There are alerts raised for Blue Mountains National Park as at Tue, 03 Dec 2024 15:59:36 +1100
Closed areas: Parts of Blue Mountains National Park closed
Many roads, fire trails and walking tracks in Blue Mountains National Park are closed due to infrastructure upgrades or damage caused by wet weather including subsidence, rockfalls, landslides and fallen trees.
The following areas are closed:
Katoomba and Leura  

• Federal Pass is closed between Cooks Crossing (200m east of Furber Steps) and Giant Stairs due to a major rockfall. There's no access between Giant Stairs (below Three Sisters) and Scenic World Valley Stations or Furber Steps.  
• Honeymoon Bridge is closed due to rockfall risk.
• Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Gordon Falls picnic area and Elysian Rock lookout, due to a landslide. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information. Detours will also be in place via Olympian Parade.
• Prince Henry Cliff walk (also known as Grand Cliff Top walk) will be closed between Lady Darley lookout and Allambie lookout for a NSW police operation on 25/11/2024. Detours in place.  
• Parts of Cliff Drive near Leura Cascades will also be closed. See Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
• Gordon Falls lookout is closed from Monday 25 November 2024 until further notice for track works. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for more information.
• Fern Bower track between Prince Henry Cliff walk and Amphitheatre track is closed due to multiple landslides. Access to Leura Forest and Jamison Valley is via Amphitheatre track.
• Ruined Castle, Golden Stairs, Solitary loop and Federal Pass, west of Scenic World are closed due to multiple landslides.
• Lone Lyrebird track is closed between Gordon Road and the War Memorial, due to subsidence. Detour is in place.
• Part of Lindeman Pass is closed due to a major landslide below Gladstone lookout. Roberts Pass is closed due to rockfall and landslide hazards.
• Six Foot track from Katoomba (Explorers Tree) to Alum Creek campground will be closed on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 November 2024 to allow for aerial pest works.  
• Six Foot track is affected by closures at Jenolan Caves.

Wentworth Falls and Woodford

• Charles Darwin walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Fletcher Street and Weeping Rock. Detours are in place to provide directions to Wentworth Falls picnic area. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
• Undercliff track is closed between Fletchers lookout and Princes Rock lookout link track junction for track maintenance from Tuesday 19 November 2024. The track is expected to reopen on Friday 20 December 2024, depending on conditions.
• Part of National Pass (west of Wentworth Falls middle crossing) is closed due to a major landslide and ongoing risks.
• Wentworth Pass and Slack Stairs are closed due to multiple landslides. No access to Roberts Pass and Vera Falls. Valley of the Waters track is closed below Sylvia Falls.
• Andersons fire trail (and MTB route) between Kings Tableland Road and Bedford Creek trail will be closed on weekdays from Thursday 31 October until Friday 30 November 2024 for road repairs. Cyclists and walkers are permitted on weekends.      
• McMahons lookout and access road will be closed to vehicles, bikes and pedestrians beyond Erskine Range fire trail for roadworks until further notice.  

Blackheath, Mount Victoria and Bells Line of Road 

• Evans Lookout Road will be closed beyond Grand Canyon carpark on Friday 6 December 2024 for maintenance works in the lookout precinct. There will be no vehicle access to Evans lookout during this time. Pedestrians can use the walking track to the lookout which begins at the Grand Canyon carpark toilets.
• Williams track (Govetts descent) and Rodriguez Pass are closed due to rockfalls and landslides. The Grose Valley can be accessed from Perrys Lookdown. 
• Pulpit Rock Reserve, lookouts and walking track are closed. For more information visit the Blue Mountains City Council website. Pulpit Rock walking track from Popes Glen is open as far as the NPWS boundary (as shown on Google maps).

Adventure recreation, canyons, abseiling and rock climbing
Some adventure recreation areas and routes are specifically closed where the access or exit road/track is mentioned above.  
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.

Closed areas: Empress Canyon closed due to severe weather conditions
Access to Empress Canyon within Blue Mountains National Park is closed due to severe weather conditions. Heavy rainfall is forecast for this area over the next 48hrs. Updates will be provided regarding a reopening date. 
For further information please contact the NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.

Closed areas: Areas closed due to severe weather and elevated landslide risk
The following areas are closed temporarily due to severe weather, ongoing flooding and an elevated risk of rockfalls and landslides:

• Grose Valley - All access tracks and routes including Shortridge Pass (off Lockley Pylon), Horse track, Perrys Lookdown, Victoria Falls, Pierces Pass, Rodriguez, Williams track (Govetts Leap descent).
• Jamison and Kedumba Valley tracks and routes including Giant Stairs, Golden Stairs, Furber Steps, Kedumba Pass, Fern Bower and Amphitheatre tracks. 
• Grand Canyon track
• Part of Valley of the Waters track.

Remember, it’s never safe to drive, ride or walk through flood waters, so you’ll need to reschedule your visit and avoid travel through areas in this park. Check Live Traffic NSW for up-to-date information about road closures. For assistance during severe weather visit the NSW SES website. In life-threatening situations call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office.

Safety alerts: Changed conditions due to forecast heavy rain
Please be aware that creeks and rivers may become impassable, due to forecast heavy rainfall. Canyons will be hazardous.
Extended rainfall increases the risk of road subsidence, landslides, rockfall and treefall. Incidents can occur without notice, but most commonly occur on steep slopes below cliff lines.
Please consider weather when planning activities. Tracks and roads can be closed at short notice.

Closed areas: Woodford - Oaks trail closed weekdays for flood repairs
Woodford - Oaks trail will be closed on weekdays, from Monday 21 October to Friday 13 December 2024. Work is underway to repair flood damaged sections of the track. The track will remain open on weekends.
Pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle access is not permitted during the closure period.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Closed areas: Paterson Range fire trail closure
Paterson Range fire trail in Blue Mountains National Park will be closed for maintenance to all visitors (pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and vehicles) from Tuesday 19 November to Friday 20 December 2024.
Visitor access to Burralow Creek campground will remain open. Access will be via Burralow Road and Tabaraga Ridge fire trail at Kurrajong Heights, which is 4WD access only.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4720 6200.

Fire bans: Park fire ban
A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.
However, the following campgrounds in Blue Mountains National Park are exempt:

• Galong Cabins
• Dunphys campground
• Murphys Glen
• Kedumba River campground
• Burralow Creek
• Euroka campgrounds

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.

Closed areas: Red Hands Cave walking track - Partial closure
Red Hands Cave walking track (also known as Campfire Creek walking track) is partially closed until further notice to allow for extensive flood damage repairs.
Repairs are underway to the Link track section which runs through the gully. The rest of the walking track to Red Hands Cave is open. Pedestrian access is available all the way from the Red Hands Cave carpark through to the causeway.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Other planned events: Notice of ongoing 1080 baiting program
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting ongoing ground baiting program from Thursday 2 May 2024 to Monday 5 May 2025 in the following areas:

• Abercrombie River National Park
• Abercrombie River State Conservation Area
• Kanangra-Boyd National Park
• Blue Mountains National Park (southern section)
• Wollemi National Park (Wolga)
• Gardens of Stone National Park
• Jenolan Karst Conservation Area
• Turon National Park
• Marrangaroo National Park

The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes.
The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.
Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. 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.
For more information, contact the NPWS Kanangra area office at Oberon on 02 6336 6200.

Other planned events: Changed traffic conditions due to pine plantation harvest
Forestry Corporation of NSW will commence harvest thinning of mid age pine plantation bounded by Coscgrove and Mount Werong Roads from late November 2024 to February 2025.
Traffic control measures will be in place when necessary, and additional logging traffic should be expected.Please take care on the road, and drive to the conditions.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. Further information, please contact the Bathurst Forestry Corporation on 02 6331 2044.

Safety alerts: Remote walking track conditions
Remote routes within the Kanangra Wilderness Area including Kanangra to Katoomba (K2K) trail have been impacted by heavy fire regrowth and flood damage.
In some places, tracks are no longer visible and are not easy to navigate, taking longer to traverse than expected. Limited to zero water sources are currently available along routes.
If you plan to walk in the area, please ensure you have an appropriate level of experience, navigation skills and equipment including Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
Mobile reception is limited so alternative communication methods are strongly recommended.
For more information, contact the NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.

Closed areas: Waratah Native Gardens picnic area closed
Waratah Native Gardens picnic area is closed until further notice. This includes Gorge walking track. No access to the area is permitted. 
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Hawkesbury-Nattai area office on 02 4720 6200.