Nature parks and reserves Nature parks and reserves include
Australia's national parks and other protected areas of land or
sea especially dedicated to the protection of biodiversity and
other natural and cultural resources. Australia has over 1,500
World Heritage Areas, and national and state parks and reserves
which are managed by the Australian Government and each of the
state governments. The area covered extends beyond Australia's
coastline to include marine protected areas up to three nautical
miles out to sea as well as national parks on the Cocos
(Keeling), Christmas and Norfolk Islands. More than 7.8 million
Australians (52%) aged 18 years and over visited a World
Heritage Area, national or state park in the twelve months prior
to March 2004, according to a survey conducted by the ABS. A
similar survey conducted in 2001 and 1998 reported a 54%
attendance rate of Australians visiting these areas. Residents
of the Northern Territory recorded the highest attendance rate
(61%) and South Australians the l