Paroo-Darling National Park

Paroo-Darling National Park is a protected area in Australia located in New South Wales that conserves semi-arid riverine wetlands and outback country. It protects parts of the Paroo catchment and adjoining floodplain habitats that lie within the larger Darling river system.

The park contains extensive ephemeral lakes, channels and floodplain habitats that expand after heavy rains and contract in dry years. These changing waterbodies attract large numbers of waterbirds and make the area significant for birdwatching and ecological research.

The landscape was managed to conserve freshwater wetlands, native vegetation and cultural sites; management has focused on protecting river flows and habitat values as rainfall and land use patterns have changed. The park comprises formerly separate reserves and pastoral lands brought under protected-area management to maintain natural floodplain processes.

The park sits inland in New South Wales in Australia’s interior, on semi-arid plains and river channels rather than near the coast. Access is by unsealed roads from regional towns and conditions vary with season and rainfall.

• Wetland seasonality: Seasonal flooding creates extensive shallow wetlands after significant rains, concentrating waterbirds.
• Wildlife highlight: Important for birdwatching and desert-adapted ecosystems, with large changes between dry and wet years.