Protected areas of New South Wales facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has many special places where nature is kept safe. These are called Protected areas of New South Wales. They include areas on land (terrestrial) and in the ocean (marine).

As of June 2020, NSW has 225 national parks. Many of these parks were created after people living nearby and environmental groups worked hard to protect them.

There are over 2,100 protected areas on land in NSW. They cover a huge area, about 7.7 million hectares! That's almost 10% of the whole state. There are also 18 protected areas in the ocean, covering over 348,000 hectares of NSW waters.

History of Protected Areas

New South Wales was a leader in protecting nature in Australia. The very first protected area in Australia was Royal National Park, created in NSW in 1879. That's a long time ago!

In 1967, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service was formed. Their main job was to protect the amazing variety of natural places and important cultural sites in the state.

Today, New South Wales has over 16.4 million acres (about 6.6 million hectares) within 870 protected areas. This includes 225 different national parks, each with its own beautiful scenery and peaceful spots.

New Protected Lands

The government of New South Wales keeps adding new areas to protect. In June 2020, they bought a huge piece of private land, about 153,415 hectares (or 1,534 square kilometers). This land became a new national park called Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park in the far north-west of the state.

This was the biggest purchase of private land ever made for conservation in NSW! It's super important because it protects 90% of the home for a special bird called the endangered grey grasswren. The Dingo Fence, which runs along the border with Queensland, forms the northern edge of this new park.

Another very large area was bought in October 2021. This was Avenel/Mount Westwood station, north of Broken Hill, covering 121,390 hectares. Also in 2021, two more private lands, Langidoon and Metford stations (60,416 hectares), were bought and officially made protected areas. Koonaburra station (45,534 hectares) was also purchased and protected in the same year.

Terrestrial Protected Areas

Protected areas on land are managed by different groups to keep them safe for nature and people to enjoy.

National Parks

national parks are managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. They are part of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in New South Wales. These parks protect large areas of natural beauty, important plants and animals, and cultural heritage.

Examples of National Parks

There are many national parks across different regions of NSW. Here are a few examples:

Central West & Orana: Warrumbungle National Park, known for its unique rock formations.
Far West: Mungo National Park, famous for its ancient history and landscapes.
Hunter & Central Coast: Myall Lakes National Park, a beautiful area with lakes and beaches.
Illawarra-Shoalhaven: Royal National Park, Australia's first national park.
New England-North West: Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, with dramatic gorges and waterfalls.
North Coast: Dorrigo National Park, a rainforest wonderland.
Riverina-Murray: Kosciuszko National Park, home to Australia's highest mountain.
Southeast & Tablelands: Blue Mountains National Park, a World Heritage area with stunning views.
Sydney & Surrounds: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, a large park close to Sydney.

Nature Reserves

Nature Reserves are also managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. These areas are mainly for protecting specific plants, animals, or natural features. They are often smaller than national parks.

Examples of Nature Reserves

Central West & Orana: Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve, important for waterbirds.
Far West: Narran Lake Nature Reserve, another key wetland.
Hunter & Central Coast: Wingham Brush Nature Reserve, a small but important rainforest remnant.
Illawarra-Shoalhaven: Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, known for its heathlands.
New England-North West: Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve, a high-altitude wetland.
North Coast: Iluka Nature Reserve, a coastal rainforest.
Riverina-Murray: The Rock Nature Reserve, a striking granite outcrop.
Southeast & Tablelands: Barunguba Montague Island Nature Reserve, an island wildlife haven.
Sydney & Surrounds: Towra Point Nature Reserve, a wetland in Botany Bay.

State Conservation Areas

State Conservation Areas are managed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. These areas protect natural features but also allow for some activities like mining or logging if they don't harm the conservation values too much.

Examples of State Conservation Areas

Central NSW: Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area, a volcanic peak.
Hunter & Mid North Coast: Glenrock State Conservation Area, near Newcastle.
New England Tablelands: Torrington State Conservation Area, known for its unique geology.
Northern Rivers: Cape Byron State Conservation Area, around Australia's most easterly point.
Outback NSW: Gundabooka State Conservation Area, protecting desert landscapes.
South Coast & Highlands: Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area, a dramatic cliff line.
Sydney & Surrounds: Munmorah State Conservation Area, a coastal area.

Regional Parks

Regional Parks are also managed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. These parks are often closer to towns and cities. They offer places for recreation like walking, cycling, and picnics, while still protecting nature.

Examples of Regional Parks

Hunter & Mid North Coast: Coffs Coast Regional Park.
South Coast & Highlands: Bomaderry Creek Regional Park.
Sydney & Surrounds: Western Sydney Parklands, a large urban park network.

Aboriginal Areas

Aboriginal Areas are special places managed by local Aboriginal communities and the Department of Environment and Climate Change. They protect important cultural sites and natural areas that have deep meaning for Aboriginal people.

Examples of Aboriginal Areas

Hunter & Mid North Coast: Nambucca 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: Finchley Aboriginal Area.

Historic Sites

Historic Sites are places that protect important historical buildings, ruins, or landscapes. Some are managed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, while others are looked after by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales.

Examples of Historic Sites

Central NSW: Hill End Historic Site, an old gold mining town.
Hunter & Mid North Coast: Clybucca Historic Site.
Northern Rivers: Tweed Heads Historic Site.
Outback NSW: Mutawintji Historic Site, with ancient Aboriginal rock art.
South Coast & Highlands: Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site.
Sydney & Surrounds: Hartley Historic Site, a preserved 19th-century village.

State Parks

State Parks are managed by the Land and Property Management Authority. These parks often include large dams and lakes, offering places for water sports, camping, and other outdoor activities.

Examples of State Parks

Belmont State Park
Coffs Coast State Park
Burrinjuck Waters State Park
Copeton Waters State Park
Lake Burrendong State Park

Karst Conservation Reserves

Karst Conservation Reserves protect special areas with caves and limestone formations. Four of these are managed by the Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust.

Examples of Karst Conservation Reserves

Marine Protected Areas

These are special areas in the ocean that protect marine life and habitats.

Marine Parks

Marine Parks are managed by the New South Wales Marine Parks Authority. They protect important ocean ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and the animals that live there. They also allow for some recreational activities.

Examples of Marine Parks

Aquatic Reserves

Aquatic reserves are managed by the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. These are smaller areas that protect specific marine habitats or species, often close to the coast.

Examples of Aquatic Reserves

Cook Island Aquatic Reserve, Tweed Heads
Long Reef Aquatic Reserve
Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Manly
North Harbour Aquatic Reserve, Sydney
Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve
Shiprock Aquatic Reserve, Port Hacking
Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve, Shellharbour