Updated: Thursday, 8 January 2026 • Ahead of Friday, 9 January closures
Parks Victoria has announced widespread park closures across the state on Friday, 9 January 2026, as Victoria braces for a day of Catastrophic and Extreme fire danger ratings. The agency’s message is clear: stay home and stay safe.
Friday is forecast to be a day of Catastrophic Fire Danger in the Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central and South West fire weather districts, and Extreme Fire Danger for the rest of Victoria. Under these conditions, fires can ignite easily and spread rapidly, making it too dangerous to enter or camp in parks.
If you are currently visiting one of the affected parks, the advice is to leave today (Thursday 8 January). If you were planning to visit on Friday, officials say you should change your plans and avoid travel into bushland areas.
For the official Parks Victoria announcement and alerts, visit: Parks Victoria — Major park closures Friday 9 January . For statewide warnings and the live incidents map, use: VicEmergency .
What the closures mean for visitors
Parks Victoria says all parks in Catastrophic Fire Danger areas will be closed to visitors on Friday for public safety. Parks in some other areas have also been closed due to high risks. The purpose is straightforward: reduce the chance of people becoming trapped if a fast-moving fire starts, and ensure emergency services can focus on response without preventable rescues.
The warning also impacts popular day trips, hikes, scenic drives and school holiday plans. Even if a destination looks calm in the morning, fire danger can escalate quickly as temperatures rise and winds strengthen. Officials stress that catastrophic days are not “normal hot days” — they are days when conditions can become life-threatening with little warning.
Camping bookings: cancellations and refunds
If you are camping, your camping booking will be cancelled and refunded. If your camping booking started on Friday 9 January 2026, it will be refunded for that day. Parks Victoria says it will contact visitors with additional information if required, but the immediate priority is safety — do not attempt to enter closed areas or remain in parks as conditions worsen.
Parks Victoria has also provided a downloadable closure list: Parks Victoria managed park closures — 9 Jan 2026 (XLSX) . (The list was noted as last updated 3pm, Thursday 8 January.)
List of popular parks closed on Friday 9 January
Parks Victoria highlighted the following popular locations as closed on Friday. Some metropolitan parks have partial closures, so check updates before travelling anywhere near park boundaries.
Greater Melbourne
- Dandenong Ranges National Park
- Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens
- Warrandyte State Park (partial closure)
- Yarra Bend Park (partial closure)
- Woodlands Historic Park
- Organ Pipes National Park
Wimmera Weather District
- Grampians National Park
- Wyperfeld National Park
- Little Desert National Park
- Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park
- Kara Kara National Park
Northern Country Weather District
- Barmah National Park
- Gunbower National Park
- Warby-Ovens National Park
- Greater Bendigo National Park
- Shepparton Regional Park
North Central Weather District
- Lake Eildon National Park
- Yarra Ranges National Park
- Kinglake National Park
- Cathedral Range State Park
- Mount Alexander Regional Park
- Paddys Ranges State Park
South West Weather District
- Port Campbell National Park
- Great Otway National Park
- Budj Bim National Park
- Lower Glenelg National Park
- Discovery Bay Coastal Park
What to do if you had travel plans
If your Friday plans included hiking, sightseeing, a beach-and-forest day trip, or a campsite check-in, the safest move is to rebook and stay away. Catastrophic conditions are treated as a “leave and avoid” scenario because it can become impossible to outrun a fire front or safely drive out through smoke and falling debris.
- Don’t enter closed parks, even briefly.
- Leave early if you are currently inside an affected area on Thursday.
- Monitor updates frequently — closures and warnings can change fast.
- Plan indoor alternatives and avoid bushfire-prone routes.
How to stay informed (official sources)
For updated information, Parks Victoria urges visitors to use the VicEmergency platform and to avoid relying on one source of information. You can call the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226, and keep notifications enabled if you use the VicEmergency app.
Helpful official links:
• VicEmergency — warnings, incidents and map
• CFA — Fire Danger Ratings explained
• BOM — Victoria Fire Danger Ratings
• Parks Victoria — closure notice
If you want more breaking updates across Australia, visit our homepage: Swikblog.
Bottom line:
Friday’s forecast is serious. If you were planning to visit or camp in Victoria’s parks, stay home, stay informed, and stay safe.
