‘Avoid non-essential travel’: Bomb cyclone sparks travel chaos as flights delayed, roads closed and trains cancelled

Millions of Aussies have been told to stay home and avoid travelling if necessary as a “bomb cyclone” sparked commuter chaos. Here’s what you need to know.

East coast flights are in chaos following the havoc wreaked by the “bomb cyclone” weather system, with more than 75 flight cancellations and travellers warned to prepare for delays.

Domestic flights were the most affected. At the time of writing Sydney Airport listed more than 30 cancelled domestic departures and more than 40 cancelled domestic arrivals.

Flights between Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane/ Gold Coast were among those most impacted.

Airservices Australia announced on Wednesday parellel runway operation would be resuming at Sydney Airport after operations were reduced to single runway on Tuesday due to the extreme weather.

“Parallel runway operations have resumed at Sydney Airport this morning, however with fluctuating wind conditions our air traffic controllers will be reassessing the situation throughout the day,” the statement read.

“At this stage, we anticipate single runway operations will be necessary early afternoon.”

Flight arrival and departure rates have been affected by the weather conditions and further delays are expected.

“Airlines regularly review their network schedules in response to weather events. Passengers should contact airlines regarding their flight cancellations from changing weather conditions.”

People fight strong winds and rain in the CBD on Tuesday. Residents in NSW are being urged to prepare now as a powerful bomb cyclone bears down on the state. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Major airlines Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar have all issued statements warning passengers of expected delays and advising to keep up to date with flight status updates.

“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority, and our meteorologists continue to monitor the weather system in Sydney closely,” a Virgin spokesperson said.

“We regret the impact of this on guests’ travel plans and are working hard to ensure they reach their destination safely and as soon as possible.

“We encourage guests travelling today and tomorrow to keep an eye on the status of their flight via our website or app prior to travel.”

Sydneysiders are being advised to brace for travel chaos into the evening with wild weather from the “bomb cyclone” system continuing to wreak havoc on travel infrastructure.

In an update on Wednesday morning, Transport NSW warned “train passengers should avoid non-essential travel across the rail network” with service alerts issued on eight of the nine major train lines.

“Due to fallen trees, trains on some routes have been cancelled,” the update read.

“Motorists across Eastern NSW are being urged to prepare for delays and disruptions, as extreme weather is set to lash the region today and into the coming days.

“Transport for NSW is warning that damaging to locally destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and hazardous surf conditions will impact key coastal areas from the Mid North Coast down to the South Coast, including the Hunter, Central Coast, Sydney, and Illawarra.”

Flight delays are expected to continue into Wednesday. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

The flight chaos comes only two days after Sydney Airport released a report predicting the upcoming school holidays would be the busiest on record for international travel, with millions of passengers expected to travel through the airport this week alone.

“Sydney Airport is gearing up for a bumper school holiday period, with almost 2.6 million passengers expected to travel through the terminals between Monday, June 30 to Sunday, July 20, 2025,” the report read.

“On the domestic front, more than 1.5 million passengers will travel through the T2 and T3 domestic terminals, up 4 per cent in 2024.”

The powerful weather event will likely bring another day of chaos for Australian travellers, with warnings from the SES on Tuesday afternoon that the “situation is going to worsen” through the next 24 hours.

The “bomb cyclone” or “bombogenesis” system was forecast to hit Sydney and lengthy stretches of the NSW coast from Tuesday, bringing significant rainfall and blistering winds.

Flight routes between major cities Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne have been among the worst-affected.

FULL LIST OF TRANSPORT DISRUPTIONS:

TRAINS

Commuters across the entire network have been asked to avoid non-essential travel, with services expected to be impacted across the state due to the wild weather.

T1: Trains are not running between Penrith and St Marys due to a tree blocking the track at Kingswood, with “a very limited number” of replacement buses in place, and commuters urged to use regular bus routes instead.

There is damage to overhead power lines in Dora Creek and crews have been sent to the scene.

The incident is expected to continue for the rest of the day, with commuters urged to make alternative arrangements.

T9: Trains between Central and Wynyard are running again after earlier flooding on the tracks near Town Hall

CCN: Limited buses continue to replace trains between Fassifern and Wyong on the Central Coast and Newcastle line, due to urgent overhead wiring repairs at Dora Creek.

A shuttle train service is operating between Fassifern and Newcastle Interchange.

BLUE MOUNTAINS LINE: Trains are not running between Springwood and Penrith due to a fallen tree damaging the overhead wiring at Lapstone.

Replacement buses are not available at this time.

FERRIES

F1 Manly ferries are back running after being replaced by buses earlier due to the heavy swell, communters are still advised to allow for extra time and check updates.

BUSES

Bilgoga: route 191 and school bus routes 664n, 704n, 714n, 715n, 719n, 769n, 787n, 789n, 790n are not running.

North Narrabeen: Route 182 buses and 740n school buses are diverting away from Powderworks Rd due to a fallen tree, up to 18 stops are being missed.

Oakdale: route 40 buses are diverting away from Russel lane due to a fallen tree, eight stops will be missed.

Lewisham: Route 413 buses are diverting away from Railway Tce due to hazardous roof debris, six stop are being missed.

Engadine: route 993 buses are diverting away from Achilles Rd due to a fallen tree, five stops are being missed in each direction.

Narrabeen: route 1 buses are diverting away from Wakehurtst Pwy due to flooding, no stops are being missed.

ROADS

Flooding has closed the Wakehurst Parkway between the Sydney Academy Of Sport And Recreation at North Narrabeen and Oxford Falls Road in Sydney’s north.

Oxford Falls Road is affected between Wakehurst Parkway and Aroona Road.

Motorists can use Pittwater Road and Warringah Road instead. Allow extra travel time.

Further south, Audley Weir in the Royal National Park is closed between Audley Road and Sir Betram Stevens Drive due to flooding.

The Illawarra Highway between Tongarra Road and the Princes Motorway on the South Coast is closed in both directions due to flooding.

In the state’s far west, Old Pooncarie Road from Coona Point to Bindara is also shut in both directions due to flooding.

A crash has backed up traffic at the Hume Highway on-ramp from the Old Hume Highway at Aylmerton.

In Toronto, one of two southbound lanes are closed on Wangi Road near Wilton Road, with people reported trapped in the wreck.

More to come

Originally published as ‘Avoid non-essential travel’: Bomb cyclone sparks travel chaos as flights delayed, roads closed and trains cancelled