More than 74,000 hectares of Far West NSW, including two rare pink lakes, will be added to the state’s protected-area network following the joint purchase of Pulgamurtie Station by the NSW and Australian governments.
Located around 235 kilometres north-east of Broken Hill, the property contains wetlands, sand dunes, open plains and significant habitat for threatened wildlife.
The acquisition will also bring pink lakes into the NSW national parks estate for the first time.
Habitat for More Than 70 Threatened Species
Pulgamurtie contains known or potential habitat for 77 threatened species listed under NSW or Commonwealth legislation, according to NSW Environment.
Species associated with the property include the brolga, pink cockatoo and slender darling pea.
Its interconnected lakes and wetlands support thousands of waterbirds during periods of flooding, while extensive stands of lignum provide feeding and breeding habitat.
The wetlands may also act as an important stopping point for migratory birds moving between internationally significant wetland areas.
Some migratory species using the broader region travel between Australia and countries including China, Japan and Russia.
What Makes the Lakes Pink?
The property contains two saline lakes capable of developing distinctive pink colouring.
The colour is produced by naturally occurring microorganisms, including algae and bacteria, which thrive in highly saline water and generate coloured pigments.
Pink lakes are relatively uncommon in NSW and their appearance can vary depending on water levels, salinity and environmental conditions.
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage to Be Assessed
Pulgamurtie also contains significant Aboriginal cultural heritage.
NSW Environment says the property may form part of the culturally significant Ngatjingulu Yapa – Track of the Two Rainbow Serpents and Koonenberry Range creation songlines.
Stone artefacts, hearths and grinding stones have also been identified across the landscape.
The property falls within a native title claim by the Malyangapa Native Title Claim Group, and NPWS has begun consultation with Traditional Owners about its future management and cultural access.
Tourism Infrastructure Still in Planning Stage
Pulgamurtie sits near the Silver City Highway and is expected eventually to become a new nature-based tourism destination in Far West NSW.
Potential visitor facilities being considered include:
- Camping areas near larger lakes
- Day-use facilities
- Walking trails
- Scenic driving routes
- Birdwatching areas
- Lookouts towards the Koonenberry Range
However, those facilities are not yet confirmed.
NPWS will first undertake ecological and cultural heritage assessments before determining how public access should be managed.
Feral Animal and Weed Control Planned
Initial management work will include ecological surveys, cultural heritage assessments and programs targeting feral animals and invasive weeds.
The work will also help identify priority habitat for threatened species and areas requiring additional protection.
Acquiring important habitat is one of the measures used by NPWS under its broader threatened species strategy. Around 84 per cent of NSW threatened species are represented somewhere within the national parks estate, even though national parks occupy less than 10 per cent of the state.
Joint State and Federal Conservation Purchase
The property was jointly acquired by the NSW and Australian governments through the Australian Bushland Program, which supports strategic purchases of high-priority conservation land.
Pulgamurtie Station had been on the market for around two years and was acquired after failing to reach its reserve at public auction.
NPWS has now purchased five of the 60 properties sold in Far Western NSW during 2024 and 2025, according to the NSW Government.
The government estimates national parks contribute around $433 million annually to the Western NSW economy and support close to 9,000 jobs, although these figures relate to the broader regional parks network rather than Pulgamurtie itself.
The next stage will focus on environmental and cultural surveys before decisions are made on the property’s long-term management and future visitor access.
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