NSW and the federal government closed a deal for Pulgamurtie Station, a 74,000‑hectare tract 235 km northeast of Broken Hill, marking the first time the state’s pink lakes have entered the national park estate.
The lakes give rise to a rare pink hue from microorganisms in the saline waters, and the surrounding wetlands host more than 70 threatened species, including the brolga, pink cockatoo and slender darwin pea, and serve as critical breeding grounds for migratory waterbirds that travel as far as Russia, China and Japan.
The purchase is part of the Australian Bushland Program, which has secured more than 25% of Australia’s landmass, and was facilitated by a joint investment from the NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe and Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt.
Pulgamurtie also contains significant Aboriginal heritage, with stone artefacts, hearths and grinding stones linked to Dreaming songlines; the Malyangapa Native Title Board, represented by Mark Sutton, welcomed the move and pledged collaboration with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The NPWS plans to develop visitor infrastructure, including campsites, day‑use areas and walking trails, but has yet to set an opening date; the station sits on the Silver City Highway, offering future opportunities for birdwatching and scenic drives.
Economic estimates say national parks contribute $433 million annually to Western NSW and support nearly 9,000 jobs; the new protected area is expected to enhance tourism and conservation revenue.