National Parks COVID-19 Updates

Here are the latest National Parks COVID-19 updates state by state.

Some states have further eased restrictions while others are still in a holding pattern. Here are the latest National Parks COVID-19 Updates state-by-state.

New South Wales

NSW residents will be able to take a holiday anywhere in NSW from Monday 1 June, 2020 with the lifting of intra-state travel restrictions.

Travellers from interstate will be able to visit NSW for a holiday from 1 June, but they will need to comply with the rules of their home state when returning.

Holidaymakers should call their planned accommodation venues, attractions and tourism operators to ensure they will be open and confirm bookings before travelling.

Visitors and businesses must follow the latest health advice in terms of physical distancing, practicing good hygiene and staying home if feeling unwell.

NSW has no border restrictions in place. Refer to the NSW Cross Border Commissioner for details.

For more information see: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Victoria

Regarding National Parks COVID-19 Updates, the Victorian Government has announced the easing of restrictions throughout the state from 11:59 pm Sunday 31 May 2020.

If visiting a park:

• Observe physical distancing of 1.5 metres at all times
• You cannot gather in groups of more than 20 people
• Check that the park/forest is open and safe before travelling
• Bring your own hand sanitiser and be mindful of others
• Staying apart is keeping us together.
• You can stay at a caravan park or campground or in roofed accommodation such as cabins. Communal toilets will be open, but no other communal facilities (i.e. showers, kitchens, barbecues and water fountains) will be available. Accommodation with no facilities to share (e.g. remote camping) is allowed. Campers will need to maintain physical standards and supply all items they need for personal hygiene.

For more information see https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/safety-in-nature/covid-19-update

South Australia

With new National Parks COVID-19 Updates introduced on 1 June 2020, South Australian parks are officially open.

South Australian parks are open and provide opportunities to stay active and healthy, while social distancing.

Camping and accommodation in parks is open. Book online.

In response to South Australian Government COVID-19 restrictions, access to parks and their facilities in South Australia is changing regularly. You can keep up-to-date by reading the below frequently asked questions, by following us on Facebook or by contacting us.

Social distancing of 1.5m should be practiced at all times.

Please do not visit a park if you are feeling sick or are required to self-isolate.

For more information see: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/covid-19-faqs

Western Australia

From Monday 18 May, Phase 2 easing of restrictions were introduced and people are now able to travel within new regional boundaries.

This puts more campgrounds within reach for Western Australians, allowing them to travel further to camp in many of the 268 campgrounds managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

All Kimberley national parks and campgrounds are open, with the exception of Mitchell Plateau including Mitchell Falls and Mitchell River National Park.

As some intrastate border closures remain in place, people will not be able to cross regional boundaries to go camping.

Campers are reminded that the facilities at most of the campgrounds across the State are basic. Campers need to ensure they are self-sufficient and able to maintain good personal hygiene by carrying their own handwashing equipment and materials. People are urged to continue to observe social distancing requirements at campgrounds. The four square metres of space per person rule, with particular attention to shared facilities and areas such as ablutions, sheltered barbecues and other communal areas, must be followed.

From midday Tuesday 2 June, National Park online bookings can be made 180 days in advance (previously 28 days). Non-bookable campgrounds will continue to operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information see: https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/connect/read/covid-19-information-national-park-sites-and-campgrounds-may-29-2020

Queensland

Queensland national park and State forest sites that were closed due to COVID-19 are progressively reopening.

From 11.59pm 15 May, all national park and forest day use areas and walking tracks were reopened, except for some popular rock pool destinations.

Recreation Areas including K’gari (Fraser Island), Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) are open for day use visitors (camping and overnight stays are not yet allowed under Stage 1 restrictions). Bribie Island and Cooloola recreation areas will remain closed for the time being for community safety, but we are working on providing safe access soon.

Some closures still remain in place, including all camping areas, the Bribie Island and Cooloola recreation areas as well as some popular rock pool destinations. These areas are scheduled to reopen from 11:59 pm 12 June 2020 following evaluation of the success of the stage 1 easing of restrictions.

If you’re visiting a national park or State forest:

• Always checkPark Alerts before leaving home for up-to-date information for a specific location.
• Only visit opened sites where there are car spaces available in the car park, follow social distancing measures and adhere to public gathering numbers.
• Do not attempt to visit any closed areas, unless authorised, for your own safety and protection, and that of your community.

Sites that remain closed pending further evaluation and stage 2 Roadmap planning

• All camping areas and campsites
• Cooloola and Bribie Island Recreation areas
• Some rockpools—check the specific location at Park Alerts.
• Gateway Visitor Centres including—David Fleay Wildlife Park, Daisy Hill Koala Centre, Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre and the Mon Repos Turtle Centre.
• Travel Restrictions also remain in force under theCommonwealth Biosecurity Act 2015 for designated indigenous community areas like Cape York Peninsula so if you’re planning a trip into these areas check out the requirements on the DATSIP website.
• Other local closures or restricted access to facilities may apply for management purposes—check the specific location at Park Alerts.

For more information see: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/covid-19/

Tasmania

​​​Thanks to National Parks COVID-19 Updates introduced on Monday 11 May, Tasmanian residents have been able to undertake exercise at national parks and reserves, including beaches in their local area. Residents should only use parks and reserves that they can walk, run or cycle to, or if this is not possible, can drive to within 30km of their place of residence.

Please note that Wellington Park has reopened but the Pinnacle Road will remain closed to vehicle traffic.

Residents must still maintain and observe physical distancing rules, limit groups to 10 people, except for household members, and move on once they have completed their exercise. If carparks are full, please move on and return at another time.

This limited access to national parks and reserves follows the closure of all PWS reserved lands declared under the Nature Conservation Act 2002 on 26 March to prevent non-essential travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visitor centres and campgrounds still remain closed until further notice.

For more information see: https://parks.tas.gov.au/be-involved/news-and-events/limited-access-to-parks-and-reserves

Northern Territory

Territorians can now enjoy their outdoor lifestyle in Parks and Reserves. Plan ahead and check what parks are open and the activities you can do there, including camping and swimming: Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture website.

For information on national parks managed by Parks Australia, including Kakadu National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, go to the Australian Government’s Parks Australia website.

The following National Parks are closed until:

Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay Territory, until 23 June 2020. Read FAQ

Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks, Northern Territory, until 11.59 pm 18 June 2020, in line with measures enacted under the Biosecurity Act. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park FAQ/Kakadu National Park FAQ