Applies from Fri 2 Oct 2026, 8.31am to Thu 17 Dec 2026, 11.00am. Last reviewed: Fri 2 Oct 2026, 7.49am

Closed parks: Areas closed for ground shooting for feral animal control

Areas of Budderoo National Park are closed between 6:00pm Monday 12th October 2026 and 09:00am Friday 17th December 2026 for a pest animal ground shooting operation. The closed areas are:

• Douglas Creek Trail
• Powerlines trail east of Carrington Falls
• Knights Hill precinct

This program will target deer. It aims to reduce the significant impact they have on native plants and animals including threatened species.

Other pest animals, including pigs, goats, foxes and feral cats will be targeted if observed during the operation.

This operation will involve night time ground shooting only. The park closure is between 6pm - 9am Monday to Thursday during this time.

Ground Shooting will not take place during school holidays or on weekends or public holidays.

Park closure warning signs will be placed at entrances to the shooting area. Do not enter the closed area during shooting periods.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information contact the Illawarra-Highlands area office on (02) 4887 8244.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Budderoo National Park

Applies from Thu 1 Oct 2026, 12.00am to Wed 31 Mar 2027, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Tue 15 Sep 2026, 11.17am

Fire bans: Park Fire Ban - Hawkesbury-Nattai 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)

However, the following campgrounds are exempt in the following reserves:

• Yellomundee Regional Park

  • Shaws Creek Aboriginal Place

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

• Upper Nepean State Conservation Area

Applies from Wed 21 Sep 2022, 1.08pm to Wed 13 Jan 2027, 5.09pm. Last reviewed: Tue 22 Sep 2026, 9.50am

Other planned events: 1080 fox ground baiting program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is conducting a continual and ongoing 1080 ground baiting program for the control of foxes from Monday 13 July 2026 to Wednesday 13 January 2027.

The program targets target foxes in the Carrington Falls, Budderoo Plateau, Knights Hill and Barren Grounds areas. Bait stations are located on NPWS estate and Crown road reserves with permissions. Both buried baits and Canid Pest Ejectors are used in this program.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, particularly the threatened species within these areas.

1080 baiting signs are at all entries to the baiting location. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. 

Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Fitzroy Falls office on 02 4887 8244 or send an email.

Affects 2 parks and 14 locations nearby. Show list

• Barren Grounds Nature Reserve
  • Barren Grounds picnic area
  • Cooks Nose walking track
  • Griffiths walking track
  • Illawarra lookout walking track
  • Illawarra tourism route
• Budderoo National Park
  • Budderoo track
  • Carrington Falls campground
  • Carrington Falls picnic area
  • Carrington Falls walking track
  • Izzards lookout track
  • Jamberoo lookout
  • Missingham lookout track
  • Nellies Glen picnic area
  • Warris Chair lookout track

Applies from Thu 2 Jul 2020, 4.56pm. Last reviewed: Mon 21 Sep 2026, 9.41am

Other incidents: Minnamurra Rainforest Centre may close at short notice

Minnamurra Rainforest Centre is a popular location and will close at short notice if needed. This is to ensure visitation levels do not exceed safe capacity or due to the carpark reaching capacity. 

NPWS encourages you to plan your visit outside of peak periods of 11am to 2pm. 

Other areas within Budderoo National Park can also close at short notice due to severe weather conditions.

For more information, please phone the centre on 02 4236 0469.

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

• Budderoo National Park
  • Lyrebird loop walk
  • Minnamurra Falls walk
  • Minnamurra Rainforest Centre
  • Minnamurra Rainforest outdoor weddings
  • Minnamurra Rainforest picnic area

Applies from Sat 2 Dec 2023, 6.00am. Last reviewed: Mon 31 Aug 2026, 10.36am

Closed areas: Access to the base of Gerringong Falls is prohibited

Access to the base of Gerringong Falls is prohibited.

The area around and down to the base of the Gerringong Falls has loose rocks, steep cliffs and unstable ground surface making it dangerous to access. The walk will remain permanently closed to the public to protect visitor safety.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the local Area at npws.illawarrahighlands@environment.nsw.gov.au or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

• Budderoo National Park
  • Budderoo track
  • Gerringong Falls

Applies from Tue 18 Jun 2019, 9.18am. Last reviewed: Mon 14 Sep 2026, 10.24am

Closed areas: Restricted access to Macquarie Rivulet

There is no access to Macquarie Rivulet from Mount Murray, at the top of Macquarie Pass. If you access the rivulet from the top of the escarpment, you will be trespassing on private property. Access to Macquarie Rivulet is only permitted via Clover Hill Road.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please call the NPWS Illawarra area office on 02 4224 4188.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Macquarie Pass National Park

Applies from Fri 10 Feb 2023, 9.21pm. Last reviewed: Fri 11 Sep 2026, 8.43am

Closed areas: Informal track to Clover Falls is is closed due to rockfall risk

Due to rockfall risk, the unsanctioned walking track from the end of Clover Hill Road at Macquarie Rivulet to Clover Hill Falls is closed.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Macquarie Pass National Park

Applies from Mon 14 Dec 2020, 11.55am. Last reviewed: Sat 19 Sep 2026, 7.10pm

Closed areas: Macquarie Rivulet - Jump Rock track closed

Access to Macquarie Rivulet (also known as 'Jump Rock') is not permitted. The track is steep and eroded, and contains unstable surfaces, cliffs and drop offs.

There is a high risk of injury from falls from heights. Do not enter the closed areas of this park.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information call 1300 072 757.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Macquarie Pass National Park

Applies from Tue 10 Nov 2020, 2.24pm. Last reviewed: Mon 21 Sep 2026, 9.41am

Closed areas: Minnamurra Rainforest Cafe closed

Minnamurra Rainforest Cafe is closed until further notice. Light refreshments and hot beverages are available for purchase from Minnamurra Rainforest Centre.

For further information contact Minnamurra Rainforest Centre on 02 4236 0469.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

• Budderoo National Park
  • Minnamurra Rainforest Centre
  • Minnamurra Rainforest outdoor weddings