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
Closed area: All parks and reserves closed
From 26/3/2020, last reviewed 31/3/2020
Following advice from the Tasmania Department of Health and Tasmanian Government that our community should limit non-essential travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the PWS has closed all national parks, reserves and campgrounds until further notice.
The PWS is calling on Tasmanians to support the national effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 and stay home during this time.
From midnight Thursday 26 March, PWS is temporarily closing all national parks, reserves, campgrounds and facilities to recreational and tourism use. This means that all short walks, day walks, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, tours and camping are now closed to the public. Washrooms, day use facilities, showers and visitor centres are closed until further notice.
For more information on these closures please refer to the frequently asked questions.
Site Alerts
Planned event: Cradle Mountain Gateway - limited access to fuel 16-27 March
Show more/lessFrom 12/3/2020, last reviewed 3/4/2020
Due to facility upgrade works at the Cradle Mountain Gateway, fuel access will be limited. The access road to the fuel bowsers will not be suitable for long vehicles (cars with trailers/caravans) until 17th April. If long vehicles require access to the fuel it is recommended that trailers be unhitched and left in the Visitor Centre overflow carpark. Please follow the directions of contractors if instructed.
Locations affected: Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park); Overland Track;
From 6/3/2020, last reviewed 3/4/2020
Montezuma Falls Suspension Bridge is currently closed due to a tree fall.
Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) advises that Montezuma Falls is 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 track is impassable and therefore has been closed to the public until further notice.
Locations affected: Montezuma Falls;
Track closure: Tasman Arch & Devils Kitchen – Track Upgrade - 24 March to 15 April
Show more/lessFrom 17/3/2020, last reviewed 31/3/2020
The PWS will be upgrading the walking track between Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen from 24th March - 15 April.
There will be periodic track closures on small sections of the track between these dates. Work will be staged to ensure minimal disturbance to visitors and allow ongoing access to lookouts during this time.
There may be some noise from the machinery and associated works during this time.
Locations affected: Tasman Coastal Trail; Tasman National Park;
From 26/3/2020, last reviewed 26/3/2020
Due to restrictions at this time the PWS will not be issuing permits for East West Track within Wellington Park.
Locations affected:
From 25/3/2020, last reviewed 25/3/2020
The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service is committed to ensuring the safety of our visitors while we face the challenges of COVID-19.
Following the Tasmanian Government’s measures on social distancing and public gatherings, all campgrounds around the state will close at midnight Wednesday 25 March until further notice. All existing campers are required to vacate the campground as soon as practical. This includes popular sites at the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Maria Island, South Coast Track, Frenchmans Cap and Overland Track within the Cradle Mountain Lake St-Clair National Park.
As a result of these restrictions, all overnight walking activities will cease from midnight on 25 March.
Sites will be monitored by PWS staff as we work to implement measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
From 23/3/2020, last reviewed 23/3/2020
Temporary closure of Climies Track until futher notice.
Climies Track is temporarily closed due to the collapse of the bridge at Montagu Creek making the track impassable to vehicles. Parks and Wildlife Service are working to remove the failed structure and create a safe crossing as soon as possible.
The West Coast Field Centre can be contacted on PWS.WestCoast@parks.tas.gov.au
Locations affected: Climies Track (4WD);
Planned event: Fortescue Bay and Lime Bay - Fuel reduction burns
Show more/lessFrom 30/3/2020, last reviewed 20/3/2020
A small strategic fuel reduction burns are planned for Fortescue Bay within the Tasman National Park and Lime Bay State Reserve between March 30th and April 9th 2020.
Fortescue Bay Road, campgrounds, boat ramp and walking tracks will be closed during and after the burn until it is safe for the public to access. It is anticipated to be only closed for one day.
Coal Mine Road, campgrounds and walking tracks will be closed during and after the burn until it is safe for the public to access. It is anticipated to be closed for one to two days.
Parks and Wildlife Service ask that the public heed signage and directions by staff or traffic control contractors during the burning operations.
Please direct any enquiries to the Tasman Field Centre on 6250 3980.
Locations affected: Fortescue Bay camping; Cape Hauy; Bivouac Bay; Cape Pillar; Lime Bay State Reserve;
From 23/3/2020, last reviewed 20/3/2020
A planned fuel reduction burn is scheduled to take place in the D’Entrecasteaux Plains between 23rd March and 5th April.
The following areas will be closed: The Southern Ranges Traverse, (Moonlight Ridge Track) from the Tailhead to the Maxwell Ridge including Mystery Creek Cave, and Mount La Perouse.
This closure is expected to last up to 3 days and the track will be re-opened as soon as it has been declared safe to do so.
For more information contact 0436 817 434.
Locations affected: South Coast Track; South Cape Bay; Southport Lagoon camping; Duckhole Lake; Southwest National Park; Caving;
From 28/11/2019, last reviewed 14/3/2020
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
- 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
Tracks that have been reopened:
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 will occur in March.
Locations affected: Southwest National Park; Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park;
From 11/3/2020, last reviewed 11/3/2020
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;
Safety alert: Tasman Blowhole -Toilet Upgrade 13-19 March
Show more/lessFrom 4/3/2020, last reviewed 4/3/2020
The PWS will be undertaking works to upgrade the toilet facilities at the Tasman Blowhole between 13 – 19 March.
Works will involve helicopter operations and may result in increased noise and dust at the site. Some boat trailer car parks will be closed to ensure visitor safety during these works.
Portable toilets will be available to supplement current facilities throughout March. Access to the Tasman Blowhole, walking tracks, current facilities and boat ramp will not be significantly impacted.
Locations affected: Tasman National Park; Tasman Coastal Trail;
From 14/2/2020, last reviewed 28/2/2020
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.
Track closure: Pillans Track - Central Plateau Conservation Area
Show more/lessFrom 25/2/2020, last reviewed 25/2/2020
Maintenance works on the Liawenee Canal carried out by Hydro Tasmania has caused the level of Lake Augusta to rise and flood the James River crossing making it unsafe for vehicles.
Hydro Tasmania are due to finish the maintenance works by early April. Pillans Track will reopen once water levels reduce.
For further information contact the Great Western Tiers Field Centre on 6701 2104.
Locations affected: Central Plateau Conservation Area;
From 17/6/2019, last reviewed 25/2/2020
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;