Applies from Tue 1 Oct 2024, 12.00am to Mon 31 Mar 2025, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Mon 4 Nov 2024, 8.50am

Fire bans: Hawkesbury-Nattai Reserves

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

However, the following campgrounds are exempt in the following reserves:

Yellomundee Regional Park

• Shaws Creek Aboriginal Place

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

• Upper Nepean State Conservation Area

Applies from Fri 12 Apr 2024, 11.52am. Last reviewed: Mon 28 Oct 2024, 4.22pm

Closed areas: Lyrebird Loop walk partial closure

Minnamurra Rainforest Lyrebird Loop walk is partially closed due to flood damage. This closure affects the start of the Lyrebird Loop walk, which restricts wheelchair access.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For any further information, please contact the NPWS Minnamurra Rainforest Centre on 02 4236 0469.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

• Budderoo National Park
  • Lyrebird loop walk
  • Minnamurra Rainforest Centre
  • Minnamurra Rainforest outdoor weddings

Applies from Sun 3 Nov 2024, 2.00pm to Fri 8 Nov 2024, 2.00pm. Last reviewed: Tue 5 Nov 2024, 9.12am

Closed areas: Areas closed for aerial shooting for feral animal control

The following reserves and parts of park will be closed from 2pm Sunday 3 November to 2pm Friday 8 November 2024 for a pest management program:

• Barren Grounds Nature Reserve
• Carrington Falls precinct of Budderoo National Park, including Thomas Place, Nellies Glen and Douglas Creek trail
• Budderoo Fire Trail precinct of Budderoo National Park, including access to the top of Gerringong Falls

This program will involve aerial shooting during daylight hours. Feral species targeted under this program include deer, goats, pigs, foxes and other pests. It aims to reduce the significant impact they have on native plants and animals including threatened species.

The closed areas will be sign-posted at relevant access points. Please avoid these areas and do not enter closed areas during this time. Please follow directions from NPWS staff and authorised contractors.

Note that this program is likely to require only a single day of operations, dependent on weather, and so the above time period may be reduced as the program approaches. Continue to check this alert for updates.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Illawarra Highlands area office on 02 .

Affects 2 parks and 12 locations nearby. Show list

• Barren Grounds Nature Reserve
  • Barren Grounds picnic area
  • Cooks Nose walking track
  • Griffiths walking track
  • Illawarra lookout walking track
• Budderoo National Park
  • Budderoo track
  • Carrington Falls campground
  • Carrington Falls picnic area
  • Carrington Falls walking track
  • Izzards lookout track
  • Missingham lookout track
  • Nellies Glen picnic area
  • Warris Chair lookout track

Applies from Wed 21 Sep 2022, 1.08pm to Fri 13 Dec 2024, 5.09pm. Last reviewed: Fri 18 Oct 2024, 12.51pm

Other planned events: 1080 fox ground baiting program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is conducting a continual and ongoing 1080 ground baiting program for the control of foxes from Friday 14 June 2024 to Friday 13 December 2024 to reduce the impacts on threatened species.

The operation will target foxes in the Carrington Falls, Budderoo Plateau, Knights Hill and Barren Grounds areas. Baits have been placed on NPWS estate and Crown road reserves with permissions.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species.

1080 baiting signs are at all entries to the baiting location. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. Some baits may be buried.

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.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Fitzroy Falls office on 02 4887 8244 or send an email.

Affects 2 parks and 14 locations nearby. Show list

• Barren Grounds Nature Reserve
  • Barren Grounds picnic area
  • Cooks Nose walking track
  • Griffiths walking track
  • Illawarra lookout walking track
  • Illawarra tourism route
• Budderoo National Park
  • Budderoo track
  • Carrington Falls campground
  • Carrington Falls picnic area
  • Carrington Falls walking track
  • Izzards lookout track
  • Jamberoo lookout
  • Missingham lookout track
  • Nellies Glen picnic area
  • Warris Chair lookout track

Applies from Sat 2 Dec 2023, 6.00am. Last reviewed: Sun 6 Oct 2024, 12.08pm

Closed areas: Access to the base of Gerringong Falls is prohibited

Access to the base of Gerringong Falls is prohibited.

The area around and down to the base of the Gerringong Falls has loose rocks, steep cliffs and unstable ground surface making it dangerous to access. The walk will remain permanently closed to the public to protect visitor safety.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the local Area at npws.illawarrahighlands@environment.nsw.gov.au or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

• Budderoo National Park
  • Budderoo track

Applies from Fri 1 Mar 2024, 3.12pm. Last reviewed: Thu 10 Oct 2024, 7.56am

Safety alerts: Beaches at Killalea Regional Park are unpatrolled

The beaches at Killalea Regional Park are unpatrolled.  There is no lifesaving service.  There may be strong currents, shallow water, unexpected large waves, rips and sudden drop offs.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Killalea Regional Park

Applies from Fri 10 Feb 2023, 9.21pm. Last reviewed: Thu 25 Jul 2024, 11.45am

Closed areas: Informal track to Clover Falls is is closed due to rockfall risk

Due to rockfall risk, the unsanctioned walking track from the end of Clover Hill Road at Macquarie Rivulet to Clover Hill Falls is closed.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Macquarie Pass National Park

Applies from Mon 14 Dec 2020, 11.55am. Last reviewed: Fri 4 Oct 2024, 8.12am

Closed areas: Macquarie Rivulet - Jump Rock track closed

Access to Macquarie Rivulet (also known as 'Jump Rock') is not permitted. The track is steep and eroded, and contains unstable surfaces, cliffs and drop offs.

There is a high risk of injury from falls from heights. Do not enter the closed areas of this park.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information call 1300 072 757.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Macquarie Pass National Park

Applies from Tue 18 Jun 2019, 9.18am. Last reviewed: Fri 4 Oct 2024, 8.12am

Closed areas: Restricted access to Macquarie Rivulet

There is no access to Macquarie Rivulet from Mount Murray, at the top of Macquarie Pass. If you access the rivulet from the top of the escarpment, you will be trespassing on private property. Access to Macquarie Rivulet is only permitted via Clover Hill Road.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please call the NPWS Illawarra area office on 02 4224 4188.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

• Macquarie Pass National Park

Applies from Thu 2 Jul 2020, 4.56pm. Last reviewed: Sun 6 Oct 2024, 12.08pm

Other incidents: Minnamurra Rainforest may close at short notice

Minnamurra Rainforest is a popular location and will close at short notice if needed. This is to ensure visitation levels do not exceed safe capacity or due to the carpark reaching capacity. 

NPWS encourages you to plan your visit outside of peak periods of 11am to 2pm. 

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

• Budderoo National Park
  • Lyrebird loop walk
  • Minnamurra Falls walk
  • Minnamurra Rainforest Centre
  • Minnamurra Rainforest outdoor weddings
  • Minnamurra Rainforest picnic area