Australia So Much to See

The State Government is providing the public with a sneak preview of the $5.75 million redevelopment of tourist facilities at The Gap and Natural Bridge in the Torndirrup National Park near Albany.

The project, which includes a new platform overlooking The Gap, is running behind schedule and while the platform area will be closed off, Department of Parks and Wildlife have today announced:

"However, because such a significant amount of work has been completed we have decided to temporarily open part of this exciting new facility for the public to enjoy during the school summer holidays."

The Natural Bridge lookout, picnic area, car park and interpretative signage have all been completed and these will be available for visitors to access.

The project is funded through Royalties for Regions and Parks and Wildlife's capital works program.

Visitors will be allowed into the area from Saturday, 5th December 2015.

4th December 2015

Partial opening of developments at The Gap and Natural Bridge, Torndirrup National Park, Albany, Western Australia TOMORROW

Position Vacant: The Murwillumbah Showground Trust are seeking the services of a Caretaker or Caretaker couple for the grounds and facilities. Work time is estimated at around twenty hours per week. A cottage is be provided, or you can use your own caravan preferred. They are looking for a long term employee. Please contact trustsecretary@murwillumbahshowground.com for further details or to express interest in the position.

6th December 2015

With the good news that Murwillumbah Showground in New South Wales is again available for casual camping (that is camping between events) for up to a week, with power, water, toilets and showers available at $20 for a site for two comes an opportunity for caretaking at the showground.

Murwillumbah is town on the Tweed River in Northern New South Wales. The showground is on the outskirts of town, with a backdrop of Mount Warning.

New South Wales

UPDATE: The Princes Motorway has RE-OPENED 12th December 2015 with speed restrictions in place and the Princes Highway RE-OPENED later in the day.

A bushfire near Helensburgh has CLOSED the Princes Motorway and Old Princes Highway between Waterfall and Bulli Tops 11th December 2015 .

Updated 12th December 2015

Victorian Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville today announced changes to fees as of Friday 18 December, which follows the removal of fees at 500 basic campsites earlier this year. The fees for camping at mid-level campsites have been reduced, from $38.90 to $28 per site in peak season.

Fees now apply at 116 campgrounds in 29 parks. There are 680 campgrounds in 133 parks across the state; fees apply in only 17% of campgrounds.

A 5% and 10% discount applies for shoulder and off peak seasons respectively.

Concession Card Holders:

A 10% discount off the seasonal fee for campsites is available for holders of eligible means-tested concession card holders. Eligible cards are as follows:

· Centrelink Health Care Card

· Centrelink Pensioner Concession card

· Veterans Affairs Gold Card for All Conditions

· Veterans Affairs Gold Card War Widow

· Veterans Affairs Gold Card TPI

· Veterans Affairs Gold card POW & EDA

See updated schedule of fees

See news of previous changes 2nd April 2015 and 1st July 2014

15th December 2015

Further reductions on camping fees for Victorian Parks effective from 18th December 2015

With hot weather across much of Australia, if you are in Tasmania be aware that a total fire ban has been declared over most of the state for today and tomorrow.

19th December 2015

Total fire ban in Tasmania

Tuesday 29th December 2015: In addition to the Shires listed below, most of the Wheatbelt and parts of the Great Southern have a total fire ban today, as do Shires to the north as far as Carnarvon, Upper Gascoyne, Meekatharra and Wiluna. Cooler weather is expected tomorrow.

A number of areas have declared a total fire ban commencing Monday 28th December 2015. These include the hills suburbs around Perth, to the south of Perth the Murray and Waroona Shires, and in the Mid West the Shires of Greater Geraldton, Chapman Valley, Mingenew, Morawa and Northampton. The Shires of Gingin and Chittering also have a total fire ban.

In addition to no fires, it also extends to any activity that could start a fire such as using power tools or welders outside.

National Parks in these areas were closed for safety 28th December 2015, being the Avon Valley National Park and the Serpentine National Park and will remain closed until the end of the year. Update: A weather change has enabled these tow parks to RE-OPEN 30th December 2015.

With a fire breaking out north of Greenbushes expect closures on the South West highway between Greenbushes and Balingup. Update: The South West Highway has RE-OPENED between Balingup and the Hester turnoff near Bridgetown 29th December 2015 with speed restrictions near Hay Road. The fire has been controlled 30th December 2015.

Caution advised on the Coolgardie - Esperance Highway 30 kilometres south of Norseman due to a small fire 29th December 2015.

Updated 29th December 2015

Fire bans, mains roads and parks closures in Western Australia

Fire danger!

With hot weather continuing on the Eastern side of Australia, there are fires, fire bans and severe fire dangers over much or the eastern parts of New South Wales. Harvesting bans are in place in a number of areas.

Where there are fires, be alert for closed roads and plan accordingly. Where roads are open, drive with due caution in smoke, and if possible avoid these areas completely.

20th December 2015

What is happening in Kakadu National Park?

In addition to closures shown here, latest closures and park updates for Kakadu National Park are:

The Magela Creek is now at 0.2 metre and S-bends are at 0.3 metre. Four wheel drive only recommended. 29th December 2015.

Red Lily track CLOSED 17th December 2015 for the wet seasonal.

Anbangbang billabong walk CLOSED 16th December 2015 due to high water level.

Alligator Billabong, Bucket Billabong and Red Lily Billabong CLOSED 16th December 2015 due to seasonal conditions.

4 Mile Hole Billabong CLOSED 15th December 2015 due to seasonal conditions.

Bubba Walk (starts from Muirella Campground) CLOSED 12th December 2015 for visitor safety as there have been Buffalo sightings.

Cahill's Crossing CLOSED 11th December 2015 due to high water levels, currently at 2 metres 29th December 2015. See updates on main News page.

West Alligator Head is now CLOSED 10th December 2015 due to seasonal conditions.

Maguk is now CLOSED 9th December 2015 due to seasonal conditions.

The Southern access along the Old Jim Jim Road to Alligator Billabong, Bucket Billabong and Red Lily Billabong is now CLOSED 9th December 2015 but these areas can still be accessed via the Arnhem Highway.

Gunlom is now CLOSED 7th December 2015 due to seasonal conditions.

Old Jim Jim Road is nowCLOSED 7th December 2015 due to high water levels.

The Sandstone/River walk in the East Alligator River region has been closed for the wet season.

From 1st December 2015 to 31st March 2016 access to Ubirr is from 2pm until sun set, permitted tour operators can access Ubirr from 8.30 am

Updated 29th December 2015

The access road to Robin Falls, which is from Dorat Road is closed 29th December 2015.

Much of Litchfield National Park remains inundated with water following recent heavy rain. Fallen trees have been cleared and although the main sealed road through the park is open, four wheel drive is recommended.

Camping and swimming at Walker Creek has been closed 24th December 2015 due to risk of flash flooding and risk of saltwater crocodiles entering the area.

Wangi Falls plunge pool and the Lower Cascades walk in Litchfield National Park are now closed for swimming after heavy rains have led to stream rises in the last few days, from 21st December 2015. Visitors are asked to Be Crocwise in the area. The Wangi Centre is still open as are the picnic area and campgrounds.

Adding to closures in Litchfield National Park, The Lost City Track has been closed as at 30th November 2015 due to water inundation on the trackand will remain closed for the duration of the wet season, until approximately June 2016. Florence Falls 4WD campground access is closed.