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Road Closures & Track Conditions- 16th October
The Bureau of Meteorology announced the beginning of a La Niña on the 29th September, which most likely means a wet spring and 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
Borders - There are strict border controls in place for all arrivals to the Territory, including returning Territorians. All arrivals to the Northern Territory (NT) must complete 14 days of supervised quarantine at your own expense, if you have recently been in an active declared COVID-19 hot spot (currently all of Victoria).
- Borders to all of NSW opened from Fri 9 October.
- Subject to case numbers remaining low, borders for Regional Victoria are expected to be lifted on 2 November.
- No announcements have been made on opening of restrictions for residents of Melbourne Metro.
- Borders now allow New Zealanders and other residents in New Zealand who have not been in an area designated as a COVID-19 hotspot in New Zealand in the preceding 14 days to travel quarantine-free.
More info at - https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/quarantine
Internal Travel - There are no internal restrictions although any non-residents wanting to go into a remote community must still follow all the requirements of land councils and local communities, including checking if you need a land council permit to go there.
Regional Update -
- Weather is looking stormy in the north over next week with showers predicted. With La Nina conditions, weather is looking wetter than average over the next couple of months.
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Mary River National Park: Wildman River 4WD Track - Catastrophic Fire conditions forecast. (Updated:14-10-20)
View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE
Western Australia
Borders - Strict border controls are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. You cannot enter WA unless you are an exempt traveller (Santa has been classified as an exempt traveller!).
From Monday, 5th of October the following will come into effect:
- People entering WA from Victoria will be able to self-quarantine, where possible, for 14 days at suitable premises.
- New South Wales will move to the same entry conditions that apply to other states and territories, excluding Victoria.
- Arrivals will be subject to COVID-19 testing.
More info at - https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-travel-wa
Internal Travel - Travel is now permitted throughout all regions within WA, except for entry into remote Aboriginal communities.
Regional Update -
- Kimberley:
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- Outlook over next week is hot, very hot, high 30's to low 40's.
- Reconstruction and Sealing - Gibb River Rd 8 km section west of El Questro Station. No line marking. Drive to conditions.
- Great Northern Highway: Drainage and widening works. Various locations between 40 and 80km north of Halls Creek.
- Pilbara:
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- Weather is expected to be sunny and hot over the next week.
- Koodaideri Bridge Construction: Great Northern Hwy approx. 5km north of Nanutarra Munjina Road.
- South West WA:
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- Pleasant weather early in the week before (low to mid 20's) before rain comes through from Wednesday.
- 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
Borders - Travellers from Victoria, other than approved categories of Essential Travellers, are not permitted to travel to South Australia. Travellers from ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, TAS and WA are able to enter South Australia directly without restriction.
More info at - https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/travel-restrictions
Internal Travel - Travel within South Australia is unrestricted. People are free to visit regional areas.
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 of South Australia.
Regional Update -
- Partly cloudy with weather in low to mid 20's over the week through most of the State for most of the State with clearer days later in the week.
- Travel East from Innamincka along the Adventure way is not recommended as the QLD border is closed. Access Innamincka by Strzelecki Track.
- Far North East of SA, Floods closures expected on roads between Haddon Corner/ Cameron Corner.
- 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
Borders - Second Step COVID restrictions in Metro Melbourne, Third Step restrictions in the rest of Victoria. All Victorians must wear face masks when leaving home. Big announcement from the Premier on possible relaxation of restrictions scheduled for Sunday.
More info at - https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19
Internal Travel - Restrictions in line with Second Step and Third Step 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.
Regional Update -
- Wet weather expected over the weekend then turning fine with temperatures warming until a change back to rain on Thursday and Friday.
- Mount Buffalo NP: Most tracks have reopened. Including: Lake Catani Access Rd.
- High Country: Seasonal Closures in place.
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- Road Closed: Gilberts Road to Jeeralang West Road, Binns Junction
- Gibb Range Road: Snow clearing operations are underway on Benambra-Corryong Road between Gibb Range Road and Eustace Gap Track. Please drive with care in hazardous conditions which may be wet, muddy and icy.
View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE
Tasmania
Borders - The following restrictions apply to travellers from within Australia who have not spent time in Victoria in the 14 days prior to arriving in Tasmania. See the above category for restrictions if you have been in these areas:
- Tasmanian residents, who are not classified as Essential Travellers, are required to quarantine for 14 days at their primary residence.
- Non-Tasmanian residents, who are not classified as Essential Travellers, are required to quarantine in government-designated accommodation.
- Essential Travellers are not required to quarantine but must undertake health screening on arrival and comply with the conditions described in Conditions for Essential Travellers. The Deputy State Controller may also apply additional conditions.
The Tasmanian Government has announced that it will look to easing border restrictions with low risk Australian jurisdictions from October 26. At this stage, low risk states include South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, the ACT and possibly NSW.
More info at - https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/coming-to-tasmania
Internal Travel - No restrictions on internal state travel.
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 -
- Wet weather expected over Sunday then turning fine with temperatures warming until a change back to rain on Thursday and Friday.
- 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
Borders - NSW has temporarily imposed border restrictions with Victoria. Only persons authorised under the public health order may enter NSW if they have been in Victoria in the last 14 days.
From Thursday 17th of September border region residents are able to travel within the NSW/VIC border region for any reason with a current permit. Victorian border region residents no longer need to comply with any Victorian Stay at Home Directions while in NSW.
From 12.01am Friday 2nd of October boarding school students and their parents and guardians can cross the NSW-Victorian border to attend boarding school. This applies to NSW and Victorian residents.
More info at - https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules/border-restrictions
Internal Travel - There is currently no limit on the distance that a person may travel, however NSW Health recommends non-essential domestic travel should be avoided.
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 -
- Cloudy weather expected over the weekend then turning fine with temperatures warming until a change back to rain on Thursday
- Link Road, Kosciuszko NP: Road Closed both directions (Update:30.09.2020).
- Cameron Corner: Omicron to Cameron Corner - Flooding expected.
- Tibooburra to Wompah Gate, Silver City Highway: Adverse Weather. (Updated: 07.10.2020).
- High Country: Seasonal Closures in place.
View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE
Queensland
Borders - State border restrictions for residents of Victoria and New South Wales (ACT no longer considered a COVID-19 hotspot). Qld residents returning home need to quarantine in hotel accommodation at their cost for 14 days.
Because of the reduced risk of COVID-19 transmission in northern New South Wales, the following changes have been made (from 1st of October) regarding the border zone:
- The New South Wales border zone (PDF) has been extended.
- The Queensland border zone no longer exists.
- Queensland residents can travel anywhere in the New South Wales border zone for any purpose.
- New South Wales border zone residents can travel anywhere in Queensland for any purpose.
More info at - https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/border-restrictions
Internal Travel - Queenslanders can travel anywhere in Queensland for any reason. There is no limit on distance. You can stay overnight anywhere in Queensland for as many nights as you like.
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 -
- Cape York: Relatively dry weather over the the last week with a cloudy but dry outlook with average daily temperatures of around 30 degrees.
- Peninsula Developmental Road: Road damage from earlier flooding near Yarraden (Updated: 05.10.20).
- Fraser Island:
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- Ungowa boat ramp is closed to all vessels, vehicles and pedestrians.
- Lake Wabby scenic drive impassable to Pile Valley road (Until: 01.01.2021)
- Lake Garawongera scenic drive impassable to Poyungan road (Until: 01.01.2021).
- Temporary closure of Beach camping zone 4 (Guluri, Eli) and 5 (Maheno, Wahba) due to increased wongari (dingo) activity (Until: 30.11.2020).
- Central Station Redevelopment - Planned upgrade Central Station Cottage and Museum (Until: 31.10.2020).
- South West QLD : Coorabulka Road, Diamantina Developmental Road, Davenport Road, Winton Jundah Roads, closed due to Heavy rains/Flooding.
- Slashers Creek Road, (East of Boulia) has reopened.
View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE
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