The Protected areas of New South Wales include both terrestrial and marine protected areas. As of June 2020 there are 225 national parks in New South Wales. A number established since the late 1970s followed campaigns by local residents and environmentalists.

Based on the Collaborative Australian Protected Area Database (CAPAD) 2020 data there are 2136 separate terrestrial protected areas with a total land area of 7,696,641 hectares (19,018,810 acres) (9.61% of the state's area). CAPAD data also shows 18 marine protected areas with a total area of 348,849 hectares (862,020 acres), covering 39.63% of NSW waters.

History

New South Wales established the first known protected area in Australia, Royal National Park in 1879. The formation of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in 1967 saw a bid in the conservation of the state's diversity of natural ecosystems and cultural heritage. Today New South Wales contains more than 16.4 million acres within 870 protected areas, as well as 225 different national parks, each with their own pristine beauty and tranquil scenery.

New conservation areas

In June 2020 the Government of New South Wales acquired 153,415 ha (379,100 acres), or 1,534 km² (592 sq mi) of private land for a new national park, when it purchased Narriearra station in the state's far north-west, subsequently named the Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park. It is the largest ever purchase of private land for conservation in the state, and provides 90 percent of the habitat of the endangered grey grasswren. The Dingo Fence on the border with Queensland forms the northern boundary of the property.

The second largest acquisition ever was made in October 2021, Avenel/Mount Westwood station, north of Broken Hill, comprising 121,390 hectares (300,000 acres). A further 60,416 hectares (149,290 acres) of private land, Langidoon and Metford stations, located 65 kilometres east of Broken Hill was also purchased and gazetted in 2021. Koonaburra station, 45,534 hectares (112,520 acres) located between Ivanhoe and Cobar, was also purchased and gazetted in the same year.

Terrestrial protected areas

National Parks

National parks are managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment of New South Wales.

Central West & Orana

Far West

Hunter & Central Coast

Illawarra-Shoalhaven

New England-North West

North Coast

Riverina-Murray

Southeast & Tablelands

Sydney & Surrounds

Nature Reserves

Nature Reserves are managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of Environment and Climate Change of New South Wales.

Central NSW

Hunter & Mid North Coast

New England Tablelands

Northern Rivers

Outback NSW

South Coast & Highlands

Sydney & Surrounds

State Conservation Areas

State Conservation Areas, formerly referred to as State Recreation Areas, are managed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Central NSW

Hunter & Mid North Coast

• Arakoon State Conservation Area
• Barrington Tops State Conservation Area
• Black Bulga State Conservation Area
• Copeland Tops State Conservation Area
• Glenrock State Conservation Area
• Gumbaynggirr State Conservation Area
• Queens Lake State Conservation Area

New England Tablelands

• Butterleaf State Conservation Area
• Mount Hyland State Conservation Area
• Torrington State Conservation Area

Northern Rivers

• Cape Byron State Conservation Area
• Whian Whian State Conservation Area
• Wollumbin State Conservation Area

Outback NSW

• Gundabooka State Conservation Area
• Nombinnie State Conservation Area
• Paroo-Darling State Conservation Area
• Toorale State Conservation Area

South Coast & Highlands

• Bargo State Conservation Area
• Bargo River State Conservation Area
• Barnunj State Conservation Area
• Berlang State Conservation Area
• Brindabella State Conservation Area
• Bungonia State Conservation Area
• Colymea State Conservation Area
• Corramy State Conservation Area
• Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area
• Macquarie Pass State Conservation Area
• Majors Creek State Conservation Area
• Monga State Conservation Area
• Morton State Conservation Area
• Tumbalong State Conservation Area
• Yanununbeyan State Conservation Area

Sydney & Surrounds

• Bents Basin State Conservation Area
• Burragorang State Conservation Area
• Dharawal State Conservation Area
• Garawarra State Conservation Area
• Georges River State Conservation Area
• Jilliby State Conservation Area
• Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area
• Munmorah State Conservation Area
• Nattai State Conservation Area
• Parr State Conservation Area
• Yerranderie State Conservation Area

Regional Parks

Regional Parks are managed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Hunter & Mid North Coast

• Coffs Coast Regional Park

South Coast & Highlands

• Bomaderry Creek Regional Park

Sydney & Surrounds

• Berowra Valley Regional Park
• Leacock Regional Park
• Parramatta River Regional Park
• Penrith Lakes Regional Park
• Rouse Hill Regional Park
• Western Sydney Parklands
• William Howe Regional Park
• Wolli Creek Regional Park
• Yellomundee Regional Park

Aboriginal Areas

Aboriginal Areas are managed by local Aboriginal communities and the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Hunter & Mid North Coast

• Nambucca Aboriginal Area
• Nunguu Mirral Aboriginal Area

New England Tablelands

• Stonewoman Aboriginal Area

Northern Rivers

• Lennox Head Aboriginal Area

Outback NSW

• Pindera Downs Aboriginal Area

South Coast & Highlands

• Murramarang Aboriginal Area

Sydney & Surrounds

• Appletree Aboriginal Area
• Finchley Aboriginal Area
• Howe Aboriginal Area
• Mooney Mooney Aboriginal Area
• Mount Kuring-gai Aboriginal Area

Historic Sites

A number of Historic Sites are managed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. Other historic sites in the state are managed by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales.

• Stony Range Regional Botanic Garden

Central NSW

• Hill End Historic Site
• Innes Ruins Historic Site
• Koonadan Historic Site
• Maynggu Ganai Historic Site
• Yuranighs Aboriginal Grave Historic Site

Hunter & Mid North Coast

• Clybucca Historic Site

Northern Rivers

• Tweed Heads Historic Site

Outback NSW

• Mount Grenfell Historic Site
• Mutawintji Historic Site

South Coast & Highlands

• Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site
• Throsby Park Historic Site

Sydney & Surrounds

• Cadmans Cottage Historic Site
• Hartley Historic Site
• Maroota Historic Site
• Wisemans Ferry Historic Site
• Bantry Bay, New South Wales

State Parks

State Parks are managed by the Land and Property Management Authority.

• Belmont State Park
• Coffs Coast State Park
• Burrinjuck Waters State Park
• Copeton Waters State Park
• Goolawah State Park
• Grabine Lakeside State Park
• Killalea State Park
• Lake Burrendong State Park
• Lake Glenbawn State Park
• Lake Keepit State Park
• Wyangala Waters State Park

Karst Conservation Reserves

Four Karst Conservation Reserves are managed by the Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust.

• Abercrombie Caves
• Borenore Caves
• Jenolan Caves
• Wombeyan Caves

Marine protected areas

Marine Parks

Marine Parks are managed by the New South Wales Marine Parks Authority.

• Batemans Marine Park
• Cape Byron Marine Park
• Jervis Bay Marine Park
• Lord Howe Island Marine Park
• Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park
• Solitary Islands Marine Park

Aquatic reserves

Aquatic reserves are managed by the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries.

• Cook Island Aquatic Reserve, Tweed Heads
• Barrenjoey Head Aquatic Reserve, Hawkesbury River
• Narrabeen Head Aquatic Reserve
• Long Reef Aquatic Reserve
• Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Manly
• North Harbour Aquatic Reserve, Sydney
• Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve
• Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve, La Perouse
• Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve, Kurnell
• Towra Point Aquatic Reserve, Botany Bay
• Shiprock Aquatic Reserve, Port Hacking
• Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve, Shellharbour

See also

• List of national parks of Australia
• Protected areas of Australia

References

External links

• NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service