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Watsons Creek State Conservation Area

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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Mon 3 Nov 2025, 9.40am to Mon 2 Mar 2026, 9.41am. Last reviewed: Tue 20 Jan 2026, 10.09am

Closed areas: Boonalla Cave Road & Boonalla Cave walking track

The following parts of this park are closed until further notice to protect eastern cave bats while they are breeding:

  • Boonalla Cave Road
  • Boonalla Cave carpark and walking track

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS Coonabarabran office on 02 6842 1311.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 4 Nov 2024, 12.15pm to Mon 31 Dec 2029, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Wed 7 Jan 2026, 1.52pm

Closed parks: Woodsreef State Conservation Area Closed

Woodsreef State Conservation Area is closed until further notice due to potential health risks from possible asbestos exposure.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact Narrabri NPWS office on (02) 6792 7300.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 5 Jan 2026, 12.00am to Sun 1 Feb 2026, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Wed 14 Jan 2026, 10.51am

Closed areas: Scutts Hut trail and Kaputar Plateau walk closed for maintenance

The following areas of Mount Kaputar National Park are closed from Monday 5 January to Sunday 1 February 2026 for maintenance:

  • Scutts Hut trail
  • Scutts Hut and Kurrawonga Falls walk
  • Scutts Hut
  • Kaputar Plateau walk
  • Rangers lookout
  • Lairds lookout

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Narrabri office on 02 6792 7300.

Affects 1 park and 6 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 15 Dec 2025, 12.00am. Last reviewed: Wed 24 Dec 2025, 11.57am

Safety alerts: Washouts on Carinya Road

There are significant washouts on Carinya Rd in Deriah Aboriginal Area.

Washouts can be harmful to vehicles and passengers. Please travel this road with caution and drive through washouts at very low speed.

This road is not managed by NPWS. Please direct any concerns regarding the condition of the road to Narrabri Shire Council on 02 6799 6866 or council@narrabri.nsw.gov.au

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 15 Dec 2025, 12.00am. Last reviewed: Wed 24 Dec 2025, 11.54am

Safety alerts: Washouts on Kaputar Road

There are several washouts on the gravel section of Kaputar Rd in Mount Kaputar National Park.

Washouts can be harmful to vehicles and passengers. Please travel this section of road with caution and drive through washouts at very low speed.

This section of road is not managed by NPWS. Please direct any concerns regarding the condition of the road to Narrabri Shire Council on 02 6799 6866 or council@narrabri.nsw.gov.au

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 18 Dec 2025, 2.29pm to Wed 28 Jan 2026, 2.30pm. Last reviewed: Wed 14 Jan 2026, 8.57am

Fire bans: Park Fire Ban, Wallingat, Myall Lakes and Tapin Tops National Parks

A park fire ban is in place in this park from midnight Thursday 18th December 2025 and remains in effect until midnight Tuesday 27th January 2026, unless otherwise extended or removed. During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:

  • They're under direct control of an adult
  • The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  • There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)

If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 27 Oct 2025, 12.00am to Fri 3 Apr 2026, 12.00am. Last reviewed: Mon 12 Jan 2026, 8.50am

Closed areas: Dangars Gorge closed for precinct upgrade

The Dangars Gorge precinct in Oxley Wild Rivers NP is strictly closed from Monday 27 October 2025 to Friday 3 April 2026 while visitor facilities are being upgraded. The areas that will be closed include:

  • Dangars Gorge Campground
  • Dangars Falls Picnic Area
  • Dangars Falls lookouts
  • McDirtys walking track
  • Sailsbury Waters walking track

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local Armidale NPWS office (02 6738 9100).

NPWS will be making improvements to the campground, walking tracks and signage upgrades as well as installing a new pedestrian bridge.

During this time, visitors to Oxley Wild Rivers NP can still access other visitor precincts, such as Long Point, Gara Gorge, Wollomombi Falls, and for the more adventurous, Riverside or Halls Peak. Please note that access to Riverside and Halls Peak requires an access permit and a low-range 4WD vehicle. More information can be found on the NPWS website https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/

Affects 1 park and 14 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 1 Oct 2025, 12.00am to Tue 31 Mar 2026, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Tue 6 Jan 2026, 10.35am

Safety alerts: Walking tracks closed during Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger ratings

During Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger ratings, all walking tracks in Mount Kaputar National Park are closed.

Before proceeding, check the current fire danger rating here, check the fire danger rating signs, or contact the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Narrabri office on 02 6792 7300.

Affects 1 park and 23 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 20 Nov 2025, 2.37pm to Tue 31 Mar 2026, 2.39pm. Last reviewed: Tue 23 Dec 2025, 2.55pm

Fire bans: Park Fire Ban

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed. During park fire ban periods, all campfires and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:

  • They're under direct control of an adult
  • The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  • There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)

If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.

Affects 15 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 14 Aug 2025, 10.00am. Last reviewed: Tue 23 Dec 2025, 3.45pm

Closed areas: Flood effected areas within Tapin Tops National Park

The following areas within Tapin Tops National Park are closed due to flood impacts;

  • Potaroo Falls (including Potaroo Road)
  • Tallowood Flat
  • Rowleys Rock Rd

For further information, please contact NPWS Manning Great Lakes Area on 6591 0300

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 22 May 2025, 12.28pm. Last reviewed: Sun 11 Jan 2026, 9.48am

Closed parks: National parks closed due to flood damage

The following reserves are closed until further notice due to flood impacts;

  • Barrakee SCA
  • Coocumbac Island NR
  • Killabakh NR
  • Wingham Brush NR

Remember, it’s never safe to drive, ride or walk through flood waters. 

For further information, please contact NPWS Manning Great Lakes Area Office on 6591 0300.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 8 Oct 2025, 9.46am to Tue 31 Mar 2026, 9.46am. Last reviewed: Thu 15 Jan 2026, 8.52am

Fire bans: PARK FIRE BAN

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed. During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:

  • They're under direct control of an adult
  • The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  • There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)

If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.

Affects 6 parks nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 29 Aug 2025, 9.03am to Sat 28 Feb 2026, 9.04am. Last reviewed: Sun 7 Dec 2025, 4.44pm

Closed areas: Karamea Homestead closed due to flood damage

The following area is closed from Tuesday 20th May 2025 until further notice due to impacts from the May flooding and severe weather event:

  • Karamea Homestead

 

The Homestead will reopen when the damage has been rectified and the site 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 on 02 6538 5300.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 13 Oct 2020, 11.53am. Last reviewed: Tue 30 Dec 2025, 8.42am

Other planned events: Camping at Bretti Reserve

Bretti Reserve is a MidCoast Council managed campground. It is not attached to the National Parks and Wildlife Service Bretti Nature Reserve.

For information about camping at Bretti Reserve please call the MidCoast Visitor Information Centre in Gloucester on 1800 802 692 or follow the link below.

https://barringtoncoast.com.au/directory/bretti-reserve 

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/watsons-creek-state-conservation-area/local-alerts

Contact

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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