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Malabar Headland National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Fri 5 May 2023, 12.32pm

Applies from Tue 19 May 2020, 4.18pm. Last reviewed: Fri 5 May 2023, 12.32pm.

Closed areas: Closed areas due to rifle range operations

The eastern section of Malabar Headland National Park will be closed on the following dates/times due to rifle range operations:

  • Every Saturday, 8am to 5pm
  • Every 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month, 8am to 5pm
  • Please note: There will be no shooting on the 1st and 3rd Sundays in June. Instead for the month of June 2023 only, shooting activities will take place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Saturdays will remain as usual.
  • Service Rifle Championships, Saturday 10 June and Sunday 11 June 2023
  • DRA Weekend, Saturday 24 June to Sunday 25 June 2023
  • Schools Practice and Competition Week, Tuesday 11 July to Friday 14 July 2023

Do not enter the eastern section of the park (including Boora Point walking track) when:

  • Red flags are flying above the range
  • The 'rifle range in use' warning signs are displayed at the park entry (South Maroubra Beach and Fishermans Road carpark)
  • Park entry gates are closed.

The western section of the park (Western Escarpment walking track) is open when the rifle range is in use.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local area office on 02 9337 5511 or the ANZAC Rifle Range on 02 9661 4532.

Affects 1 location in this park: Show list

Nearby alerts

Applies from Fri 8 Oct 2021, 9.33am to Mon 12 Jun 2023, 12.09am. Last reviewed: Wed 7 Jun 2023, 10.12am

Closed areas: North Head scenic area closures

The following areas in the North Head scenic area will be closed until Sunday 11 June 2023:

  • Fairfax walking track
  • Fairfax lookout
  • Fairfax carpark and bus stop

These areas are closed while new lookouts are being built. Find out more about this project on this web page. These closures may be extended without notice.

The following areas remain open:

  • North Head Scenic Drive and loop road are open to vehicles.
  • The bus stop opposite the Bella Vista Café is open.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the Sydney North area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 1 Jun 2023, 11.14am. Last reviewed: Fri 2 Jun 2023, 4.16pm

Closed areas: Happy Valley pedestrian bridge closed

Happy Valley pedestrian bridge will be closed to the public from Thursday 8 June to the end of August 2023 due to construction works. Access to the national park and the Congwong walking track during this time will be via Henry Head Lane. For further information call the NPWS Vaucluse office on 02 9337 5511.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 25 May 2023, 9.04am to Fri 16 Jun 2023, 6.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 2 Jun 2023, 3.57pm

Safety alerts: Notice of pest control operations

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting a fox trapping program at North Head from Thursday 25 May to Friday 16 June 2023.

Please keep to marked trails and follow safety signage.

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

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 29 May 2023, 7.18pm to Mon 17 Jul 2023, 7.21pm. Last reviewed: Fri 2 Jun 2023, 3.55pm

Closed areas: Clark Island closed for essential wharf maintenance

Clark Island is closed for essential wharf maintenance from Thursday 1 June to Monday 17 July 2023.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 11 May 2023, 7.00am to Sat 30 Sep 2023, 6.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 26 May 2023, 2.18pm

Other planned events: Cape Solander – partial carpark closure

While contractors work on the upgrade of Cape Baily track, they will occupy part of the Cape Solander carpark. Approximately 8 car bays on the west side of Cape Solander Drive will be fenced and occupied, and work crews will be on site.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

For more information, please email or call NPWS Sydney South on 02 9668 2010.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 9 May 2023, 7.53am to Wed 16 Aug 2023, 7.54am. Last reviewed: Fri 19 May 2023, 11.40am

Closed areas: Jennifer Street boardwalk closed for upgrade

Jennifer Street boardwalk is closed from the Monday 22 May 2023 to early August 2023 while it is being upgraded. Please use alternative entrances to the park during this time.

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

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 15 May 2023, 7.00am to Sat 30 Sep 2023, 6.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 19 May 2023, 11.37am

Other planned events: Cape Baily walking track upgrade

Cape Baily walking track will be upgraded between May and September 2023. A new boardwalk will be installed. Temporary diversions around the work area are required, but the track will remain open for visitors.

Please do not enter any fenced areas.

For more information, email or call NPWS Sydney South on 02 9668 2010.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 31 Mar 2021, 11.53am. Last reviewed: Wed 10 May 2023, 6.42pm

Closed areas: Bluefish Point closed

The Bluefish Point bushland area is closed to public access for public safety and to protect important plant and animal communities. For your safety and to help conserve the landscape, please stay on sign-posted walking tracks when visiting Sydney Harbour National Park.

Shelly Beach to Bluefish walking track is open.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Sat 17 Oct 2020, 10.59pm. Last reviewed: Mon 22 May 2023, 12.50pm

Closed areas: North Head partial closure

Some parts of North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park are closed due to fire damage and geological instability. The closed areas include:

  • Bluefish Point
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant emergency access road
  • Fairfax lookouts

Do not enter the closed areas.

Open areas include:

  • Q Station
  • North Head Sanctuary and Bella Vista Cafe (entry via North Fort)
  • Parking areas at North Fort
  • The track between Shelly Beach and Bluefish Drive
  • Bluefish Drive to the Avenue of Honour
  • Collins Flat Beach
  • Collins Beach Road

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 or Sydney North area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 31 Jan 2023, 10.02pm to Tue 1 Aug 2023, 2.03am. Last reviewed: Fri 17 Mar 2023, 4.03pm

Other planned events: 1080 feral animal 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 Wednesday 1 February and Monday 31 July 2023 in the following areas:

  • Chowder Bay and Dobroyd, Bradleys, Georges, Middle and North Headlands
  • North Head includes the adjoining land of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, Australian Institute of Police Management and Quarantine Station.

Don’t touch baits or ejector devices.

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.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information contact the NPWS Middle Head office on 02 9960 6266 or North Head Sanctuary Manly (Harbour Trust Lands) on 02 8969 2128 during business hours, or 1300 056 294 outside business hours.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 13 Oct 2021, 4.28pm. Last reviewed: Tue 14 Mar 2023, 8.56am

Closed areas: Kurnell Visitor Centre closed for upgrades

Kurnell Visitor Centre is currently closed until further notice. The site is being prepared for a new visitor centre as part of the Kamay 2020 Project. 

Learn more about the improvements being made as part of the Kamay 2020 Master Plan Project or email the local area office.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 24 Jan 2023, 10.00am. Last reviewed: Tue 14 Mar 2023, 7.11am

Closed areas: Gardeners Cottage closure

Gardeners Cottage will not be available for bookings until the replacement of the concrete seawall at Shark Beach, Nielsen Park has been completed. For more information on the seawall replacement please visit the project website or call the NPWS Vaucluse office on 02 9337 5511.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 3 Feb 2023, 12.17pm. Last reviewed: Tue 14 Mar 2023, 7.06am

Closed areas: Shark Beach and northern section of Nielsen Park closed

Shark Beach and the northern section of Nielsen Park are closed while the concrete seawall at Nielsen Park is being replaced. For more information on this project, please visit the project webpage or phone the NPWS Sydney South office on 02 9337 5511.

Affects 1 park and 7 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 26 Dec 2022, 12.25pm. Last reviewed: Thu 18 May 2023, 12.59pm

Closed areas: Areas of North Head closed

Some areas of Sydney Harbour National Park are closed for public safety due to steep and unstable ground. The closed areas are:

  • Old Man's Hat
  • Cannae Point
  • Quarantine Head

The bushland surrounding these areas is also closed.

The following main visitor areas will remain open:

  • Q Station
  • North Head car parks
  • Collins Flat Beach

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 9 Jul 2018, 11.06am. Last reviewed: Fri 5 May 2023, 4.22pm

Closed areas: Fort Denison closed

Fort Denison is currently closed.

Conservation and upgrade works are currently underway. Key elements include the construction of a new accessible wharf and maintenance and upgrade to buildings and services. Fort Denison will be closed to visitors until these works have been completed.

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

Standard work hours during the construction phase will be between:

  • 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday
  • 8am and 1pm on Saturday

For more information, visit the project webpage or call the NPWS Sydney South area office on 02 9337 5511. Visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

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/visit-a-park/parks/malabar-headland-national-park/local-alerts

Contact

  • in the Sydney and surrounds region
  • Eastern section: Often closed because of the ANZAC rifle range operation. Closed every Saturday and every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Check local alerts and safety messages before visiting.

    Western section: Open all year but may close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

  • 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