorah State Conservation Area for external developer construction works.
Middle Camp DA/2238/2017 - has begun works in the Catherine Hill Bay area adjacent to lands managed by Munmorah State Conservation Area. These works due to the location now has temporary closures to access trails for Munmorah SCA. This is necessary for the contractor managing this development in order to maintain a safe construction site and public safety.
NPWS apologises for the inconvenience and are unable to provide alternate access.
This temporary closure affects:
- Collier fire trail
- Powerline fire trail and
- Middle Camp fire trail
Please be advised that these closures will not stop access to fire vehicles in emergencies and does not cause a safety concern.
For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 4972 9000.
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Applies from Thu 15 Dec 2022, 4.29pm. Last reviewed: Thu 13 Mar 2025, 9.30am
Closed areas: North Mackerel track closed and Mackerel trail partially closed
North Mackerel track is permanently closed due to a potential risk of rockfalls and unstable cliff edges in the Great Mackerel Beach area.
The only designated land access to or from Great Mackerel Beach is via Mackerel track to the north, which intersects with Resolute track.
Due to land instability and risk to personal safety, there is no through or return access to or from the following places:
- The south end of Great Mackerel Beach via The Basin or Mackerel trail
- The west of Great Mackerel Beach via North Mackerel track, which is closed.
Please be aware of the risks associated with visiting natural areas, including rock falls, unstable edges, falling branches and interactions with wildlife.
For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
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.
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Applies from Wed 3 Aug 2022, 10.43am. Last reviewed: Thu 15 May 2025, 9.27am
Safety alerts: Rock fishing safety
Rock fishing is a popular activity for many national park visitors and your safety whilst fishing is important. Parts of the NSW Central Coast are a declared high risk area due to large swells and hazardous surf conditions. In these high risk areas under the NSW Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016, you are required by law to wear an appropriate life jacket. This includes children and anyone helping you fish. This is regulated by NSW Fisheries and poses an on the spot $100 fine if non-compliant.
Before rock fishing you should always:
Stay safe, always watch the local conditions, never turn your back on the ocean and never fish alone.
If you’re in doubt don’t go out.
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