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, park contact information is listed on each reserve page.
Important links for the latest safety information:
Critical Alerts
Safety alert: COVID-19 Update
From 25/6/2020, last reviewed 3/7/2020
Most Parks and Wildlife Service facilities have reopened to the public following the closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visitors must continue to adhere to physical distancing standards and Public Health regulations.
Please check the alerts page before planning your visit to ensure that you are aware of any access or restrictions that may still be in place.
Site Alerts
From 28/11/2019, last reviewed 6/7/2020
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. Illegal access of burnt tracks will increase erosion and cause environmental degradation.
Visitor safety and environmental protection are our priorities and fire affected areas will remain closed until they are safe for use.
The following tracks are closed:
- Mt Anne Circuit (including Lake Judd Track)
- Huon Track
- Mount Picton Track
- Farmhouse Creek Track
- Eastern Arthur Range Traverse
- Western Arthur Range Traverse - East of Moraine Kappa
- McKays Track - East of Moraine Kappa
- Rasselas Track
- Adamsfield Track
- Clearhill Track
- Tahune Airwalk Great Short Walk
Tracks that have been re-opened:
The Lake Rhona Track and The Needles Track are now reopened to the public. As tracks are reopened walkers should expect to encounter burnt vegetation along these tracks, which in some areas hangs over the track, and will require pushing through and will result in charcoal marks on clothing and packs.
To prevent erosion, walkers must remain on the existing track. Minor vegetation clearance along the Lake Rhona Track is planned for spring.
Locations affected: Southwest National Park; Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park; Tahune Airwalk;
From 29/6/2020, last reviewed 6/7/2020
Completion of the new Waterfall Valley Hut on the Overland Track is expected in July 2020. Sites, for tents, tent platforms and toilet facilities near to Old Waterfall Valley Hut can be used while final construction is taking place.
The new Waterfall Valley Hut is a construction site and for safety, walkers must observe all signage and access restrictions, including during helicopter operations.
Please also see News item - New registration and booking system.
Locations affected: Overland Track;
From 26/6/2020, last reviewed 3/7/2020
All vehicles must carry snow chains beyond the lower car park and fit them when required.
Please note the Parks and Wildlife Service is not responsible for visitors who ignore the requirements to carry and fit snow chains. Visitors use the road at their own risk. Due to liability and work health and safety, the PWS will not assist in vehicle recovery activities, except under an emergency situation.
Visitors should wear clothing suitable to alpine environments including thermals, beanies, jakets, gloves and goggles. Resitrictions of numbers apply in the shelters to a max of 10 people.
Locations affected: Ben Lomond National Park;
From 3/7/2020, last reviewed 3/7/2020
Climies Track has been re-opened to vehicles following the collapse of the bridge at Montagu Creek. The Parks and Wildlife Service have removed the bridge and a new crossing point has been created.
Caution should be taken when using the new route. The area is wet and will require ongoing maintenance as the new gravel compacts.
Locations affected: Four-wheel-driving (4WD); Climies Track (4WD);
From 1/3/2020, last reviewed 3/7/2020
Montezuma Falls Suspension Bridge and walking tracks are currently closed to walkers and cyclists due to a number of tree falls.
Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) advises that Montezuma Falls are now inaccessible from the Murchison Highway at Melba Flats on the North East Dundas Tramway (Montezuma Falls 4WD Track) and from the Murchison Highway to the north on the Ring River Track due to a recent tree fall/land slip.
The tracks to Montezuma Falls are impassable and therefore have been closed to the public until further notice.
Locations affected: Montezuma Falls;
From 11/3/2020, last reviewed 2/7/2020
Visitors to Maria Island National Park are advised that due to infrastructure repairs on the island, the public showers at Darlington will be closed until further notice.
For further information, contact the PWS Maria-Triabunna Field Centre on (03) 6257 1420.
Locations affected: Maria Island camping - Darlington; Maria Island National Park;
From 2/7/2020, last reviewed 2/7/2020
The boom gate on Lake Augusta Rd just beyond The Thousand Lakes Lodge, has been closed for the winter period following the conclusion of the fishing season.
The boom gate will reopen on 1 October, subject to road inspections to determe if conditions are suitable for traffic.
The annual closure ensures vehicles are not driving on wet, boggy, snow and frost affected roads which results in damage to the 19 Lagoons road network.
For information contact the Great Western Tiers Field Centre on (03) 6701 2104.
Closed area: Remarkable Cave track closure 1 July - 11 Sept
Show more/lessFrom 1/7/2020, last reviewed 1/7/2020
The Parks and Wildlife Service are upgrading the staircase to the Remarkable Cave viewing platform to improve visitor safety within the Tasman National Park.
The walking track to Remarkable Cave will be temporarily closed during these works between 1 July and 11 September 2020.
All other walking tracks and viewing areas accessible from the car park will remain open.
Locations affected: Tasman National Park;
From 26/6/2020, last reviewed 26/6/2020
Earthworks will take place beside the Darlington campground BBQ shelter at Maria Island National Park between Thursday 25 June and Friday 7 June 2020.
The drainage improvement work is being undertaken to prevent future flooding of the facility.
Due to machinery operations and for your safety, adhere to all signage and exclusion areas. Please follow the alternative routes to the campground facilities.
Locations affected: Maria Island National Park;
Closed area: Kate Reed Nature Reserve closed to mountain bikes
Show more/lessFrom 25/6/2020, last reviewed 25/6/2020
All tracks in Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area are closed to mountain bikes until further notice due to the degraded track conditions caused by recent and ongoing wet weather.
This decision is fully supported by Launceston Mountain Bike Club. The closure will ensure the current damage can be repaired quickly and the track reopened to bikes when conditions allow. Continued bike use at the present time will delay this re-opening.
Other activities such as walking or running through the reserve are encouraged, but please be mindful of the slippery track surface and observe physical distancing requirements.
Mountain bike activities are still permitted in Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area.
Locations affected: Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area;
Closed area: Temporary closure of Bird River 4WD Track (Kelly Basin Road)
Show more/lessFrom 18/6/2020, last reviewed 18/6/2020
Due to a recent assessment of dangerous trees on the Bird River 4WD Track on the west coast, the track has been temporarily closed due to safety concerns. Parks and Wildlife Service is working towards reopening the track as soon as possible. For further details contact the West Coast Field Centre on 03 6409 1020 or PWS.westcoast@parks.tas.gov.au
Locations affected: Kelly Basin;
From 3/6/2020, last reviewed 18/6/2020
Arve Road beyond the Hartz Mountains National Park turn-off will remain closed until further notice due to road works. There is currently no access to the following walks - Mt Picton, Farmhouse Creek and Huon Track.
Hartz Mountain National Park will be open and accessible.
Locations affected: Hartz Mountains National Park; Southwest National Park;
Closed area: Dove Lake Car Park due to Shelter Construction
Show more/lessFrom 14/5/2020, last reviewed 14/5/2020
During the construction of the Viewing Shelter, private vehicles will not have access beyond the Ronny Creek car park at any time of day during the construction period from April 2020 to July 2021.
The shuttle bus service will continue to operate on a frequent timetable during the peak periods throughout the construction. See the Frequently Asked Questions on Cradle - Getting there to understand details regarding the works and access.
Locations affected: Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park);
From 14/2/2020, last reviewed 4/5/2020
The Meadstone Falls Lookout in the Mt Puzzler Reserve is closed until further notice. The lookout structure is damaged, resulting in a severe hazard to users.