🚧 Blue Mountains Park: Closures, Updates & Baiting Programs

Visitors planning to explore the iconic Blue Mountains National Park are urged to check current conditions before venturing out, as numerous roads, fire trails, and walking tracks remain closed. These widespread closures are due to ongoing infrastructure repairs, upgrades, and extensive damage caused by recent wet weather, including subsidence, rockfalls, landslides, and fallen trees.

Katoomba and Leura Areas

In the popular Katoomba and Leura sections, several key walking routes are affected. Federal Pass is closed between Dardanelles Pass and Cooks Crossing on Kedumba River due to elevated landslide risks. The Honeymoon Bridge is also inaccessible because of rockfall hazards. The bottom section of the Leura Cascades track is undergoing significant upgrade works and will remain closed until the end of 2025, impacting access to parts of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk between the top of Leura Cascades and the Amphitheatre junction, with a short detour available via Cliff Drive. The Leura Cascades parking area and toilets are also closed.

The Fern Bower track, between Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Amphitheatre track, is shut due to multiple landslides and necessary repairs, with alternative access to Leura Forest available via the Amphitheatre track. Glenraphael Drive (Narrow Neck fire trail) remains closed to all vehicles near Cliff Drive due to road subsidence and a landslide, with the closure now extended until further notice. Walkers and cyclists are still permitted. Furthermore, a section of Lindeman Pass is closed following a major landslide below Gladstone Lookout, and Roberts Pass is also shut due to rockfall and landslide hazards. The Six Foot Track has also been affected by closures at Jenolan Caves.

Wentworth Falls and Woodford Closures

Around Wentworth Falls, the Charles Darwin Walk is closed between Fletcher Street and Weeping Rock, with detours clearly marked for visitors heading to the Wentworth Falls picnic area. A substantial landslide and ongoing risks have led to the closure of part of the National Pass, specifically west of the Wentworth Falls middle crossing. Wentworth Pass and Slack Stairs are also closed for elevated boardwalk repairs, meaning there is no access to Roberts Pass, Hippocrene, or Vera Falls. The Valley of the Waters below Silvia Falls is also closed due to rockfall hazards, similarly impacting access to Roberts Pass, Hippocrene, and Vera Falls. Murphy's Road and Camping area will also experience roadworks from 28 August to 5 September, with booked campers permitted but visitors advised to expect short-term closures and delays.

Blackheath, Mount Victoria, and Megalong Valley

Further afield, in the Blackheath, Mount Victoria, and Megalong Valley regions, Pulpit Rock Reserve, its lookouts, and part of the walking track are closed, though the Pulpit Rock walking track from Popes Glen remains open as far as the NPWS boundary. Govetts Descent and Rodriguez Pass are inaccessible due to hazardous rockfalls and landslides.

Adventure Activity Warnings

Adventurers planning canyoning, abseiling, or rock climbing should note that access to some recreation areas and routes may be impacted by the aforementioned track and road closures.

New Specific Closures

The Euroka walking track is closed for essential track repairs from Monday, 1 February, to Tuesday, 30 September, 2025. Additionally, the Woodford Oaks and Saint Helena trails will be closed on weekdays until Tuesday, 9 September, 2025, for maintenance and repairs. Visitors should follow all posted signs and NPWS staff directions.

Vital Baiting Programs Underway

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is implementing two separate 1080 baiting programs in the Blue Mountains National Park to manage wild dog and fox populations. An aerial baiting program will run from Monday, 25 August, to Sunday, 7 September, 2025. Separately, an ongoing ground baiting program is in effect from Friday, 2 May, 2025, until Friday, 1 May, 2026, targeting the southern section of the Blue Mountains National Park, along with other nearby parks.

These programs aim to reduce predator impacts on local wildlife, particularly threatened species, and protect neighbouring livestock. Signs will be displayed at baiting locations. Park visitors are reminded that domestic pets are prohibited in NSW National Parks and that 1080 is lethal to cats and dogs. Pet owners in the vicinity must keep animals restrained or muzzled, and away from baiting areas. Immediate veterinary assistance is crucial if accidental poisoning occurs.

Additional Park Alerts

The Paterson Range Trail in Blue Mountains National Park is closed until Thursday, 28 August 2025, due to wet and slippery conditions, with Burralow campers advised to use Tabaraga Ridge out of Kurrajong Heights for access. The Waratah Native Gardens picnic area, including its Gorge walking track, is closed until further notice, and the Link walking track is temporarily closed from Friday, 9 May 2025, for ongoing track works.

Remote routes within the Kanangra Wilderness Area, including the Kanangra to Katoomba (K2K) trail, continue to be significantly impacted by heavy fire regrowth and flood damage. Tracks in these areas may be difficult to discern and navigate, taking longer to traverse than anticipated, with limited to zero water sources currently available. Individuals planning to walk in this remote region must possess an appropriate level of experience, strong navigation skills, and essential equipment, including a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), as mobile reception is extremely limited.

Visitors are reminded that penalties apply for non-compliance with closure notices. For the latest updates and further information, contact the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre.