Back to previous page

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

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Tue 9 Jun 2026, 3.38pm to Fri 1 Jan 2027, 3.40pm. Last reviewed: Tue 9 Jun 2026, 3.52pm

Safety alerts: America Bay walking track - condition alert

The America Bay walking track is currently in poor condition. Visitors should expect uneven surfaces and slip, trip and fall hazards along sections of the track.

If walking the track, exercise caution, wear suitable footwear and take extra care on steep, uneven or slippery sections.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is undertaking an assessment of the track and considering future maintenance and improvement works.

NPWS appreciates the cooperation of park visitors and encourages all visitors to assess track conditions and their own capabilities before commencing any walk.

For more information contact the NPWS Forestville office 9451 3479.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 5 Feb 2026, 8.00am to Fri 19 Jun 2026, 6.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 5 Jun 2026, 3.11pm

Closed areas: Part Somersby Falls walking track closed for upgrade

Part of Somersby Falls walking track will be closed until 6pm Friday 19 June 2026 for upgrade works.

The closure affects the section of the walking track between the Middle Falls and Bottom Falls.

The walking track to Middle Falls, the picnic area and the carpark will remain open during this time.

Fencing and signage will be in place around the closed area to ensure visitor safety.

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

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 22 Apr 2026, 3.31pm to Wed 1 Jul 2026, 3.33pm. Last reviewed: Tue 9 Jun 2026, 10.06am

Closed areas: Somersby NPWS Office Temporarily Closed

The National Parks office at Somersby will be closed to the public from 22nd April for approximately 10 weeks while construction works are underway. Customer enquiries can still be made by phone or by visiting our Lake Munmorah office at 1 Blue Wren Dr, Wybung NSW 2259.

For further information please contact Central Coast Area Office on 4320 4200 and 4972 9000.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 8 Apr 2025, 12.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 10 Apr 2026, 9.43am

Closed areas: Partial closure Piles Creek Loop Walking Track

Part of Piles Creek Loop Walking Track will be closed while rockfall investigations and mitigation works are undertaken.

The closed area is between the suspension bridge and Bundilla Lookout on the western side of Piles Creek.

Areas that will remain open are:

  • Piles Creek Loop Walking Track on the eastern side of Piles Creek 
  • Access to the Great North Walk from Girrakool Picnic Area 
  • Bundilla Lookout 

Barriers and signage are in place around the closed area.

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

 

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 25 Aug 2025, 10.33am. Last reviewed: Mon 16 Mar 2026, 8.40am

Closed areas: Upper Gledhill Falls access unsafe

There is no safe location to park a vehicle on the side of McCarrs Creek Road to reach Upper Gledhills Falls. For your own safety, climbing and abseiling are prohibited here. Please visit Duckholes picnic area instead.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 16 Feb 2026, 6.00am. Last reviewed: Tue 26 May 2026, 9.47am

Other planned events: Notice of fire trail maintenance works - Pearl Beach to Patonga Fire Trail

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service are undertaking fire trail maintenance works on the Pearl Beach to Patonga Fire Trail.

/**/

Maintenance will repair damaged surfaces, drainage assets and essential trail infrastructure, as well as maintain vegetation clearances.

The trail will remain open throughout the works, though short delays may occur. Please follow all safety signage and directions from roadwork personnel.

For more information, contact the Central Coast Area Office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 15 Sep 2025, 4.30pm to Wed 2 Sep 2026, 2.25pm. Last reviewed: Tue 12 May 2026, 12.49pm

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 Fri 14 Feb 2025, 8.03am to Sun 31 Jan 2027, 8.05am. Last reviewed: Thu 21 May 2026, 6.38pm

Closed parks: Spectacle Island Nature Reserve closed

Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access to Spectacle Island Nature Reserve is restricted to approved research and cultural activities only. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on (02) 8448 0400.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 14 Feb 2025, 8.09am to Sun 31 Jan 2027, 8.05am. Last reviewed: Thu 21 May 2026, 6.37pm

Closed parks: Long Island Nature Reserve closed

Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access to Long Island Nature Reserve is restricted to approved research and cultural activities only. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on (02) 8448 0400.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 14 Feb 2025, 8.10am to Sun 31 Jan 2027, 8.05am. Last reviewed: Thu 21 May 2026, 6.38pm

Closed parks: Lion Island Nature Reserve closed

Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access to Lion Island Nature Reserve is restricted to approved research activities only. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on (02) 8448 0400.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 21 May 2024, 11.41am. Last reviewed: Fri 8 May 2026, 9.18am

Closed areas: Warrah Trig Road closed to vehicles

Warrah Trig Road is closed to vehicles due to an increase in illegal activities throughout the area.

The road will remain closed until investigations are completed and further recommendations are made.

The road is open to pedestrians and cyclists.

 

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

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 always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

    • 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.
    • Gates to Sphinx Memorial carpark are closed overnight from 7pm.
  • 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).

    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 40 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

Why create an account?

  • Create lists of your next adventures
  • Get closure alerts by email
  • Save your personal info to make it fast and easy to fill in trip intention forms
  • And more features coming soon