List of canyon closures following the 2019/20 bushfires

[T2]

UPDATED: 1 January 2021

Note: All canyons impacted by last summer's bushfires are now open. As such, I won't be updating this post further.

For easy identification, open canyons are blue, closed canyons are red. The headline for each region links to the relevant land manager's closures page.

If canyoning in recently burnt areas, please clean shoes and other equipment to prevent weeds or pathogens being introduced to these areas.

(Note: This is not an exhaustive list of all canyons. If you intend to visit an area not listed please check the National Parks alerts page to ensure access has been restored).

Katoomba / Kings Tableland:
OPEN: Empress, Great Uncle George, Whores Bed, Blue Drum Ck, Waterfall Ck
A number of abseiling routes are also open, including: Boars Head, Malatia Point, Malatia Wall, Castle Head
Note: The Golden Stairs are closed due to rockfall (with track repair works in progress). Exit Castle Head as you would Malatia Wall / Point.

Southern Grose:
OPEN: Mt Hay (Butterbox), Grand, Juggler, Fortress, Hat Hill, Arethusa, Crayfish Ck

Northern Grose:
OPEN: Dalpura, Birrabang, Yileen, Better Offer, Jungaburra, Koombanda, Oronga, Kamarah, Wotta

Mt Wilson:
OPEN: Wollangambe River, Du Faur Ck (Clatterteeth), Joes, Bell Ck, Why Don't We Do It In The Road (Serendipity), Whungee Wheengee, Bowens Creek (North and South branches), Hobnail, Kelvinator (Water Dragon), Geronimo, Horseshoe, Whirlpool, Waterfall of Moss
Note: Camping at Cathedral Reserve has reopened, but you need to register with Blue Mountains City Council and follow some basic rules. Full details here: https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/camping

Carmarthen Labyrinth:
OPEN: Claustral, Ranon, Thunder, King Georges Brook (Caley Canyon), and Explorers Brook (Burumin Canyon)

Dargans Creek:
OPEN: Dargans Ck

Sunnyside Ridge:
OPEN: Canyons in the Gardens of Stone National Park are open.

Newnes Plateau South:
OPEN: Bungleboori Ck, Hole in the Wall, Banks, Nosedive, Fortitude, Crikey, Froth and Bubble (Bubble Bath), Popeye, Arthurs, Scatters, Dead Tree (Dead Log), Four Dope, Steep Ck (Bridge), Bjelkes Mind, Luna Park, Dumbano Ck and tributaries, Yarramun Ck and tributaries

Newnes Plateau North:
OPEN: Tiger Snake, Rocky Creek, Twister, Wolgan View (The Dry Canyon), River Caves, Deep Pass, Glow Worm Tunnel, Sheep Dip, Coachwood, Breakfast Creek, Closet, Galah, Heart Attack, Surefire, Spiral, Crooked Crevice, Thunderstorm, Contradiction, Nayook Ck and tributaries.

Newnes:
OPEN: Pipeline, Devils Pinch, Nightmare, Newnes (Starlight), Firefly, Looking Glass, Windows, Twilight, Big Foot, Hartleys Mistake

Northern Wollemi:
OPEN: Coinslot, Freshwater, Numietta, Coorongooba, Ovens Creeks
Note: The causeway across the Capertee River (to access Coorongooba campground) can rise following heavy rain, cutting access or restricting it to full sized 4WDs.

Kanangra:
OPEN: Kanangra Main, Kalang, Danae, Dione Dell, Carrabeanga, Davies, Thurat Rift, Arabanoo, Wheengee Whungee, Christys Creek

South Coast:
OPEN: Macquarie Rivulet (Macquarie Pass)
Note: There is no access to Macquarie Rivulet via top of Macquarie Pass due to private property. The upper falls must be accessed via Clover Hill Road.

Bungonia:
OPEN: Bungonia, Jerrara, Long Gully, Fordham.
CLOSED: Spring Creek

Barrington Tops:
OPEN: Manning River, Williams River, Gloucester River, Barrington River, Polblue Creek.

Coffs Harbour:
(Canyons located in Bindarri and Dorrigo National Parks.)
OPEN: Urumbilum, Bangalore, Wayper, Gleniffer, Rosewood

[marilyn_scott1950]

Are you intending to update this from time to time Tim?

[T2]

Yep. I'll edit the post as things change. I'll probably include the date of the edit at the top so it's clear when things were updated. It seemed like this was the simplest way of creating a single list of what is open and closed.

[trishm26]

Thanks T2. Can you tell me are abseil trips Boars Head, Kilimanjaro and the others there open? Long way to drive for empress and grand. Cheers

[T2]

Trish, Boars Head is on Council land. It is definitely open. Devils Hole (and therefore Wall of Africa and Kilimanjaro) are just inside the national park. Given they didn't burn, and Narrow Neck is now open, I think they should be open. The only issue is climbing / abseiling on Narrow Neck is still closed, so they may have extended that around to Devils Hole. I'd recommend calling the National Parks office in Blackheath to check the status of the Devils Hole track.

[Rebus Knebus]

We’re visiting Australia for the month of March, coming from the States. We originally planned on doing some canyons in the Blue Mountains, but now we’re not sure. Are there enough open canyons to fill a few days and make bringing all our gear worthwhile? Any idea if some of the closed areas might open up while we’re there?

Thanks,
David

[T2]

David,

It's very difficult to predict what will be open during your visit. Currently there are only a couple canyons in the Blue Mountains that are accessible, and they are very basic half-day trips. There are some more canyons a few hours from Sydney that are accessible, and the numbers of those will increase in March.

In the Blue Mountains, many of our best canyons are likely to remain closed for the remainder of the season due to the intensity of the fires. There are some canyons that escaped burning that may reopen soon, and some other that had less intense fire activity that may also open, but it is almost impossible to predict exactly when. Hopefully the recent extensive rainfall will mean the bush with regenerate enough that National Parks are happy to allow people back into some of these areas.

I'd probably suggest bringing your basic gear (harnesses etc). It is possible to hire wetsuits in Katoomba if you need them for particular trips. I'm also happy to lend you some ropes if needed. You'll also find there will be locals willing to take you through any open canyons.

T2

[Rebus Knebus]

T2,

Thanks for the detailed reply and the generous offer! I’ll look into our options over the next week or so and then get back in touch.

Thanks again,
David

[canyoning.cat]

Checking the NP Alerts page I just confirmed that:

• Wollemi NP: All Canyons are closed

• Blue Mountains NP: Yileen and Butterbox/Mount Hay are closed. All other canyons are open.

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[TomB]

Hi Tim
Thanks for your great work.
I think?
8% of males are red / green colour blind and are struggling with the colour coding of closed / open.
Any chance of using other colours? Or italics/bold for closed?
At least I'll have an excuse if I go to the wrong one.

[T2]

Tom, great feedback. I hadn't thought of that. I've changed them to Blue / Red, and also added an "OPEN" or "CLOSED" in front of each list. I hope that makes it more accessible.

[T2]

Gardens of Stone NP has been reopened following the fires (well, most of it). This offers up some nice dry canyon options for winter.

[marilyn_scott1950]

Hidden in the COVID-19 information is the statement "High-risk activities such as rock-climbing, abseiling and canyoning should be avoided to avoid increasing demand for emergency services." not that anyone is taking any notice of this request.

[T2]

I've just updated this list, ready for the Spring rush.
Almost all canyons are now open. The exception are those around Kanangra, and some accessed from Newnes. Coorongooba requires a 4wd to access currently.