Protected Areas in New South Wales, Australia
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is part of the Department of Environment and Conservation - the main government conservation agency in New South Wales, Australia.
There are over 600 protected areas in NSW. Some of them can cope fairly easily with different types of human activities. Others are more fragile, and need a higher level of protection. This is one of the reasons why there are different categories of protected areas.
National Parks
These are relatively large areas protected for their unspoiled landscapes and native plants and animals. They are set aside for public education and recreation, and usually offer visitor facilities.
Nature Reserves
These are areas of special scientific interest, set up mainly to conserve their native plant and animal communities. Few have visitor facilities.
State Conservation Areas
These are parks, often containing important natural environments, which have been set aside mainly for outdoor recreation.
Regional Parks
Near large population centres, these parks offer open space and recreational and cultural opportunities for urban residents. Their environments have often been largely altered since colonisation.
Marine Parks
These are unique and outstanding marine areas, set aside to conserve seawater plants and animals. They are divided into zones that allow different, sustainable levels of commercial and recreational activities.
Aboriginal Areas
These are places that have significance for Aboriginal people, or contain objects of Aboriginal culture. They are managed in accordance with the cultural values of the Aboriginal people whose heritage they belong to.
Historic Sites
These are sites of national cultural importance. They include buildings, objects, monuments and landscapes. Historic sites are generally open to visitors.
 The Australian Alps National Parks
Stretching from Canberra through the Brindabella Range to the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and along the Great Divide through eastern Victoria, Australia's alpine and subalpine environments are unique and special. The Australian Alps National Parks are:
- Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
- Brindabella National Park
- Bimberi Nature Reserve
- Namadgi National Park
- Scabby Range Nature Reserve
- Kosciuszko National Park
- Alpine National Park
- Mount Buffalo National Park
- Snowy River National Park
- Avon Wilderness
- Baw Baw National Park
World Heritage-listed areas
- Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (www)
- Lord Howe Island Group (www)
- The Greater Blue Mountains Area (www)
- Willandra Lakes Region (www)
Ramsar Wetlands
Ramsar wetlands are internationally significant sites. They are listed in the Ramsar Convention, which plays a key role in their conservation and wise use.
The Ramsar Sites in NSW
- Blue Lake (www)
- Fivebough and Tuckerbil wetlands (www)
- Gwydir wetlands (www)
- Hunter Estuary wetlands (www)
- Lake Pinaroo (www)
- Little Llangothlin Lagoon (www)
- Macquarie Marshes (www)
- Myall Lakes (www)
- Narran Lake (www)
- NSW Central Murray state forests (www)
- Towra Point (www)
Sources: Australian Government - Department of the Environment and Heritage - National Parks and Wildlife Service - NPWS - The Australian Alps National Parks - NSW Marine Parks Authority
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