New South Wales (abbreviated as NSW) is a state in the east of Australia. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales surrounds the whole of the Australian Capital Territory.
New South Wales' capital city is Sydney, which is also the state's most populous city.
As of December 2016, the estimated population of NSW was 7,797, 800, making it Australia's most populous state. Inhabitants of New South Wales are referred to as New South Welshmen.
New South Wales' capital city is Sydney, which is also the state's most populous city.
As of December 2016, the estimated population of NSW was 7,797, 800, making it Australia's most populous state. Inhabitants of New South Wales are referred to as New South Welshmen.
New South Wales Fauna emblem
Platypus
New South Wales Flora emblem
Warratah
New South Wales state flag
New South Wales Coat of Arms.
New South Wales National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS)
The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) manages over 800 parks in the state of New South Wales. NPWS is part of the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) New South Wales and was established in 1967 when the Fauna Protection Panel and Reserves Branch of the Lands Department were amalgamated.
Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, the Director-General of the NPWS is responsible for the care, control and management of all national parks, historic sites, nature reserves, reserves, Aboriginal areas and state game reserves. State conservation areas, karst conservation reserves and regional parks are also administered under the Act.
New South Wales has a total of 940 protected areas (from 2016 CAPD data). They protect landscapes from rainforests and rugged bush to marine wonderlands and outback deserts.
Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, the Director-General of the NPWS is responsible for the care, control and management of all national parks, historic sites, nature reserves, reserves, Aboriginal areas and state game reserves. State conservation areas, karst conservation reserves and regional parks are also administered under the Act.
New South Wales has a total of 940 protected areas (from 2016 CAPD data). They protect landscapes from rainforests and rugged bush to marine wonderlands and outback deserts.
The NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service has split the State of New South Wales into 7 separate regions…..
- Outback NSW
- Country NSW
- Murray-Riverina
- North Coast
- South Coast
- Sydney and surrounds
- Snowy Mountains
Types of Protected areas in NSW
Includes:
- Aboriginal Area
- Aboriginal areas allow for use of these areas by Aboriginal people for cultural purposes. They’re intended to promote public understanding and appreciation of their natural and cultural values and significance to Aboriginal people. Aboriginal areas also provide opportunities for appropriate research in accordance with Aboriginal cultural values.
- Botanic Gardens (Commonwealth)
- Community Conservation Areas Zone 1 - reserved as National Parks
- "Community conservation areas are multiple-use protected areas that are widely used throughout the world to allow for improved conservation outcomes while providing for the sustainable use of natural resources."
- Community Conservation Areas Zone 3 - reserved as State Conservation Areas
- Conservation Reserve
- Flora Reserve (IUCN Category IA)
- Historic Site
- Indigenous Protected Area
- Karst Conservation Reserve
- Karst conservation reserves are outstanding cave areas that offer unique experiences, with their spectacular beauty and stunning surroundings. These areas provide important evidence of past life, such as relics and fossils, as well as evidence of atmospheric, hydrological and biological processes.
- Karst conservation reserves are outstanding cave areas that offer unique experiences, with their spectacular beauty and stunning surroundings. These areas provide important evidence of past life, such as relics and fossils, as well as evidence of atmospheric, hydrological and biological processes.
- National Park (IUCN Categories II, V, IA, IB)
- "National Parks are areas of land protected for their unspoiled landscapes, outstanding or representative ecosystems, Australian native plants and animals, and places of natural or cultural significance. In addition to their role in conservation, national parks provide opportunities for public nature appreciation, well-being, enjoyment, and as valuable scientific research."
- National Park (Commonwealth)
- Nature Reserve
- "Nature Reserves are areas of land in predominantly untouched, natural condition, with hign conservation value. Their primary purpose is to protect and conserve their outstanding, unique or representative ecosystems and Australian native plants and animals."
- Permanent Park Preserve
- Regional Park
- 'Regional parks are lands reserved to protect and conserve areas in natural or modified landscapes. They're also suitable for sustainable public recreation and enjoyment. Regional parks offer open spaces for cultural and recreation activities (including dog walking in some parks) which may not be permitted in national parks, state conservation areas or nature reserves."
- State Conservation Area (IUCN Category II)
- "State conservation areas are lands reserved to protect and conserve significant or representative ecosystems, landforms, natural phenomena or places of cultural significance. They provide opportunities for sustainable visitation, public enjoyment, and research."
There are also State Forests in NSW which come under the control of the Forestry Corporation.
Qualifying parks in New South Wales.
There are currently (as of 21st August 2017) a total of 554 qualifying parks in the state of New South Wales.
All 239 gazetted NSW National Parks qualify for the WWFF program, along with 142 State Conservation Areas, 6 Marine Parks, 14 Regional Parks, 150 Nature Reserves, and Lord Howe Island.
The list of parks was compiled from CAPAD 2016 data, the NSW NPWS website, and the NSW NPWS Estate Register dated 31 March 2017 (copy below).
| npws_estate_2017_v1.pdf |
Extra information
- Bemboka National Park, VKFF-0025 - now known as the South East Forests National Park. Name changed in 1997 due to amalgamation of 5 different parks to become South East Forests NP.
- Ben Halls Gap National Park VKFF-0027 - was established on 1st October 2002. Now known as Ben Halls Gap Nature Park (as of 2016).
- Booderee National Park VKFF-0043 - is located in the Jervis Bay Territory, a territory of the Commonwealth of Australia, surrendered by the State of NSW to the Commonwealth in 1915. This park is managed by the Australian Government, and not NSW National Parks & Wildlife.
- Conjola National Park VKFF-0108 - was reserved in 1994, along with the then nearby Cudmirrah National Park. Both were formed from Crown land, except for part of Cudmirrah National Park which had been dedicated as Cudmirrah Nature Reserve in 1959. On 1 January 2001 the two national parks were joined together as a result of reservation of Conjola State Forest as part of the Southern Forest Agreement, taking the total size to approximately 11060 hectares. Cudmirrah National Park was then merged with Conjola through the process of a name change in 2003
- Coolangubra National Park, VKFF-0112 - now known as the South East Forest National Park. Name changed in 1997 due to amalgamation of 5 different parks to become South East Forest NP.
- Cudmirrah National Park, VKFF-0122 - See above. This NP was merged in 2003 with Conjola NP, VKFF-0108.
- Genoa National Park, VKFF-0194 - this is now known as the South East Forest NP. Name changed in 1997 due to amalgamation of 5 different parks to become South East Forest NP.
- Kamay Botany National Park VKFF-0048 - formerly known as just Botany Bay National Park. Name changed in 2002.
- Lachlan Valley National Park, VKFF-0255 - Formerly known as the Kalyarr National Park. Merged in July, 2010. Then in 2016, part of the Lachlan Valley NP was renamed as Kalyarr NP.
- Lord Howe Island VKFF-0295 - this is an unincorporated area of NSW & is self governed.
- Mallee Cliffs National Park VKFF-0302 - Access to this park is restricted. Please see: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0044
- Mootwingee NP, VKFF-330 - now called Mutawintji NP, VKFF-374. Name changed in 1998.
- Mount Warning NP, VKFF-364 - now known as Wollumnin NP, VKFF-545. Name changed in 2009.
- Murrumbidgee Valley National Park VKFF-0554 - incorporates the former Yanga National Park and numerous other State Forests. as of 1st July 2010, the following State Forests became known as Murrumbidgee Valley National Park: Cuba State Forest south east of Darlington Point, the Gillenbah State Forest south of Narrandera,Benerembah State Forest west of Darlington Point, Billenbah State Forest, Cararbury State Forest west of Darlington Point, Dunoon Lagoon State Forest west of Darlington Point, Euroley State Forest north west of Narrandera, Jurambula State Forest north east of Narrandera, Kieta State Forest, Murrumbidgee State Forest, Pembelgong State Forest east of Hay, Uri State Forest west of Darlington Point, and Yarradda State Forest west of Darlington Point, M1A State Forest between Leeton and Narrandera. And as of January 2011, the former Berry Jerry State Forest off the Sturt Hwy, south of Currwarna also became Murrumbidgee Valley National Park (Berry Jerry precinct), along with part of the former Banandra State Forest east of Darlington Point, and part of the Boona State Forest south of Darlington Point. Murrumbidgee Valley NP also contains the former Yanga NP.
- Nalbaugh NP, VKFF-376 - In November 1994 Nalbaugh NP ceased after it became Genoa NP. Nalbaugh NP & Nungatta NP’s merged to form Genoa NP, which has since become South East Forest NP.
- Bay, VKFF-386 - this is believed to be Jervis Bay, VKFF-249 (duplicate).
- Nungatta NP, VKFF-0398 - In November 1994 Nungatta NP ceased after it became Genoa NP. Nalbaugh NP & Nungatta NP’s merged to form Genoa NP, which has since become South East Forest NP.
- Prospect Nature Reserve VKFF-1986 - Prospect Nature Reserve is closed to the public as it's part of a Special Water catchment area.
- Tantawangelo NP, VKFF-476 - now called South East Forest NP. South East Forest NP was created in 1997 by the amalgamation of Genoa NP, Tantawangalo NP, Bemboka NP, Yowaka NP, & Coolangubra NP.
- Wallaga Lake NP, VKFF-0510 - now known as Gulaga NP, VKFF-221. Name changed in 2001.
- Wollumbin National Park VKFF-0545 - formerly known as Mount Warning.
- Yowaka NP, VKFF-0560 - now known as the South East Forest National Park. Name changed in 1997. South East Forest NP was created in 1997 by the amalgamation of Genoa NP, Tantawangalo NP, Bemboka NP, Yowaka NP, & Coolangubra NP
- Yuraygir, VKFF-562, & Yuraygir, VKFF-563 - listed twice. Enqs underway to have this modified.
VKFF history in NSW.
21st September 2020:
The following park was added to the WWFF Directory:-
The following park was added to the WWFF Directory:-
- Guula Ngurra National Park VKFF-3028
9th July 2017:
The following parks were added to the WWFF Directory:-
The following parks were added to the WWFF Directory:-
- Berowra Valley Regional Park VKFF-1777
- Blue Gum Hills Regional Park VKFF-1778
- Bomaderry Creek Regional Park VKFF-1779
- Coffs Coast Regional Park VKFF-1780
- Corramy Regional Park VKFF-1781
- Euston Regional Park VKFF-1782
- Goolawah Regional Park VKFF-1783
- Lachlan Valley Regional Park VKFF-1784
- Murray Valley Regional Park VKFF-1785
- Murrumbidgee Valley Regional Park VKFF-1786
- Wolli Creek Regional Park VKFF-1787
- Worimi Regional Park VKFF-1788
- Yerranderie Regional Park VKFF-1789
9th July 2017:
The following park was added to the WWFF Directory:-
- Khappinghat National Park VKFF-1776
8th July 2017:
The following 3 parks were added to the WWFF Directory:-
- Queens Lake State Conservation Area VKFF-1771
- Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772
- Yanga State Conservation Area VKFF-1773
8th July 2016:
A total of 149 State Conservation Areas and 6 Marine Parks were added to the WWFF Directory.
4th July 2016:
A total of 26 New South Wales parks were added to the WWFF Directory. They being:
- Barayamal NP VKFF-1160
- Bendick-Murrell NP VKFF-1161
- Berowra Valley NP VKFF-1162
- Bungonia NP VKFF-1163
- Burral Yurrul NP VKFF-1164
- Capertee NP VKFF-1165
- Crooked Creek NP VKFF-1166
- Dharawal NP VKFF-1167
- Everlasting Swamp NP VKFF-1168
- Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) NP VKFF-1169
- Goolawah NP VKFF-1170
- Hobden Hill NP VKFF-1171
- Jimberoo NP VKFF-1172
- Jindalee NP VKFF-1173
- Kemendok NP VKFF-1174
- Keverstone NP VKFF-1175
- Malabar Headland NP VKFF-1176
- Mares Forest NP VKFF-1177
- Murray Valley NP VKFF-1178
- Rocky Glen NP VKFF-1179
- Sappa Bulga NP VKFF-1180
- Serpentine NP VKFF-1181
- SIngle NP VKFF-1182
- Toorale NP VKFF-1183
- Wallabadah NP VKFF-1184
- Watsons Creek VKFF-1185
These parks had not previously been included as they had all been created after 2008 (the year in which the WWFF Directory was initially created).
KML file showing the location of the VK2 parks (as of 31/10/2016)
Use this file to download to either Google Earth or My Google Maps to view the location of qualifying parks in New South Wales.
| vk2_as_of_20161101.kml |
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KMZ file showing the boundaries
| vkff-vk2__1_.kmz |
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974
| nsw_npw_act.pdf |
Pocket guide to NSW National parks
| pocket-guide-2e-v3-introduction.pdf |
Mapping
The SIX Maps service provides access to cadastral and topographic information, satellite data and aerial photography for New South Wales.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has a Facebook page. It can be found at.....
https://www.facebook.com/NSWNationalParks/
https://www.facebook.com/NSWNationalParks/
VK2 SOTA summits located within parks
- Nangar National Park VKFF-0379 - VK2/ CW-043
- Tallaganda State Conservation Are VKFF-1375 - VK2/ ST-009
Some videos on New South Wales National Parks
Info courtesy of:
1. Office of Environment & Heritage, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, www.environment.nsw.gov.au
2. Wikipedia, www.wikipedia.org
1. Office of Environment & Heritage, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, www.environment.nsw.gov.au
2. Wikipedia, www.wikipedia.org