IMPORTANT INFORMATION – COVID Closure of a number of HIGH use visitor locations in QLD national parks, state forests and recreation areas
As part of our ongoing response to COVID-19, the Queensland Government has announced the closure of a number of high use visitor locations such as picnic areas, toilet facilities, lookouts and four-wheel drive beach areas in National Parks, State Forests and state managed recreation areas across Queensland from 3 April 2020 for the foreseeable future in the interest of public safety.
This follows closure of all camping areas and visitor centres across Queensland.
Check the full and current list of closures at Park Alerts https://qld.gov.au/parkalerts.
The closure will be immediately implemented in identified extreme COVID public risk areas, and progressively implemented in identified high COVID public risk areas subject to risk assessments.
The affected areas include high use picnic and day use areas, toilet and shower facilities, lookouts, swimming holes, mountain bike and walking tracks and trails, and four-wheel drive beach areas in in National Parks, State Forests and recreation areas managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. The closures apply to all users including commercial tour operations.
We will be working to ensure the safe closure of the identified highest COVID risk visitor areas in national parks, forests and recreation areas from 3 April 2020. These locations will be closed until further notice.
We understand some park and forest users may be disappointed that their recreational access is impacted, but we ask for people to respect and support rangers while they work to close these high risk visitor locations within parks and forests in the interests of community safety, and seek alternative locations to exercise in your local area.
Thank you for your support and cooperation during this time.
Please do not attempt to visit any closed areas within national parks, state forests or recreation areas, unless authorised, for your own safety and protection, and that of the community.
Compliance with the closure will be monitored and penalties may apply for non-compliance.
For people with vehicle access permit bookings for Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service-managed recreation areas, you will be contacted directly. You can also manage your booking via the Queensland National Parks Booking Service.
People with camping permit bookings can also continue to manage their bookings via the Queensland National Parks Booking Service (camping areas were closed on 26 March 2020).
For more information on the closures please visit Park Alerts https://qld.gov.au/parkalerts and follow Queensland Health to stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 advice.