Wilderness
The term 'wilderness' has a special meaning under the Wilderness Act. It refers to a large area of land which, together with its native plant and animal communities and the ecosystems of which they are a part, is in an essentially natural state.
Wilderness areas are those lands that have been least modified by modern technological society. They are the most intact and undisturbed expanses of our remaining natural landscapes.
Wilderness areas include:
- vast red deserts and dry sandy riverbeds,
- extensive inland plains
- river valleys and floodout country
- rugged mountains cloaked in tall gum forests,
- misty rainforest gullies
- jagged coastlines
- snow-covered alpine areas.
Wilderness is a scarce and diminishing resource. Only four or five per cent of NSW could still be called wilderness, but less than a half of this has been legally declared as wilderness. Nearly all declared wilderness is within national parks and nature reserves.
Places where you can experience wilderness
You can drive and camp on the edge of wilderness, or enjoy a more adventurous trip. Get a list of all wilderness parks in NSW.
Why do we have wilderness?
Wilderness allows whole ecosystems to evolve with minimal interference. It also has cultural significance for many Australians.
How wilderness is protected
Find out about the process of identifying, declaring and then managing wilderness. See wilderness assessment reports and declarations.