The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have temporarily closed all campgrounds, high visitation areas and historic sites across NSW until further notice due to COVID-19 but most walking remain open.
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The decision is response to tighter Australian and NSW Government health directives on social distancing and non-essential travel to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the wider community.
National parks and reserves are special environmental, cultural and recreational places for the people of NSW and they will remain open to the community, but the health and safety of our visitors, staff and the wider community is our priority and these measures are important.
The following closures took effect as of Thursday, March 26:
Campgrounds, visitor centres, cafes, high visitation areas and historic sites (except for permanent residents).
All visitors with bookings impacted by the closures will be contacted to arrange full refunds.
For a full list of impacted high visitation areas please visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws-covid-19.
All roads through national parks remain open. Most walking tracks and trails will also remain open and visitors should observe necessary social distancing with others while using pathways and other facilities to maximise their safety.
Parks that are already closed due to fire impacts remain closed. Please check the NPWS Alerts page for details. NPWS staff and volunteer led tours and events have been cancelled with full refunds.
As this is a rapidly changing situation, NPWS ask visitors to check its website regularly for updates.
NPWS knows how important the national parks and reserves are as areas for conservation and recreation and its committed to reopen these areas as soon as possible in line with government and health advice.
NPWS staff will continue to undertake environmental protection and maintenance work in the parks and reserves, subject to all government and health advice, including in areas where important bushfire recovery action is underway. Other NPWS staff will work remotely to continue delivering conservation, research, visitor information and education services.
For more information about COVID-19 in NSW and how to protect yourself and the community, please visit the NSW Health website.
