Most national parks now open for Easter

Easter picnic and camping trips are back on track after rangers pulled out all the stops to reopen national parks in the Daintree and other areas in northern and central Queensland, in the aftermath of Cyclone Ita.

National Parks Minister Steve Dickson praised Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers for working around the clock to reopen 165 of the 223 national parks and other protected areas closed by the cyclone.

“All our most popular spots are open, though some may have limited access for safety reasons,” Mr Dickson said.

“This is difficult, dangerous work involving clearing tree falls and other debris to get roads reopened and our most popular areas ready for the influx of visitors who want to spend their Easter break in our national parks.

“Our rangers have put in a superhuman effort in the Daintree, which suffered the hardest hits from cyclonic winds and flooding.

“Just this afternoon Kulki carpark and beach access track at Cape Tribulation was opened after extra crews were deployed to help with the cleanup.

“Only 58 of the affected parks and protected areas remain closed and they will be reopened as soon as the rangers on the ground have determined it is safe to do so.”

For the latest information holidaymakers are urged to check Park Alerts on the NPRSR website www.nprsr.qld.gov.au and remember that normal wet season closures apply to national parks on Cape York Peninsula.

Northern Region

All available staff are working on the recovery and their priority is to reopen the most popular sites in time for the Easter break. Rangers are currently focusing their efforts on the Noah Beach access road.

Great Barrier Reef

Lizard Island remains closed but all other Great Barrier Reef islands are now open. QPWS vessel the Kerra Lyn is currently in transit to Lizard Island to undertake damage assessment and the necessary repair works.  Further south crews continue to carry out repairs on the islands between Cairns and Whitsunday but most impacts have been minimal and do not affect visitor access.

Central Queensland

Access to the Whitsunday Great Walk between Impulse Creek and Honeyeater Track in Conway National Park are still restricted due to flooding creeks. All national parks in central Queensland have reopened and the public can now access the Alligator Creek campground and day use area in Bowling Green Bay National Park. Major repairs are still required to the road but rangers are satisfied these will not impede holidaymakers and they will be completed after the Easter/Anzac holiday period.

Fraser Coast

All recovery works have been completed and Fraser Coast will not be included in future updates.

[ENDS] 17 April 2014

Media Contact: Michelle Buckworth 0418 433 647