Cooloola conditions report

Everything is protected – plants, animals, natural and cultural features Last updated 15 March 2013 www.nprsr.qld.gov.au

Public notices and park alerts (updated 15/03/2013)

™ Intend camping in Cooloola and Inskip this Easter? (posted 15/03/2013) Camping in Cooloola and Inskip is popular at all times – sites may be booked out in busy times. Avoid the disappointment of being turned away, purchase your permits in advance: book online at www.qld.gov.au/camping, visit a permit issuing centre or phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68). Only campers with pre-purchased permits will be allowed to set up camp. Penalties and evictions may apply for camping without a valid permit. ™ Beach Hazard: Teewah Beach (Noosa North Shore) Exposed coffee rock, severely eroded beaches and changing beach conditions continues to pose a high risk for motorists travelling to the northern beaches (including access to Teewah Beach and Freshwater camping areas, , Rainbow Beach township, Inskip Peninsula and ). These risks include vehicle damage, vehicle strandings and roll-overs which may result in the need of urgent recovery assistance (see beach hazard section below).

Camping and day-use areas (see map side for any current closures) (updated 15/03/2013)

™ Walking track camp sites remain CLOSED—Wandi and Neebs waterhole camping areas (Cooloola Wilderness Trail) and Brahminy, Dutgee, Litoria and Kauri walkers’ camps (Cooloola Great Walk) See walking track conditions below.

Beach and driving conditions (updated 15/03/2013)

™ Please note: Refer to public notice section above. Beach conditions change daily. This report is only a guide. Stay alert to hazards and drive to suit the conditions. y Best beach driving times: 2 hrs either side of low tide under normal conditions. y Inland tracks are rough: Only high clearance 4WDs are suitable; all-wheel drives; vehicles towing trailers, boats and vans may get stuck for hours and be damaged during recovery. y For your safety: observe all signage, directions from rangers and never enter closed areas. ™ Beach hazards: y Low-lying areas along the eastern beaches may still experience inundation due to continuation of large ocean swells. y Exercise caution on inland tracks and beaches remaining vigilant for further fallen trees, beach debris and washouts. y Teewah Beach between third beach cutting on Noosa North Shore and Teewah township: Currently, vehicle access past the coffee rock outcrops is restricted to low tide. The expected increase of visitors over the Easter long weekend is likely to result in congested traffic conditions and long queues at the ferry and beach access cuttings on Noosa North Shore. Visitors towing camper trailers, driving low clearance vehicles or with minimal beach driving experience enter the camping areas from the north, via Gympie and Rainbow Beach, and be aware of the correct daily tide times. y Beach between Rainbow Beach and Leisha Track: currently impassable due to exposed rocks and fallen trees. Use Freshwater Road as an alternative route. y Teewah Beach and the eastern beach at Inskip: Erosion to the foredune complex has left steep, unstable slopes.y Climbing on, sliding down or digging into them is dangerous and can lead to serious injury or death. y Keep your children away from these areas. y Beach access tracks often have soft sand with deep ruts or wash-outs from high tides. y Washouts and beach debris: Beware! Deep washouts, trees and coffee rocks can be exposed at any time. ™ Sand track hazards: y Freshwater Road is open. Exercise caution – rough in sections. y Harry’s Hut Road is open. Exercise caution – wet and very rough with washouts, deep ruts and potholes. y Closed until further notice: Due to erosion caused by heavy rainfall y Eastern Firebreak (Pettigrew’s Road) and the Western Firebreak to King’s Bore Road—use Freshwater Road as an alternative route to access Teewah Beach.

Walking track conditions (updated 15/03/2013)

For your safety: please observe all signage and never enter closed areas. ™ Closures: (Due to recent severe weather events) Cooloola Wilderness Trail: between Mullen car park and Harrys camping and day-use area y Cooloola Great Walk from the southern trail head to Poona Lake. The following short walks remain closed: y Mangrove self-guided walk and walks north of Harrys camping and day-use area to Wandi waterhole y All short walks south of Poona Lake to Freshwater. ™ All other short walking tracks are open.

Cooloola conditions report

Tide times Last updated 15 March 2013 (Teewah and Rainbow Beach) March April

Speed limits Beach hazard Inskip Peninsula – see notice overleaf. Unless otherwise signposted: All road Mudlo Rocks and the beach between 80km/h - beach Rainbow Township and Leisha Track rules apply. see notice overleaf - currently impassable due 50km/h - Teewah Police patrol to exposed rocks and trees. Use Freshwater camping zone Road as an alternative route. regularly. 35km/h - inland

Upper Noosa River 6 Knot No wash

Poverty Point Leisha Track Rough in sections - see notice overleaf Freshwater Road Rough in sections Freshwater Lake (low) Freshwater camping area

Poverty Eastern Firebreak Neeb’s Point Road CLOSED – see notice overleaf. Waterhole Rough and CLOSED wet in Western Firebreak – see notice sections. overleaf. CLOSED - see notice overleaf

King’s Bore Road - one way only. CLOSED - see notice overleaf Great Walk! and

Cooloola Way camp sites CLOSED Seek local advice on this – see notice overleaf. Teewah Beach camping area council maintained road. Permits required before camping. Generally impassable in wet weather. Wandi

Waterhole Upper Noosa CLOSED River camp – see notice sites 1-15 overleaf. Harry's Hut Beach hazards Teewah Beach – see notice overleaf.

Domestic animals (including dogs Fig Tree Harry’s Hut Road Point in vehicles) are prohibited in the Rough and wet in Cooloola Recreation Area sections, with washouts, Dogs only permitted in the designated deep ruts and potholes. Dog-friendly areas – refer to map & legend.

North Shore Beach hazard Exposed coffee rock – see notice overleaf

Although every care is taken to clear tracks regularly, tree falls can occur at any time on any walking track or road.

© Commonwealth of Australia While this information was prepared with care, it is based on the best available information at the time and is indicative only. Visitors are reminded that conditions change constantly due to climatic fluctuations and other factors. No liability is accepted by the Queensland Government for any decisions or actions taken on the basis of this information.