Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area © Tourism Australia
The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area
Our mission is to help protect, conserve, and advocate for,
the natural environment of the Greater Blue Mountains.
What are we celebrating in 2025?

Useful links about
World Heritage

★ The UNESCO entry for The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

★ We are collaborating with the World Heritage Institute to celebrate 25 years.

★ World Heritage Advisory Committees - here

★ Experience the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area in pictures here.

★ NSW Government Department of Environment and Heritage - here

★ Australian Government - World Heritage places - Blue Mountains - here.

The year 2025 is the 25th anniversary of the inscription of the Greater Blue Mountains Area on the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage List.

So, what is world heritage and why is it important?

There are 1223 World Heritage listed properties across the world. Countries are encouraged to identify and protect cultural and natural heritage considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. The international treaty called the “Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage” was adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

World Heritage Areas must represent outstanding examples of cultural or natural heritage. The characteristics of the property that led to the area being placed on the World Heritage List are called “Outstanding Universal Value” or OUV for short.

World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of where they are located. These places are recognized by the global community as having irreplaceable significance needing protection for future generations to enjoy.

However, if we are not careful, we can begin to take these places for granted – most of these places are ancient, natural wonders and we imagine that they will always be just the way they were when first inscribed.

What are Government’s responsibilities to World Heritage Areas?
Black Cockatoo © Sue Wildman Black Cockatoo © Sue Wildman

The Government has a responsibility to ensure that the area is protected against loss of its "Outstanding Universal Value" from threats including:

The Government has a responsibility to take action to prevent the loss of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property. They also are required to provide educational and information programs to strengthen the public’s appreciation of the Convention and to keep the public informed of the dangers threatening the heritage, and any actions taken to protect it.

World Heritage Areas will be here for future generations only if we take the time to understand them, connect with them and protect them - a key focus of the Society.

What can you do to help preserve the The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area?

You can help by:



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© 2025  Blue Mountains Conservation Society Inc.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land
– the Darug and Gundungurra people –
and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.
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