National parks
These are areas protected for their unspoiled landscapes and native plants and animals. They are set aside for conservation and public enjoyment, and usually offer visitor facilities. See a list of all national parks in NSW.
Nature reserves
These are areas of special scientific and conservation interest, set up mainly to protect their native plant and animal communities. Few have visitor facilities. See a list of all nature reserves in NSW.
State conservation areas
These are parks, often containing important natural environments, which have been set aside for conservation, public enjoyment and potential exploration. See a list of all state conservation areas in NSW.
Regional parks
These parks offer open spaces for recreational use and cultural activities. Their environments have often been largely altered since colonisation. See a list of regional parks in NSW.
Marine parks
These are unique and outstanding marine areas, set aside to conserve seawater plants and animals. They're divided into zones that allow different, sustainable levels of commercial and recreational activities. Find out more, and see a list of all marine parks in NSW.
Aquatic reserves
Aquatic reserves have been established to protect biodiversity and provide representative samples of our wonderfully varied marine life and habitats.
Aboriginal areas
These are places that have significance for Aboriginal people, or contain objects of Aboriginal culture. They're managed in accordance with the cultural values of the Aboriginal people whose heritage they belong to. See a list of all Aboriginal areas in NSW.
Historic sites
These are sites of national cultural importance. They include buildings, objects, monuments and landscapes. Historic sites are generally open to visitors. See a list of all historic sites in NSW.
Karst conservation reserves
These are outstanding cave areas that offer unique experiences with their spectacular beauty and stunning surroundings. They include Jenolan, Wombeyan, Abercrombie and Borenore caves.
Community conservation areas
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.
Wilderness
Wilderness is usually an 'overlay' on national parks or reserves. Wilderness areas are large, remote and essentially unchanged by modern human activity. They are managed so that native plant and animal communities are disturbed as little as possible. Find out more, and see a list of parks in NSW that contain wilderness.
World Heritage-listed areas
The globally recognised World Heritage list contains some of the most important examples of natural and cultural heritage in the world. More than 800 precious places are on the list, from the Great Barrier Reef to the pyramids of Egypt. Find out more, and see a list of World Heritage-listed parks in NSW.
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. Find out more, and learn about the Ramsar sites in NSW.
Healthy Parks Healthy People
Let your senses come alive! Breathe in the fresh air and take in the scenery as you explore nature on a bushwalk, jog along an unspoiled beach or tackle a mountain bike trail.
State of the parks
State of the parks reporting provides a snapshot of the condition and management of the NSW park system in a publicly accessible way.
