Temporary closures to walking tracks and climbing areas, following fatality and predicted weather

Following the closure of the majority of the Blue Mountains National Park on 6 April after a fatal landslip in Wentworth Falls, and predicted heavy rainfall in the coming days, Blue Mountains Council has closed many walking tracks and climbing areas in the City from today (7 April 2022).

Echo Point, Council campgrounds and a number of short walks and lookouts remain open.

Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: "Council has given careful consideration to the forecasted weather, the significant storm impacts on visitor facilities that have occurred this year and recent years, and the closure of the majority of the Blue Mountains National Park. Council has determined that in the interest of public safety a significant closure of Council's visitor facilities is temporarily required.

"Council reserves often provide access to the National Park and Council continues to work with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to manage public safety in a coordinated manner, by assessing the recent impact on visitor facilities, addressing the risk to the public and the impact on tourism. We will continue to assess the situation and reopen facilities as soon as possible."

The following Council-managed lookouts, short walks and campgrounds remain open:

Katoomba

Cahills Lookout

Cyclorama Point

Eagle Hawk Lookout

Echo Point

Hildas Lookout

Honeymoon Lookout

Kiah Lookout

Narrow Neck Lookout

Peckmans Plateau

Peckmans to Cahills loop walk

Prince of Wales Lookout

Queen Elizabeth Lookout

Leura

Elysian Rock Lookout

Leura Cascades Picnic Area and day use area

Olympian Rock Lookout

Sublime Point Lookout

Blackheath and Megalong Valley

Blackheath Glen Reserve campground

Hargraves Lookout

Mt Blackheath Lookout

Old Ford Reserve campground

Paul Harris Lookout

Springwood /Faulconbridge

Deanei Reserve

Glenbrook/Lapstone

Bluff Lookout

Chalmers Lookout

Elizabeth Lookout

Lennox Bridge

Lovers Walk firetrail

Marges Lookout

Olivet St to Lennox Bridge

Ross Lookout

Mt Wilson

Cathedral of Ferns Reserve campground

Du Faurs Rocks Lookout

Happy Valley/Cathedral Creek

Wynnes Rocks Lookout

Mt Victoria

Barden Lookout

Coxs Road

Henry Lawson Walk

Hourn Point

Lawsons Long Alley

Lockyers Track

Lockyers Trackhead campground Hartley Vale

Mt York day use area

Mt York Lookouts

Mt York Reserve campground

Mitchells Ridge Lookout

Mt Piddington

Sunset Rock

NPWS has closed the Blue Mountains National Park, except for Evans Lookout and Govetts Leap Lookout at Blackheath.

"The City has experienced significant rainfall that has resulted in increased and potentially unmanageable hazards associated with the use of Council and National Parks managed natural area visitor facilities," Mayor Greenhill said. "This is highlighted by the recent rock fall and multi-fatality at Wentworth Pass, within the Blue Mountains National Park.

"Many of Council's most visited lookouts, including Echo Point lookout, and walking tracks and campgrounds remain open. We will look to reopen the rest as soon as possible."

The Blue Mountains has experienced multiple rockfalls and landslips since the natural disaster occurred last month.

"We are aware that Easter is traditionally a period of peak activity in the Blue Mountains, and for the sake of our local businesses, we want visitors to continue to visit our City.

"However, public safety is paramount and we will continue to monitor the situation and undertake the necessary investigations following predicted storms over the coming days, before reopening public access."

Follow all Council walking track alerts and get information on closures at bmcc.nsw.gov.au/walking-tracks.

Current NPWS walking track alerts can be seen here: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/.

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