🚧 Blue Mountains NP: Helicopter Ops, Major Closures & Updates

Visitors planning to explore the magnificent Blue Mountains National Park are advised of extensive and ongoing closures impacting numerous popular walking tracks, fire trails, picnic areas, and recreational routes. These vital closures are primarily due to necessary infrastructure repairs, upgrades, and significant damage caused by persistent severe wet weather, including subsidence, rockfalls, landslides, and fallen trees. The region has faced an 'enormous undertaking' in repairing fire and flood-damaged infrastructure since 2020, with work potentially taking several years to complete. Indeed, heavy rainfall and flooding have consistently impacted NSW national parks, with almost 30% of walking trails previously rendered inaccessible during major wet weather events.

New Temporary Closures for Helicopter Operations

Please note specific temporary closures for Wednesday, 15 October, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, due to essential helicopter operations in the Katoomba and Leura areas. During this time, the following tracks will be closed:

• Federal Pass
• Giant Stairs
• Amphitheatre Track
• Dardanelles Pass
• Sublime Point Fire Trail
• Part of Mt Solitary Route (walkers must detour via Maxwells Track and Kedumba Campground)
• Prince Henry Clifftop Walk (also known as Grand Cliff Top Walk, from Honeymoon Lookout to Leura Cascades – visitors should detour via Cliff Drive footpaths and cycleways). The Grand Cliff Top Walk, a 19km track connecting Wentworth Falls and Katoomba, recently opened after years of restoration, highlighting the ongoing management needs even for newly accessible areas.

There will be no valley access between Furber Steps and Leura Cascades during these operations.

Ongoing Widespread Closures Affecting Key Areas

• Katoomba and Leura: Honeymoon Bridge remains closed due to rockfall hazards. The lower section of the Leura Cascades track is closed until the end of 2025 for track upgrade works, affecting access to Prince Henry Cliff Walk between the top of Leura Cascades and the Amphitheatre junction. A short detour is available via Cliff Drive. The Leura Cascades parking area and toilets are also closed; visitors should consult the Blue Mountains City Council website for information. The Fern Bower track between Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Amphitheatre track is currently closed due to multiple landslides and associated repairs. Glenraphael Drive (Narrow Neck fire trail) is closed to vehicles near Cliff Drive due to a significant road subsidence and landslide, though walkers and cyclists are permitted. Parts of Lindeman Pass are closed due to a major landslide below Gladstone lookout, and Roberts Pass is closed due to rockfall and landslide hazards. Sections of the Six Foot Track are impacted by closures near Jenolan Caves and between Katoomba (Explorer's Tree) to Alum Creek for aerial pest control works from November 25-27.
• Wentworth Falls and Woodford: A significant portion of National Pass (west of Wentworth Falls middle crossing) is closed due to a major landslide and ongoing risks. Wentworth Pass and Slack Stairs are closed for elevated boardwalk repairs, preventing access to Roberts Pass, Hippocrene, or Vera Falls routes. The Valley of the Waters is closed below Silvia Falls due to rockfall hazards, also restricting access to Roberts Pass, Hippocrene, or Vera Falls. Murphy's Road is scheduled for repairs today, Monday, October 13, and tomorrow, Tuesday, October 14. Drivers should exercise caution.
• Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Megalong Valley and Bells Line of Road: Pulpit Rock Reserve, its lookouts, and part of the walking track are closed. For more information, visit the Blue Mountains City Council website. Note that the Pulpit Rock walking track from Popes Glen is open as far as the NPWS boundary. Govetts descent and parts of Rodriguez Pass are closed due to rockfalls and landslides, with valley access from Blackheath available via Horse Track. Dunphys Campground and Green Gully Road are closed for road upgrades from today, Monday, October 13, to Monday, December 22.

Other Specific Area Closures

• The Euroka walking track in Blue Mountains National Park is closed for repairs from Monday, February 1, to Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
• Waratah Native Gardens picnic area, including the Gorge walking track, is closed until further notice.
• The Link walking track is temporarily closed from Friday, May 9, 2025, until further notice for ongoing track works.

Adventure Recreation and Remote Track Safety

Some adventure recreation areas, including canyons, abseiling, and rock climbing routes, may be closed if their access or exit tracks are listed above. Additionally, remote routes within the Kanangra Wilderness Area, notably the Kanangra to Katoomba (K2K) trail, have been severely impacted by heavy fire regrowth and flood damage. Tracks in these areas may be difficult to follow and take longer to traverse than expected, with limited to zero water sources currently available. Individuals planning to walk in this remote area must have an appropriate level of experience, advanced navigation skills, and essential equipment, including a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), as mobile reception is extremely limited.

Ongoing 1080 Baiting Program

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an ongoing ground baiting program from Friday, May 2, 2025, to Friday, May 1, 2026, in the southern section of Blue Mountains National Park, as well as Abercrombie River National Park, Abercrombie River State Conservation Area, Kanangra-Boyd National Park, Wollemi National Park (Wolga), Gardens of Stone National Park, Jenolan Karst Conservation Area, Turon National Park, and Marrangaroo National Park. These operations utilise 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison to control wild dog and fox populations, aiming to minimise predator impacts on native wildlife, especially threatened species, and protect neighbouring livestock. While 1080 baiting is a widely used and effective method for pest control in large areas, the NPWS ensures programs are implemented to avoid adverse impacts on native wildlife populations.

Signs are prominently displayed at all baiting locations. Domestic pets are strictly prohibited in NSW National Parks managed lands. As 1080 poison is lethal to cats and dogs, pet owners in the vicinity must ensure their animals are restrained or muzzled and do not enter baiting areas. Immediate veterinary assistance is crucial in the event of accidental poisoning.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) urges all visitors to strictly adhere to park signage and instructions from staff. Penalties apply for non-compliance with these closures. For the most current information and detailed updates, please contact the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877 or the relevant NPWS area offices.