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COVID-19 safety information

​​Tracks, campsites and reserves may be closed at times for a variety of reasons, including safety risks such as high fire danger or track improvement works. 

While closures and re-openings are shown here, for up-to-the-minute information we recommend checking the Parks and Wildlife Service Facebook page. ​Closures are also displayed on notice boards at the reserve. ​If you have further questions, pa​rk contact information is listed on each reserve page.

Im​portant links for the latest safety information:

Critical Alerts

Safety alert: COVID-19 walker registration and hut capacity

Applies from 25/6/2020

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Registration is required for walkers and campers undertaking multi-day walks on the Overland Track​,​ and at Frenchmans Cap, Arm River, Pine Valley, Scott-Kilvert Hut, Farmhouse Creek Track and the​ Walls of Jerusalem​​. This is for COVID-19 contact tracing purposes. 

Some huts are open with limited capacity. For further registration information see the COVID-19 safety information​ page.​​

To confirm whether there is availability and to register for your walk, please fill the Walker Registration Availability Enquiry​ form. For further enquiries email tracks@parks.tas.gov.au​​ or phone (03) 6165 4254.​​

Locations affected: Walls of Jerusalem National Park; Walls of Jerusalem - walk notes; Walls of Jerusalem multi-day walk; Multi-day walks; Frenchmans Cap; Frenchmans Cap - walk notes; Overland Track; Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park); Overland Track - booking information; Overland Track - walk options; Lake St Clair camping; Lake St Clair walks; Lake St Clair (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park); Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park; Southwest National Park;

Last reviewed 5/7/2021 09:40 AM


Site Alerts

​​​​​​​Snowfalls are predicted in the coming days and the road conditions can change quickly.

Please drive to the conditions at Cradle Mountain as the roads can be very slippery. Patches of snow and ice can remain on the road throughout the day when the temperatures are low.

Be well dressed and well prepared for delays in case the roads are closed or restricted to 4WD vehicle access only. If the Dove Lake Road needs to be cleared of snow it may cause the shuttle bus departures to be delayed.

For road closure updates visit the Tasmania Police Community Alerts page, or c​ontact the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre 03 6492 1110.​

Locations affected: Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park);

Last reviewed 23/7/2021 04:50 PM

​​​​Alpine snowfalls are predicted in the coming days at Mount Field National Park. The road conditions can change quickly on Lake Dobson Road to the alpine area.

Depending on the conditions of snow and ice the road may only be open to 4WDs (preferably with high road clearance) and 2WDs with snow chains. If snow continues to fall, the road may be periodically closed for clearing.

Please drive to the conditions as the roads can be very slippery. Patches of snow and ice can remain on the road throughout the day when the temperatures are low. The road status will be updated as conditions change. ​​

For road closure updates visit the Tasmania Police Community Alerts page, or phone Mount Field Visitor Centre on 6288 1149. ​​

To check forecasts and the latest weather conditions refer the Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au​

Locations affected: Mount Field National Park;

Last reviewed 27/7/2021 09:50 AM

​​​​​Visitors to Ben Lomond National Park are reminded to please ensure that you have snow chains with you. 

All vehicles driving beyond the Ben Lomond Lower Car Park must carry correctly fitting snow chains at all times during the snow season (June to October). Visitors must adhere to any signage directing the fitting of chains.

Conditions often change throughout the day. While it may be possible at times to drive to the village without chains, later in the day it may be too dangerous to drive down the mountain if it snows or water on the road freezes.

If you don't have snow chains you can access the ski village by using the commercial transport service run by Snow Sports from the Ben Lomond Lower Car Park. Snow Sports can be contacted on 03 6390 6185 or via https://tasmania.ski/. Chains are not available for hire at the mountain.

Daily road conditions are available by calling 0429 646 557. This message is reviewed and updated by the PWS as road conditions change.

Snow conditions are available through the Ben Lomond Committee webpage www.benlomond.org.au

To check forecasts and the latest weather conditions refer the Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au

Be sure to buy your National Parks Passes online before heading up the mountain. Currently you are not able to buy your pass on the mountain.​

​

Locations affected: Ben Lomond National Park;

Last reviewed 23/7/2021 04:52 PM

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The 2018/19 bushfires caused extensive damage to a number of walking tracks and the burnt track infrastructure poses a serious safety ​hazard. Fire damaged boardwalk and steps are also holding the soil in place in many locations, preventing erosion.​

Unfortunately, Phytophthora cinnamomi (rootrot fungus) has been confirmed to be spreading along the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse, Cracroft Plains and McKays Track. Illegal access of burnt tracks will increase erosion and cause environmental degradation, such as risking the further spread of Phythophthora within the Eastern and Western Arthur Ranges and adjacent valleys. ​​

Visitor safety and environmental protection are our priorities. Fire affected areas will remain closed while works are being undertaken, and specialists are working out realignments of tracks and camps​.

The following tracks are closed: 

  • ​Mt Anne Circuit (including Mt Anne and Lake Judd tracks)
  • ​​Eliza Plateau
  • Huon Track
  • Eastern Arthur Range Traverse (north of Federation Peak)
  • Western Arthur Range Traverse - East of Moraine Kappa
  • McKays Track - East of Moraine Kappa

Tracks that have been re-opened:​

Adamsfield Walking Track, Clear Hill Track, The Needles Track and Lake Rhona Track (via Richea Creek and subject to river levels), Tahune Airwalk river loop tracks, Farmhouse Creek (to Hanging Lake campsite) have been reopened to the public.  To minimise erosion and so that walkers can remain on existing tracks, some vegetation has been cleared.​​

Walkers must remain on the existing tracks.  

Locations affected: Southwest National Park; Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park; Eliza Plateau; Lake Judd;

Last reviewed 12/7/2021 04:42 PM

​​​​​​If you have travelled from interstate, or recently returned to Tasmania from interstate, and have been in one of the locations determined as high-risk by Public Health you should immediately self-isolate and call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.

These high-risk locations and premises are available at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travelalert​. 

As the situation is evolving, travellers should check the website frequently as more locations are added.

​For further updates please visit www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au

Last reviewed 7/6/2021 03:21 PM

Road works on the Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge, west of Orford, may cause some delays.  A 300m of the road is restricted to one lane while works are completed. A 40 km/h speed limit and traffic management control will be in place.

In the interests of public safety please abide by all road signage and allow for delays.

Locations affected: Maria Island National Park; Freycinet National Park; Douglas-Apsley National Park;

Last reviewed 22/7/2021 09:43 AM

​​​​​As the 2020-21 fishing season has now closed, the boom gate on Lake Augusta Road just beyond Bernacchi (The Thousand Lakes Lodge) has been closed for the winter period from May 5th. The reopening of the boom gate will be on 1st October (approximately) subject to inspections determining the roads condition are suitable for vehicular traffic.

The annual road closure ensures damage to the 19 Lagoons Road network by vehicles driving on wet/boggy, snow and frost heave affected roads is greatly reduced.

If conditions are not conducive to the opening of the road by the due date the Parks and Wildlife Service will undertake regular inspections and communicate information on likely opening timeframes until the road is opened.

For any further information please contact the Great Western Tiers Field Centre on 6701 2104.​​

Locations affected: Central Plateau Conservation Area;

Last reviewed 7/6/2021 02:58 PM

​​​​​Repairs will be undertaken on the Judds Creek Road within the Russell Ridge Conservation Area near Judbury from Monday 19 July 2021, for approximately three weeks.

Works will be undertaken by a local contractor and the road will remain open during the works. Traffic will be stopped for short periods throught the works. Please abide by all on-site signage and traffic direction.

The public can reach the Billy Brown Falls via the White Timber Trail or the Plenty Link Road.​

For further information please contact the Huonville Field Centre on 6121 7026.

Last reviewed 14/7/2021 09:32 AM

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Montezuma Falls Walking Track is open, from the carpark in Williamsford to the viewing platform at the base of the falls. The suspension bridge which forms a side trip, remains closed to the public for safety reasons until further notice. Project is awaiting re-bolting of tread-plates and final engineer inspection.

Contact the West Coast Field Centre on PWS.WestCoast@parks.tas.gov.au.

Locations affected: Montezuma Falls;

Last reviewed 4/6/2021 03:05 PM

​​​Following the mass stranding of long-finned pilot whales near Strahan in September 2020, the majority of carcasses from within Macquarie Harbour, and on the southern end of Ocean Beach (from Macquarie Heads to Ocean Beach Trail) have been removed and/or buried.

Large numbers of whale carcasses remain in other areas, including along the ocean coastline from Cape Sorrell to Low Rocky Point, and along the northern end of Ocean Beach (from Ocean Beach Trail to Trial Harbour).

The public and dogs must not approach or come into contact with whale carcasses. Contact can be hazardous and spread harmful bacteria. Visitors are strongly encouraged to check for carcasses upstream of the coastline in creeks and rivers before collecting drinking water; and to be aware that additional native scavengers and predators have likely been attracted to the area by the whales.

It is an offence under the Whales Protection Act 1988 to interfere, obtain or possess any part or product of a whale.

The Parks and Wildlife Service expects whale carcasses will move with the tides, and continue to wash up and down the coastline for some time. Heavy storm activity may also uncover previously buried whale carcasses. 

The Parks and Wildlife Service apologises for any inconvenience.​​​​

Locations affected:

Last reviewed 4/6/2021 03:06 PM

​​​​​​​​​​Due to inclement weather impacting the East West Trail during the winter months, the track will be closed and permits for vehicles are not available. The track will be reassessed in early November for possible re-opening.

For further information please contact the Seven Mile Beach Field Centre on 6107 9208.

Locations affected: East West Trail - Wellington Park (4WD);

Last reviewed 31/5/2021 01:10 PM

​Due to heavy rain, a culvert near Duck Creek, approx. 6km to the north of Granville Harbour on the Granville to Pieman 4WD Track has been washed-out. This is a significant wash-out, and is likely to make the track impassable for most 4WD vehicles. While the track remains open, using it is not advised. If attempting the track, please proceed through this area with caution, making alternate tracks around the obstacle is not permitted.​

For further information, contact the West Coast Field Centre on (03) 6409 1020 or PWS.WestCoast@parks.tas.gov.au​

Locations affected:

Last reviewed 7/6/2021 03:05 PM

​​​​Due to structural issues with the historic Bird River Bridge, the Kelly Basin Walk has been closed to walkers from the vehicle accessible Bird River Road end. The Kelly Basin Walk continues to be accessible by boat from the jetty at the Kelly Basin - East Pillinger end.

The Bird River Bridge is structurally unsound. Walkers must not cross the historic Bird River Bridge under any circumstances. The volume of water in the river where it passes the bridge can rise and fall rapidly, based on weather conditions in the higher catchment.

For further information contact the West Coast Field Centre on PWS.WestCoast@parks.tas.gov.au.​

Locations affected: Kelly Basin;

Last reviewed 15/6/2021 02:39 PM

​The Parks and Wildlife Service is currently undertaking major upgrades to critical infrastructure at Maria Island National Park. Planning and approvals for the management of wastewater are underway.

As a result, the showers in the Darlington Campground are expected to remain closed until 2022.  The outdoor shower (adjacent to the female toilets) will remain available until Monday 26 April 2021.

We apologise for any inconvenience. If there are any extenuating circumstances, please see one of our staff on the island.

For enquiries, please contact the Maria Island Gateway on (03) 6123 4040.​
​

Locations affected: Maria Island National Park; Maria Island camping - Darlington; Maria Island Penitentiary accommodation;

Last reviewed 23/3/2021 11:55 AM

​​​​​​

Devils Gullet walking track and lookout closed until further notice

Following the heavy rainfall, the walking track and lookout at Devils Gullet has sustained damaged. The site will remain closed until further notice.

The PWS apologise for any inconvenience this may cause visitors.

Locations affected: Great Western Tiers Conservation Area;

Last reviewed 5/7/2021 09:40 AM

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​During the construction of the Viewing Shelter from April 2020 to Summer 2021, private vehicles will not have access beyond the Ronny Creek car park at any time of day. 

The shuttle bus service will continue to operate throughout the construction period. Private vehicle access between the visitor centre, Ronny Creek and Dove Lake (along Dove Lake Road) is not permitted during shuttle bus operating times. ​

See COVID-19 safety information​ for shuttle bus requirements and hut registration requirements.

Locations affected: Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park);

Last reviewed 15/7/2021 09:39 AM

​​​​​​​​​The Meadstone Falls Lookout in the Mt Puzzler Reserve is closed until further notice. The lookout structure is damaged, resulting in a severe h​azard to users.

Last reviewed 14/12/2020 10:44 AM


 

Contact

Parks and Wildlife Service
GPO Box 1751
Hobart TAS 7001
Phone: 1300 TASPARKS, (1300 827 727)