Is Lions Road Open?

14/04/2026

You heard it here first - and we heard it here first too, thanks to Esme for the heads up! Lions road is OPEN as of today, 14th April 2026!

Thanks to the council for doing the works they have done. We look forward to a speedier trip to Brisbane next time we go!
Post your Lions Road pics in this thread and the most liked post will win...something...!

31/03/2026

[EDIT] For the one at the back that only reads headlines, this was - of course - an April Fools joke. 😂 👇👇👇

🚧 BREAKING: Lions Road To Reopen Today 🚧

After years of closures, delays, and extreme damage definitely not caused by climate change related weather events, we’re thrilled to announce that Lions Road will officially OPEN this morning!

Before you set out on your drive along Lions Road, you will be required to sign a waiver form, which is available on the Kyogle council website at www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au/lions-rd-waiver, or over the counter at the council building on Stratheden Street. The waiver is "just a formality", council advised, and absolves the council of responsibility in the event of vehicle damage, personal injury, and/or death.

A council spokesperson confirmed the news at a press conference earlier today, stating:

“We’ve taken a bold new approach to road safety. Instead of fixing every issue, we’ve simply reclassified some landslides as Scenic Features. It’s all about perspective.”

Council also reassured drivers:

“The road is now at least 60% complete, which is well above our usual standard. The remaining 40% adds an element of surprise that really enhances the driving experience.”

In an exciting move, council has also introduced a new Bring Your Own Suspension policy, encouraging drivers to:

“Invest in their vehicles emotionally and mechanically before attempting the journey.”

When asked about ongoing risks, the Spokesperson added:

“If you can avoid the emotional weight of modern life, rising costs, unanswered group chats, and the general chaos of a world on the brink of global catastrophe, you can avoid potholes."

Motorists are advised to pack water and snacks, and inform next of kin.

More to come on this exciting story.

09/02/2026

Word on the street is that Lions Road will reopen in March - but for how long we do not know. Good news for residents and businesses that operate along the road. Let's enjoy it while we can!

Damage from 2025 has not yet been repaired

15/12/2025

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas! 🥲 Nothing we didn't already know, but here is the official confirmation: Lions Road remains CLOSED. A Triste Noël for the businesses that rely on the road and the residents who have a loooong drive around when they need to be on the other side. Fingers crossed it is able to fixed next year.

03/04/2025

It's not good news for Lions Road. And when council calls it a year, you know it's going to be more than that. 😭

All jokes aside, this is a very important road that many people heavily rely on. Businesses need the traffic. Residents need access to services on both sides of the border. Tourists bring money both ways.

We hope that a solution is found and implemented as a priority.

LIONS ROAD UPDATE

Council engaged an accredited geotechnical provider to review damage on the Lions Road post Cyclone Alfred and undertake a risk assessment that included landslips south of the Queensland border. The geotechnical review process was undertaken in accordance with the Transport for NSW standard assessment of risk at landslip sites.

The review identified five different hazards including downslope landslides, rockfalls from above and upslope landslides. The most consequential risk is a downslope landslide which presents a high risk to users for several reasons including:-
🚧 Unstable state of exposed fill and collapsed roadway including further cracking
🚧 The potential for a rapid failure without warning
🚧 The depth of void below the road meaning road users are particularly vulnerable to serious injury or worse should a vehicle impact the hazard.
🚧 Any traffic loading on the remaining roadway would be bearing directly on the “zone of influence” of the downslope

The recommendation of the review is for a continued full road closure.

Council had hoped to open the Lions Road for the Easter school holidays, unfortunately the damage sustained as a result of Cyclone Alfred, exacerbated by recent rainfall, means that is now not possible.

The closure will be required for some time and the road is unlikely to be reopened this year.

Council will provide further updates as they come to hand.

31/03/2025

From this morning's Beaudesert Bulletin 😟😡😢

Headline: Lions Road Border Shift? Kyogle Requests Queensland Take Over

In an astonishing move, Kyogle Shire Council has formally requested a re-zoning of the Queensland/NSW border to move the entirety of Lions Road into Queensland jurisdiction, to avoid the rising costs of road maintenance.

The request, which has been sent to the Queensland and New South Wales Governments for consideration, would see the NSW-Queensland border redrawn, shifting dozens of properties into Queensland territory. If approved, affected residents will have their postcodes changed to Queensland, requiring updates to their driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, and legal documents.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has expressed openness to the idea, with sources suggesting the state government sees it as an easy way to expand its tax base. However, some officials were reportedly unaware the deal included private properties and not just the road.

Kyogle Council has defended its proposal, calling it a “practical financial decision” to remove the burden of costly road repairs.

“Maintaining Lions Road is expensive, and the costs keep growing. Recent landslips have taken an already difficult job and made it untenable. Queensland already benefits from the road, arguably more than we do, yet they contribute almost nothing to its upkeep” a council spokesperson said.

If Queensland accepts, affected residents will have to decide whether to embrace their new Queensland identity or lobby against the move. For now, it remains in the hands of state leaders—who may soon have 32 new Queenslanders, whether they like it or not.

21/03/2025

Sigh.

Lions Road Update

Cyclone Alfred has caused further damage to landslips on Lions Road.

In one particular spot, half the road has fallen away leaving loose material for some 30metres down to the creek below -- see photo.

The remaining road is about a car width and it’s stability is as yet unknown, and possibly unreliable. There is a batter (a side slope that connects the road to the surrounding contours) that rises very steeply into National Park. Council currently has no confidence that the weight and vibration of traffic on the remaining road width wouldn’t cause it to collapse too.

Council has a duty of care to the travelling public and to any work crews deployed to repair the damage, and may need to close the road for some time.

As a result of Cyclone Alfred Council is currently assessing damage across our local government area, including the Lions Road, to determine what damage has been done, what grant funding we will require to repair it and how long that will take.

Council will be providing local residents and motorists with more detailed information about Lions Road as soon as it becomes available.

04/02/2025

Here we go again folks. 😢 Lions Road will be closed from 17th of February to (we hope no longer than) mid-June, while more repairs are carried out. Sad news indeed.

While it is frustrating, we know it is needed. Last time we drove the road, a couple of weekends ago, we had numerous close calls - with bikes in particular, but also caravans pushing cars - as they avoided potholes and road edges by driving on the wrong side of the road around blind corners. While fixing the road won't fix people's road sense, it will still make it safer.

Watch this space for updates.

🚧Lions Road to be closed temporarily🚧

Lions Road between Standfields Bridge and the border crossing will be closed to through traffic from Monday 17 February to mid-June while Council replaces six culverts damaged in the February 2022 floods.

However, it’s likely the road closure will be extended to the end of the year so five major landslips can also be repaired. A decision on if, and when, the road closure will be extended will be made within the next month.

Meanwhile, Council will attempt to re-open Lions Road for holiday makers and travellers for two weeks over the NSW Easter school holidays from Friday, 11 April to Sunday, 27 April. The temporary re-opening will be dependent on weather conditions and the progress of the work.

Mayor Danielle Mulholland said the closure while inconvenient would result in a safer, more flood resilient road for all motorists.

“Unfortunately, the section of Lions Road between Standfields Bridge and the border crossing where both lots of work is to be done is narrow and winding and it simply would not be safe to keep it open while the works are carried out,” Cr Mulholland said.

“There will be large earth moving equipment in place and lots of heavy vehicles travelling the road, and there are very few places on the road you can construct by-passes.

“I understand this is not ideal and it will be inconvenient for both locals and travellers alike. However, it will allow Council to safely deliver a better, safer road that is more secure during intense rain periods.”

The Lions Road closure between Standfields Bridge and the border crossing will not affect Gradys Creek Road which will remain open. However, motorists are urged to use caution as there will be increased heavy vehicle traffic using the road during the hours of 6.30am and 5pm while the work is undertaken.

Council will notify residents living on Gradys Creek and Lions roads by mail of the upcoming changes to traffic conditions on Lions Road.

18/01/2025

There's been a bit of rain around this weekend, and though the road is still open, certain sections, such as Running Creek, are prone to flash flooding.

It comes up as quick as it goes down, so if it's flooded when you get there, don't risk it, wait a while and it will go down again. If you're in a hurry and you're unsure, go around via Mt Lindsay.

Stay safe all :)