Changed conditions and closures

There will be times when, in the interests of visitor safety and environmental sustainability, access roads, visitor sites or entire parks and reserves will need to be closed or have access restricted.

We acknowledge the vital importance of parks for public recreation and tourism, and endeavour to assess, remove risks, repair facilities and safely open areas as soon as possible following storms, fires and floods.

Stay informed, monitor local conditions, stay out of any closed sections or parks including tracks and roads and travel using recommended routes. Check for any changes affecting the park you intend to visit by going directly to the park page or contacting the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963.

For park closures in neighbouring states please see South Australia Department of Environment and Natural Resources and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Fire Danger Rating closures

The CFA website lists forecast Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Ban declarations for Victoria. On days of Extreme and Severe Fire Danger Ratings you should reconsider plans to visit parks and forests, and if you are already within a park or forest the safest option is to leave the night before or early in the day.

On a day of Total Fire Ban in the Central Forecast District, the Dandenong Ranges National Park and Dandenong Ranges Gardens and following parks are regularly closed. 

Dandenong Ranges Gardens

• Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens
• George Tindale Memorial Gardens
• Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden (formerly National Rhododendron Garden)
• Pirianda Garden
• RJ Hamer Arboretum 
• William Ricketts Sanctuary
• Mt Dandenong Arboretum
• The former Olinda Golf Course

Dandenong Ranges National Park, including these visitor sites:

• One Tree Hill Picnic Ground
• Sherbrooke Picnic Ground
• O’Donohue
• Valley Picnic Ground
• Eagles Nest Picnic Ground
• Doongalla Homestead Picnic Ground
• Grants Picnic Ground 
• Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground
• Kalorama Park
• 1000 Steps - Kokoda Memorial Walk
• Olinda Falls Picnic Ground

Black Hill Reserve

Perrins Creek 

Sassafras Creek Nature Conservation Reserve

Silvan Reservoir Park 

Other park closure triggers

• On days of Fire Danger Rating Code Red, the Dandenong Ranges National Park and Dandenong Ranges Gardens will be closed.
• If winds are forecast to reach or reach 80km/h or more as recorded at Ferny Creek weather station, the Dandenong Ranges National Park and Dandenong Ranges Gardens will be closed.
• On site unacceptable risk to visitors or park infrastructure, or official severe wind or weather warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, may also see the Dandenong Ranges National Park and Dandenong Ranges Gardens closed.

On a day of Severe or Extreme Fire Danger Rating in the Central Forecast District the following parks are regularly closed.

Haining Park

Organ Pipes National Park

Plenty Gorge Park - Yellow Gum Picnic Area (including Blue Lake)

Warrandyte State Park visitor areas - Jumping Creek Reserve, Koornong Reserve and Norman Reserve

Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve

Woodlands Historic Park

Seasonal Road Closures

Many roads and tracks are closed to vehicle traffic every year over winter for the safety of park visitors and to help limit track damage.

Find out more about seasonal road closures.

For other road conditions and information about driving in snow conditions you can contact the VicRoads Hotline on 13 1170 or visit the VicRoads website.

Flood affected parks

Flooding can occur anywhere at any time, particularly during and after severe weather and heavy rainfall. Take care around rivers, creeks and lakes. Water levels and currents may increase quickly and without warning. Never walk, ride or drive through flood water and take extra care on the road being aware of hazards such as mud, debris, damaged roads and bridges. Don't play, swim or go recreational boating in flooded creeks and rivers. Be careful around trees; the ground is soaked and soft so they are more likely to fall; Call Victoria State Emergency Services on 132 500 from anywhere in Victoria for flood and storm emergency assistance. For life-threatening emergencies call Triple Zero (000).

Fire Affected Parks 

Parks Victoria will close parks affected by bushfires to protect public safety.  For current fires go to www.emergency.vic.gov.au

Code Red Park Closures

Victoria has adopted the national system of Fire Danger Ratings. On days of forecast Code Red Fire Danger Rating, Parks Victoria will close parks in the relevant weather district for public safety. 

Find out more about Code Red park closures.