Applies from Mon 20 Apr 2026, 8.00am to Wed 20 May 2026, 11.17am. Last reviewed: Wed 22 Apr 2026, 8.57am
Closed areas: Smoky Cape Lighthouse closed for track upgrade
Some parts of Hat Head National Park are closed from Tuesday 21 April to Wednesday 20 May 2026 while the Smoky Cape Lighthouse walking track is being upgraded. The closed areas are:
- Smoky Cape Lighthouse
- Captain Cook lookout
- Walking track to the Lighthouse from the carpark
- Access to the Lighthouse will be temporarily closed during this maintenance period
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Kempsey office on (02) 6561 6700.
Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list
Applies from Mon 1 Mar 2021, 11.38am to Fri 30 Oct 2026, 9.17am. Last reviewed: Thu 19 Mar 2026, 9.41am
Closed areas: Area permanently closed - Mermaid Pools
Access to Mermaid Pools is permanently closed including for swimming. Sudden large swells and tides create major waves that wash over the rocks and pools.
Do not access this area. The severe conditions at this site have caused a number of significant injuries and deaths in the past.
Mermaid Pools have never been a designated visitor site due to the extreme nature of the surf and tides at this location. There is no approved public access walking track to Mermaid Pools.
For further information call the NPWS Verges Creek area office on 02 6561 6700.
Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list
