A new guide for NSW national parks
by Rohan Hills

The 2004 Guide to NSW National Parks provides an introduction to the magnificent rainforests, granite gorges, remote beaches and red deserts of the state’s national parks. It’s a great resource for anyone planning a holiday, hiking trip or even a picnic in a nearby park.

This year’s Guide is bigger than ever, featuring 10 new parks and highlighting a total of 203 parks and reserves around New South Wales. Parks making their first appearance this year include Arakwal National Park, created in 2001 as part of an historic Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Arakwal people of Byron Bay, and Coffs Coast Regional Park, formed in October last year to protect 27 km of coastal dune systems north of Coffs Harbour.

Easy-to-read state and regional maps make it simple to find a park or locate parks in a particular area. Each listing details park highlights, access information, available facilities and contact details for the local NPWS office. Icons include barbecues and boat ramps, walking tracks and wheelchair access, providing an at-a-glance overview of what each park has to offer. Detailed camping information includes fees and booking requirements where they apply, and parks that offer bush camping for more experienced walkers.

The Guide may present the broadest array of NSW park descriptions in print, but it’s also an opportunity to learn something about the NSW environment. Information boxes describe the diversity of the state’s rainforests, our natural world heritage places, the relationship between Aboriginal people and landscape and where to find historic sites and lighthouses. There’s also detailed information on how to minimise your impact when you visit national parks and how to stay safe in a variety of environmental settings.

The Guide to NSW National Parks can be picked up free from national parks visitor centres and outlets or can be requested from the National Parks Centre on 1300 361 967. More information on national parks and the activities available in them can be found at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au. (Close the window to return to this article.)

Copies of the Guide have been sent to PAWS members.

Enjoy your National Parks in 2004.

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