Applies from Wed 26 Feb 2020, 10.38am to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 11.48am. Last reviewed: Mon 22 May 2023, 10.16am

Safety alerts: Watagan Road/Heaton Road closed due to landslips

Watagan Road (also known as Heaton Road) is closed until further notice due to a major landslip on the Cessnock City Council section.

There is no access from the cattle grid at the southern end of Heaton Road, Quorrobolong south, uphill to the Georges Road intersection in the Watagans NP.

This access road to Olney, Heaton State Forests and Watagans National Park is closed.

Work is currently underway way but will be complex, involve major earthworks and road realignment.

For information about closures in nearby state forests, please refer to the Forestry Corporation of NSW website for closures and notices.

For more information, contact the local NPWS Lake Munmorah area office on 02 4972 9000 or Cessnock City Council on 02 4993 4100.

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

• Watagans National Park
  • Boarding House Dam picnic area
  • Circuit walking track
  • Monkey Face lookout
  • The Narrow Place lookout

Applies from Wed 8 Mar 2023, 9.09am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.15am

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. 

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

• Jilliby State Conservation Area
  • Muirs lookout

Applies from Sat 31 Dec 2022, 9.57am to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 9.58am. Last reviewed: Mon 22 May 2023, 10.14am

Closed areas: Roads and Trails Closed due to 4WD Damage

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

• Jilliby State Conservation Area

Applies from Sat 8 Oct 2022, 9.33am to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 11.01am. Last reviewed: Thu 25 May 2023, 11.07am

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

• Jilliby State Conservation Area

Applies from Wed 31 Aug 2022, 12.45pm to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 12.45pm. Last reviewed: Thu 25 May 2023, 11.07am

Closed areas: Lemon Tree Road - Partial closure for roadworks

The section of Lemon Tree Road, between Prickly Ridge Road and Yambo Forest Road, is closed to all vehicles for reconstruction. This closure will remain in place due to severe erosion and 4WD vehicle damage. Rain has delayed the work again.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Lake Munmorah area office on 02 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Jilliby State Conservation Area

Applies from Wed 13 Apr 2022, 10.37am. Last reviewed: Mon 22 May 2023, 10.14am

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

• Jilliby State Conservation Area
  • Muirs lookout

Applies from Tue 7 Oct 2014, 1.53pm to Sun 31 Dec 2023, 9.59am. Last reviewed: Mon 29 May 2023, 11.07am

Closed areas: Parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area closed

Parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area are closed for approved underground mining operations. The affected areas (see map) have been closed to protect visitor safety, because they're subject to subsidence and remediation activities from the mining operations.

Great North walk remains open. An update will be provided should this situation change.

If you're visiting the park, please be aware of subsidence and pollution incidents that took place in 2013, which were greater than what was expected from normal mining operations. These included a cliff fall in the north, and a subsidence and grout leak incident in the central part of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. 

If you're planning to visit the park during this time, please stay on formed tracks and trails and observe all barriers, warning signs and safety messages. Areas subject to possible cliff fall or subsidence in both areas of the park are clearly marked.

For more information, call the NPWS Lower Hunter area office on 02 4946 4100. NSW National Parks safety page.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Sugarloaf State Conservation Area