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Road Closures & Track Conditions- 5th February
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 |
The safe travel zone allowing quarantine free travel from New Zealand to Australia resumed at 14:00 AEDT on Sunday 31 January. |
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 (10 Melbourne Suburbs and 55 Perth Suburbs). |
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 -
- Monsoonal conditions are redeveloping across the Arnhem District as a new surge in monsoonal winds and rain develops in the region. A tropical low may develop within the monsoon trough near the Arnhem District or Gulf of Carpentaria today and move inland south of the Top End later on Saturday or on Sunday.
- The tropical low is expected to bring rain and heavy falls to the northeast districts of the Territory over the next few days and to central districts later in the weekend and early next week.
- Meanwhile, a trough is moving across southern districts and is causing isolated showers and thunderstorms. Cooler conditions will develop across southern districts today as a new ridge develops in the wake of the trough. This ridge will extend northwards across central districts during the weekend and contract showers and thunderstorms northwards.
- With La Niña conditions, the weather is looking wetter than average over the next couple of months.
- Tanami Road - Flooding - Road Closed - Between Granites and Western Australia Border (updated 27-01-21).
- Oenpelli Road - Flooding - Road Closed - Jabiru, At Cahill's Crossing (updated 27-01-21).
- Hodgson River Road - Flooding - Road Closed - Miniyeri, Southwards between Minyerri (Hogson downs) and Nutwood Downs road intersection (updated 27-01-21).
View the live interactive Road Conditions Map HERE
Western Australia
Border Update -
Interstate Restrictions |
Effective Thursday, February 4, travel from NSW and VIC 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 broad trough lies over the inland Kimberley and extends to a tropical low just offshore the Gascoyne coast. The tropical low is expected to move slowly west to southwest, before taking a more southerly track during Friday and Saturday.
- Low/Moderate Fire risk.
- Warm - Hot temps expected with a Very high chance of showers/thunderstorms throughout the week.
- Road Closed: Gibb River Rd from from Mount Barnett to Pentecost River - Flooding (updated: 27-01-21).
- Pilbara:
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- A broad trough lies over the inland Kimberley and extends to a tropical low just offshore the Gascoyne coast. The tropical low is expected to move slowly west to southwest, before taking a more southerly track during Friday and Saturday.
- Low/Moderate Fire risk.
- Partly cloudy and sunny with a chance of Showers/thunderstorms throughout the week.
- Road Closed: North West Coastal Hwy between Karratha and Nanutarra - Flooding (updated: 27-01-21).
- South West WA:
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- A tropical low lies just offshore from the Gascoyne coast and is expected to move slowly west to southwest, before taking a more southerly track roughly parallel to the west coast over the coming days. A high pressure ridge is developing to the south of the State, and will likely remain there until the low moves to the south of the State during Monday.
- 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 |
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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 -
- An intense low pressure system at or below 990 hPa to the west southwest of Kangaroo Island at 4 am, is forecast to move eastwards south of the Island this morning and then southeastwards to be centred near Carpenter Rocks late evening. The low will move further southeastwards overnight, then a high pressure ridge will extend over waters south of the Bight during the weekend and persist into early next week.
- Birdsville Inside Track Closed due to flooding (updated: 27/1/20).
- Flinders ranges Floods closures, some tracks with caution. (updated: 27/1/20).
- 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 |
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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 deep low pressure system near the South Australian coast extends an associated trough across Victoria. The trough is expected to slowly cross Victoria today as the low moves towards western Bass Strait. On Saturday the low is expected to move south of Tasmania as the trough clears the east of the State with winds tending southerly across Victoria. This southerly airstream will continue into Sunday as a high pressure ridge extends from the west, with winds tending southeasterly during Monday as an associated high moves southwest of Tasmania.
- 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 |
Travellers who have only spent time in a low-risk area in the 14 days before arriving in Tasmania do not need to quarantine when they arrive, (excluding the high-risk areas). |
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 deep low near the southeastern SA coast is directing a strong and moist northeasterly stream over Tasmania with increasing rain, especially in the north, and possible thunderstorms. On Saturday, the low weakens, moves over Tasmania and then away to the south. A high in the central Bight moves closer to Tasmania and extends a ridge over the state during Sunday and Monday.
- 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. Guidelines in place for travellers from interstate hotspots. |
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 in the southern Tasman Sea extends a ridge over the northern coast, while a new low pressure system approaches New South Wales from the west. A trough sits over western parts of the state and will move east ahead of the approach low and cold front. This next low and front is expected to bring unsettled weather to the region for a number of days.
- Tibooburra To Fortville Gate: Closed - Flooding (updated: 13/1/2021).
- Sturt National Park: Toona Gate Road is open with caution to 4WD's only (updated: 27/01/21).
- B75: Closed - Flooding - Wilcannia To Ivanhoe (updated: 27/01/21).
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 -
- The monsoon trough persists over Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York Peninsula and Coral Sea and continues to deepen over the weekend, as an embedded tropical low forms in the trough over the western Gulf of Carpentaria. A high near New Zealand maintains a ridge along the east coast of Queensland, weakening over the next few days as a trough over western parts approaches the southeast of the state over the weekend. A strong ridge will push in and dry things out behind the trough.
- Cape York: Burke Developmental Road - Closed at the Lynd due to Flooding (updated: 27/01/21).
- Fraser Island:
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- Ngkala Rocks – due to current conditions Ngkala Rocks is currently impassable and is closed until further notice (updated: 27/01/21)
- Ungowa boat ramp is closed to all vessels, vehicles and pedestrians (updated: 27/01/21).
- North of Cornwells road and south of Woralie road: Temporarily CLOSED for maintenance. Please obey all signage and do not enter closed areas.
- South West QLD : Jackson Wandoan Road, Jackson North - Floods - Vehicle access is closed to all vehicles and will remain closed until further notice (updated: 27/01/21).
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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