Southern Blue Mountains area

Park management activities

Biodiversity conservation

Blue Mountains National Park plays an important role in conserving NSW’s biodiversity by protecting its vulnerable, threatened and endangered plants and animals. Conservation activities such as the Saving Our Species program are carried out in this area of the park. These activities include monitoring the habitats, distribution and population of vulnerable and endangered species like the stuttering frog, yellow bellied glider, spotted-tailed quoll and Klaphake’s sedge. The WildCount animal monitoring program also operates here, using motion-detecting cameras to look at trends in native animal populations.

Managing fire

NSW is one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world due to our climate, weather systems, vegetation and the rugged terrain. NPWS is committed to a program of fire research, fire planning, hazard reduction, tracking weather patterns such as lightning storms, and community alerts. This helps to minimise property risk while also recognising the important role of fires in native plants’ lifecycles.

Historic heritage in our parks and reserves

Preserving the European heritage of the historic Yerranderie precinct is a priority in the southern area of the Blue Mountains. Regular building maintenance is carried out to protect the fabric of the Yerranderie heritage and to ensure visitor safety and important asset conservation.

Managing weeds, pest animals and other threats

Reducing pest species like pigs, goats, deer and wild dogs, is an important part of our work to protect the integrity of wilderness areas, water, and the biodiversity of the Southern Blue Mountains area. The Wombeyan Weed Whackers twice-yearly volunteer program supports removal of introduced species through bush regeneration and weed removal, which helps preserve native animal habitat.

Understanding landscapes and geology

Geo conservation efforts and research play an important role in protecting the World Heritage-listed landscapes and geology of Blue Mountains National Park. Rehabilitation and maintenance works to limit the impact of erosion, pollution and degradation to these ancient landscapes is ongoing. The effects of climate change and visitation is also monitored to preserve the area’s delicate ecosystems.

Developing visitor facilities and experiences

We are committed to developing facilities for the enjoyment and safety of visitors to Blue Mountains National Park, one of Australia’s most visited parks. Visitor feedback and environmental sustainability are important in this eco-certified park. Maintenance and upgrades to roads, tracks, trails, campgrounds and signage are ongoing. We regularly review the park’s recreational opportunities, identifying areas for improvement or addition.

Blue Mountains National Park has achieved Ecotourism Destination Certification through Ecotourism Australia, recognising best practice sustainable tourism and visitation in protected areas.

Report illegal dumping

It's illegal to dump rubbish, household waste, green waste, construction waste, tyres, or vehicles in NSW national parks and reserves. You can help by reporting it anonymously. If you see illegal waste that has been dumped, or is in the process of being dumped, please take a photo and report it through the Report Illegal Dumping online form, or phone 131 555.