While many of us have planned hiking, camping, cycling or 4wd driving adventures for our summer holidays, hazardous bushfire conditions have forced the closure of many forests and recreation areas. Please check the below list and the official park and forest websites (links below) for the latest updates, before heading out.
National Park Closures
As at January 4, all national parks including tracks, trails and campgrounds on the NSW south coast and Kosciuszko National Park are currently CLOSED until further notice. Several national parks and campgrounds in Greater Sydney as well as all tracks and trails will also be closed until further notice, including the Royal National Park. For updates, check the National Parks website.
State Forest Closures
As at January 2nd, the following State forests are currently closed until further notice:
- All State forests from north of Sydney to the Queensland border
- All State forests from south of Sydney to the Victorian border
- All State forests on the Northern & Southern Tablelands
- Selected forests in Western region (See list of closures)
- All State forests in the Tumut, Tumbarumba and Bombala areas.
- All State forests in the Bathurst, Oberon, Orange and Lithgow areas.
- Coopernook Forest Headquarters, near Coopernook – is now CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
- Scrubby Creek Rest Area near Eden
- Bodalla Forest Rest Area, near Bodalla
Forests Still Open
Some exceptions to these closures include the following forests which remain open as at January 2nd (however please check the latest updates before travelling):
- Crooked Creek Rest Area, east of Tenterfield
- Sealy Lookout, including Coffs Treetops, near Coffs Harbour
- Old Bottlebutt near Port Macquarie
- Strickland State Forest near Gosford
- Treetop Adventure Park, Ourimbah State Forest
- Penrose State Forest Rest Area
- Macquarie Woods Recreation Area remains open to existing campers only.
Check the State Forests website for all the latest forest closure info.
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