Western region residents have been asked to rethink plans to travel through the Blue Mountains this weekend, after an inundation of water has left road and rail networks in disarray. 

Heavy rainfall across the week has left several roads impassable and driving conditions unsafe. 

National Parks has also reported the closure of several areas within the Blue Mountains, noting extreme risks of tree falls due to the saturated ground. 



Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said that both the Great Western Highway and Bells Line of Road have been impacted and has closed rail access. 

“Unless absolutely necessary, people should reconsider any weekend travel across the Blue Mountains until transport connections can be restored,” Mr Toole said. 

Both major and minor flooding has been reported across the Blue Mountains, including major flooding in the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley major flooding along the Hawkesbury River. 

“For essential travel, plan your trip now, allow extra time and consider staying an extra night in the central west to avoid sitting in bumper to bumper traffic.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the pressure on the roads is compounded by the closure of the Blue Mountains rail line, due to landslips and flooding, which is impacting both passenger and freight services. 

“It will be some time before we have a clear picture of the full extent of the damage to the rail line and the repairs needed to allow train services to restart,” Mr Farraway said. 

“For customers who do need to travel, there are replacement bus services between Penrith and Lithgow, where buses are available and roads are open, but there may be significant delays and disruption to journeys between the Central West and Sydney, 

Earlier this week, the NSW SES Blue Mountains Unit reported landslips occurring at several sites after over 100 millimetres fell within a 24 hour period. 

During that period, the SES unit attended 75 calls for assistance across the area. 

Where roads and park areas are closed, penalties apply for non-compliance. 

Traffic is flowing under stop / slow conditions around a single lane closure on the Great Western Highway at Fairy Bower Road near Mount Victoria where the slope is being monitored for stability. 

Bells Line of Road is closed at the flooded North Richmond Bridge. 

The Dubbo and Broken Hill XPT services to and from Sydney have been replaced by coaches. The Bathurst Bullet train service continues to run between Bathurst and Lithgow, followed by coach replacements.