Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

• Jenolan Caves area is closed, there is no access due to substantial flood damage.
• Closed Between Jenolan Caves Rd to Jenolan Caves. Due to substantial flood damage to the Visitor Precinct and surrounding area in April 2024, the Six Foot Track is closed between Binda Bush cabins and Jenolan Caves Road and the caves. There is also no access to Jenolan Caves at this stage. It might be easier to organise pickup/drop from where the Six Foot Track crosses Jenolan Caves Road.
• Critical Safety Closure - Closed between min-mini saddle and Jenolan Caves from 29th April – 3rd May AND 13th - 17th May 2024. The Six Foot Track will be closed between mini-mini saddle and Jenolan Caves from 7am on 29 April, to 5pm on 3 May 2024 AND from 7am on 13th May, to 5pm on 17th May 2024. The closure is to ensure safety during the planned aerial (helicopter-based) feral animal control program.
• The Bowtell’s Swing Bridge (over Cox's River) is currently closed for safety upgrade works until mid-August 2024. Signage is in place to advise visitors that the bridge is closed, and barriers are installed to physically prevent access to the bridge. The alternate crossing over Cox’s River is open, however it is advised that attempts to cross are at your own risk and should only be attempted by experienced bushwalkers only. There are no dry crossing options available (i.e. visitors will get wet). Visitors who are considering crossing the river need to consider the significant risk of serious injury or death that could occur from such events as slips, falls or drowning, whether the river is in flood or not. Check weather conditions prior to your planned visit, be aware of the remoteness of the site and refer to NPWS River Safety information page for tips.An indication of the likelihood of being able to cross Cox’s River at the time of your visit can be found at via river gauge readings online and via apps. As a general guide, a reading of 0.75m at the COXS @ ISLAND HILL gauge may allow for visitors to cross at knee height at its lowest point. River gauge readings for the Six Foot Track Crossing of at Cox’s River can be found:
  • on the Bureau of Meteorology Website on the ‘Latest River Heights for Coxs R at Island Hill’ page at http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDN60233/IDN60233.563100.plt.shtml (Can be viewed in graph or table format)
  • on RiverApp (https://www.riverapp.net/en) by searching Cox’s River and selecting the ‘At Island Hill’ gauge. Make sure to select height in metres on the bottom right (rather than metres per second as is automatically displayed) to check the height graph.

    River gauge readings for the Six Foot Track Crossing of at Cox’s River can be found:

• New Map kits are now available.
• Aggressive Dogs. A number of walkers are reported some unrestrained aggressive dogs roaming on Glen Chee Rd near Cox River. The dogs have been reported to council animal control but in the meantime be mindful and if you see any dog's behaviour that you consider dangerous over the Christmas / New Year period, please report it to the police (in an Emergency 000 or Police Assistance Line 131 444 or at https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/cs.aspx). Learn more about managing dog attacks.
• Monitor Fire Danger.  Sections of the Six Foot Track covered by a Total Fire Ban are closed whilst the ban is in place. Official forecasts and declarations can be found on the RFS website. The Six Foot Track covers two different Fire Danger areas. If a total fire ban is declared in just one area, it only affects that part of the walk. 
  From Katoomba to Coxs River is fully inside the 'Greater Sydney Region' fire danger area.
  From the Coxs River to Jenolan Caves is in the 'Central Ranges' fire danger area.
• The Explorer’s Tree (Katoomba) to Megalong Road is open (after it was closed due to multiple landslips in March 2022 in Nellies Glen). The track through Nellies Glen has been cleared of debris and is now passable. The landslip has not been removed; please ensure you stay on the formed track, do not enter the landslide area. Keep moving through the landslip area, do not stop. If you see fresh rock fall events or see other issues on track please notify Crown Lands on 1300 886 235.
• Megalong Road to Black Range is open. The Black Range Road is open to cars following repair by the council in April 2023; 4WD vehicles are recommended. Be aware of vehicle traffic when walking.
• Jenolan Caves is closed

Closed areas: Firetrail Closure
Kowmung River Firetrail and Banshea Firetrail in Kanangra Boyd National Park is closed due to damage from heavy rainfall. This includes Dingo Dell Campground. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 6336 6200.

Safety alerts: Remote walking track conditions
Remote routes within the Kanangra Wilderness Area including Kanangra to Katoomba (K2K) trail have been impacted by heavy fire regrowth and flood damage.
In some places, tracks are no longer visible and are not easy to navigate, taking longer to traverse than expected. Limited to zero water sources are currently available along routes.
If you plan to walk in the area, please ensure you have an appropriate level of experience, navigation skills and equipment including Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
Mobile reception is limited so alternative communication methods are strongly recommended.
For more information, contact the NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.

Other planned events: Notice of ongoing 1080 baiting program
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting ongoing ground baiting program from Thursday 2 May 2024 to Friday 1 November 2024 in the following areas:

• Abercrombie River National Park
• Abercrombie River State Conservation Area
• Kanangra-Boyd National Park
• Blue Mountains National Park (southern section)
• Wollemi National Park (Wolga
• Gardens of Stone National Park
• Jenolan Karst Conservation Area
• Turon National Park
• Marrangaroo National Park

The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes.
The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.
Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
For more information, contact the NPWS Kanangra area office at Oberon on 02 6336 6200.

Closed areas: Six Foot track - Bowtells Bridge closure
Bowtells swing bridge on Six Foot track is closed to protect public safety. An upgrade is being planned and the bridge is expected to reopen in May 2024. Signs and barriers are in place to prevent access onto the bridge.
Crown Lands, which manages the bridge, is advising track users not to attempt to cross Coxs River. Any attempts to cross the river are at your own risk and are discouraged due to the potential for slips or falls, rainfall and risk of flash flooding.
For further information visit the Six Foot track website.

Closed areas: Kanangra-Boyd management trail closures
The following fire trails in Kanangra-Boyd National Park are closed due to flood events and current track conditions:

• Mini Mini/Waterfall Creek
• Beefsteak Creek
• Gilbraltar
• Budthingaroo
• Mumbedah

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Kanangra area office on 02 6336 6200.


Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service