Road Closures & Track Conditions- 4th June

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 ridge of high pressure over the northeast of the Territory is weakening. A trough is slowly exiting the central and southern districts with the accompanying cloud band slowly clearing to the east. Another cloud will extend over central Australia from later tomorrow but is unlikely to produce any rain. A cooler southeast surge is extending over the southern districts in the wake of the trough and will reach the Top End by the weekend.
• ‘The Dry’ season has started running from May- Oct, but 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: 19-05-21).
• Kurundi Road - Flooding - Road Closed - Between Canteen Creek turn-off and Murray Downs Elkedra road (Last updated: 19-05-21).

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 low pressure trough over Kimberley will move north as a ridge of high pressure develops over central WA for the remainder of the week.
  • Low/Moderate Fire risk.
  • Hot temps (High of low-mid 30s) expected.
  • Road Alert: Road Open to High Clearance 4WDs and trucks under 25t ONLY. Gibb River Rd from Mount Barnett to Pentecost River - Flooding (Updated: 19-05-21).
• Pilbara: 
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  • A low pressure trough over Kimberley will move north as a ridge of high pressure develops over central WA for the remainder of the week.
  • 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, into low 30s.
  • Road Flooded: Nanutarra Munjina Rd - Nameless Valley Dr and Bingarn Rd - Flooding (Updated: 19-05-21).
• South West WA:
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  • A ridge of high pressure is developing over central WA, and will remain there for the rest of the week. A cold front will approach the South West Capes late Saturday and move over southern parts of the South West Land Division on Sunday.
  • Fire Risk: Geographe: Low-Moderate
    Leeuwin: Low-Moderate
    Nelson: Low-Moderate
  • Quite extensive road works being undertaken on the South Coast Highway over October and November.
  • Road Closed: South Coast Hwy between Cheyne Rd and Kojaneerup West Rd Green Range - Planned / Permitted Roadworks (Updated: 19-05-21).

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 centred near Perth will move across the north of SA on the weekend. A weak front will move across the south on Friday morning. A cold front is expected to move across the west and south of the State on Monday and the remainder on Tuesday and then develop into a deep low over the eastern states.
• Birdsville Inside Track Closed due to flooding (updated: 19/05/21).
• North East of state - Floods update, Most tracks have reopened. Birdsville Track - Mungeranie to Marree 4WD only (updated: 19/05/21).
• 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 weak cold front approaches from the southwest, crossing Victoria during Friday morning, with a high pressure ridge to the west expected to extend across the State by Friday night. A cold front will then move over the Southern Ocean early on Saturday, reaching southwestern Victoria later in the day as a high pressure system moves over South Australia. The front will clear the State early on Sunday as the high moves over NSW and extends a ridge south across Victoria, before another cold front approaches the southwest late on Monday.
• 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 weak cold front will cross Tasmania this evening with northwesterly winds tending westerly. A stronger cold front is expected early Friday, shifting winds colder southwesterly, with a ridge to follow in the evening, causing winds to ease. Northwesterly winds will strengthen on Saturday, shifting westerly in the evening with the passage of the next cold front. A ridge will cross Tasmania early Sunday, before northwesterly winds strengthen again, and persist through Monday, as yet another cold front approaches from the west.
• 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 - 

• An upper level trough lies over New South Wales, and is working with a surface trough to produce areas of rain and some isolated thunderstorms across the state's interior. Areas of rain and showers will contract to the coast this evening. A new high looks set to develop at the end of the week generating stable conditions with cool mornings on 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 weak ridge of high pressure extends over the north of the state. A trough system over southeastern interior will move towards the southeast coast later today, pushing offshore early tomorrow. A high will move into the Great Australian Bight tomorrow, moving over southeast Australia on the weekend, extending a strengthening ridge across the state in the wake of the trough.
• 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.