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Environment and Heritage
Environment and Heritage

Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields bioregion

The Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields bioregion is very arid, with unpredictable rainfall. It is in the far north-western corner of New South Wales.

 

About the bioregion

The Simpson–Strzelecki Dunefields bioregion extends from the southeast of the Northern Territory, through the northeast of South Australia, with small areas in both Queensland and New South Wales.

This bioregion is arid and has a hot, dry desert climate.

There are no declared wilderness areas in the bioregion. However, there are wildlife refuges on some private properties. Lake Pinaroo is listed as an internationally significant wetland under the Ramsar Convention.

Read Chapter 2, the Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields Bioregion, in Bioregions of New South Wales: Their biodiversity, conservation and history for more information.

Bioregion area

  • 27,984,283 hectares in total
  • 1,094,314 hectares in New South Wales
Map of New South Wales, Australia, highlighting the Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields 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 Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields bioregion

Parks, reserves and conservation areas

This bioregion includes:

  • Old windmill, Sturt National Park
    Grounds of Narcowla Cottage, Corner Country, Sturt National Park
    Old windmill, Sturt National Park
    Image Credit: Ingo Oeland
  • View from the Jump Up walking track in Sturt National Park, showing a vast, arid landscape with sparse vegetation and a clear blue sky. A lone tree stands to the left, overlooking the expansive terrain.
    Sturt National Park
    View over channels from Jump Up walking track, Sturt National Park
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DPE
  • A tree with green foliage stands in a dry, arid landscape with sparse vegetation and other trees in the background under a clear blue sky at Sturt National Park.
    Sturt's Tree Walk, Lake Pinaroo and Fort Grey, Sturt National Park
    Sturt's Tree Walk, Lake Pinaroo and Fort Grey, Sturt National Park
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DPE
  • A barren landscape with a prominent dead tree in the foreground. The tree has twisted, leafless branches and stands on dry, cracked soil. In the background, there are more dead trees and a line of green trees further away under a clear blue sky.
    Sturt's Tree Walk, Lake Pinaroo and Fort Grey, Sturt National Park
    Sturt's Tree Walk, Lake Pinaroo and Fort Grey, Sturt National Park
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DPE
  • "A vast, arid landscape with sparse vegetation and a dirt road winding through it. The terrain is mostly flat with some low hills in the background under a clear blue sky.
    Sturt National Park
    Sturt National Park
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DPE
  • A vast, arid landscape under a clear blue sky with the sun shining brightly. The terrain is rugged with sparse vegetation, including small bushes and a few trees. The horizon stretches far into the distance, highlighting the remote and expansive nature of the Jump Up walking track in the northern part of Sturt National Park.
    Jump Up walking track in the northern part of Sturt National Park
    Jump Up walking track in the northern part of Sturt National Park
    Image Credit: J Spencer/DPE

More information