How wilderness is protected
The Wilderness Act sets out the wilderness process. This involves the identification, declaration and then management of wilderness areas.
Wilderness cannot be declared over freehold or Crown leasehold land, even if it is identified as having wilderness qualities, without the formal written consent of the occupiers. Nor can the NPWS compulsorily acquire land for wilderness or any other purpose.
Identifying wilderness
See how wilderness is assessed, and find how this affects landholders. Download wilderness assessment guidelines (08320waginter.pdf 190KB).
Declaring wilderness
Find out about public consultation and the declaration of wilderness. Download information on wilderness declarations.
Managing wilderness
The NPWS tries to make sure that native plant and animal communities in wilderness areas are disturbed as little as possible. Find out more.
The Dunphy Wilderness Fund
This fund buys private land to expand and protect wilderness areas in NSW. Find out more, and download a donation form.