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Red Hands Cave walking track - Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Sat 18 March 2023, 10.02am

Applies from Thu 15 Dec 2022, 4.29pm. Last reviewed: Sat 18 Mar 2023, 10.02am.

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 remember 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.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Fri 21 May 2021, 1.11pm to Fri 31 Mar 2023, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Wed 22 Mar 2023, 2.46pm

Other planned events: Temporary fencing at West Head lookout

West Head lookout is open to visitors, and temporary fencing has been installed at the lookout for public safety. Upgrades will take place from April to November 2023.

Please do not enter the fenced area. Nearby walking tracks remain open.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 5 Dec 2022, 10.07am to Fri 31 Mar 2023, 8.00pm. Last reviewed: Tue 21 Mar 2023, 2.33pm

Closed areas: Warrah Trig Road closed to vehicles

Warrah Trig Road is currently closed to vehicles whilst essential maintenance work is undertaken.

The road is open to pedestrians and cyclists. 

The road is expected to re-open on Saturday 1st April 2023.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 23 May 2022, 1.55pm to Fri 30 Jun 2023, 8.00pm. Last reviewed: Wed 15 Mar 2023, 9.24am

Closed areas: Great North walk partial closure

The section of Great North walk between Reservoir Road, Somersby and Karool Road, Mooney Mooney Creek is closed until further notice due to a flood damaged bridge.

This area will reopen as soon as it is 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 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 7 Apr 2022, 11.17am to Fri 30 Jun 2023, 8.00pm. Last reviewed: Wed 15 Mar 2023, 9.24am

Closed areas: Brieses fire trail partial closure

The section of Brieses fire trail between Mooney Mooney Creek and Old Mooney Dam trail is closed until further notice due to a landslip, making it unsafe for vehicles.

Signs are in place around closed areas. This area will re-open as soon as it is safe and repair works have been completed.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 29 Dec 2022, 2.25pm to Fri 30 Jun 2023, 2.26pm. Last reviewed: Thu 23 Mar 2023, 8.56am

Closed areas: Kariong Brook Waterhole and Waterfall Closed

The waterhole and waterfall at Kariong Brook is closed until further notice due to risk of rockfall.

The adjacent Great North Walk will remain open.

Signs are in place around the closed area.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Central Coast NPWS office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 1 Mar 2023, 11.08am to Fri 21 Apr 2023, 11.11am. Last reviewed: Wed 1 Mar 2023, 2.06pm

Closed areas: Resolute track closed for track upgrade

Resolute track is closed between Resolute trail and Resolute beach from Wednesday 1 March to Friday 21 April 2023 while the walking track is being upgraded. The following areas remain open:

  • The section of Resolute track from West Head Lookout that joins Mackeral track
  • Mackeral track
  • Resolute beach, accessible by water only

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 19 Sep 2022, 7.00am to Fri 30 Jun 2023, 6.00pm. Last reviewed: Wed 8 Mar 2023, 2.11pm

Other planned events: Notice of fire trail maintenance program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is undertaking fire trail maintenance works in Brisbane Water National Park from Monday 19 September 2022 for a period of up to 9 months (pending suitable weather conditions).

The maintenance work will repair damaged drainage assets and infrastructure that supports and is essential to the ongoing operation of the trails as well as maintaining vegetation clearances.

Trails will remain open for the duration of the construction works, with adequate signage and diversions (if required) in place.

Please contact the the local Central Coast area office on 02 4320 4200 for more information.

Affects 1 park and 6 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 1 Feb 2023, 7.00am to Fri 31 Mar 2023, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 24 Mar 2023, 8.28am

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting a ground baiting program in Bouddi National Park from Wednesday 1 February 2023 to Friday 31 March 2023.

The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of foxes.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species.

Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. 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.

Please contact the local Girrakool NPWS area office for more information on (02) 43204200.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 1 Feb 2023, 7.00am to Fri 31 Mar 2023, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 24 Mar 2023, 8.29am

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting a ground baiting program on Rileys Island Nature Reserve from Wednesday 1 February 2023 to Friday 31 March 2023.

The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of foxes.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species.

Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. 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.

Please contact the local Girrakool NPWS area office for more information on (02) 43204200.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 15 Dec 2022, 4.29pm. Last reviewed: Sat 18 Mar 2023, 10.02am

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 remember 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.

Affects 1 park and 8 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 29 Sep 2014, 1.49pm to Sun 11 Aug 2024, 11.58am. Last reviewed: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 9.09am

Closed areas: Old Wagstaffe trail - no access 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.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 19 Sep 2022, 9.36am to Thu 31 Aug 2023, 9.39am. Last reviewed: Thu 9 Mar 2023, 8.34am

Closed parks: Muogamarra Nature Reserve closed

Muogamarra Nature Reserve is only open to the public for 6 weeks every year, around spring time.

Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access is restricted at other times to approved educational and research activities only.

For more information about the reserve, call the NPWS Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 or the NPWS North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 30 Sep 2020, 11.54am. Last reviewed: Wed 8 Mar 2023, 2.10pm

Safety alerts: Ironbark Road access to picnic area - Last 850m 4WD only

The last 850m along Ironbark Road (Crown Road) to access Ironbark picnic area is currently limited to 4WD vehicles only. This section is not suitable to conventional 2WD vehicles due to a severely eroded hill along the Crown Road. Visitors to this section of the park travelling by conventional 2WD vehicles will have to walk the last 850 metres to access to the start of the park and Ironbark picnic area.

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/red-hands-cave-walking-track-kuringgai-chase-national-park/local-alerts

Park info

  • in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
  • Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

    • The entrance to Bobbin Head and Appletree Bay is closed from 8pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and from 5.30pm to 6am the rest of the year.
    • Gates to West Head are closed from 8.30pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and from 6pm to 6am the rest of the year.
  • Park entry fees:

    $12 per vehicle per day. You can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.

    Vehicles over 8 seats: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day). Students on educational programs: $1.10 per student. Teachers/educational supervisors: free (1 adult per 10 students).

    Other fees:

    A $3 per adult, $2 per child landing fee may apply for day visitors to The Basin campground. Please pay at the campground wharf. Landing fees are included in your camping fees.

    Group bookings:

    Under the Plan of Management for this park, prior written approval is required for organised groups of 20 or more people planning to visit this park. Contact the park office before your visit.

    Buy annual pass
See more visitor info

Emergency services

For all NSW fires visit the Rural Fire Service

For the latest information on wildfires in your area please contact the NSW Rural Fire Service.

View all alerts for NSW