Heavy rains force national parks closures

The current severe weather conditions have led to the closure of a number of national parks in several areas of Queensland.

Environment Minister Vicky Darling said anyone planning to travel to a national park this weekend should check the latest park alerts at derm.qld.gov.au, by calling 13 QGOV (13 7468) or following @QldParkAlerts on twitter.

“The situation is being constantly updated and camping grounds as well as walking tracks and day use areas are affected in Western Queensland and the greater South East including the Sunshine Coast, Burnett and Great Sandy region,” Ms Darling said.

“Campers booked in for any Queensland national park or state forest over the next week need to check if their campground is still open before they travel.

“It’s also vital that they get the latest information on road conditions before setting out.

“While campers are now affected at Eurimbula National Park and Burrum Coast National Park, there are other national parks which have now reopened as the weather patterns move around the state.”

Ms Darling said the heavy rains in Western Queensland so far had not affected colonies of threatened native animals including the northern hairy-nosed wombats at Epping Forest and Richard Underwood Nature Refuge and the bilbies at Currawinya and Astrebla Downs.

The latest advice on affected parks includes:

• Bribie Island Recreation Area: Gallagher Point and Poverty Creek camping areas closed until 8 February. Northern Access Track remains closed.
• Burleigh Head National Park: Ocean View walking track remains closed.
• Cooloola section, Great Sandy National Park: All Upper Noosa River walking tracks and camping areas closures extended until end of February.
• D’Aguilar National Park: Bellbird Grove Day Use Area has reopened. Western Escarpment Forest Drive remains closed, as well as some road closures in the Mount Mee section. Campgrounds are currently closed but will be reassessed shortly.
• Lamington National Park: Coomera, Illinbah, West Canungra, Toolona tracks and Albert River circuits all remain closed.
• Moreton Island National Park: The Ben-Ewa campground and Yellow Patch camping zone are closed but due to be reassessed. The Tangalooma Bypass Road has reopened.
• Springbrook National Park: The cave section of the Natural Bridge Circuit has reopened but the lower section remains closed. The Purling Brook Circuit and the section between Springbrook Road and Waringa Pool are also closed.
• Eurimbula National Park: Closed.
• Carnarvon National Park: The main walking tracks are closed.
• Minerva Hills National Park: Closed.
• Cathu State Forest: Range Road closed.
• Crediton State Forest: Roads closed.
• Mia Mia State Forest: Closed.
• Bladensburg National Park: Closed.
• Idalia National Park: Closed.
• Lochern National Park: Closed.
• Diamantina National Park: Closed.
• Welford National Park: Closed.
• Boodjamulla National Park (including Riversleigh): Closed.
• Amamoor State Forest and Forest Reserve: Amamoor and Cedar Grove campgrounds have reopened.
• Burrum Coast National Park: Closed.
• Conondale National Park: Still some road closures but campers can access the area.
• Conondale Range Great Walk: Still some road closures but campers can access the area.
• Imbil State Forest: Still some road closures but there is access for campers.
• Jimna State Forest: Reopened for camping but still some road closures.
• Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area: Reopened.
• Kondalilla National Park: Reopened.
• Mapleton Falls National Park: Reopened.
• Mapleton Forest Reserve: Reopened.
• Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk: Reopened.
• Main Range National Park: Reopened.
• Fraser Island: Some road closures but camping is not affected.

Campers booked in for any Queensland national parks and State forests over the next week should check road conditions before setting out, as well as checking if the campgrounds are open at www.derm.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 QGOV (13 7468).

MEDIA CONTACT: Environment Minister's Office - 07 3239 0844