Park Information & Alerts

There are alerts raised for Barrington Tops National Park as at Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:16:41 +1100
Safety alerts: Williams Top Rd – 4WD recommended in wet conditions
Williams Top Rd in Chichester State Forest has been impacted by severe weather events. The track surface is rutted and can become slippery after rain. 4WD vehicles are recommended during wet conditions. Allyn River Rd, an alternate route to Lagoon Pinch Picnic Area and the Corker Trail, has been temporarily closed by Dungog Shire Council due to recent flooding. Please contact the Gloucester NPWS Office for more information on accessing the Corker Trail or Upper Rocky Crossing Walk 02 6538 5300.

Closed areas: Closed Areas: Notice of Management Program temporary closure – Barrington Tops National Park and State Conservation Area
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be closing the below visitor areas on the Barrington Tops plateau area from Thursday 20th February to Friday 2nd May 2024 (including weekend days) in Barrington Tops National Park and State Conservation Area for management operation:

• Butchers Swamp Trail
• Paddys Ridge Trail

 
Do Not Enter. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
Closure notices will be placed at all visitor areas and relevant access points.
We appreciate your patience while this important work is carried out. If you would like any further information about closures, please contact [email protected].

Safety alerts: Visitor Safety Alert: 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.
 
Please report any such interaction or aggressive horse behaviour to NPWS Gloucester on 6538 5300.

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.

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.

Closed areas: Phytophthora quarantine area – Barrington Tops National Park
Phytophthora is a mould that causes dieback in plants. It’s been found on the plateau in Barrington Tops National Park, predominantly on the Watergauge trail between Beean Beean and Black Swamp. The affected area is under quarantine with absolutely no visitor access.
Phytophthora is readily spread by mud carried by walkers’ shoes and mountain-bike tyres. There are boot wash stations across the plateau for walkers to use, to ensure their boots ‘Start clean, Stay clean’.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Gloucester area office on (02) 6538 5300.