Road Closures & Track Conditions- 16th April

Australia

Border Update -

On April 18, 2021, at 11:59pm the Australia / New Zealand travel bubble will officially begin. This will be the first time there will be two-way quarantine-free travel between the two countries since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

For more information on travel into Australia refer to: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-international-travellers

La Nina -

The Bureau of Meteorology announced the beginning of a La Niña on the 29th September 2020, which most likely means a wet summer period for eastern and northern regions. 

La Niña is a recurring event in our weather cycle, not to be confused with the warmer El Niño, that operates over periods of one to eight years. It manifests when strong equatorial trade winds change ocean currents, drawing cool water up to the surface in parts of the Pacific Ocean, resulting in a pile up of warm surface water east of Australia. This leads to a boost in convection that has a pronounced effect on the global climate.

Every La Niña event is different, but according to the BOM this time Australia is likely to see:

• More rainfall in Eastern, Central, and Northern Australia
• Decreased daytime temperatures south of the tropics
• More tropical cyclones
• Increased chance of widespread flooding
• Longer, less intense heat waves in south east of Australia
• Earlier First Rains across Northern Australia
• Less risk of fires in areas that receive more rainfall

Northern Territory

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/quarantine

Regional Update -

• Due to the passing of Mr M. Na-gangila Bangalang, prominent and important Senior Murrwan Traditional Owner in the Erre Region and member of the Kakadu National Park Board of Management.
  Out of our respect for Nakangila and in line with cultural practice and the wishes of the Traditional Owners from the Erre (East Alligator) region, parts of Kakadu National Park are closed until further notice.
  This includes the East Alligator River itself, the upstream and downstream boat ramps and Ubirr. Link to Kakadu Access Report 
• A cooler and fresh southeast change will follow a trough moving through southern districts on Wednesday. This dry, cooler and windy surge will make its way north through the Territory, reaching the Top End early in the weekend, contracting any showers and storms over the Top End to the coasts. A weak cloud band may bring a few showers and areas of rain to areas to the southwest on Wednesday and Thursday before the cloud clears on Friday.
• With La Niña conditions, the weather is looking wetter than average over the next couple of months.
• Nathan River Road - Flooding - Road Closed - Between Ryans Bend road intersection and Roper Highway (Last updated: 14-04-21).
• Javelin Road Dundee - Road Closed - Road Damage - Barramundi Boat Ramp ( 6 Pack Creek Ramp) Closed. (Last updated: 14-4-21).
• Napperby Property Access - Flooding - Road Closed - Between Stuart Highway intersection and Napperby Station (Last updated: 14-4-21).

View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE

Western Australia

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-travel-wa

Regional Update -

• Kimberley:
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  • A trough lies over the western Pilbara and will slowly move east before weakening on Wednesday. By Thursday a new trough will extend from the inland Kimberley to the Pilbara coast.
  • Low/Moderate Fire risk.
  • Very Hot temps expected with a slight chance (20%) of showers/thunderstorms throughout the week.
  • Road Closed: Gibb River Rd from Mount Barnett to Pentecost River - Flooding (Updated: 14-04-21).
• Pilbara: 
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  • A trough lies over the western Pilbara and will slowly move east before weakening on Wednesday. By Thursday a new trough will extend from the inland Kimberley to the Pilbara coast.
  • Fire Risk:
    -East Pilbara Coast: Low-Moderate
    -West Pilbara Coast: Low-Moderate
    -East Pilbara Inland: Low-Moderate
    -Ashburton Inland: Low-Moderate
    -Exmouth Gulf Coast: High
  • Mostly sunny throughout the week.
  • Road Closed: Nanutarra Munjina Rd - between Paraburdoo Tom Price Rd and Hamersley Rd - Flooding (Updated: 14-04-21).
• South West WA:
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  • A strong ridge is developing over southern parts of the State until Wednesday, with onshore flow persisting along the south coast. The ridge weakens during Thursday and Friday.
  • Low-Moderate Fire risk.
  • Quite extensive road works being undertaken on the South Coast Highway over October and November.

View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE

South Australia

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/travel-restrictions

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves. More rainfall expected in the north/central areas of South Australia.

Regional Update -

• A trough will move northeast across the North East Pastoral District while a ridge of high pressure extends over the remainder of the State and will persist for the remainder of the week. A weak front is expected to move across southern coasts during the weekend.
• Birdsville Inside Track Closed due to flooding (updated: 14/04/21).
• North East of state - Floods closures, Most tracks closed due to floods. (updated: 14/4/21).
• Road Works: Road Sealing - Strzelecki Track (472km). The SA government will seal the first 50-kilometres, Starting just north of Lyndhurst (until late 2021).

View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE

Victoria

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves.

Regional Update - 

• A cold front over central Victoria early this morning will clear to the east by this afternoon as a deep low pressure system moves south of Tasmania. Another front is expected to cross the State later on Thursday, while a high near WA is expected to extend a ridge across the State on Friday ahead of another cold front which is forecast to cross Victoria on Saturday.
• Haunted Stream Track: Haunted Stream Track - Tambo Crossing is closed. DELWP are undertaking repairs. Reopening will be dependent on weather conditions.
• High Country: Seasonal Closures have finished, with tracks reopening from 30/11/20.

View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE

Tasmania

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/coming-to-tasmania

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves.

Regional Update -

• A cold front will clear to the east of Tasmania early this morning with a strong westerly stream to follow. Another cold front will cross during Thursday morning bringing a cool southwesterly change. The stream will tend westerly on Friday then continue on Saturday.
• Upgrading the Bruny Island Ferry Terminals. Construction of a second ferry berth to take place Sep 20 - Mar 21.

View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE

New South Wales/ ACT

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules/border-restrictions

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves. More rainfall expected in most of New South Wales.

Regional Update - 

• A high pressure system lies over the Tasman Sea, and will maintain a ridge across the north for the coming days. Meanwhile, a cold front and associated trough are expected to cross southern parts of the state on Wednesday, generating windy conditions across the southeast. This will be followed by the passage of another cold front on Friday.
• Flood Closures throughout the North West of state between Broken Hill - Wanaaring - and Cameron’s Corner. (Updated: 14/04/21)

View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE

Queensland

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/border-restrictions

La Niña -

More tropical Cyclones than normal. Prepare earlier - Rain expected a month earlier, more than 70% chance of above-average rainfall and increased flood risk.

Regional Update -

• A high over the Tasman Sea extends a strengthening ridge along the coast, weakening later in the week as a new trough deepens over western parts Thursday. The trough moves offshore of the southeast coast on Friday with a new ridge strengthening in its wake over the weekend. A weak tropical low east of Papua New Guinea may move southward into the northern Coral Sea by the end of the week.
• Cape York: Peninsula Developmental Road - at Archer River Road.
• Fraser Island:
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  • Planned building maintenance will be in progress between 16 March to 1 May in the following areas: Lake Garawongera; Lake Allom; Birrabeen Lookout; Binaroo walker’s camp; Ungowa; Coolooloi day use area. During this time, toilet blocks will remain partially OPEN
  • Most of the West coast is closed to beach driving (Updated 31/03/21).
  • Look and listen for aircraft landing and taking off along the eastern beach. Follow direction from the ground control crew.

• South West QLD : Camerons Corner Road, Cameron Corner - Floods - Vehicle access is closed to all vehicles and will remain closed until further notice (updated: 24/03/21).

View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE

For more state by state travel information head over to our Travel Information Hub.