Overview

The arid landscape of the NSW Far West supports a brilliant array of native species and contains 30,000-year-old Indigenous rock carvings.


Far West region map

Water for the environment

Children playing by the Murray River

98,300km2

Murray and Lower Darling valleys area

The management of environmental water in the Murray and Lower Darling valleys is critical to the ongoing health of a diverse range of ecological communities which include the world’s largest stand of River Red Gum and a 1700km stretch of Australia’s longest river.

Murray and Lower Darling profile

Lachlan wetlands Willandra Creek

98,300km2

Lachlan valley area

The Lachlan River experiences highly variable flows. We work with Lachlan Riverine Working Group to manage the delivery of environmental water when and where conditions allow to provide feeding and breeding habitat for a range of wildlife.

Lachlan Valley profile

Featured threatened species

Common name
Barrier Range Dragon

Scientific name
Ctenophorus mirrityana

Status in NSW
Endangered

Commonwealth status
Not listed

Males are grey or grey-brown with cream to orange spots on the sides of the neck. Females are less colourful. Up to 220mm in total length.


Climate change

Mean temperatures are projected to rise by 2.1 ºC by 2070. The greatest increases are occurring in the north west of the region, around Bourke during summer. All models show there are no declines in mean temperatures across the Far West by 2070.


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Things to do & see

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Smoky Cape Lighthouse

Take a walk around one of NSW's oldest and tallest lighthouses. Photo: D.Finnegan

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New Italy Settlement

The museum highlights the cultural and social contributions made by Italian migrants to the North Coast region. Photo: T.Fletcher

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Cape Byron Lighthouse

Cape Byron Lighthouse sits on Australia’s most easterly point, a shining light over Byron Bay. Photo: J.Spencer

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St Thomas Anglican Church

This historic Anglican church was built by convict labour between 1824 and 1827 when Port Macquarie was a penal settlement. Photo:T.Sullivan

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Yuraygir coastal walk

Hike the multi-day Yuraygir coastal walk on the Clarence Coast. Photo: R.Cleary

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Arakoon National Park

Arakoon National Park offers beachside camping and rocky foreshores with great fishing and beaches. Photo: D.McGerty

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