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Coolah Tops National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Sun 29 June 2025, 8.59am

Applies from Mon 30 Jun 2025, 6.00am to Mon 14 Jul 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Thu 26 Jun 2025, 3.45pm.

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 dog baiting program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting a ground baiting program from 30 June 2025 to 14 July 2025. The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs.

The program will take place in Coolah Tops National Park.

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.

This program is designed to minimise the impact of wild dogs on neighbouring livestock and is undertaken in conjunction with local landholders and Central West Local Land Services.

Please contact the local NPWS Castlereagh Area office for more information on 6843 4000.

Affects 15 locations in this park: Show list

Applies from Wed 16 Apr 2025, 6.00am to Mon 14 Jul 2025, 4.30pm. Last reviewed: Tue 24 Jun 2025, 9.56am.

Closed areas: Bald Hill Falls closed for maintenance

The Bald Hill Falls area of Coolah Tops National Park is temporarily closed for maintenance and upgrade work. Work is anticipated to be completed and the area reopened in the coming weeks. 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 6843 4000.

Affects 1 location in this park: Show list

Applies from Mon 2 Jun 2025, 9.52am to Mon 1 Sep 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Sun 29 Jun 2025, 8.59am.

Closed areas: Seasonal road closure

The Forest Road, east of the Hildergarde Road intersection in Coolah Tops National Park, will be closed to vehicles from Monday 2 June to Monday 1 September 2025. This is because of ongoing wet road conditions during the colder months. This closure may be cancelled or extended as per road conditions, any changes will be posted as soon as possible.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please call the NPWS Castlereagh Area office on 02 6843 4000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Affects 4 locations in this park: Show list

Applies from Thu 1 May 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Sat 28 Jun 2025, 9.03am.

Other incidents: Restricted access to Coolah Tops National Park - 4WD recommended

Forest Road between Coolah Creek Road and the entrance of Coolah Tops National Park is managed and maintained by Warrumbungle Shire Council. Major roadwork is currently being undertaken on this section of road and is anticipated to be completed by October 2026.

During this time:

  • Expect delays due to traffic control
  • The road may be impassable during and after wet weather
  • The road may NOT be suitable for 2wd vehicles, trucks, trailers and caravans

 Please refer any inquiries concerning this road directly to Warrumbungle Shire Council, phone (02) 6378 5000.

Affects 15 locations in this park: Show list

Nearby alerts

Applies from Mon 16 Jun 2025, 3.47pm to Thu 31 Jul 2025, 4.00pm. Last reviewed: Thu 3 Jul 2025, 1.06pm

Other incidents: Barrington Tops Forest Road closures

The severe weather event in May 2025 has caused major damage to Barrington Tops Forest Road in a number of places, forcing MidCoast Council to close the road on the eastern side of Barrington Tops. There is currently no access to the Barrington Tops plateau, or Scone via the Barrington Tops Forest Rd from Gloucester.

The same weather event has also caused major damage on the western side of the plateau, forcing Upper Hunter Shire Council to place a 2.5T load limit on the section of road west of the Dingo Gate - see 2.5 tonne Load Limit in Place – Barrington Tops Forest Road - UHSC.

For more information on the councils closures please contact the appropriate council directly.

For up to date general information on road closures visit https://www.livetraffic.com/.

Affects 1 park and 14 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 21 Feb 2025, 3.27pm to Fri 11 Jul 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Wed 2 Jul 2025, 8.55am

Closed areas: Notice of Management Program temporary closure – Barrington Tops National Park and State Conservation Area

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be closing the below trails on the Barrington Tops plateau from Thursday 20th February to Friday 11th July 2025 (including weekend days) in Barrington Tops National Park and State Conservation Area for management operations:

  • Butchers Swamp Trail
  • Paddys Ridge Trail

 

Do Not Enter. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

Closure notices will be placed at all visitor areas and relevant access points.

We appreciate your patience while this important work is carried out. If you would like any further information about closures, please contact conservation.barringtontops@environment.nsw.gov.au.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 31 Mar 2025, 7.00am to Fri 11 Jul 2025, 2.00pm. Last reviewed: Wed 2 Jul 2025, 8.44am

Closed areas: Notice of temporary closure - Little Murray Campground, Barrington Tops NP

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be temporarily closing Little Murray Campground, Little Murray Trail and Narrow Plain Trail on the Barrington Tops plateau from Monday 31 March to Friday 11 July 2025 (including weekend days) for a park management program to address a public safety risk.

Do Not Enter. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

Closure notices will be placed at all visitor areas and relevant access points.

We appreciate your patience while this important work is carried out. For further information about these closures, please contact conservation.barringtontops@environment.nsw.gov.au. 

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 1 Jul 2025, 12.18pm. Last reviewed: Tue 1 Jul 2025, 1.29pm

Other incidents: No vehicle access to Lagoon Pinch Picnic Area

There is currently no vehicle access to Williams Top Picnic Area or Lagoon Pinch Picnic Area (due to closure of Williams Top Rd and Lagoon Pinch Forest Rd in Chichester State Forest) following serve weather.

Access to the Corker Trail is only via Williams River Picnic Area and Rocky Crossing Walk, adding an additional 9km (one-way) to the walk to Careys Peak/Wombat Creek Campground. 

Walkers need to be experienced and well prepared for long-distance, remote hiking. 

For information about State Forest closures, please visit: Forestry Corporation - Closures and notices.

For more information on accessing Barrington Tops National Park contact Gloucester NPWS on 02 6538 5300.

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 1 Jul 2025, 12.00am to Wed 30 Jun 2027, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Tue 1 Jul 2025, 7.45am

Safety alerts: Weed Spraying

Maynggu Ganai Historic Site consist of three separate management precincts - locally referred to as the Government House Block, the Military Barracks Block and the Well Block. Please be advised that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) undertakes regular and ongoing weed spraying operations across these three areas. These weed management works include (but are not limited too) spraying of all of the boundary and timber bollard fence lines and internal walking track routes with Roundup Biactive and Associate (being glyphosate and metsulfuron chemical products respectively). These works are conducted in order to; control exotic grasses and environmental weeds, assist with grounds maintenance activities such as mowing and improve the aesthetics of the site. In addition, NPWS staff then treat other emerging weeds on a cases by case basis, such as St Johns Wort using Grazon Extra. 

For further information regarding this activity please contact the NPWS Central West Area office at either Dubbo on 02 6841 7100 or Bathurst on 02 6332 7640

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 13 Jun 2025, 5.00pm to Tue 30 Sep 2025, 3.39pm. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Jun 2025, 4.33pm

Closed areas: Tubrabucca Road closed due to severe weather impacts.

The section of Tubrabucca Rd between Horse Swamp campground and the ridge east of Paddys Creek bridge is currently closed due to impacts from the recent severe weather event.

For further information contact the Scone NPWS office on (02) 6540 2300.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 1 May 2025, 7.00am to Mon 29 Sep 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Jun 2025, 4.33pm

Closed areas: Seasonal Closure of Barrington Tops NP 4WD trails

The following 4WD trails are closed to all public vehicles from Sunday 1 June 2025 to the afternoon of Tuesday 30 September 2025 for the winter seasonal closure:

  • Barrington trail - south
  • Barrington trail - central
  • Paddys Ridge trail
  • Butchers Swamp trail
  • Bullock Brush trail
  • Thunderbolts trail (between Barrington Tops Forest Road and Pheasants Creek Road)
  • Tugalow trail

Vehicle access to Junction Pools, Little Murray and Gummi Falls campgrounds and associated walking tracks and facilities is closed during this time. Visitors can still access all these campgrounds, walking tracks and facilities on foot or by bicycle.

Unfortunately Little Murray campground is currently closed to all visitors while NPWS deals with a public safety risk.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact either the NPWS Gloucester area office on 02 6538 5300, the NPWS Scone area office on 02 6540 2300 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Affects 1 park and 9 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 18 Jun 2025, 3.49pm to Fri 8 Aug 2025, 3.54pm. Last reviewed: Thu 26 Jun 2025, 1.42pm

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting a ground baiting program from 24 June 2025 to 11 July 2025. The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of foxes.

The program will take place in Timmallallie National Park and Pilliga Nature Reserve.

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 Castlereagh Area NPWS office for more information on 02 6843 4000.

Affects 2 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 1 Jul 2024, 3.16pm to Thu 31 Jul 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 6 Jun 2025, 12.15pm

Closed areas: Roads closed due to flood damage

The following roads in this park are closed due to storm and flood damage:

  • California trail - closed until late July 2025

Visitor areas that are currently closed include:

  • California Hut - closed until late July 2025

Gates have been locked, and signs are in place on closed roads. Expected reopening times are subject to weather delays.

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

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 29 May 2025, 11.22am to Wed 31 Dec 2025, 11.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Jun 2025, 7.12am

Closed areas: Areas closed due to severe weather damage.

Some parts of this park are closed from Thursday 29th May 2025 until further notice due to severe weather damage. The closed areas are:

  • Mount Royal Road
  • Youngville Campground
  • Pieries Peak Walking Track
  • Carrow Brook Walking Track

 

Roads into and throughout the park may also be closed.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 6574 5555.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 28 Dec 2023, 7.31am. Last reviewed: Tue 1 Jul 2025, 8.59am

Closed areas: Burraga Swamp Walk Closed

Burraga Swamp walking track is currently inaccessible to vehicles due to closure of Mt Allyn Rd. Forestry Corporation of NSW has closed the road due to a failed bridge. The reopening date is not known at this stage. For more information, phone Gloucester NPWS Office on 02 6538 5300.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 25 Mar 2025, 4.00pm to Fri 19 Sep 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Tue 1 Jul 2025, 8.59am

Safety alerts: Feral Cat 1080 program - Gloucester Tops

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is undertaking a Felixer feral cat pest management program the Gloucester Tops part of the park from Friday 28 March 2025 to Friday 19 September 2025.

This program is designed to minimise the impact of feral cats on wildlife, especially the endangered rufous scrub-bird and broad-toothed rat. There will be signs at all baiting locations.

The operation will involve the use Felixer 1080 cartridges, containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison, dispensed by a Felixer unit, for the control of feral cats.

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 in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting locations. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

For further information, please call the Barrington Tops area office on 02 6538 5300.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 20 Feb 2025, 3.03pm. Last reviewed: Thu 29 May 2025, 10.25am

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 aerial and ground baiting program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service carries out ongoing 1080 ground baiting in Warrumbungle National Park for the control of foxes. Meat baits and canid pest ejectors containing 1080 sodium fluoroacetate poison are laid in the Park. In addition to this, an aerial baiting program is also carried out periodically to reach inaccessible areas also north of Timor Road/John Renshaw Parkway.

All baiting locations will be identifiable by signs.

Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected, and 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.

This program protects the endangered brush-tailed rock-wallaby. For more information, contact the NPWS Castlereagh area office on 6842 1311

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 19 Mar 2024, 9.11am to Wed 31 Dec 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Jun 2025, 8.34am

Safety alerts: Visitor Safety Alert: Feral Horses

Feral horses move through this campground day and night. Campers at Little Murray and Polblue campgrounds should set up tents as close to their vehicles as possible.

 

Aggressive horse behaviour can pose a safety risk for visitors. Aggressive behaviour includes snorting, head bobbing, stomping front legs, ears erect, aggressive stance and approaching in an aggressive manner.

 

What to do around aggressive horses:

· avoid the animals, especially if a stallion is present and there are mares nearby

· retreat to your vehicle

· wave your arms around and make lots of noise

· walk in a group rather than as an individual

· always be aware of your immediate surroundings.

 

Please report any such interaction or aggressive horse behaviour to NPWS Gloucester on 6538 5300.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 2 Feb 2023, 9.20am. Last reviewed: Fri 27 Jun 2025, 8.58am

Safety alerts: Reduce speed and drive to conditions

Ongoing wet weather has impacted the roads in this reserve, leaving them washed out and/or under water for long periods of time. While they have dried out, access trails can still have rough surfaces and require maintenance. Please reduce speed, drive to conditions, and be aware of your surroundings. Heavy plant may be working in the area and care should be taken if you come across them. 

For more information, contact the NPWS Dubbo area office on 02 6841 7100.

Affects 2 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 9 Nov 2017, 9.59am. Last reviewed: Thu 12 Jun 2025, 8.55am

Closed areas: Phytophthora quarantine area - Barrington Tops National Park

Phytophthora is a mould that causes dieback in plants. It's been found on the plateau in Barrington Tops National Park, predominantly on the Watergauge trail between Beean Beean and Black Swamp. The affected area is under quarantine with absolutely no visitor access.

Phytophthora is readily spread by mud carried by walkers' shoes and mountain-bike tyres. There are boot wash stations across the plateau for walkers to use, to ensure their boots 'Start clean, Stay clean'.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Gloucester area office on (02) 6538 5300.

Affects 1 park 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/visit-a-park/parks/coolah-tops-national-park/local-alerts

Contact

  • in the Country NSW region
  • Coolah Tops National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather, fire danger or management operations. The eastern end of the park is regularly closed during wet weather due to slippery road conditions.

  • More
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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