Road Closures & Track Conditions- 14th May

Australia

Border Update -

For more information 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 -

• A high moving across waters south of the Bight extends a strong ridge across central Australia, bringing cooler conditions across the southern half of the Territory and progressively drier conditions across the Top End. The ridge will strengthen further from Friday as another stronger high approaches the Bight.
• With La Niña conditions, the weather is looking wetter than average over the next couple of months.
• Javelin Road Dundee - Road Closed - Road Damage - Barramundi Boat Ramp ( 6 Pack Creek Ramp) Closed. (Last updated: 12-05-21).
• Kurundi Road - Flooding - Road Closed - Between Canteen Creek turn-off and Murray Downs Elkedra road (Last updated: 12-05-21).

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 high pressure system lies over southeastern Australia, with a weak trough developing near the Pilbara and Kimberley coasts. A new high pressure ridge will develop south of the State on Thursday, with fresh and gusty east to southeasterly winds developing over northern parts from Friday morning.
  • Low/Moderate Fire risk.
  • Hot temps (High of low-mid 30s) expected.
  • Road Alert: Road Open to High Clearance 4WDs and trucks under 15t ONLY. Gibb River Rd from Mount Barnett to Pentecost River - Flooding (Updated: 12-05-21).
• Pilbara: 
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  • A high pressure system lies over southeastern Australia, with a weak trough developing near the Pilbara and Kimberley coasts. A new high pressure ridge will develop south of the State on Thursday, with fresh and gusty east to southeasterly winds developing over northern parts from Friday morning.
  • Fire Risk:
    -East Pilbara Coast: Low-Moderate
    -West Pilbara Coast: Low-Moderate
    -East Pilbara Inland: Low-Moderate
    -Ashburton Inland: Low-Moderate
    -Exmouth Gulf Coast: Low-Moderate
  • 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 cold front will move over southwestern parts of the Southwest Land Division today and then weaken. A ridge will strengthen along the south coast in the wake of the cold front during Thursday and Friday.
  • Fire Risk: Geographe: High
    Leeuwin: Low-Moderate
    Nelson: Low-Moderate
  • 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 high pressure system is centred in the southern Tasman Sea and is extending a ridge back over the Bight. This ridge will weaken before a cold front passes over the south of the State on Thursday. Another high will develop in the wake of the front, initially centred to the south of WA and extending a ridge over South Australia before moving eastwards to be centred south of the Bight on Sunday.
• Birdsville Inside Track Closed due to flooding (updated: 12/05/21).
• North East of state - Floods update, Most tracks have reopened. Birdsville Track - Mungeranie to Marree 4WD only (updated: 12/05/21).
• 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 high pressure system over the Tasman Sea extends a ridge across western Victoria which will move slowly east and weaken overnight and early Thursday. The first in a series of cold fronts will cross the State during Thursday, with further fronts following on Friday and Saturday. A high pressure system will eventually establish itself over Bight waters during the weekend.
• 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 are coming into effect, with tracks to close from the long weekend in June 2021.
• Alpine National Park: The following roads/tracks are subject to early seasonal road closures from 8 May 2021: Golden Ridge Track, Kelly Lane, King Spur Track, Long Spur Track, Shepherds Creek Track, Davies Plain Track, and Kings Plain Track. 

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 high pressure system over the Tasman Sea extends a ridge across Tasmania which will move slowly east and weaken today, allowing a northeasterly stream to tend more northerly. A cold front will cross the state Thursday afternoon, replaced by a weak ridge in the evening, before another cold front early Friday and an associated low passes to the south. A cold southwesterly flow will persist as an embedded trough crosses early on Saturday.
• Upgrading the Bruny Island Ferry Terminals. Construction of a second ferry berth to take place Dec 20 - Jul 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 over the southern Tasman Sea cradles a trough along the NSW coast. The trough will linger today before a weakening cold front crosses western and southern NSW on Thursday. A series of cold fronts crossing Victoria and Tasmania will maintain southwesterly flow across NSW from Friday through the weekend.
• Flood Closures reopening throughout the North West of state between Broken Hill - Wanaaring - and Cameron’s Corner - Exercise caution . (Updated: 05/05/21).

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 strengthening ridge extends over the west of the state, while a trough remains lies over the eastern interior. Another trough will move onto the southeast coast today as an upper trough amplifies over the state. These systems will clear offshore of the east coast overnight or early Thursday morning. A ridge will strengthen with a cool and dry airmass spreading across the state in their wake.
• Cape York: Peninsula Developmental Road - at Archer River Road.
• Fraser Island:
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  • Planned bridge maintenance works on the Wanggoolba Creek vehicle bridge will be in progress from 8-19 May 2021. During this time the junction of Bennetts Road and Lake McKenzie Road, south to the Wanggoolba Road junction will be closed.
  • Most of the West coast is closed to beach driving (Updated 28/04/21).
  • 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: 10/05/21).

View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE

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