Critical Alerts
Fire: What to do in cases of emergency such as bushfire:
From 23/5/2019, last reviewed 13/11/2019
Site Alerts
Closed area: Toilet block at Lake Pedder Teds Beach boat ramp
From 8/11/2019, last reviewed 13/11/2019
The toilet block at the Lake Pedder Teds Beach boat ramp and campsite, near the Strathgordon, is temporarily out of service due to an equipment failure. PWS is undertaking repairs as quickly as possible.
Visitors are advised to use the toilet facilities at Gordon Dam or Pedder Lodge at Strathgordon.
Only self-contained campervans or caravans should use the campsite until the toilet block reopens.
Locations affected: Southwest National Park;
Closed area: Cockle Creek short-term and long-term carparks for improvement works
From 4/11/2019, last reviewed 13/11/2019
After a week of minor site works to the entrance of the Cockle Creek precinct, the short term car park reopened on Friday 8 November. The long term car park will remain closed until Friday 22 November to complete the gravel works.
PWS thanks all visitors for their understanding as we work on making these improvements.
For further information, please contact the Huonville Field Centre on 6121 7028.
Locations affected: Southwest National Park;
Closed area: Notice of site closure: Remarkable Cave - Cresent Bay - Mt Brown, Tasman Peninsula
From 7/5/2019, last reviewed 12/11/2019
The walking tracks from Remarkable Cave to Cresent Bay and Mt Brown is currently closed to allow construction work and for safety reasons, and
will deliver improved visitor facilities.
Locations affected: Tasman National Park;
Closed area: Important information for people considering walking the Overland Track
From 17/6/2019, last reviewed 7/11/2019
The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service is beginning a three year project to improve facilities on the Overland Track. The first stage is planned to commence in the 2019-2020 walking season and focuses on the Waterfall Valley site and will see the replacement of the Waterfall Valley Hut, construction of a new toilet, camping platforms, Ranger hut and a realignment of the track.
Construction is planned to start from November 2019 through to May 2020, and as a result the Waterfall Valley Hut will be closed to walkers for the duration of the construction.
The Scott Kilvert Hut node will be used to accommodate walkers for night one of the Overland Track while construction occurs. For more information please refer to the FAQ under the Overland Track - walk notes. Caution is needed as there is a steep descent and uneven surface from the junction where you turn off to go to Scott Kilvert hut.
While construction is underway you may experience some noise from construction activity and see and hear helicopters as they deliver materials to site. Efforts will be made to limit possible construction and helicopter noise to reasonable hours, however you should consider this information before booking your walk.
As project time frames will be responsive to weather, this period may be subject to change, in which case we will keep you informed as to project updates along the way.
Locations affected: Overland Track;
Fire ban: Campfire restrictions are in place
From 21/10/2019, last reviewed 28/10/2019
Campfire restrictions are now in place for this site. This means you will not be able to use campfires, pot fires and other solid fuel stoves. Gas stoves and gas barbecues are still permitted.
Parts of the east coast are experiencing the driest conditions for the past three years with traditionally wet or damp gullies now dry. An above average fire season has been forecast for the east and south eastern parts of Tasmania due to warmer and drier conditions.
These conditions have increased the risk of unattended or poorly constructed campfires escaping and becoming bushfires. We have a duty of care to our community and want to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable camping experience.
Waterhouse Conservation Area;
Planned event: Road works Fortescue Bay Road, Tasman National Park
From 21/10/2019, last reviewed 21/10/2019
Road works are being undertaken on the Fortescue Bay Road, leading into the Fortescue Bay campground.
The site remains open however there will be reduced speed limits and some lane closures throughout the project. Please slow down and follow the directions of traffic controllers and signs.
Work is due to be completed by late February 2020, weather permitting.
Please allow a bit of extra time for your trip as work is undertaken on the road.
Track closure: Closed tracks due to 2019 fires
From 1/10/2019, last reviewed 21/10/2019
Post this year’s fires, a Recovery Team has been formed and they are developing a detailed works program to rebuild fire-affected infrastructure on the PWS road and walking track network. Visitor safety is our priority and fire affected areas will remain closed until they are safe for use. We ask for on-going patience from the community and our visitors while repair works are undertaken.
The team are working on prioritised tasks to re-instate the affected roads, walking tracks, bridges, shelters and signs. Repaired tracks and roads will be re-opened progressively as they are repaired. However some areas could take up to two years to restore to appropriate standard and re-open.
Assessment teams including local contractors and staff have worked their way through 980kms of the road network. 450 trees have been fallen and 80 trees blasted on PWS land to remove the risk of tree fall and to clear the roadway.
Road works proposed for 2019/20 and 20/21 will include repairs to damaged road surfaces, verges, drains, and culverts. A full assessment of the area will determine when it is safe for public access. As a result of the fires, over 110kms of walking tracks have been identified by assessment teams as needing repair. Walking track repair works proposed for 2019/20 and 20/21 will include stabilization and repairs to duck boarding and double planking, bridges, shelters, safety barriers and signs. Many tracks are in remote, high country where wintery winds, rain and snow melt will continue to influence the progress of recovery, as much of the work is dependent on drier conditions. Many tracks in these areas are likely to remain closed this summer.
Visitor safety is our priority and fire affected areas will remain closed until they are safe for use. We ask for on-going patience from the community and our visitors while repair works are undertaken. Walkers are reminded that, several walking tracks in the Southwest National Park, Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and Florentine River Regional Reserve remain closed until further notice.
For walker safety we ask people to adhere to the following closures:
Riveaux Road fire ground
- Huon Track
- Mount Picton Track
- Farmhouse Creek Track
- Eastern Arthur Range Traverse
- McKays Track
Gell River fire ground
- Rasselas Track
- Lake Rhona Track
- Adamsfield Track
- Clearhill Track
- Needles Track
- Timbs Track
Anne Gorge and Celtic Hill fire ground
Open tracks – please note the following tracks are open: The Mount Wedge Track, Mount Sprent Track, Western Arthur Range Traverse from Alpha Moraine to Kappa Moraine returning to Junction Creek via the western portion of MacKays Track, Port Davey Track, South Coast Track and the Hartz Mountains National Park are open..
Locations affected: Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park; Southwest National Park;
Closed area: Tahune Airwalk closure
From 25/6/2019, last reviewed 25/6/2019
The Tahune Airwalk was affected by the January 2019 bushfires and will be closed until repairs can be completed. The expected reopening is end-of-year 2019, however visistors are advised to see the Tahune Adventures website for full details.
Locations affected: Tahune Airwalk;