Why national parks matter
NSW national parks not only provide areas for social and recreational use, they also preserve biodiversity, heritage sites and Aboriginal culture.
Our parks
NPWS manages more than 895 national parks and reserves – that’s over 7.6 million hectares. This land area is comprised of a range of habitats, from rainforests and rugged bush to coastal landscapes and outback deserts. Whatever you’re looking for and wherever you are in NSW, you can find national parks which are rich in natural beauty, plant and animal species, geological features and landforms, and natural and cultural heritage sites.
What's special about NSW national parks
Different parks, different purposes
There are more than 895 national parks and reserves in NSW. Find out about the main types of protected areas in NSW.
Developing new parks and reserves
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service manages land to maintain biodiversity across a broad range of ecosystems.
Care for parks
NSW national parks offer a variety of historic, cultural and leisure activities for you to enjoy. Find out about how you can care for our parks during your visit.
The incredible diversity of NSW national parks
NSW offers an enormous diversity of natural environments, such as cave systems, wetlands, rainforests and coastline.
Inspiring landscapes and geology
NSW national parks' karst environments are among the oldest and most complex in the world. The exposed rock, geological features, and decorative caves of NSW's extensive karst systems make up some of the most inspiring landscapes in NSW national parks.
Dark Sky Parks
Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran in central western NSW, is Australia's first Dark Sky Park and the first in the southern hemisphere.
Park management
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) manages protected areas which play a critical role in protecting biodiversity, as well as natural and cultural heritage in parks.
Aboriginal joint management of parks
NSW National Parks is committed to working in collaboration with local Aboriginal groups to manage NSW national parks and reserves.