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Road Closures & Track Conditions- 22nd January
Australia
Border Update -
Closed to international visitors (ex New Zealand) |
Australia’s international borders are closed. Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. |
Restrictions on New Zealand visitors |
New Zealand visitors (from non-hotspot regions) are permitted to travel to Australia without requiring quarantine except if they are visiting Queensland and WA. |
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 -
Interstate Restrictions |
All arrivals to the Northern Territory must complete 14 days of supervised quarantine at your own expense, if you have recently been in an active declared COVID-19 hot spot (9 inner city Sydney councils, NSW). No quarantine required for the rest of Australia and NZ (from non-hotspot areas) |
No internal travel restrictions |
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. |
For more information refer to: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/quarantine
Regional Update -
A monsoon trough extends across the Timor Sea. A tropical low [1002 hPa] is located just west of the Timor Sea and is not expected to affect the Northern Territory over the next few days. However, showers and thunderstorms will continue across the northern half. The ridge extending into central Australia will weaken as a trough develops over WA. This will see the winds tend northerly in the south late in the week and over the weekend.
With La Niña conditions, the weather is looking wetter than average over the next couple of months.
The Garden Road - Flooding - Road Closed - Between Stuart Highway intersection and Arltunga.
Port Keats Road - Flooding - Road Closed - Between Daly River crossing and Mango Farm intersection.
Calvert Road - Flooding - Road Closed - Between Tablelands Highway intersection and Wollogorang Road
View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE
Western Australia
Border Update -
Interstate Restrictions |
Effective 12.01am, Monday, January 18, travel from Victoria is permitted, subject to 14 days of self-quarantine and COVID-19 testing. Very low risk states and territories (No community cases in 28 days)
Low risk states and territories (Less than 5 community cases per day on a 14-day rolling average)
Medium risk states and territories
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Internal travel restrictions |
Travel is now permitted throughout all regions within WA, except for entry into remote Aboriginal communities. |
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 near the Kimberley and Pilbara coasts. A Tropical Low lies northwest of the Kimberley coast. It may develop into a Tropical Cyclone and approach the east Pilbara coast or west Kimberley coast late Friday and cross the coast on Saturday. There is however still some uncertainty of the movement and development of the system.
- Low/Moderate Fire risk
- Very Hot temps expected with Very high chance of Showers/thunderstorms throughout the week.
- Road Closed: Gibb River Rd from from Mount Barnett to Pentecost River - Flooding.
- Pilbara:
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- A trough lies near the Kimberley and Pilbara coasts. A Tropical Low lies northwest of the Kimberley coast. It may develop into a Tropical Cyclone and approach the east Pilbara coast or west Kimberley coast late Friday and cross the coast on Saturday. There is however still some uncertainty of the movement and development of the system.
- Low/Moderate Fire risk (High to Servere Fire risk: Exmouth Gulf Coast)
- Very hot and sunny with a few Showers/thunderstorms expected throughout the week.
- Road Closed: Marble Bar Rd from Jigalong to Marble Bar - Flooding.
- South West WA:
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- A deep surface trough lies inland from the west coast with a high pressure ridge lying to the southeast of the State. The trough will build back towards the west coast on Thursday before moving inland again on Friday. The trough will then move east over the weekend, before a weak cold front brushes the southwest corner on Sunday.
- High to High 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 -
Interstate Restrictions |
Restrictions on Australian travellers and those from NZ (who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot area). All travellers coming to South Australia are required to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration. |
No Internal travel restrictions |
Travel within South Australia is unrestricted. People are free to visit regional areas. |
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 west of Tasmania will move slowly eastwards to be centred over the Tasman Sea today, then another weaker high will develop to the south of the Bight on Friday. This high will weaken later on Friday, followed by a complex low pressure trough developing near the western border during Saturday.
- Birdsville Inside Track Closed due to flooding (updated: 21/1/20).
- Far North East of SA, Floods closures reopened, some tracks with caution. (updated: 21/1/20).
- 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 -
No Interstate Restrictions |
From 6pm, 11 Jan 2021, All travellers will need to apply for a permit to enter Victoria from anywhere in Australia.? |
No Internal Travel Restrictions |
There are no internal travel restrictions. |
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 ridge of high pressure extending from Tasmania and along the eastern Australian coast will continue slowly east today as a trough over inland Australia extends towards northern Victoria. The trough will move to the far northeast of the State on Friday as another high develops south of the Bight, before moving eastwards and weakening leaving a ridge across Bass Strait on Saturday. Heat will continue to build on Sunday ahead of another trough developing between a low south of the Bight and a tropical system over WA, with the trough approaching western Victoria late Sunday.
- Haunted Stream Track: Haunted Stream Track - Tambo Crossing is closed. DELWP are undertaking repairs. Re-opening 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 -
Interstate Restrictions |
People travelling from all states (plus NZ) will be able to travel to Tasmania without being required to quarantine. The only restriction is from ‘medium risk’ areas and premises which includes: Greater Brisbane Councils, The Greater Sydney Region, Northern Beaches LGA and Wollongong LGA. If you have spent time in the 14 days before arriving in Tasmanian in any of these medium-risk LGAs, you will need to apply to travel to Tasmania through the G2G Pass system and quarantine at a suitable premises or government-designated accommodation for 14 days. |
No internal travel restrictions |
No restrictions on internal state travel. |
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 to the west weakens as a new high centre develops to the northeast this morning. A weak trough from the mainland extends over Tasmania this afternoon with westerly winds establishing over the state on Friday. An embedded cold front passes the south of the state on Friday afternoon while a high pressure system forms to the northwest. The high extends a ridge over Bass Strait during Saturday, and weakens on Sunday as north to northeasterly winds develop over the state.
- 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 -
No interstate restrictions |
Travelers from other Australian States and Territories, who have not been overseas, may enter without applying for a permit. |
No internal travel restrictions |
There is currently no limit on the distance that a person may travel, however NSW Health recommends non-essential domestic travel should be avoided. |
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 near Tasmania extends a ridge along eastern New South Wales as it drifts east, while a weak trough lies over the northern inland. As this high reaches the Tasman Sea late Thursday it will become slow moving for the coming days. The combination of the high and inland trough will draw a hot air mass across New South Wales, developing heatwave conditions across southern and central districts for the weekend and into early next week. Respite from the heat is not expected until the middle of next week.
- Tibooburra To Fortville Gate: Closed - Flooding. (Updated: 13/1/2021).
- Sturt National Park: Toona Gate Road is open with caution to 4WD's only.
View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE
Queensland
Border Update -
Interstate Restrictions |
Travellers who have visited Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, City of Sydney, Central Coast, Wollongong, Parramatta, northern beaches and other hotspots, may not enter QLD. |
No internal travel restrictions |
You 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. |
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 monsoonal trough extends over the Gulf, Cape York Peninsula and northern Coral Sea, and is expected to drift slowly northwards. A ridge extends along the east coast to the south of the trough, with a high moving into the Tasman Sea by tomorrow. A trough extends from the northwest to the southern interior.
- Cape York: Burke Developmental Road - Closed at the Lynd due to Flooding.
- Fraser Island:
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- Ngkala Rocks – due to current conditions Ngkala Rocks is currently impassable and is closed until further notice.
- Ungowa boat ramp is closed to all vessels, vehicles and pedestrians.
- South West QLD : Duck Creek Road, Kerry - Vehicle access is closed to all vehicles and will remain closed until further notice.
View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE
For more state by state travel information head over to our Travel Information Hub.
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