Back to previous page

Cooks Nose walking track

Barren Grounds Nature Reserve

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Thu 20 March 2025, 6.04pm

Applies from Fri 14 Mar 2025, 7.00am to Fri 4 Apr 2025, 2.00pm. Last reviewed: Wed 12 Mar 2025, 12.41pm.

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

The following reserves and parts of park will be closed from 2pm Sunday 30 March to 2pm Friday 4 April 2025 for a pest management program:

  • Barren Grounds Nature Reserve
  • Carrington Falls precinct of Budderoo National Park, including Thomas Place, Nellies Glen, Carrington Falls campground 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 Highlands area office on 02 4887 8244.

Applies from Wed 21 Sep 2022, 1.08pm to Wed 11 Jun 2025, 5.09pm. Last reviewed: Thu 20 Mar 2025, 6.04pm.

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 Thursday 12 December 2024 to Wednesday 11 June 2025.

The program targets target foxes in the Carrington Falls, Budderoo Plateau, Knights Hill and Barren Grounds areas. Bait stations are located on NPWS estate and Crown road reserves with permissions. Both buried baits and Canid Pest Ejectors are used in this program.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, particularly the threatened species within these areas.

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

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.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Tue 20 Sep 2022, 9.00am. Last reviewed: Wed 26 Mar 2025, 11.51am

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 ground baiting program

A baiting program using ground baits containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes will be conducted between August 01 2024 to August 01 2025 in the Kangaroo Valley, Budgong and Illaroo areas.

All baiting locations will be identifiable by signs.

Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. 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 further information, call the NPWS Shoalhaven area office on 02 4428 6300.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Fri 14 Mar 2025, 7.00am to Fri 4 Apr 2025, 2.00pm. Last reviewed: Wed 12 Mar 2025, 12.41pm

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

The following reserves and parts of park will be closed from 2pm Sunday 30 March to 2pm Friday 4 April 2025 for a pest management program:

  • Barren Grounds Nature Reserve
  • Carrington Falls precinct of Budderoo National Park, including Thomas Place, Nellies Glen, Carrington Falls campground 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 Highlands area office on 02 4887 8244.

Affects 2 parks and 15 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 21 Sep 2022, 1.08pm to Wed 11 Jun 2025, 5.09pm. Last reviewed: Thu 20 Mar 2025, 6.04pm

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 Thursday 12 December 2024 to Wednesday 11 June 2025.

The program targets target foxes in the Carrington Falls, Budderoo Plateau, Knights Hill and Barren Grounds areas. Bait stations are located on NPWS estate and Crown road reserves with permissions. Both buried baits and Canid Pest Ejectors are used in this program.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, particularly the threatened species within these areas.

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

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

Applies from Fri 12 Apr 2024, 11.52am. Last reviewed: Tue 25 Mar 2025, 3.00pm

Closed areas: Lyrebird Loop walk partial closure

Lyrebird Loop walk is partially closed until further notice 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

Applies from Sat 2 Dec 2023, 6.00am. Last reviewed: Tue 18 Mar 2025, 3.36pm

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 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 10 Nov 2020, 2.24pm. Last reviewed: Wed 12 Mar 2025, 9.29am

Closed areas: Minnamurra Rainforest Cafe closed

Minnamurra Rainforest Cafe is closed until further notice. Light refreshments and hot beverages are available for purchase from Minnamurra Rainforest Centre.

For further information contact Minnamurra Rainforest Centre on 02 4236 0469.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 2 Jul 2020, 4.56pm. Last reviewed: Tue 7 Jan 2025, 9.51am

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

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/cooks-nose-walking-track/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

Why create an account?

  • Create lists of your next adventures
  • Get closure alerts by email
  • Save your personal info to make it fast and easy to fill in trip intention forms
  • And more features coming soon