Australia So Much to See

Update: All main roads in the eastern area of New South Wales are now open, but some local roads remain closed, particularly in the Dungog, Maitland and Cessnock areas.

Heavy rainfall in eastern areas of New South Wales has resulted in flooding, with many road cautions and closures. The Hunter region is particularly affected, as is the Richmond area north west side of Sydney. While most major highways have remained open even if some lanes have been closed, tonight the Pacific Highway at Gateshead to the south of Newcastle has been CLOSED in both directions between Lake Street and Oakdale Road. Update: Now open.

In the north west corner of the state, a number of roads are CLOSED including the Silver City Highway from Tibooburra to Warri Gate, and the Cameron Corner Road from Tibooburra to Fortville Gate.

Updated 12th January 2016

Carnarvon Gorge visitor centre closure for upgrading, Carnarvon National Park, Queensland

For those planning a visit to Carnarvon National Park, the Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Centre and office will be closed from 14th December 2015 to the 11th January 2016. A new visitor centre will open in May 2016.

11th January 2016

Fires and road closures Western Australia

The following recreation sites have RE-OPENED 20th January 2016; Lane Poole Reserve, Lake Brockman Tourist Park and Logue Brook Dam. Access is via South Western Highway from Harvey. Other recreation sites in the fire affected zone remain closed

South Western Highway RE-OPENED the final closed section between Coronation Road Waroona and Riverdale Road Cookernup 6 pm 22nd January 2016. A side track has been made to bypass the burnt out Sampson Brook Bridge.

Old Coast Road from Old Bunbury Road/Dorsett Road, Lake Clifton to where the Old Coast Road joins Forrest Highway RE-OPENED 15th January 2016.

Forrest Highway RE-OPENED this morning 12th January 2016. Speed restrictions back to normal 19th January 2016.

Preston Beach RoadRE-OPENED this morning 13th January 2016.

Fires started by lighting in the Lane Poole Reserve near Waroona 6th January 2016 have continued into one of the worst fires Western Australia has experienced. More than 69,000 hectares have been burnt. The fire perimeter is in excess of 392 kilometres. 181 properties including 162 houses and 18 other structures including sheds, caravans, community and commercial properties have been confirmed lost. A number of bridges have also been lost. The fire is now contained but not extinguished.

Now outdated: While the total length of the road closures has been reduced at the north and south ends, these north-south traffic routes will remain CLOSED as a through way for some time until the area is safe and repairs have been undertaken. Later in the day 10th January 2016, the southern ends of the closures have again been reduced.

This has been lifted, however it is the closed burning season throughout the agricultural areas, and NO fires may be lit during summer. Lifted: There is a TOTAL FIRE BAN throughout the Perth Metropolitan, South West, Lower South West and parts of the Goldfields Midlands. This precaution is expected to continue daily until weather conditions change.

Fires in other areas have not closed main roads, but caution is required where smoke may affect vision.

Now outdated: A fire near Esperance is now contained but not controlled. Local roads remain CLOSED. Stokes National Park campgrounds are now OPEN.

Updated 22nd January 2016

Partial opening of developments at The Gap and Natural Bridge in the Torndirrup National Park near Albany, Western Australia Saturday, 5th December 2015.

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 during the peak summer holiday period.

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.

Updated 15th December 2015

Following the partial opening for the peak holiday period as below, the site will be closed again from Monday 18th January 2016 until mid to late March 2016.

Free camping at The Port Hedland Turf Club, Lot 2, McGregor Street, Port Hedland from 1 May until 31 August. Travellers driving fully self-contained RV vehicles containing showers and toilet facilities and capable of containing all wastes for later disposal are able to stay two nights at the Port Hedland Racecourse grounds. For more information please contact the Port Hedland Visitor Centre on 08 9173 1711. Please note this is only open each year during peak tourist season.

15th January 2016

CAUTION on roads in the Pilbara region Western Australia including the North West Coastal Highway Roebourne to Port Hedland due to water over the road at various floodways, and for other Pilbara roads following heavy rain.

Updated 21st January 2016

CAUTION Busselton area south west of Western Australia. Unseasonal rains have fallen across the south west and there may be water on roads in affected areas. Large amounts of water have been reported over the Bussell Highway and Caves Road.

19th January 2016

Road closures and cautions in Western Australia due to flooding

With heavy rain across parts of the Great Southern and South West regions, many roads will require CAUTION due to flooding and/or debris washed on the road. Major roads include:

South Coast Highway at multiple Locations between Gardner and Ravensthorpe was closed but is now open with CAUTION.

Broomehill Jerramungup Road from Gnowangerup to Jerramungup RE-OPENED 22^nd January 2016. CAUTION and speed restrictions apply.

Formby Road South RE-OPENED 22^nd January 2016

Chester Pass Road at Six Mile Creek RE-OPENED 22^nd January 2016. CAUTION where there is water on the road.

Coalfields Highway between Darkan and the Albany Highway water and debris over the road - extreme CAUTION

Boyup Brook - Arthur River Road from the Albany Highway to Collie Changerup Road RE-OPENED 22^nd January 2016. Many local roads in the West Arthur Shire which were impassable or had water hazards re-opened with cautions.

Updated 22^nd January 2016

Cyclone Stan updates - see latest updates on main news page

This cyclone crossed the coast near Pardoo, to the north east of Port Hedland in the early hours of Sunday morning. Further flooding is expected when the system moves inland.

Rippon Hills Road from Marble Bar Road to Telfer Access Road – CLOSED to all vehicles

Marble Bar Road from Roy Hill Munjina Road to Roy Hill Village Access Road – OPEN TO 4WD ONLY.

Marble Bar Road - Roy Hill Munjina Road to Newman - OPEN WITH CAUTION

Marble Bar Road from Marble Bar to Abydos turnoff CLOSED

Marble Bar Road - from Newman to Port Hedland CLOSED

North West Coastal Highway from Roebourne to Port Hedland OPEN WITH CAUTION

TheNorth West Coastal Highway from Minilya to Barradale OPEN WITH CAUTION

The Great Northern Highway from Auski Roadhouse to Roebuck Roadhouse OPEN WITH CAUTION

North West Coastal Highway from Roebourne to Port Hedland CLOSED

Roebourne to Point SampsonOPEN WITH CAUTION

Nanutarra Munjina Road – Paraburdoo Spur to Bingarn Road OPEN WITH CAUTION

Updated 31st January 2016

North West Coastal Highway from Minilya to Barradale

Extreme CAUTION advised due to flooding.

Further flooding anticipated with current rainfall activity

Marble Bar Road from Fortescue River Bridge to Nullagine

Extreme CAUTION for heavy vehicles due to flooding.

MIllstream-Chichester National Park has been CLOSED due to impending rainfall.

A Flood Watch is current for the Pilbara and Gascoyne Districts. There is a Flood Watch for the Gascoyne River, Wooramel River and Murchison River catchments and for the De Grey River Catchment due to an impending cyclonic system.

A system of the coast from Port Hedland is expected to form a cyclone this afternoon.

Gales may develop in coastal parts between Wallal and Dampier, including Port Hedland and Karratha, during Friday evening or overnight into Saturday morning. If the system tracks further to the east then gales may develop as far east as Bidyadanga. If the system tracks further west then gales may extend as far west as Mardie during Saturday.

Destructive winds with gusts to 150 kilometres per hour may occur near the centre early on Saturday morning and possibly into the afternoon, including in the Port Hedland area.

Tides between Pardoo and Karratha are likely to rise above the normal high tide mark with very rough seas and possible flooding of low-lying coastal areas east of the crossing point.

Heavy rainfall associated with the system is likely to develop over the Pilbara and far western Kimberley during Friday and extend further inland as the system continues to track southwards on Saturday.

29th January 2016

Road CAUTIONS in Western Australia due to flooding and potential flooding

Road CAUTIONS in Western Australia due to flooding

Great Northern Highway from Meekatharra to Capricorn Roadhouse

Great Northern Highway near Miling - still current

Goldfields Highway from Kalgoorlie to Kambalda

Nanutarra-Munjina Road approximately 25 kilometres west of Paraburdoo - still current

Updated 29th January 2016

As ex tropical cyclone Stan has crossed into South Australia, flash flooding has occurred on the Eyre Peninsula in particular at Port Lincoln, as well as in areas of Adelaide. Drive with extreme caution in wet and flooded areas.

2nd February 2016

Flash flooding in and around Geelong, Victoria, has resulted in road closures in Geelong. The Princes Freeway remains open.

27th January 2016

South Western Highway was RE-OPENED 6 pm 22nd January 2016. A side track has been made to bypass the burnt out Sampson Brook Bridge. This bypass is suitable for all traffic.

New South Wales has been hit by storms again near the coast. Road closures and cautions may be experienced. There are also water affected roads in the west of the state with unsealed roads in some areas being closed. Road conditions can be checked following the state by state links on this Road Conditions page.

23rd January 2016

Storm warnings continue for the eastern sides of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, and parts of Tasmania. Further flooding may occur due to heavy rainfall. See more about Tasmanian roads here

29th January 2016