Applies from Mon 23 Dec 2024, 1.00am to Mon 23 Dec 2024, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Sun 22 Dec 2024, 4.12pm

Safety alerts: High to Extreme fire danger

NPWS is advising visitors to local national parks to take caution on Monday 23rd December 2024 due to high to extreme fire danger.

A Total Fire Ban has been declared for Greater Hunter region.

High temperatures are forecast and are likely to lead to dangerous conditions that may change quickly.

Plan your visit to a national park carefully, take adequate water and remain hydrated.

For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

NPWS recommends reviewing RFS information on Total Fire Bans, Fire Danger Ratings, and keep up to date using the Hazards Near Me app:

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans

https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app

Affects 3 parks and 39 locations nearby. Show list

• Barrington Tops Flora Reserve
• Barrington Tops National Park
  • Aeroplane Hill walking track
  • Antarctic Beech Forest walking track
  • Barrington trail
  • Black Swamp campground
  • Blue Gum loop trail
  • Burraga Swamp walking track
  • Careys Peak lookout
  • Careys Peak walking track
  • Cobark Park picnic area
  • Corker trail
  • Devils Hole lookout walk and picnic area
  • Edwards Swamp walking track
  • Gloucester Falls picnic area
  • Gloucester Falls walking track
  • Gloucester River campground and picnic area
  • Gloucester River walking track
  • Gloucester Tops circuit
  • Gloucester Tops picnic area
  • Honeysuckle Forest track
  • Honeysuckle picnic area
  • Jerusalem Creek picnic area
  • Jerusalem Creek trail
  • Junction Pools campground
  • Lagoon Pinch picnic area
  • Link Trail - Gloucester Tops to Careys Peak
  • Little Murray campground
  • Mountaineer-Glowang trail
  • Polblue campground and picnic area
  • Polblue Swamp track
  • River walking track
  • Rocky Crossing walk
  • Sharpes Creek walking track
  • Thunderbolts lookout
  • Williams River picnic area
  • Wombat Creek campground
• Barrington Tops State Conservation Area
  • Devils Hole campground
  • Gummi Falls campground
  • Horse Swamp campground
  • Polblue Falls walk and picnic area

Applies from Mon 23 Dec 2024, 12.01am to Mon 23 Dec 2024, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Sun 22 Dec 2024, 4.03pm

Fire bans: Total Fire Ban

A total fire ban has been declared by the NSW Rural Fire Service. The total fire ban applies for the entire 24-hour period. Total fire ban rules apply. This ban may be extended. Please continue to check this website. To find out where and when total fire bans are currently in effect, please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Affects 3 parks nearby. Show list

• Barrington Tops National Park
• Barrington Tops State Conservation Area
• Mount Royal National Park

Applies from Fri 6 Dec 2024, 3.20pm to Fri 27 Dec 2024, 3.21pm. Last reviewed: Fri 6 Dec 2024, 3.31pm

Safety alerts: Notice of 1080 ground baiting program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting ground baiting in Barrington Tops State Conservation Area 9-27 December 2024.

This operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise the impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.

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 NPWS Barrington Tops office for more information on 02 6540 2300.

Affects 2 parks and 4 locations nearby. Show list

• Barrington Tops National Park
  • Polblue campground and picnic area
• Barrington Tops State Conservation Area
  • Gummi Falls campground
  • Horse Swamp campground
  • Polblue Falls walk and picnic area

Applies from Fri 27 Sep 2024, 9.28am to Sat 31 May 2025, 9.28am. Last reviewed: Fri 29 Nov 2024, 11.45am

Closed areas: 4WD Trail Closures

Some 4WD trails remain closed after the annual seasonal closure period (from 1 June to 30 September) due to trail conditions. The following 4WD trails remain closed:

• Tugalow trail
• Thunderbolts trail - between Barrington Tops Forest Road and Pheasants Creek Road
• Barrington Trail (south), after the Junction Pools campground turnoff. 

This closure does not affect public vehicle access to Polblue, Gummi Falls, Devils Hole, Horse Swamp, Little Murray, or Junction Pools campgrounds.

Walkers and mountain bikers are still permitted to utilise these trails while they are closed to public vehicles.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information call the local NPWS office on 02 6538 5300.

Affects 2 parks and 4 locations nearby. Show list

• Barrington Tops National Park
  • Barrington trail
  • Junction Pools campground
  • Little Murray campground
• Barrington Tops State Conservation Area
  • Gummi Falls campground

Applies from Fri 27 Sep 2024, 5.00am to Tue 31 Dec 2024, 9.02pm. Last reviewed: Thu 19 Dec 2024, 4.24pm

Safety alerts: 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.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

• Barrington Tops National Park
  • Junction Pools campground
  • Little Murray campground
  • Polblue campground and picnic area

Applies from Tue 1 Oct 2024, 12.00am to Mon 31 Mar 2025, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Tue 26 Nov 2024, 2.55pm

Fire bans: Mount Royal NP

A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.

However, Youngville campground is exempt in Mount Royal National Park.

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

• Mount Royal National Park

Applies from Thu 28 Dec 2023, 7.31am. Last reviewed: Thu 12 Dec 2024, 9.14am

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

• Barrington Tops National Park
  • Burraga Swamp walking track