Current alerts in this area
Last reviewed: Thu 15 May 2025, 2.47pm
Applies from Sat 17 May 2025, 6.00pm
to Sat 24 May 2025, 8.00am.
Last reviewed: Thu 15 May 2025, 2.47pm.
Safety alerts: Flood risk warning
Forecast heavy rainfall may cause flooding of areas in Watagans, Brisbane Water and Wyrrabalong National Parks and Munmorah and Jilliby State Conservation Areas.
Creek crossings may become impassable with fast flowing water and increased water levels following heavy rainfall.
People planning to visit these parks 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.
Nearby alerts
Applies from Thu 22 May 2025, 11.11am to Thu 29 May 2025, 11.12am. Last reviewed: Thu 22 May 2025, 11.23am
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 Picnic Area and Campground
- Gap Creek Picnic Area and Campground
- Boarding House Dam Picnic Area
- Gap Creek Falls Walking Track
- Gap Creek Forest Walking Track
- Circuit Walking Track
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.
Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list
Applies from Sat 17 May 2025, 6.00pm to Sat 24 May 2025, 8.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 15 May 2025, 2.47pm
Safety alerts: Flood risk warning
Forecast heavy rainfall may cause flooding of areas in Watagans, Brisbane Water and Wyrrabalong National Parks and Munmorah and Jilliby State Conservation Areas.
Creek crossings may become impassable with fast flowing water and increased water levels following heavy rainfall.
People planning to visit these parks 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.
Affects 2 parks and 5 locations nearby. Show list
Applies from Sun 11 May 2025, 5.51pm to Fri 27 Feb 2026, 5.51pm. Last reviewed: Thu 8 May 2025, 6.00pm
Safety alerts: Major roadworks in Sugarloaf State Conservation Area
Major roadworks are ongoing in Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. Partial and intermittent road closures should be expected.
Visitors are asked to avoid the area (if possible). Otherwise, please be aware of trucks and machinery working on roads within Sugarloaf SCA and to drive to the conditions.
For more information, please contact the NPWS Lower Hunter Area Office on 02 4946 4100.
Affects 1 park nearby. Show list
Applies from Fri 19 Jul 2024, 10.21am to Tue 30 Jun 2026, 10.21am. Last reviewed: Sun 23 Mar 2025, 2.02pm
Closed areas: Gap Creek Forest Walk Part Closed Due to Landslip and Rockfall Risk
Gap Creek Forest Walk is part closed due to the risk of landslip and rockfall.
Penalties apply for non-compliance.
For more information, contact NPWS Central Coast office on 02 4972 9000
Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list
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.
Affects 1 park nearby. Show list
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.
Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list
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.
Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list
Applies from Tue 7 Oct 2014, 1.53pm to Thu 7 Oct 2027, 11.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 17 Apr 2025, 10.21am
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
