17 December 2017
The UNESCO World Heritage program documents and preserves sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to humankind. Australia is home to 19 World Heritage Sites, six of which can be found in NSW. Learn more about some of these sites below and start planning a truly unique NSW adventure.
Date Listed: 2000
UNESCO Summary: “The Greater Blue Mountains Area is a deeply incised sandstone tableland that encompasses 1.03 million hectares of eucalypt-dominated landscape just inland from Sydney, Australia’s largest city, in south-eastern Australia. Spread across eight adjacent conservation reserves, it constitutes one of the largest and most intact tracts of protected bushland in Australia.”
Just 60–90 minutes from Sydney, the Greater Blue Mountains Area includes a vast landscape of sandstone plateaus, huge gorges, fertile rivers and lakes, and gigantic cliffs which drop abruptly into silent valleys. The Blue Mountains area takes its name from the blue-ish haze it adopts in warmer weather—an effect caused by thousands of eucalypt trees releasing their oil into the atmosphere.
One significant reason for the Blue Mountains’ World Heritage status is the extraordinary diversity of its native flora and fauna. The area is home to around 1,500 different plant species, 177 of which are threatened and 114 of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The Blue Mountains also houses at least 400 species of vertebrate animals, including roughly a third of the total bird species found in Australia.
This incredible diversity makes the Greater Blue Mountains Area a popular destination among nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. The landscape is criss-crossed by around 140 kilometres of walking tracks, as well as countless opportunities for rock climbing, mountain biking, abseiling and more. Local areas such as Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls also offer a range of comforts, including charming shops, restaurants, and accommodation.
When the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area was recognised by UNESCO in 2000, eight of its national parks were included as protected areas. One of these, Wollemi National Park, contains the only wild specimens of the Wollemi Pine discovered to date. This prehistoric tree was thought to have gone extinct approximately 30 million years ago, but was discovered in Wollemi National Park in 1994.
Another UNESCO-protected area, the Jenolan Caves include approximately 400 (known) caves, 10 of which are open to the public. At around 340 million years old, these are the oldest open caves discovered anywhere in the world. Follow more than 40km of multi-level passages constructed throughout and discover spectacular columns and stalactites, as well as huge chambers with ceilings over 50 metres high.
View from Mount Gower on Lord Howe Island.
UNESCO Summary: “The Lord Howe Island Group is an outstanding example of oceanic islands of volcanic origin containing a unique biota of plants and animals, as well as the world’s most southerly true coral reef. It is an area of spectacular and scenic landscapes encapsulated within a small land area, and provides important breeding grounds for colonies of seabirds as well as significant natural habitat for the conservation of threatened species.”
The Lord Howe Island Group is a collection of 28 islands, islets and rocks situated roughly 600 km east of Port Macquarie, in the Tasman Sea. The largest of these islands is Lord Howe Island itself, a 10km-by-2km landmass formed by volcanic activity some 7 million years ago.
Heritage listed in 1982, the Lord Howe Island Group has been recognised for its endemic species as well as its stunning – and largely untouched – terrain. The islands also sit on the southernmost coral reef in the world which is home to more than 90 species of coral and 500 species of fish. The west coast of Lord Howe Island features a sheltered, sandy coral reef lagoon with excellent snorkelling opportunities, while the island’s south is covered by forested hills which rise to the highest point on the island: Mount Gower.
In most cases, Lord Howe Island can only be reached by air. However, it’s this very isolation that has allowed the region to develop such an impressive range of unique flora and fauna. Several native species have been harmed or even extinguished by introduced animals and plants; for this reason, visitor numbers have been limited to 400 people per night in an effort to reduce the impact of tourism on the island. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance to secure your spot on one of Australia’s hidden gems.
Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island.
Walls Of China at Mungo National Park.
Date Listed: 1981
UNESCO Summary: “The fossil remains of a series of lakes and sand formations that date from the Pleistocene can be found in this region, together with archaeological evidence of human occupation dating from 45–60,000 years ago. It is a unique landmark in the study of human evolution on the Australian continent.”
The Willandra Lakes Region lies 750 km directly west of Sydney, near the NSW border with Mildura, Victoria. This region contains a vast system of dry lake beds which were formed some two million years ago. A traditional meeting place of the Ngiyampaa, Muthi Muthi and Barkindji tribes, researchers believe Aboriginal inhabitation of the area began around 50,000 years ago.
Mungo National Park is a central feature of the Willandra Lakes Region. In 1968, excavations uncovered the cremated remains of a woman near Lake Mungo; at approximately 40,000 years old, ‘Mungo Lady’ is the oldest known example of ritual cremation in the world. In 1974, a male skeleton was discovered less than 500 metres from this site. Dubbed ‘Mungo Man’, these 40,000- to 62,000-year-old remains are the oldest ever discovered in Australia, and one of the earliest examples of Homo sapiens found outside Africa.
Since becoming a World Heritage Site in 1981, Mungo National Park has continued to reveal more fascinating secrets. In 2003, the world’s largest collection of fossilised footprints were found here, showing tracks from a family of five, Olympic-speedhunters, a one-legged man, and others. Also preserved in the park are stone tools, ancient fireplaces, shell middens (discarded shellfish remains), and animal bones. Offering priceless insights into human evolution and Aboriginal history, Mungo National Park is a must-visit attraction for any aspiring archaeologist.
The Outback, Mungo National Park.
UNESCO Summary: “The outstanding geological features displayed around shield volcanic craters and the high number of rare and threatened rainforest species are of international significance for science and conservation.”
About Dorrigo National Park:
The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia comprises 50 separate reserves scattered between Newcastle and Brisbane. With a combined area of 366,500 hectares, this World Heritage Site is the most extensive area of subtropical rainforest in the world. Providing an essential habitat for more than 270 threatened plant and animal species, the Gondwana Rainforests are a priceless feature of eastern Australia’s landscape.
Just 90 minutes from Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo National Park is one of the Gondwana Rainforests’ most beautiful areas. This park is known for its excellent birdwatching, as well as its beautiful waterfall walks and barbecue areas. Start at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre before making your way onto the boardwalk. This 70-metre-long platform brings guests to stunning Skywalk Lookout, where you can take in panoramic views of the Rosewood rainforest basin, the Bellinger Valley and beyond from 21 metres above the rainforest floor.
With so much natural beauty around NSW, there’s plenty more national parks, gardens and stunning beaches to explore right on your doorstep! Check out yTravel’s picks of national parks perfect for your next family holiday, or discover more places to see and look for coastal accommodation.
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