Safety alerts: Feral horsesFeral horses move through this campground day and night. Campers at Little Murray and Polblue campgrounds should set up tents as close to their vehicles as possible.
Aggressive horse behaviour can pose a safety risk for visitors. Aggressive behaviour includes snorting, head bobbing, stomping front legs, ears erect, aggressive stance and approaching in an aggressive manner.
What to do around aggressive horses:
· avoid the animals, especially if a stallion is present and there are mares nearby
· retreat to your vehicle
· wave your arms around and make lots of noise
· walk in a group rather than as an individual
· always be aware of your immediate surroundings.
Closed areas: Gloucester Tops Road Closure for Planned Road MaintenanceGloucester Tops Road will be closed beyond the Gloucester River campground from Monday 14 October through to 1 November, to allow contractors to undertake essential road works. The closure has been put in place for the safety of both visitors and the contractors. The planned works and this closure may be weather dependent.
Areas and walks affected include:
Gloucester Falls Track
River Track
Sharpes Creek Track
Antarctic Beech Forest Track
The Link Trail, Careys Peak Trail and Wombat Creek campground will remain open but cannot be accessed from Gloucester Tops Road.
Visitors can still enjoy the Gloucester River Track and Gloucester River Campground and picnic area.
NPWS apologises for any inconvenience.
For more information, please contact the local NPWS Office on 6538 5300.
Other planned events: Blue Gum Loop and Rocky Crossing Walking Track WorksTrack works are being undertaken on Blue Gum Loop and Rocky Crossing walks. Temporary closures may occur and will be posted as a separate alert. Be aware of contractors and machinery operating in the area and follow any onsite signage or directions from staff or contractors. Track surfaces may be muddy and uneven so take care.
For more information contact Gloucester NPWS Office on 02 6538 5300.
Closed areas: 4WD Trail ClosuresSome 4WD trails remain closed after the annual seasonal closure period (from 1 June to 30 September) due to trail conditions. The following 4WD trails remain closed:
- Tugalow trail
- Thunderbolts trail - between Barrington Tops Forest Road and Pheasants Creek Road
- Barrington Trail south past the Junction Pools Trail.
This closure does not effect public vehicle access to the Barrington Tops plateau campgrounds.
Walkers and mountain bikers are still permitted to utilise these trails while it is closed to public vehicles.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information call the local NPWS office on 02 6538 5300.
Other planned events: Williams River Picnic Area Barbeques Out of OrderThe barbeques at Williams River Picnic Area (Blue Gum Loop) are currently unavailable for use. NPWS apologises for any inconvenience and will rectify the situation as soon as possible. For more information, please call the Gloucester NPWS Office on 02 6538 5300.
Closed areas: Burraga Swamp Walk ClosedBurraga Swamp walking track is currently inaccessible to vehicles due to closure of Mt Allyn Rd. Forestry Corporation of NSW has closed the road due to a failed bridge. The reopening date is not known at this stage. For more information, phone Gloucester NPWS Office on 02 6538 5300.
Closed areas: Phytophthora quarantine area - Barrington Tops National ParkPhytophthora is a mould that causes dieback in plants. It's been found on the plateau in Barrington Tops National Park, predominantly on the Watergauge trail between Beean Beean and Black Swamp. The affected area is under quarantine with absolutely no visitor access.
Phytophthora is readily spread by mud carried by walkers' shoes and mountain-bike tyres. There are boot wash stations across the plateau for walkers to use, to ensure their boots 'Start clean, Stay clean'.
Penalties apply for non-compliance.
For more information, please contact the NPWS Gloucester area office on (02) 6538 5300.
Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service