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The Basin track and Mackerel track

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Thu 29 August 2024, 6.07pm

Applies from Thu 15 Dec 2022, 4.29pm. Last reviewed: Thu 29 Aug 2024, 6.07pm.

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 be aware of 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 Thu 31 Oct 2024, 12.41pm to Mon 25 Nov 2024, 12.42pm. Last reviewed: Thu 31 Oct 2024, 12.48pm

Closed areas: Barrenjoey access trail closed on weekdays

Barrenjoey access road is closed on weekdays from Monday 8 July 2024 to Monday 25 November 2024 due to construction works. Pedestrian access to Barrenjoey Lighthouse will be via Smugglers track.

The Smugglers track is a grade 3 walking track – mostly stairs. It is a steeper and more challenging walk to the top of the headland. Please consider your ability prior to ascent.

For further information please call the local area office.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 28 Oct 2024, 11.49am to Fri 29 Nov 2024, 11.52am. Last reviewed: Mon 28 Oct 2024, 2.38pm

Closed areas: Ironbark Picnic Area Closed

A section of Ironbark Road will be closed for maintenance works from 28/10/2024 until 29/11/2024.

Access to the following sites will will not be possible during this time: 

  • Ironbark Picnic Area
  • Hominy Creek Walking Track
  • 248 Trail
  • Mount Olive Train
  • Mount Olive Lookout

Temporary fencing will be in place, please obey signage and do not enter closed areas during this time. 

 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information phone the Local National Parks area office on 4342 4200.

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 23 Oct 2024, 10.50am. Last reviewed: Sat 9 Nov 2024, 9.40am

Closed areas: Little Beach campground and access road closed for culvert replacement

Little Beach Fire trail will be closed between Sunday 27th October – Friday 15th November.

Little Beach Camp ground is also closed to campers during this time.

You can still access Little Beach, the Coastal Walk and the Murawaring Moor Track by using the Little beach walking track which you acessed from Graham Drive.

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4320 4200 or npws.centralcoast@environment.nsw.gov.au.

 

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 18 Oct 2024, 10.38am to Fri 15 Nov 2024, 10.39am. Last reviewed: Thu 7 Nov 2024, 10.21am

Closed areas: Salvation Loop and Wallaroo trails closed for upgrade works

There will be vegetation and surface works on the Salvation Loop and Wallaroo trails in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park from Friday 18 October 2024 until Friday 15 November 2024, weather permitting.

Please follow all signage and instruction from NPWS staff and contractors. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

For more information, contact the Sydney North area office on 02 9451 3479.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 23 Sep 2024, 2.24pm to Tue 2 Sep 2025, 2.25pm. Last reviewed: Fri 25 Oct 2024, 1.28pm

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 31 Jul 2024, 10.11pm to Sat 1 Feb 2025, 2.12am. Last reviewed: Mon 14 Oct 2024, 7.05am

Other planned events: ‘1080 pest management’

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between 1 August 2024 and 31 January 2025 in Garigal National Park. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

 

All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.

Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. 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.

Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.

For more information, contact the local park office on:

Forestville 9451 3479 (business hours)

NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 7 Apr 2022, 11.17am to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 8.00pm. Last reviewed: Sat 12 Oct 2024, 11.15am

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 Tue 21 May 2024, 11.41am. Last reviewed: Sat 12 Oct 2024, 11.15am

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

Applies from Thu 15 Dec 2022, 4.29pm. Last reviewed: Thu 29 Aug 2024, 6.07pm

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 be aware of 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 Wed 31 Jan 2024, 8.00am to Fri 28 Feb 2025, 8.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 8 Aug 2024, 8.23am

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

The last 850m of Ironbark Road (Crown Road) to access Ironbark picnic area is currently limited to 4WD vehicles only.

This section is not suitable for 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 need to walk the last 850 metres to access the park and Ironbark picnic area.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 29 Sep 2014, 1.49pm to Mon 11 Aug 2025, 11.58am. Last reviewed: Thu 19 Sep 2024, 9.22am

Closed areas: No access to Old Wagstaffe trail 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 Wed 10 Feb 2016, 3.18pm. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Sep 2024, 9.49am

Closed areas: Flat Rock track partial closure

The section of Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance to the Downpatrick Street entrance, is permanently closed as the old track passes through private property near Killarney Point.

Please note:

  • Walkers heading west should exit Flat Rock track at the eastern end of Killarney Drive and use Killarney Drive until you reach Downpatrick Street. Then walk down the street and re-enter Flat Rock track from the Downpatrick Street fire trail.
  • Walkers heading east should exit Flat Rock track at the Downpatrick Street fire trail and use Downpatrick Street, then Killarney Drive until you reach the end of Killarney Drive. Re-enter Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance.

For more information, please contact the NPWS Forestville area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Affects 1 park and 1 location 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/the-basin-track-and-mackerel-track/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

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