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Hat Head National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Fri 31 July 2026, 11.06am

Applies from Mon 3 Aug 2026, 6.00am to Mon 17 Aug 2026, 8.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 31 Jul 2026, 11.06am.

Closed areas: Areas closed for hazard reduction burning

Some parts of this park are closed for hazard reduction burning from Monday 3 August to Monday 17 August 2026. The closed area/s are:

  • Borefields Trail 
  • All areas between Borefields Trail, Arakoon Road and Lighthouse Road

Access to Smoky Cape Lighthouse and Smoky Campground will remain open. 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 6561 6700 or visit the Rural Fire Service website.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Sat 8 Aug 2026, 2.59pm. Last reviewed: Sat 8 Aug 2026, 6.34pm

Fires - Advice: Bottle Creek, Gumbaynggirr State Conservation Area

There is a fire in this park called Bottle Creek, Gumbaynggirr State Conservation Area. Refer to the Rural Fire Service for latest information. Do not enter any closed area or area with fire. If you see an unattended fire call Triple Zero (000). Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire safety in parks and reserves, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page for park safety guidelines.

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Applies from Sat 8 Aug 2026, 10.00am. Last reviewed: Sat 8 Aug 2026, 6.30pm

Hazard reduction burns: Stoney Creek East HR

There is a planned Hazard Reduction burn in this park from 08/08/2026. The fire is called Stoney Creek East HR. Refer to the Rural Fire Service for latest information. Do not enter any closed area or area with fire. If you see an unattended fire call Triple Zero (000). Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire safety in parks and reserves, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page for park safety guidelines.

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Applies from Thu 6 Aug 2026, 10.00am. Last reviewed: Sat 8 Aug 2026, 4.16pm

Hazard reduction burns: Middle Head North 2 HR

There is a planned Hazard Reduction burn in this park from 06/08/2026. The fire is called Middle Head North 2 HR. Refer to the Rural Fire Service for latest information. Do not enter any closed area or area with fire. If you see an unattended fire call Triple Zero (000). Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire safety in parks and reserves, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page for park safety guidelines.

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Applies from Mon 3 Aug 2026, 7.00am to Fri 21 Aug 2026, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 31 Jul 2026, 8.13am

Closed areas: Partial Closure Plomer Campground for Track Upgrade: Plomer Headland Walking Track

Some sites of this campground are closed from Monday 3rd August to Friday 21st August 2026 while Plomer Headland walking track is being upgraded. The closed areas are:

  • Sites 56-61, 73-78 and 62-64 during weekdays only inside the above period (the weekend Fri-Sun bookings will remain for those sites)
  • Partial closure of Point carpark and corresponding internal campground road
  • Plomer Headland Walking Track
  • Signs will be in place in closed areas
  • There may be some noise from machinery during this time

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

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 3 Aug 2026, 2.07pm to Mon 17 Aug 2026, 2.10pm. Last reviewed: Thu 30 Jul 2026, 2.18pm

Closed areas: Areas closed for hazard reduction burning

Some parts of this reserve in the Lake Cathie Village area are closed for hazard reduction burning from Monday 3 August to Monday 17 August, 2026, weather dependant.

The closed area/s are:
    • All areas between Lake Cathie Village Track and Raiders Trail

  
Penalties apply for non-compliance. This burn is called NPWS Raiders HR. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 6588-5555 or visit the Rural Fire Service website.

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Applies from Sat 18 Jul 2026, 9.31am to Mon 24 Aug 2026, 9.33am. Last reviewed: Tue 28 Jul 2026, 3.31pm

Closed areas: Partial Track Closure - Coastal Walk (Miners south section)

A section of the Coastal Walk within Sea Acres National Park will be closed from Monday 10 to Monday 24 August 2026 for planned walking track maintenance. The closed section is from the southern end of Miners Beach through to the carpark on Lighthouse Road. Signs will be in place with suggested detour options. 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on (02) 6588 5555.

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Applies from Fri 24 Jul 2026, 2.56pm. Last reviewed: Fri 24 Jul 2026, 3.01pm

Closed areas: West End Trail - New England NP - Closed

West End Trail in New England National Park is permanently closed due to multiple bridges out.

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Applies from Mon 27 Jul 2026, 3.53pm to Fri 14 Aug 2026, 3.54pm. Last reviewed: Thu 23 Jul 2026, 4.03pm

Safety alerts: Weed Spraying on park roads and visitor areas

Weed spraying for bindi and broadleaf (using Dicamba) will be carried out in Arakoon NP including walking tracks and some visitor areas from 27 July to 14 August 2026.

Spraying will occur when weather conditions are favourable.

Signage will be in place during weed spraying activities.

 

Please call our local office if you have any questions 02 6561 6700

Affects 1 park and 9 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 20 Jul 2026, 8.00am to Fri 28 Aug 2026, 3.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 17 Jul 2026, 9.43am

Closed areas: Partial park closure for weed management

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is planning to undertake important weed control in Barrie's Bay north from the Point Plomer Campground between Monday 20th July and Friday 28th August 2026.

The program is designed to reduce infestations of invasive weeds species such as bitou bush, lantana, senna and morning glory. The team will be using Grazon, Metsulfuron and Glysophate.

Spray dates are weather dependant.

Signs will be placed at the entry to the spraying locations during spraying operations. Access along walking tracks to the beach may be impacted on this day.

Please contact the Kempsey NPWS Office on (02) 6561 6700 for more information.

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Applies from Tue 28 Oct 2025, 12.11pm. Last reviewed: Thu 16 Jul 2026, 12.55pm

Closed areas: New England National Park walking track closures

The following areas are closed for public safety, to allow NPWS to assess and manage rockfall hazards.

  • Eagles Nest walking track
  • All access to Weeping Rock

For further information please contact the NPWS Coffs Coast area office on 02 6652 0900.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 15 Jul 2026, 3.57pm to Thu 20 Aug 2026, 4.05pm. Last reviewed: Wed 15 Jul 2026, 4.06pm

Other planned events: Way Way Creek Rd Closed for Nambucca Valley Council Bridge Work until 20 August

Way Way Creek Rd Closed for Nambucca Valley Council Bridge Work until 20 August.

All roads and trails in Yarriabini National Park can still be accessed via Rosewood Rd from the west, or  North Kinki Spur Rd off Grassy Head Rd from the east.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Sat 6 Jul 2024, 4.02pm. Last reviewed: Fri 10 Jul 2026, 2.41pm

Safety alerts: Slippery and eroded walking tracks - Coastal Walk

Recent rain events have resulted in some sections of the Coastal Walk in Sea Acres National Park becoming eroded and slippery. The affected sections are between Miners Beach and the carpark adjacent to the intersection of Lighthouse Road and Matthew Flinders Drive. Walkers proceeding with the walk should exercise caution and wear appropriate footwear. 

For more information, contact the local NPWS office on (02) 6588 5555. 

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 25 Jul 2023, 7.14am. Last reviewed: Fri 8 May 2026, 9.18am

Closed areas: Landslip on Hanging Rock Road in State forest

Access to Kosekai Lookout is currently NOT possible via Hanging Rock Road due to a section of Hanging Rock Road being damaged during March 2021 flooding event.  The damaged section of road is managed by Forestry Corporation.  Access to the lookout is now only possible in 4WD vehicles from the south via Boat Harbour Road and then turning onto Kosekai Road

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 30 Sep 2025, 4.45pm. Last reviewed: Thu 9 Jul 2026, 9.09am

Closed parks: Yessabah Reserve Permanently Closed

Access to Yessabah Nature Reserve is permanently closed to unauthorised personnel. The former quarry area has limestone rock faces that are unstable and prone to rock fall. Other areas of the reserve are geologically unstable.

Do not access this park. For further information call the NPWS Macleay area office on 02 6561 6700.

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Applies from Mon 5 May 2025, 1.46pm. Last reviewed: Tue 14 Jul 2026, 10.13am

Other planned events: Koala Hospital Closure

Please be advised that the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital (managed by Koala Conservation Australia) next door to Roto House Historic Site will be closed for redevelopment until mid-2026.

The National Parks Roto House and its thriving café ‘Home at Roto House’ will continue to operate as normal, open 7days, 8:30-2pm.

Check out their website for upcoming events: https://www.homeatroto.com.au/

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 23 Dec 2024, 9.57am to Thu 31 Dec 2026, 10.01am. Last reviewed: Wed 15 Jul 2026, 9.47am

Closed parks: Willi Willi Caves Nature Reserve closed due to unsafe access

Willi Willi Caves Nature Reserve is closed until further notice due to unsafe access to area.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 6561 6700.

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Applies from Tue 19 Mar 2024, 9.25pm. Last reviewed: Tue 14 Jul 2026, 8.08am

Closed areas: Ngambaa Feral Predator Free Area - Closed Roads

Construction is complete on the Ngambaa Feral Predator-Free Area which has necessitated the closure of roads in the reserve for visitor safety.

 

Cedar Park picnic area will remain open and available for visitor access. 

 

The following roads are subject to permanent closure as part of the construction and operation of the feral predator free area: 

  • Wittigs Road
  • parts of Stockyard Creek Road
  • Seams Road
  • Jacks Road
  • Buds Crossing Road

 

Construction works were completed in August and the 23k of fencing is complete. 

 

Construction works have included:

  • clearing the fence corridor
  • building the fence
  • installing bridge and culvert crossings.

 

Closed areas: Closed for ground pest control operations

Pest animal control shooting operations will also occur in these areas

Shooting operations will occur on select nights throughout this period. The operations will run from sunset to sunrise in areas that are closed for public access.

 

Information regarding the project can be obtained via the following link: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/return-of-threatened-and-declining-species/ngambaa-feral-predator-free-area

 

For further information please contact the NPWS Coffs Coast area office on 02 6652 0900

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Applies from Mon 1 Mar 2021, 11.38am to Fri 30 Oct 2026, 9.17am. Last reviewed: Mon 22 Jun 2026, 9.35am

Closed areas: Area permanently closed - Mermaid Pools

Access to Mermaid Pools is permanently closed including for swimming. Sudden large swells and tides create major waves that wash over the rocks and pools.

Do not access this area. The severe conditions at this site have caused a number of significant injuries and deaths in the past.

Mermaid Pools have never been a designated visitor site due to the extreme nature of the surf and tides at this location. There is no approved public access walking track to Mermaid Pools.

For further information call the NPWS Verges Creek area office on 02 6561 6700.

Affects 1 park and 1 location 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/visit-a-park/parks/hat-head-national-park/local-alerts

Contact

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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