Yanga National Park

Yanga National Park is a newly formed national park located near the township of Balranald in south-western New South Wales.

It spans over 66,734 hectares, including 1,932 hectares of Yanga Nature Reserve, and has a frontage of 170 kilometres on the Murrumbidgee River. The park is situated in the Lower Murrumbidgee Floodplain, listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia.

Established in 2005, Yanga National Park was named after the Yanga Homestead, built in 1847 by William Wentworth. The park enjoys a semi-arid climate with low rainfall, averaging approximately 320 millimetres annually. It experiences hot summers and cold winters, with temperatures ranging from 4°C to 40°C. The area is classified as warm persistently dry grassland.

The park represents an extraordinary example of ecological patterns resulting from the interaction of the natural flooding cycle of the Murrumbidgee River and land use over more than a century. River Red Gum forests dominate the lowland areas, while the grasslands provide habitat for the vulnerable Superb Parrot. The endangered Southern Bell Frog can also be found in the park.

The Yanga Station, overgrazing, and carp pose significant threats to Yanga National Park. The Yanga Station is home to invasive plant species, and overgrazing leads to soil erosion and the destruction of native fauna habitats.

Managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales, the park focuses on conserving and restoring its natural and cultural heritage. Over $10 million has been invested in eradicating pest animals and plants and enhancing visitor facilities. Visit Yanga National Park to experience the wonders of