If you've been planning a camping trip to Mimosa Rocks National Park on the NSW Far South Coast, check the latest closure schedule before you book. The works are being staged, and the timetable has changed substantially since this article was first published.
Middle Beach campground and day-use area are closed from August 2026 to late 2026. Gillards is expected to close from 14 October 2026 to mid-2027, pending planning approvals and subject to weather. Aragunnu is expected to close from February 2027 to mid-2027 on the same basis. Picnic Point remains the main NPWS camping alternative within the park.
Check the live status before you travel: Mimosa Rocks National Park local alerts. NPWS says temporary closures may also occur outside the published dates.
What's closing and when#
The closures are part of a $6.5 million joint NSW and Australian Government investment in flood-resilience infrastructure following damage from the 2021–22 floods.
| Campground | Current closure schedule | Expected reopen |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Beach | August 2026 | Late 2026 |
| Gillards | 14 October 2026 | Mid-2027 |
| Aragunnu | February 2027 | Mid-2027 |
| Picnic Point | Stays open as the main in-park alternative | — |
Middle Beach, Gillards and Aragunnu day-use areas close during their respective work periods. Gillards and Aragunnu dates are subject to planning approvals and weather.
NPWS also says temporary closures may occur outside these dates to allow for the works.
The current park-wide alert, last reviewed 14 August 2026, lists the active staged works at Middle Beach, Gillards and Aragunnu and says all other areas in Mimosa Rocks National Park remain open during those scheduled periods. Older nearby alert pages may still surface an expired Nelsons Beach closure notice, so use the current park-wide local-alert page as the source of truth rather than relying on the old mid-August date.
The works include drainage, erosion-control and visitor-infrastructure improvements intended to make the precincts more resilient to future flooding and extreme weather.
I have an existing booking — what do I do?#
Check your booking against the current NPWS closure schedule before cancelling or rebooking. The timetable is staged, so a booking at Gillards or Aragunnu is not automatically affected simply because Middle Beach is closed.
For help, call 13000 PARKS (1300 072 757) or the Narooma regional office on 02 4476 0800.
What's still open at Mimosa Rocks#
Picnic Point campground remains the official NPWS camping alternative within Mimosa Rocks during the works.
Access elsewhere in the park depends on the active work stage. NPWS says all other areas remain open during the scheduled closures, but temporary closures can occur outside those dates.
Gillards currently has an additional access restriction unrelated to the construction timetable: five southern beach-access points and the day-use steps are closed until further notice because of severe erosion. Campers in sites 1–28 are directed to use the northern beach-access steps instead.
NPWS is also conducting an ongoing 1080 baiting program affecting Mimosa Rocks and nearby parks through 31 December 2026. Follow warning signs and the current NPWS safety advice.
Best alternatives on the NSW far south coast#
Hobart Beach campground, Bournda National Park#
Hobart Beach campground would normally be a convenient alternative, but it is currently closed for campground upgrade works.
The current NPWS alert body says the closure runs from 19 April to 4 December 2026, while the alert metadata lists an end date of 13 November 2026. Because the official source is internally inconsistent, do not plan around either reopening date without checking the Hobart Beach local alerts.
Bournda National Park also has recurring night-time pest-control closures affecting several locations, including Hobart Beach, during parts of August and September 2026. Check the local alerts for the night you plan to visit nearby areas.
Bittangabee campground, Beowa National Park#
Bittangabee is further south near Green Cape and Eden. It remains a useful alternative, but check its current NPWS alerts before travel because conditions and access can change.
Saltwater Creek campground, Beowa National Park#
Further down the coast near Eden, Saltwater Creek is another option for campers who want remote beach access. Check current park alerts before committing to the drive.
If you're willing to go north#
Murramarang National Park has several campgrounds, including Depot Beach, Pebbly Beach and North Head. Check current NPWS alerts and booking availability before travel.
Catching a spot when everything's booked#
Popular alternatives can fill quickly around holidays and weekends. NSW Parks cancellations return to the booking system as availability opens up.
CampWatch monitors supported campground availability and can text you when a matching site opens up.
What the works will deliver#
The Mimosa Rocks improvements are focused on flood resilience, drainage, erosion control and visitor infrastructure while retaining the natural character of the campground precincts. The NSW Government project page says the overall size and capacity of the camping areas will remain the same, although individual campsites may be reconfigured to improve drainage and visitor experience.
The important planning point is that the works are staged across 2026 and 2027 rather than closing Gillards, Middle Beach and Aragunnu simultaneously.
Before travelling, use the official Mimosa Rocks local-alert page as the source of truth for closure dates, temporary access changes and safety notices.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Gillards campground open in 2026?
Gillards campground is expected to close from 14 October 2026 to mid-2027, pending planning approvals and subject to weather. NPWS also currently has five southern beach-access points and the day-use steps closed because of severe erosion. Check the official local alerts before travelling.
Which campgrounds at Mimosa Rocks are closing in 2026?
The works are staged. Middle Beach campground and day-use area are closed from August 2026 to late 2026. Gillards campground and day-use area are expected to close from 14 October 2026 to mid-2027, pending approvals and weather. Aragunnu is expected to close from February 2027 to mid-2027. Picnic Point remains the main NPWS camping alternative within Mimosa Rocks.
I have a booking at Gillards or Aragunnu — what should I do?
Check the current NPWS local alerts and your booking details before making changes. The closure schedule is staged and dates remain subject to planning approvals and weather. For help, contact NPWS on 13000 PARKS (1300 072 757).
Is Mimosa Rocks still worth visiting during the closures?
Yes, but access varies by precinct. Middle Beach campground and day-use area are closed during its works, and Gillards and Aragunnu day-use areas will close during their respective work periods. Temporary closures can also occur outside the published schedule, so check the NPWS local alerts immediately before travel.
What are the best alternatives to Mimosa Rocks camping?
Picnic Point within Mimosa Rocks is the official NPWS alternative. Hobart Beach campground in nearby Bournda National Park would normally be another option, but it is currently closed for upgrade works; NPWS's alert body says until 4 December 2026 while the alert metadata ends on 13 November 2026. Check its local-alert page before relying on it.