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Lake Macquarie cruise and guided nature walk

Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area

Open, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Sat 21 September 2024, 9.55am

Applies from Tue 10 Aug 2021, 9.00am. Last reviewed: Sat 21 Sep 2024, 9.55am.

Hazard reduction burns: Mulloway Road HR

There is a fire in this park called Mulloway Road HR. Refer to the Rural Fire Service for latest information. Do not enter any closed area or area with fire. If you see an unattended fire call Triple Zero (000). Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire safety in parks and reserves, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page for park safety guidelines.

Applies from Fri 4 Jan 2019, 1.28pm to Tue 31 Dec 2024, 1.38pm. Last reviewed: Wed 18 Sep 2024, 12.20pm.

Closed areas: Morisset Picnic Area Closed

The Morisset section of Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area is closed from Thursday 20 December 2019. There is now no public access to the following areas:

  • The  Morisset Hospital site
  • Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area foreshore
  • Morisset picnic area.

Alternative picnic areas are located in the Lake Macquarie Council area in and around the Morisset and Bonnells Bay foreshores. There is no public access to view the kangaroos that frequent the hospital site. Members of the public can contact the hospital administrative office on 02 4973 0222. 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Lake Munmorah area office on 02 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Affects 1 location in this park: Show list

Nearby alerts

Applies from Fri 22 Nov 2024, 8.01am to Fri 6 Dec 2024, 8.02am. Last reviewed: Fri 22 Nov 2024, 8.05am

Other planned events: Palms picnic area BBQ's out of order.

BBQ's are out of order / not working. This issue will be fixed as soon as possible. NPWS apologises for the inconvenience.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 2 Sep 2024, 4.54pm to Thu 30 Jan 2025, 4.54pm. Last reviewed: Mon 4 Nov 2024, 9.15am

Safety alerts: Major Roadworks in Jilliby State Conservation Area - ongoing

Major roadworks are ongoing in Jilliby State Conservation Area (Southern Precinct) and part of Ourimbah State Forest.

Partial and intermittent road closures should be expected. The roads that will be affected are:

  • Red Hill Road
  • Prestons Ridge Road
  • Bradleys Point Road
  • Campbells Point Road and
  • Tooheys Road.

Visitors are asked to avoid the area (if possible). Otherwise, please be aware of trucks and machinery using and working on the above roads and to drive to the conditions. Warning signs and traffic control will be in place. Work is expected to be completed by December 2024. The work is funded as part of the Fire Access and Fire Trail (FAFT) program aimed at providing safe and strategic fire trails for fire response and access.

For more information, please contact the NPWS Central Coast Area Office at Lake Munmorah on 02 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

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Applies from Wed 25 Sep 2024, 9.09am to Sat 30 Nov 2024, 9.10am. Last reviewed: Sat 26 Oct 2024, 9.46am

Other planned events: Georges Road, 125R Lookout Road and Watagan Road Repairs and Maintenance Work

Planned road maintenance is scheduled for Georges Road, 125R Lookout Road and Watagan Road.

Temporary closure may occur between Wednesday 26th October 2024 and Friday 29th November 2024.

 

Heavy plant and machinery will be operating from the intersection of Heaton Road and Watagan Road, then west along Georges Road.

Pedestrians and vehicles should take caution when accessing these areas.

 

For more information, please contact the NPWS Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000.

 

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Applies from Mon 28 Oct 2024, 3.18pm to Fri 29 Nov 2024, 3.19pm. Last reviewed: Thu 24 Oct 2024, 3.38pm

Closed areas: DeLuge Track

Closed Area: DeLuge Track, Glenrock State Conservation Area

The DeLuge Track will be closed while improvements and maintenance works are being carried out.

  • The track will be closed from 28th October to the 29th November, dependent on weather.  

For the safety of contractors please follow and respect any signage and safety measures in place. 

Using tracks during works will cause damage and delay the reopening of the track.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office 02 4946 4100

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 23 Oct 2024, 2.50pm to Sat 30 Nov 2024, 3.06pm. Last reviewed: Wed 23 Oct 2024, 3.09pm

Closed areas: Sugarloaf SCA

Some parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area will be closed from Wednesday 23 October to Saturday 30 November 2024 while Road Maintenance is occurring. The closed areas are:

  • Quarry Trail
  • Ryhope Trail

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office (02) 4946 4100

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Applies from Tue 15 Oct 2024, 7.35am to Fri 29 Nov 2024, 7.44am. Last reviewed: Mon 18 Nov 2024, 12.21pm

Closed areas: Palms Circuit Walking Track and Palms Picnic Area Closed for Repair

The Palms Circuit Walking Track and Palms Picnic Area of Munmorah State Conservation Area are closed for track repair from Monday 14 October 2024 to 1 February 2025.

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

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 27 Aug 2024, 8.36am. Last reviewed: Sun 17 Nov 2024, 11.13am

Closed areas: Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road Closed Due to Landslip and Rockfall

Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road is closed as it is no longer suitable for 2WD or 4WD vehicles due to risk of landslip and rockfall. This affects access from Watagans National Park to Quorrobolong.

For further information, please contact NPWS Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000.

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Applies from Wed 19 Jun 2024, 4.18pm. Last reviewed: Mon 4 Nov 2024, 11.51am

Closed areas: Shaft Track

Closed Area: Shaft Track, Glenrock State Conservation Area.

The Shaft Track will be closed while improvements and maintenance works are being carry out.

  • The track will be closed from 21st August 2024 for up to end of November 2024, dependent on weather

For the safety of contractors please follow and respect any signage and safety measures in place.

Using the track during works will cause damage and delay the reopening of the track.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office 02 4946 4100

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Applies from Wed 8 Mar 2023, 9.09am. Last reviewed: Sat 2 Nov 2024, 8.42am

Closed areas: Muirs Lookout Picnic Area - Closed

Muirs Lookout Picnic Area on Prickly Ridge Road has been closed due to ageing infrastructure, obstructed lookout views to the coast and very low public visitation. Alternative picnic facilities are located nearby in Olney State Forest and Watagans National Park. Further information on other places to visit can be obtained via the NPWS or Forestry Corporation websites. 

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Applies from Fri 19 Jul 2024, 10.21am to Sat 19 Jul 2025, 10.21am. Last reviewed: Sun 17 Nov 2024, 11.15am

Closed areas: Gap Creek Forest Walk Closed

Gap Creek Forest Walk is closed due to the risk of landslip and rockfall.

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

For more information, contact NPWS Central Coast office on 02 4972 9000

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Applies from Thu 6 Oct 2022, 1.29pm. Last reviewed: Tue 15 Oct 2024, 9.48am

Closed areas: Moonee Beach access trail closure

The south Moonee beach access trail located at the northern end of the Moonee Beach fire trail will be closed indefinitely due to cultural heritage sensitivity.

Alternate access to the beach is provided via Moonee Beach Trail, or, Hooey Street Catherine Hill Bay.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4972 9000.

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Applies from Mon 7 Nov 2022, 3.08pm. Last reviewed: Tue 15 Oct 2024, 9.49am

Closed areas: Timber Beach and Timber Beach walking track are CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

Timber Beach walking track is CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. This area is extremely eroded and hazardous and this closure is in place to keep the public safe. 

The are has limited access for emergency services and carrying out rescues is extremely difficult and puts rescuers in danger.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information, please contact the local NPWS office on 49729000

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Applies from Thu 29 Feb 2024, 11.44am. Last reviewed: Fri 22 Nov 2024, 7.59am

Other planned events: Temporary access closures to trails at Middle Camp - Catherine Hill Bay - Munmorah State Conservation Area for external developer construction works.

Middle Camp DA/2238/2017 - has begun works in the Catherine Hill Bay area adjacent to lands managed by Munmorah State Conservation Area. These works due to the location now has temporary closures to access trails for Munmorah SCA. This is necessary for the contractor managing this development in order to maintain a safe construction site and public safety.

NPWS apologises for the inconvenience and are unable to provide alternate access.

This temporary closure affects: 

  1. Collier fire trail
  2. Powerline fire trail and 
  3. Middle Camp fire trail

Please be advised that these closures will not stop access to fire vehicles in emergencies and does not cause a safety concern.

For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 4972 9000.

 

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Applies from Wed 13 Apr 2022, 10.37am. Last reviewed: Sat 9 Nov 2024, 4.11pm

Safety alerts: Prickly Ridge Road 4WD only

The section of Prickly Ridge Road between Watagan Forest Road and Cut-Rock Road is suitable for 4WD vehicles only.

To prevent further damage to the road and to protect visitor safety, please avoid this area and other trails in the reserve that are still slippery and potentially hazardous.  

For further information, please contact the Central Coast Area Office at Lake Munmorah on 02 4972 9000.

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Applies from Tue 7 Oct 2014, 1.53pm to Thu 7 Oct 2027, 11.00am. Last reviewed: Mon 14 Oct 2024, 11.31am

Closed areas: Parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area closed

Parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area are closed for approved underground mining operations. The affected areas (see map) have been closed to protect visitor safety, because they're subject to subsidence and remediation activities from the mining operations.

Great North walk remains open. An update will be provided should this situation change.

If you're visiting the park, please be aware of subsidence and pollution incidents that took place in 2013, which were greater than what was expected from normal mining operations. These included a cliff fall in the north, and a subsidence and grout leak incident in the central part of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area.

If you're planning to visit the park during this time, please stay on formed tracks and trails and observe all barriers, warning signs and safety messages. Areas subject to possible cliff fall or subsidence in both areas of the park are clearly marked.

For more information, call the NPWS Lower Hunter area office on 02 4946 4100. NSW National Parks safety page.

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Applies from Wed 7 Dec 2022, 5.39pm to Mon 27 Jan 2025, 5.40pm. Last reviewed: Thu 19 Sep 2024, 10.35am

Closed areas: Area closed - Pink Caves

Pink Caves are closed to visitors because they are extremely unsafe to visit.

The caves are filled with water at high tide. Even at low tide they can be dangerous, as ocean swell sends unpredictable waves sweeping into the caves and across the rock shelf. Sudden rogue waves can cause serious injury and may drag visitors across the rocks or out to sea.

There’s no lifeguard service in this area and access for emergency services is limited. There’s no approved walking track to this location. Access to the caves involves walking over a rock shelf which is slippery, uneven and dangerous.

Visitors should take care when traversing all rock shelves and coastal areas located within Munmorah State Conservation Area.

For further information call the NPWS Lake Munmorah office on 02 4972 9000.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 3 Aug 2022, 10.43am. Last reviewed: Thu 24 Oct 2024, 8.33am

Safety alerts: Rock fishing safety

Rock fishing is a popular activity for many national park visitors and your safety whilst fishing is important. Parts of the NSW Central Coast are a declared high risk area due to large swells and hazardous surf conditions. In these high risk areas under the NSW Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016, you are required by law to wear an appropriate life jacket. This includes children and anyone helping you fish. This is regulated by NSW Fisheries and poses an on the spot $100 fine if non-compliant.

Before rock fishing you should always:

Stay safe, always watch the local conditions, never turn your back on the ocean and never fish alone.

If you’re in doubt don’t go out.

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Applies from Wed 3 Aug 2022, 12.57pm. Last reviewed: Mon 9 Sep 2024, 9.19am

Safety alerts: Rock fishing safety

Rock fishing is a popular activity for many national park visitors and your safety whilst fishing is important. Parts of the NSW Central Coast are a declared high risk area due to large swells and hazardous surf conditions. In these high risk areas under the NSW Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016, you are required by law to wear an appropriate life jacket. This includes children and anyone helping you fish. This is regulated by NSW Fisheries and poses an on the spot $100 fine if non-compliant.

Before rock fishing you should always:

Stay safe, always watch the local conditions, never turn your back on the ocean and never fish alone.

If you’re in doubt don’t go out.

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Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/lake-macquarie-cruise-guided-nature-walk/local-alerts

Park info

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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