🚨 Blue Mountains Park Alerts: Fire Bans, Extensive Closures & Baiting

Visitors to the magnificent Blue Mountains National Park are urged to exercise extreme caution and plan their trips meticulously, as the park is currently subject to a comprehensive set of alerts, including a total fire ban, widespread track closures, and an ongoing 1080 baiting program.

Total Fire Ban Declared Across the Blue Mountains

A Total Fire Ban has been declared by the NSW Rural Fire Service, in effect for the entire 24-hour period and potentially subject to extension. During a Total Fire Ban, all forms of open-air fires are strictly prohibited, including campfires and solid fuel (wood, charcoal, briquettes) barbecues. The NSW Rural Fire Service highlights that Total Fire Bans are declared when conditions make fires likely to escape and be difficult to contain, with significant penalties, including fines up to $132,000 and/or 14 years imprisonment, for non-compliance. While a separate Park Fire Ban typically allows gas and electric barbecues under strict conditions within the park, the overriding Total Fire Ban means these too are generally prohibited unless specifically exempted by contacting the local park office. Permitted usage requires direct adult control, a 2-metre cleared area, and an adequate water supply.

Extensive Closures Due to Weather Damage and Upgrades

The Blue Mountains National Park continues to grapple with the aftermath of prolonged and heavy rainfall events, which have caused significant landslips, rockfalls, fallen trees, and subsidence. The region has frequently been declared a natural disaster area, reflecting the severe impact of these weather events on infrastructure. As a result, numerous roads, fire trails, and walking tracks remain closed for safety, infrastructure repairs, or upgrades. Visitors should be aware that penalties apply for non-compliance with closure directives.

Katoomba and Leura Area Closures:

• Federal Pass: Closed between the bottom of Giant Stairs and Cooks Crossing (near Furber Steps) due to recent rainfall, restricting valley access.
• Prince Henry Cliff Top Walk: Closed between Honeymoon Lookout and Solitary Restaurant following a landslide.
• Honeymoon Bridge: Closed due to rockfall hazards.
• Prince Henry Cliff Walk/Grand Cliff Top Walk: Partial closure between Ampithreatre Track and Kiah Lookout (detour via Cliff Drive or Amphitheatre & Fern Bower).
• Katoomba Falls Round walk (west): Closed for track upgrades from Wednesday 5 November 2025 to Friday 27 February 2026. Scenic World Valley Stations and Federal Pass can still be accessed via Furber Steps.
• Glenraphael Drive (Narrow Neck fire trail): Closed to vehicles near Cliff Drive due to road subsidence, though walkers and cyclists are permitted.
• Lindeman Pass: Partially closed due to a major landslide below Gladstone lookout.
• Roberts Pass: Closed due to rockfall and landslide hazards.
• Six Foot track: Closed at the boundary to the Jenolan Caves Karst Conservation Reserve, which itself is fully closed until 31 December 2026 due to extensive weather damage.

Wentworth Falls and Woodford Closures:

• National Pass: West of Wentworth Falls middle crossing closed due to a major landslide and ongoing risks.
• Wentworth Pass and Slack Stairs: Closed for elevated boardwalk repairs, affecting access to Roberts Pass, Hippocrene, or Vera Falls routes.
• Valley of the Waters: Closed below Silvia Falls due to rockfall hazards, impacting access to Roberts Pass, Hippocrene, or Vera Falls.

Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Megalong Valley and Bells Line of Road Closures:

• Pulpit Rock Reserve: Lookouts and part of the walking track closed (check Blue Mountains City Council website for details).
• Govetts descent and parts of Rodriguez Pass: Closed due to rockfalls and landslides. Valley access from Blackheath is via Horse Track.

Adventure recreation areas, including canyons, abseiling, and rock climbing routes, may also be affected by these access road and track closures.

Remote Walking Track Conditions and 1080 Baiting Program

For those venturing into the Kanangra Wilderness Area, including the Kanangra to Katoomba (K2K) trail, expect challenging conditions. Heavy fire regrowth and flood damage have made tracks less visible and navigation difficult, with limited to zero water sources available. Appropriate experience, navigation skills, and equipment, including a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), are strongly recommended, as mobile reception is limited.

Furthermore, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an ongoing ground baiting program using 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison from Friday 2 May 2025 to Friday 1 May 2026. This program, which includes the southern section of Blue Mountains National Park, aims to control wild dogs and foxes, protecting native wildlife and minimising impacts on neighbouring livestock. Visitors with domestic pets should be aware that 1080 is lethal to cats and dogs; pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks and must be restrained or muzzled if in the vicinity of baiting locations. Immediate veterinary assistance should be sought in the event of accidental poisoning.

For the latest information and to ensure your safety, always check the NPWS website for alerts before planning your visit to the Blue Mountains National Park. You can also contact the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877 or the NPWS Hawkesbury-Nattai area office on 02 4720 6200 for specific queries related to closures or fire bans, and the NPWS Kanangra area office on 02 6336 6200 for information regarding the baiting program.