Protected areas of Victoria facts for kids

Victoria is the smallest mainland state in Australia. It has many special places that are protected to keep nature safe. As of 2008, Victoria had over 2,850 protected areas. These areas cover about 39,273 square kilometers, which is about 17% of the state.

Among these protected places, 45 are national parks. These parks cover a huge area of about 28,023 square kilometers. All these parks and protected areas are looked after by an organization called Parks Victoria. It's a government agency that works to protect these important natural spaces.

Coastal and Marine Parks

Victoria also protects its beautiful coastal waters. About 5.3% of the state's ocean areas are protected. In 2002, new laws were made to create 13 marine national parks and 11 marine sanctuaries.

Victoria was the first place in the world to create a whole system of highly protected marine national parks all at once. This helps keep the ocean healthy for fish and other sea creatures.

Historic and Heritage Areas

Some protected areas in Victoria are special because of their history. These places help us remember important events and how people lived a long time ago. They protect old buildings, mining sites, and other historical spots.

• Beechworth Historic Park
• Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park
• Nyerimilang Heritage Park
• Oriental Claims Historic Area
• Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park
• Steiglitz Historic Park
• Walhalla Historic Area
• Upper Goulburn Historic Area
• Whroo Historic Reserve
• Woodlands Historic Park

Indigenous Protected Areas

Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) are special places managed by Indigenous groups. These groups are the original people of Australia. They protect these areas to keep nature safe and to preserve their culture and traditions. They work with the Australian Government to do this.

Here are some Indigenous Protected Areas in Victoria:

• Deen Maar
• Framlingham Forest
• Kurtonitj
• Lake Condah
• Tyrendarra

National Parks of Victoria

National parks are large areas of land protected by the government. They are important for keeping nature wild and safe. As of 2011, Victoria has 45 national parks. These parks are home to many different plants and animals. They also offer great places for people to visit and enjoy nature.

State Parks

Victoria also has many state parks. These parks are often smaller than national parks. They still protect important natural areas and provide places for people to enjoy the outdoors.

Metropolitan Parks

Metropolitan parks are protected areas located closer to cities and towns. They offer green spaces for people living in urban areas to relax and connect with nature.

Wilderness Parks

Wilderness parks are very wild and untouched areas. They are protected to keep nature as it is, with very little human interference. These parks are important for preserving natural ecosystems.

• Avon
• Big Desert
• Wabba

Wilderness Zones in Protected Areas

Some larger protected areas have special "wilderness zones" inside them. These zones are kept extra wild and are often harder to access. This helps to protect the most sensitive parts of the environment.

Nature Conservation Reserves

Nature conservation reserves are smaller areas focused on protecting specific plants, animals, or habitats. There are 328 of these reserves in Victoria.

• Deep Lead Nature Conservation Reserve
• Jackass Flat Nature Conservation Reserve
• Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve
• Mount Elizabeth Nature Conservation Reserve
• Mount Hope Nature Conservation Reserve
• Mullinger Swamp Wildlife Reserve
• Spit Nature Conservation Reserve
• Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve

Natural Feature Reserves

Victoria also has 1,522 natural feature reserves. These areas protect unique natural landmarks like rock formations, waterfalls, or special geological sites. They help preserve the natural beauty and interesting features of the land.

See also

In Spanish: Zonas protegidas de Victoria para niños