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Environment and Heritage

Broken Hill Complex bioregion

The Broken Hill Complex bioregion is in the arid far west of New South Wales, spanning the New South Wales-South Australian border.

 

About the bioregion

This bioregion is in the far west of New South Wales and extends into South Australia. It has a hot, dry climate and is in the NSW arid zone.

The eastern part of the Broken Hill Complex Bioregion falls in the Murray-Darling Basin while the Darling River flows just outside the south-eastern boundary of the bioregion.

The bioregion includes parts of the Lake Frome, Lake Victoria, Lake Bancannia, Paroo and Darling River catchments.

Only a small area is under conservation management, with national parks and nature reserves making up most of these conservation management areas.

Read Chapter 4, the Broken Hill Complex Bioregion, in Bioregions of New South Wales: Their biodiversity, conservation and history for more information.

Bioregion area

  • 5,635,422 hectares in total
  • 3,766,741 hectares in New South Wales.
Map of New South Wales, Australia, highlighting the Broken Hill Complex bioregion bioregion in green. The rest of the state is shown in white, with some geographical features like rivers and mountain ranges outlined.

Map showing the Broken Hill Complex bioregion

Parks, reserves and conservation areas

This bioregion includes:

  • An aerial photo of Kinchega woolshed and Kinchega shearers' quarters on a cloudy day. The buildings have green roofs and white walls, surrounded by trees and sandy, winding roads.
    Aerial photo of Kinchega woolshed and Kinchega shearers' quarters
    Aerial photo of Kinchega woolshed and Kinchega shearers' quarters
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DPE
  • Kinchega National Park overlooking the drying Menindee Lakes under the blue sky. The scene features numerous trees with dark trunks and leafless branches. Grass is growing from the dried-out lake bed.
    Kinchega National Park, overlooking Menindee Lakes drying out
    Kinchega National Park, overlooking Menindee Lakes drying out
    Image Credit: Dinitee Haskard/OEH
  • Close-up of a Barrier Range dragon (Ctenophorus mirrityana) sitting on a large rock, viewed from the side as it looks to the left. The lizard has a long tail and features vibrant colors, including shades of brown and orange with intricate patterns on its scales.
    Barrier Range dragon (Ctenophorus mirrityana)
    Barrier Range dragon (Ctenophorus mirrityana)
    Image Credit: Marc Irvin/DPE
  • Menindee Lake in Kinchega National Park, featuring leafless tree trunks and branches emerging from the water. Scattered vegetation is visible in the clear water, which reflects the trees. The sky is blue with a golden haze on the horizon.
    Menindee Lake, Kinchega National Park
    Menindee Lake, Kinchega National Park
    Image Credit: John Spencer/OEH
  • An aerial photo of Mutawintji National Park, featuring vibrant red rocky ranges with no vegetation under a clear sky.
    Aerial photo of Mutawintji National Park
    Aerial photo of Mutawintji National Park
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DPE
  • An Australian emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) standing upright at Mutawintji National Park. The bottom half of the photo is filled with green vegetation, while the top half features a clear light blue sky. The emu is positioned towards the right side of the photo.
    Australian emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), Mutawintji National Park
    Australian emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), Mutawintji National Park
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DPE
  • Homestead Creek picnic area in Mutawintji National Park, featuring large trees and vegetation under a blue sky.
    Homestead Creek picnic area, Mutawintji National Park
    Homestead Creek picnic area, Mutawintji National Park
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DPE

More information