About Parks & Reserves
Biosphere Reserves | Conservation Land Purchase Program | Victoria's Parks & Reserves System
Parks and Reserves were established in Victoria from the 1850s onwards. Victoria's national parks form the foundation of the parks and reserves system. National parks make up most of the land reserved under the National Parks Act. State parks, wilderness parks, marine national parks and marine sanctuaries and other parks are also reserved under the Act. In addition, Victoria has a variety of reserves managed under other legislation, such as metropolitan parks, nature conservation reserves and wildlife reserves which provide important contributions to the total conservation framework.
A key feature of Victoria's parks and reserves is the diversity of ecosystems protected. Victoria is a small state by Australian standards, but Victoria's natural habitats range from alpine to semi-arid, from coastal environments to temperate rainforests and rolling grasslands. This diversity is reflected in Victoria's parks and reserve system where areas have been selected on the basis that all of the State's major ecosystem types are represented and protected.
Victoria's diverse parks and reserves not only contribute to the total Australian National Reserve System but also to a global conservation network with areas within Victoria designated as Ramsar wetlands and Biosphere Reserves.
