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Environment and Heritage
Environment and Heritage

Murray Darling Depression bioregion

The hot, semi-arid Murray Darling Depression bioregion contains the World Heritage listed Mungo National Park and is rich in Aboriginal history.

 

About the bioregion

The Murray Darling Depression Bioregion lies in the southwest corner of New South Wales and extends into Victoria and South Australia.

This bioregion is in the Western Division of New South Wales and is dominated by a hot semi-arid climate in the north and a warm semi-arid climate in the south and eastern section. Ivanhoe is the major town.

There are a number of nature reserves, including the World Heritage listed Willandra Lakes Region. Mungo and Mallee Cliffs national parks are also in this bioregion.

The bioregion includes the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan, Darling, Barwon, Yanda River and Peacock Creek catchments.

Read Chapter 7, the Murray Darling Depression Bioregion, in Bioregions of New South Wales: Their biodiversity, conservation and history for more information.

Bioregion area

  • 19,958,349 hectares in total
  • 7,949,169 hectares in New South Wales
Map of New South Wales, Australia, highlighting the Murray Darling Depression 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 Murray Darling Depression bioregion

Parks, reserves and conservation areas

This bioregion includes:

  • "A landscape view of the Mungo Lunette, also known as the Walls of China, featuring sand dunes and sparse vegetation under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The unique geological formations and the contrast between the sand and the sky create a striking and picturesque scene.
    Mungo Lunette, Walls of China
    Mungo Lunette, Walls of China
    Image Credit: D Rosendahl/DPE
  • The Walls of China, Mungo National Park
    The Walls of China, Mungo National Park, Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area
    The Walls of China, Mungo National Park, Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area
    Image Credit: Vision House Photography/DPE
  • A solitary bird standing on a patch of dirt, showcasing its natural habitat.
    Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)
    Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)
    Image Credit: M Irvin
  • Bluebush Daisy (Cratystylis conocephala) with dried flowers, showing the plant's distinctive dried flower heads and silvery-green foliage in a natural setting.
    Bluebush daisy (Cratystylis conocephala) with dried flowers
    Bluebush Daisy (Cratystylis conocephala) with dried flowers
    Image Credit: Martin Westbrooke/DPE
  • "Yarran (Acacia melvillei) shrubland in the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression bioregions, featuring dense clusters of yellowish-green trees under a partly cloudy sky with dry, patchy ground.
    Yarran (Acacia melvillei) Shrubland in the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression bioregions
    Yarran (Acacia melvillei) Shrubland in the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression bioregions
    Image Credit: Peter Ewin/DPE
  • Hands carefully picking small red berries from a green, leafy plant in a sandy environment.
    Mungo National Park, Willandra Lakes World Heritage Region
    Mungo National Park, Willandra Lakes World Heritage Region
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DPE
  • The Walls of China, dramatic formations sculpted by wind and erosion, in Mungo National Park
    Mungo National Park, the Walls of China
    Walls of China, Mungo National Park
    Image Credit: Gary Bridle/DPE
  • A landscape view of Mungo National Park in the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Region, featuring a dry, arid terrain with sparse vegetation and a tumbleweed in the foreground. The sun is low in the sky, casting long shadows and creating a warm, golden light over the scene.
    Mungo National Park, Willandra Lakes World Heritage Region
    Mungo National Park, Willandra Lakes World Heritage Region
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DPE

More information