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Aboriginal Heritage walk

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Thu 13 March 2025, 9.30am

Applies from Thu 15 Dec 2022, 4.29pm. Last reviewed: Thu 13 Mar 2025, 9.30am.

Closed areas: North Mackerel track closed and Mackerel trail partially closed

North Mackerel track is permanently closed due to a potential risk of rockfalls and unstable cliff edges in the Great Mackerel Beach area.

The only designated land access to or from Great Mackerel Beach is via Mackerel track to the north, which intersects with Resolute track.

Due to land instability and risk to personal safety, there is no through or return access to or from the following places:

  • The south end of Great Mackerel Beach via The Basin or Mackerel trail
  • The west of Great Mackerel Beach via North Mackerel track, which is closed.

Please be aware of the risks associated with visiting natural areas, including rock falls, unstable edges, falling branches and interactions with wildlife.

For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Tue 25 Mar 2025, 2.36pm to Wed 30 Apr 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Tue 25 Mar 2025, 2.44pm

Closed areas: Brooklyn Dam trail maintenance

Surface works will be carried out on the Brooklyn Dam Trail and Brooklyn Dam South Trail until Wednesday 30 April 2025, weather permitting.

Please follow all signage and instructions from NPWS staff and contractors.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 24 Mar 2025, 6.00am to Sun 31 Aug 2025, 11.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 21 Mar 2025, 9.07am

Closed areas: Somersby Falls walking track closed for upgrade

Somersby Falls walking track, including access to the middle and bottom waterfalls will be closed from 24 March to 31 August 2025 while the track is upgraded.

The picnic area and carpark will remain open during the works. 

Consider visiting the nearby Girrakool picnic area less than 5 minutes away which also has waterfalls, walking tracks and a well established picnic area.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS Central Coast Area Office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 7 Apr 2022, 11.17am. Last reviewed: Mon 10 Mar 2025, 10.54am

Closed areas: Brieses fire trail partial closure

The section of Brieses fire trail between Mooney Mooney Creek and Old Mooney Dam trail is closed until further notice due to a landslip, making it unsafe for vehicles.

Signs are in place around closed areas. This area will re-open as soon as it is safe and repair works have been completed.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 5 Mar 2025, 10.00am to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 11.00pm. Last reviewed: Wed 5 Mar 2025, 10.40am

Closed areas: Area closed for maintenance

Some parts of this park are closed for essential track and trail maintenance from Wednesday 5 March to 30 June 2025. The closed areas are:

- Emerald Pool

- Mount Olive lookout

- Mount Olive trail

- Ironbark picnic area

- Hominy Creek walking track

- 248 trail

- Pipeline trail

- informal walking tracks leading into Popran National Park west of Popran Creek. Includes Glenworth South Horse Track and Mailmans Walking Track

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 14 Feb 2025, 8.03am to Fri 30 Jan 2026, 8.05am. Last reviewed: Sat 15 Mar 2025, 5.36pm

Closed parks: Spectacle Island Nature Reserve closed

Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access to Spectacle Island Nature Reserve is restricted to approved research and cultural activities only. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on (02) 8448 0400.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 14 Feb 2025, 8.09am to Fri 30 Jan 2026, 8.05am. Last reviewed: Sat 15 Mar 2025, 5.35pm

Closed parks: Long Island Nature Reserve closed

Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access to Long Island Nature Reserve is restricted to approved research and cultural activities only. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on (02) 8448 0400.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 14 Feb 2025, 8.10am to Fri 30 Jan 2026, 8.05am. Last reviewed: Sat 15 Mar 2025, 5.36pm

Closed parks: Lion Island Nature Reserve closed

Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access to Lion Island Nature Reserve is restricted to approved research activities only. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on (02) 8448 0400.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 1 Jan 2025, 8.49pm to Mon 30 Jun 2025, 8.50pm. Last reviewed: Wed 19 Mar 2025, 11.51am

Closed areas: Berowra walking track partial closure

Berowra walking track is partially closed until further notice from Apple Tree Bay to the Mt-Ku-ring-gai access track. There is a threat of rockfalls due to slope instability caused by recent weather events. NPWS is in the process of carrying out necessary repair works.

The Berowra walking track from Berowra Station to Mt Ku-ring-gai is open for use.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400 or call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).

Affects 1 park and 13 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 23 Sep 2024, 2.24pm to Tue 2 Sep 2025, 2.25pm. Last reviewed: Thu 6 Mar 2025, 9.11am

Closed parks: Muogamarra Nature Reserve closed

Muogamarra Nature Reserve is only open to the public for 6 weeks every year, around spring time.

Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access is restricted at other times to approved educational and research activities only.

For more information about the reserve, call the NPWS Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 or the NPWS North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 21 May 2024, 11.41am. Last reviewed: Sat 22 Feb 2025, 7.26am

Closed areas: Warrah Trig Road closed to vehicles

Warrah Trig Road is closed to vehicles due to an increase in illegal activities throughout the area.

The road will remain closed until investigations are completed and further recommendations are made.

The road is open to pedestrians and cyclists.

 

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

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 15 Dec 2022, 4.29pm. Last reviewed: Thu 13 Mar 2025, 9.30am

Closed areas: North Mackerel track closed and Mackerel trail partially closed

North Mackerel track is permanently closed due to a potential risk of rockfalls and unstable cliff edges in the Great Mackerel Beach area.

The only designated land access to or from Great Mackerel Beach is via Mackerel track to the north, which intersects with Resolute track.

Due to land instability and risk to personal safety, there is no through or return access to or from the following places:

  • The south end of Great Mackerel Beach via The Basin or Mackerel trail
  • The west of Great Mackerel Beach via North Mackerel track, which is closed.

Please be aware of the risks associated with visiting natural areas, including rock falls, unstable edges, falling branches and interactions with wildlife.

For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Affects 1 park and 8 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 29 Sep 2014, 1.49pm to Mon 11 Aug 2025, 11.58am. Last reviewed: Wed 15 Jan 2025, 4.42pm

Closed areas: No access to Old Wagstaffe trail through private property

There is no public access to Old Wagstaffe trail through private property. Signs show where public access is not permitted. 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Central Coast area office on 02 4320 4200.

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/things-to-do/walking-tracks/aboriginal-heritage-walk/local-alerts

Park info

  • in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
  • Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

    • Gates to West Head are closed from 8.30pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and from 6pm to 6am the rest of the year.
    • Gates to Sphinx Memorial carpark are closed overnight from 7pm.
  • Park entry fees:

    $12 per vehicle per day. You can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.

    Vehicles over 8 seats: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day).

    Other fees:

    A $3 per adult, $2 per child landing fee may apply for day visitors to The Basin campground. Please pay at the campground wharf. Landing fees are included in your camping fees.

    Group bookings:

    Under the Plan of Management for this park, prior written approval is required for organised groups of 40 or more people planning to visit this park. Contact the park office before your visit.

    Buy annual pass
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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