Park Information & Alerts

There are alerts raised for Washpool National Park as at Wed, 07 Jun 2023 20:03:27 +1000
Closed areas: Changed conditions and closures on roads to Four Bull Hut
Access to visitor facilities, campgrounds and walking tracks in the south of Washpool NP, accessible from the Gwydir Highway between Glen Innes and Grafton, is open and not impacted by the closures listed below.
Due to recent flood damage Mt Spirabo Road, leading into the north-western section of Washpool NP from the New England Highway at Bolivia, is undergoing significant roadworks to repair damage. Access to Four Bull Hut is still possible, but a high-clearance 4WD is required, and horse-floats should not be taken along this road. Please follow any directions from signage, contractors or staff when driving this road, and be aware that conditions can become slippery during and following rain.
Due to NSW Forestry Corporation operations access to the northern end of Spirabo Forest Way is closed to traffic traveling in both directions until 1 January 2024, with no access to Washpool NP via Scrub Road out of Tenterfield.
Due to these road conditions and closures, the following locations in the north-west of Washpool NP are closed: 

• Washpool horse riding trails
• Billyrimba Falls and lookout
• Spirabo Forest Way drive through Capoompeta and Washpool NPs

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information contact the NPWS Northern Tablelands Area office on 02 6739 0700.

Safety alerts: Roadworks on Coachwood Drive
Roadworks are being conducted on Coachwood Drive, the primary access road into visitor areas of Washpool NP. The park and visitor areas remain open during these works, but please follow any directions from signage, contractors and staff, and minor delays may occur throughout these works.
For more information contact the NPWS Northern Tablelands Area office on 02 6739 0700.

Closed areas: Road closure
Some areas of this park are closed until further notice due to the demolition of a bridge from a past flooding event.
The closed areas include the 4WD access to North Washpool, an area also known as Washpool rest area, entering from Baryulgil onto Collum Collum Road. The bridge is washed away at the junction of Washpool Creek and Collum Collum Road.
Please note:

• Washpool National Park’s 2WD entrance off Gwydir Highway onto Coachwood Drive and Washpool Forest Way is open.
• Bellbird campground, Coombadjha campground and the Granites lookout and picnic areas are accessible.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Northern Tablelands Area office on 02 6739 0700 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Other planned events: 1080 ground and aerial baiting program
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will commence a 1080 ground and aerial baiting program on the 24th April to 31st July 2023 on the following reserves:

• Bald Rock National Park
• Barool National Park
• Basket Swamp National Park
• Bluff River Nature Reserve
• Bolivia Hill Nature Reserve
• Butterleaf National Park
• Capoompeta National Park
• Cataract National Park
• Cathedral Rock National Park
• Crooked Creek National Park
• Donnybrook Nature Reserve
• Gibraltar Range National Park
• Guy Fawkes River National Park
• Kings Plains National Park
• Kwiambal CCAZ1 (Arthurs Seat)
• Kwiambal National Park
• Mann River Nature Reserve
• Maryland National Park
• Nullamanna National Park
• Nymboida National Park
• Severn River Nature Reserve
• Torrington State Conservation Area
• Warra National Park
• Washpool National Park

The operations will use a combination of manufactured and meat baits containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes. Signs will be placed at the entry to all the baiting locations. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting locations. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
For further information call the NPWS Northern Tablelands Area office on 02 6739 0700.