20 March 2008
General changes
- Barron Gorge NP: The Douglas track between Kamerunga and the McDonalds track will remain closed until construction of a bridge and walking track is completed. Anticipated date of reopening of the Douglas track is 1 August 2008.
- Noah Beach (Daintree NP): Noah Beach campground is closed and will reopen for Easter on 20 March 2008.
- Lakefield NP: Due to wet weather, Lakefield NP and all roads within Lakefield NP are closed for the remainder of the wet season. The park and roads within the park will reopen in April 2008, subject to road conditions and weather. The opening of the park may occur progressively.
- Iron Range NP: Iron Range NP is closed until further notice subject to weather conditions and safety assessments.
- Mungkan Kandju NP: Mungkan Kandju NP is closed for the wet season and will reopen May 2008.
- Palmer Goldfield Resources Reserve: The Palmer Goldfield Resources Reserve is closed until further notice subject to weather conditions and safety assessments.
- Cape Melville NP: Cape Melville is closed for the wet season and is anticipated to reopen on 1 May 2008 subject to weather conditions and safety assessment.
- CREB Track (Wet Tropics): The Wet Tropics Management Authority has closed the CREB Track between Daintree and China Camp for the duration of the wet season. Roaring Meg Falls is accessible via Wujal Wujal subject to obtaining a permit to traverse. For permits to traverse contact EPA Cairns on (07) 4046 6600 or EPA Atherton on (07) 4091 1844.
- Jardine River NP: Jardine River NP, Jardine Resources Reserve and Heathlands are closed for the wet season and will reopen in May 2008.
- Blencoe Falls (Girringun NP): Cardwell Shire Council has closed Kirrama Range Road until further notice. Access into Blencoe Falls via Mount Garnet is not possible at present, due to high water levels in the creeks. The road is closed until further notice.
- Juwun Walk (Girringun NP): The Juwun walk is closed from 1 December 2007 to 31 March 2008 for the wet season. Flooding and high river levels make the walk unsafe during this time.
- Broadwater (Abergowrie State Forest): It is suggested that campers camp inside the day use area Ring Road as a large number of flying foxes are roosting in the camping area. Camping in the day use area will be allowed until the flying foxes move away.
- Porcupine Gorge NP: The access road to Porcupine Gorge NP is now open to all vehicles. The campground at Porcupine Gorge is under redevelopment and during this time the campsites are not numbered so campers can camp on a vacant site. The day-use area is also being redeveloped. Visitors should use caution when walking the new access tracks that link to the existing Gorge track.
Two new toilets facilities will also be constructed. Opening is anticipated late 2008. Two portable toilets have been placed at the campground while the main toilet facilities undergo maintenance. Visitors are requested to stay outside the barricaded area around the toilet. It is anticipated the toilet will reopen for the Easter break.
- Dalrymple NP: The campground is open for camping.
- Blackbraes NP: The Kennedy Development Road is open but the access road into Blackbraes NP is closed due to boggy conditions. It may re-open on 28 March 2008 depending on weather and safety assessments.
- White Mountains NP: Access into Canns Camp is closed due to flooded creeks and boggy conditions. The access road may re-open on 28 March 2008 depending on weather and safety assessments.
- Moorrinya NP: The access road into Moorrinya NP is now open to four-wheel-drive vehicles only.
- EPA Townsville Information Centre: The EPA Townsville Information Centre at Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park is closed. It will remain closed until further notice. Telephone inquiries are not affected.
- Fitzroy Island NP: The Summit walking track on Fitzroy Island NP is open and accessible from the Lighthouse Road only. The track is closed at the Summit. Access beyond the Summit towards the resort is closed while the resort area remains a construction site. The Summit walking track cannot be accessed from near the resort.
- Goldsborough Valley SF: The Goldfield Trail is closed and may reopen 30 March 2008. The Goldsborough Valley campground is now open for camping.
- Murray Upper NP: The 1.8km return rainforest walk to the lookout above Murray Falls is currently closed for public safety. Maintenance and construction work currently underway have made the walking track and lookout unsafe.
- Kirrama NP: In the interest of public safety, the Cardwell Shire Council has closed the Kirrama Range Road, from the intersection with Kennedy Creek Road to the shire boundary (a distance of approximately 18km) until further notice. For further information contact the Cardwell Shire Council on (07) 4043 9100.
- Misty Mountains roads open: K-Tree, Sutties Gap, Malaan and Bora Ground roads are all open. These roads provide access to the Misty Mountains trail network and are suitable for conventional vehicles. Visitors are advised to exercise caution in rainy weather. Maple Creek Road is closed due to heavy rain. Re-opening of the road is subject to weather conditions.
- Misty Mountain Trails: Please refer to the website, www.qld.gov.au/camping, for up-to-date information.
Orange Tracks
- The trail from Walters Waterhole campsite to Cochable Creek campsite including Elizabeth Grant Falls lookout, is closed. The remainder of the track is open, including the campsites at Walters Waterhole and Cochable Creek.
Yellow Tracks
- The Gorrell trailhead through to Maple Creek Road remains closed including Downey Creek campsite.
Blue Tracks
- The blue track is open from Hinson Creek trailhead for approximately 1.5km to the junction with the red track but remains closed from this point through to Cochable Creek campsite. The Hinson Creek campsite is now open. Access to the Cochable Creek campsite and Tully Gorge is from Tully via Cardstone Road and the H Road.
- Downey Creek campsite closed until further notice.
- Carter Creek campsite closed until further notice.
- Mount Lewis Road: Mt Lewis will be closed for the duration of the wet season in order to prevent degradation of the road. For further information contact EPA Mossman office on (07) 4098 2188.
- Tinaroo (Danbulla SF & Danbulla NP): Mt Edith and Kauri Creek roads are closed for the remainder of the wet season. This closure does not affect access to the Kauri Creek campground. Campers planning to spend Easter at Danbulla campgrounds are advised to take care in the extremely wet conditions. Due to above average rainfall all campgrounds are saturated and the ground is very boggy and slippery. Campers are asked to keep vehicles on the gravelled roads and parking bays. With more rain possible over Easter, campers need to be aware about camping immediately adjacent to the lake because of fluctuations in the water levels.
Curri Curri campsite number one is currently closed due to high water levels. Sites two to five are available for camping. The Danbulla Forest Drive is in poor condition and access from the Gillies Highway (eastern) end is for four-wheel-drive vehicles only.
The walking track from Downfall camp ground to Kauri Creek campground is closed. It is anticipated that the track will open in July 2008.
Camping permits
Camping permits are required in Queensland national parks and State forests. Bookings, payments and permit information can be obtained by telephoning 1313 04, or online at www.qld.gov.au/camping, 24hours a day, seven days a week.
A new way of paying for camping permits is now available to campers where camping credits can be purchased. After a credit is purchased, you can use it to pay for camping at self-registration sites by recording your camping credit details on the self-registration permit or if you are staying at an online booking site, you can use your credit to book the campsite online or over the counter with no need for your credit card details.
Permits to traverse roads
Recent changes have affected requirements for permits to traverse on some roads.
For up-to-date information, enquiries should be directed to the closest EPA office.
Atherton (07) 4091 1844
Cairns (07) 4046 6600
Innisfail (07) 4061 5900
Main Roads
Travellers should refer to local road authorities or the Department of Main Roads, for current road restrictions. For other road closures, for example flooding, please contact the RACQ Road Conditions by telephoning 1300 130 595 or via the internet www.racq.com.au. Select News then Road Conditions from the motoring section.
Weather forecasts and warnings
For information on weather conditions, fire weather warnings and floods, please refer to the Bureau of Meteorology website at www.bom.gov.au or phone (07) 3239 8700.
For further information on national parks in north Queensland contact:
EPA Cairns Information Centre
5B Sheridan Street
Cairns Qld 4870
Ph: (07) 4046 6600
Email: cic@epa.qld.gov.au
EPA Townsville Information Centre
Pallarenda Road
Townsville Qld 4810
Ph: (07) 4722 5224
Email: tsv.infocentre@epa.qld.gov.au
