Coronavirus: QLD national parks shut down in COVID-19 fight

The State Government has moved to close down some of QLD’s most popular national parks from tomorrow as the fight continues to stop the spread of COVID-19. See the list here.

A RAFT of picnic areas with public toilets, lookouts, national parks and 4WD beaches will close from tomorrow.

This includes the Noosa National Park, Springbook National Park, the Mt Coolum summit track and the Cedar Creek Falls section of the Mt Tamborine National Park.

It comes after about 470 campgrounds were closed in the wake of the coronavirus.

Ms Enoch announced the extensive list of places that will now be off-limits in an escalation of closures of recreational areas.

The Natural Bridge in Springbrook National Park will close from April 3. Picture: Matt Marny

“These are the measures we will be taking to support Queenslanders and to stop the spread of COVID-19,” she said.

Ms Enoch said the closure of the popular day-use picnic areas, toilet facilities, swimming holes, lookouts and four-wheel drive beach recreation areas like Bribie Island, Teewah Beach and Rainbow Beach followed similar action taken in other states.

“This is not a decision we have made lightly,” Ms Enoch said.

“We need to ensure the safety of Queenslanders during this time and this decision aligns with the expert medical advice from the state’s Chief Health Officer.

“We have carefully considered the number of people currently accessing National Parks and recreation areas and have taken the decision to close these specific areas which are still attracting a high number of people.”

Ms Enoch said that while the government was trusting Queenslanders to do the right thing, unfortunately some members of the community continue to ignore the public health advice to stay at home and travel only when it’s essential, and are journeying into national parks in substantial numbers.

“The Chief Health Officer has made a direction which bans outdoor activities of more than two people, or more than a household,” she said.

“Queensland Police now have the option to issue on the spot fines for breaches of the Chief Health Officer’s directions.”

Increased signage will be in place to inform the public of closures, but locals should check Park Alerts online for the most up-to-date information about closures.

There will be some exemptions, like for essential workers.

“The message is clear – the more we stay at home and away from other people, the more we save lives and if we need to do more, we will,” Ms Enoch said.

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She said Queenslanders should only be using National Parks and forests which are close to their own home and they should observe all social distancing guidelines.

“If we continue to see breaches of the Chief Health Officers’ directions, we will be forced to close more park areas,” she said.

A full list of closures is available at https://www.des.qld.gov.au

PARKS CLOSED FROM APRIL 3

(Park and specific area)

Beerburrum East State Forest - Coochin creek

Beerwah State Forest - Glass House Mountains Lookout

Bribie Island Recreation Area - Bribie Island Recreation Area including Main Beach, Ocean Beach and lagoons

Cooloola Recreation Area - Cooloola Recreation Area including Teewah Beach and Double Island Point

Crows Nest National Park - Day use area

Danbulla National Park and State Forest - Tinaroo all day use areas

Great Sandy National Park - Rainbow Beach

Kondalilla National Park - Day use area and rockpools walk

Main Range National Park - The Crest day use area

Mapleton Falls National Park - Lookout

Mount Coolum National Park - Summit Track

Noosa National Park - Laguna Lookout; Noosa day use area; Noosa Coastal Walking Track (higher risk sections)

Springbrook National Park - Gwongorella; Natural Bridge; Purlingbrook Falls

Tamborine National Park - Cedar Creek Falls section

Originally published as Coronavirus: QLD national parks shut down in COVID-19 fight