Places, objects and knowledge we have inherited from past generations make up our heritage. We can use it, learn from it and pass it on to future generations.

NSW has a diverse range of heritage sites including buildings, collections, gardens, military fortifications, landscapes, shipwrecks and more.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is dedicated to conserving and rejuvenating these sites while maintaining their value as heritage sites.

We highly recommend you visit the many heritage sites in NSW national parks. The most popular sites include Hill End Historic Site, Yerranderie Private Town, Hartley Historic Site and Fort Denison.

Physical evidence of Aboriginal history has been found through Aboriginal artefacts such as rock art and stone artefacts. Aboriginal culture is not only found in historic artefacts – it's very much alive today in NSW.

Aboriginal people have a deep cultural knowledge of their local Country, and the plants, animals and environments that exist within it. This knowledge has been passed down through storytelling for thousands of years.

Aboriginal culture is the result of many thousands of years of shared knowledge and experience. It is regarded as the world's oldest continuous living culture, and as such, is incredibly special and unique.

Acknowledging, respecting and protecting this culture will help to better manage the health of our local environment, as well as preserve it for future generations.

NPWS recognises that Aboriginal people are the traditional custodians of their culture and Country. NPWS staff work with Aboriginal communities to manage national park lands most effectively, by:

• employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work in national parks

• partnering with Aboriginal people to undertake cultural burning as a land management practice

• working alongside Aboriginal people to educate the broader community about Aboriginal culture and heritage through talks, tours and school programs.

Aboriginal people have been living in Australia for thousands of years. Aboriginal people are part of the land and the land is part of them.

All parts of Aboriginal culture are linked to the land and waterways – from daily life to special ceremonies.

The land provides a spiritual connection, a place to live and everything we need to survive including food, water, clothing, shelter and medicine.

For Aboriginal people, 'Country' is much more than a place. Country includes all living and non-living things, and Country is respected and protected. Country also includes family, culture and identity for Aboriginal people.

The way that Aboriginal people manage the land of Australia is guided by customs and traditions.

Land management is done in such a way that Aboriginal people can live off the land while respecting and protecting the environment. Only by drawing on thousands of years of traditional knowledge, and passing it on, is this possible.

This includes knowledge of soil types in an area, its geology and the plants and animals living there. They also know the breeding times of animals and the flowering times of plants, among other 'signals' of the land.