Australia is one of the most, if not THE most, beautiful places in the world. With beaches, rainforests, deserts, and rugged bushland, we really have got it going on *snaps for us!*.
With such a diverse landscape, it’s no wonder Australia has some seriously impressive national parks. It’s not just the scenery that is remarkable, though, it’s the history, culture and the weird and wonderful animals that inhabit these places that make it all the more special. You'll find our top picks in each state below, plus some of the best things to do in each park - think best spots to stargaze, best spots for the ultimate picnic and so much more.
Whether you’re after an adrenaline hit, an outback adventure, or just a nice stroll in the bush, we’ve got the list for you!
Here are the best national parks in Australia (and great activities to do while you’re there):
- Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
- Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania
- Grampians National Park, Victoria
- Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria
- Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales
- Great Sandy National Park, Queensland
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory
- Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
- Nambung National Park, Western Australia
- Flinders Chase National Park, South Australia
1. Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
Take a scenic flight over Freycinet National Park
Tasmania’s beauty really knows no bounds and its most famous park, Freycinet National Park, is no exception to this.
Bordering the picturesque Wineglass Bay, whose water is such a tropical shade of blue you’ll forget you’re not that far from Antarctica (until you put your toes in the water!); Freycinet is best for those looking for an isolated escape. Kayaking, rock climbing, birdwatching and photography are just some of the fun activities to do here and you can visit knowing that you will be largely undisturbed due to the sheer size of the park and the spread of the popular sites.
If you want to get a really good sense of the vastness of this spectacular park, we suggest taking it in from above. This aeroplane tour over Freycinet National Park showcases the natural beauty of the area, and finishes with a delicious local seafood lunch.
2. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania is absolutely on the list of Australia’s best national parks. The park offers a huge range of terrains, with alpine mountains and glacial lakes on one end of the spectrum and rainforest on the other. It seems unreal that such different environments can exist in such close proximity, but hey, it’s a great way to see the best of what Australia has to offer and it certainly gives you more bang for your buck!
Cradle Mountain is best accessed from the major city of Launceston, and a day trip is a great option to take in some of the stunning landscapes. When you get to the national park you’ll want to keep your eye out for some of the rarest Aussie fauna that lives there, including Tasmanian devils, platypus, quolls and echidnas, and make sure you’ve got your camera charged so you are ready to capture the stunning native wildflowers including banksias, waratahs and orchids.
3. Grampians National Park, Victoria
Feel like you're on top of the world in Grampians National Park
Have you visited Melbourne on tonnes of occasions but never really ventured out of the city? If you think it might be time to broaden your horizons, there are heaps of day trips from Melbourne to take advantage of. One of these is a visit to Grampians National Park.
The Grampians, as they are affectionately known, has a little bit of everything: hiking trails, wineries, lookouts and waterfalls and cute little Bed and Breakfasts for romantic weekends away.
If you are travelling from Melbourne, you should allow about three hours to get to Halls Gap, a quaint village where you can base yourself before heading off into the wilderness. A trip to Mackenzie Falls will satisfy those who need that insta-perfect shot and there’s even a zoo in the area for a guaranteed look at some wildlife!
If you don’t care to drive yourself around, take a guided tour. You’ll get to see the best of the Grampians without worrying about which turn to take and you can even fit in a cheeky nap on the road trip.
4. Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria
Wilsons Prom is the hidden gem of Australia's national parks
“Wilsons Prom” as the locals call it, is situated at mainland Australia’s southernmost point, and features a unique landscape composed of sand dunes, bushland, and rocky mountain ranges. Wildlife including kangaroos, wombats and emus are easily spotted, and a short swim off the shore at Norman’s Beach will put you smack bang in Victoria’s largest marine national park. A national park within a national park – so meta!
The area is large enough to indulge in challenging overnight hikes but is also an inviting escape for those who would prefer to camp and take light strolls along the hidden beaches or embark on the Big Drift trek through the park’s own piece of desert. It’s one of Australia’s best kept natural secrets!
Take a day trip from Melbourne to Wilson’s Prom; there’ll be hikes in the bush, beach walks, wildlife spotting and so much more.
5. Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales
The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains are a great day trip
One of New South Wales’ most popular scenic spots is the Blue Mountains, where the Three Sisters rise high above the almost impenetrable bushland below. It’s not all challenging terrain, however, as the park provides a wide range of trails (including some that have cement paths) for hikers, casual walkers and those with limited mobility. There is something for everyone in NSW's most popular national park.
After a day of exploring and grabbing that social-worthy photo, stop off at one of the nearby towns of Katoomba or Leura for high tea and some locally made crafts to round off your neat little day trip out of the big smoke.
Jenolan Caves near the Blue Mountains are the perfect post-lockdown activity
If you haven’t visited Jenolan Caves, add this to the itinerary! Both can be done on a fun day trip from Sydney.
6. Great Sandy National Park, Queensland
Great Sandy National Park aka Fraser Island is a must do
You may not have heard of the Great Sandy National Park, but you are probably familiar with the world’s largest sand island that sits within it: Fraser Island.
Fraser Island is something of an untouched paradise and is most famous for its dingo population, which is a protected species in this area. Perfect for friends and family groups who love to camp, Fraser Island is also a great spot for four-wheel driving due to its expanse of rough, sandy terrain i.e. super fun sand dunes! For something a little less bumpy there is a range of diverse landscapes and ecosystems to be discovered on the island, with everything from mangroves and swamps to rockpools and reefs waiting to be explored.
If you live in Australia, Fraser Island, and the Great Sandy National Park should be on your list! To make the trip as easy as possible, book this four day, three night escape that includes all the essentials like the ferry trip there, and even a massage and cheese plate!
7. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory
A visit to Uluru should be on every Aussie's bucket list
The heart and soul of Australia lies in one of its most fascinating and unique national parks – Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory.
This part of Australia is drenched in culture and possesses a truly magical ambience that has to be experienced to fully understand it.
Many different aspects of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park set it aside from other national parks around Australia, including its vibrant red dirt (which will stay with you long after you’ve left– so make sure you don’t wear white shoes!) and the fact that it is home to one of the country’s most iconic sites: Uluru.
If you are the active type, there are loads of treks you can take in the National Park. Near Kata Tjuta (which you may know as “The Olgas”) there is the moderately difficult Valley of the Winds walk, which will take you a few hours to complete. You don’t need to be an accomplished hiker to tick this one off the list, but newbies or first-timers should make sure they are ready for a few steep climbs and some loose rocks underfoot. If you would prefer something a bit flatter and less difficult, the 10 kilometre walk around Uluru lets you get up close to the rock so you can immerse yourself in its aura and take your time to appreciate its profound cultural significance.
Nobody said you have to hike, though! You can just ‘be’ and reflect by the Mutitjulu Waterhole (not far from the main car park at Uluru), zip around the rock on a Segway or stop by the cultural centre for some more info about the area and its traditional owners.
You can't miss sunset at Uluru
Early risers will love seeing the sun hit the red rock (the photo ops are limitless!) and a visit to the Field of Light will give you a thrill you can’t experience elsewhere. Our pick? Don't miss a spectacular sunset at Uluru.
8. Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Kakadu National Park is must do in the NT
The Northern Territory really hit the jackpot when natural beauty was being handed out. In case Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park wasn’t spectacular enough, the NT has also got Kakadu National Park – home to waterfalls, watering holes and the many crocodiles that come with those habitats!
Just kidding. Well, kind of. While a large and diverse range of wildlife does reside within Australia’s largest national park you are totally safe to roam, relax and swim so long as you heed the cautions set out by the rangers, and read the signs. There are some great places for a nice afternoon dip, and there are some places you really should not swim...
Some of the residents of Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is also the keeper of tens of thousands of years’ worth of Indigenous culture, with thousands of depictions of rock art to be found throughout the area.
To get the most out of the park, and feel 100% confident soaking it all in, take a day tour from Darwin so you can have a nice snooze on the way there, explore all day, and enjoy the quiet drive back.
9. Nambung National Park, Western Australia
The Pinnacles are quirky and a super fun day trip with your mates
Nambung National Park in Western Australia is pretty much the closest thing you can get to a Burning Man experience without leaving Australia. Situated about 200 kilometres northwest of Perth, this National Park is home to some super kooky, billions-of-years-old rock formations, called pinnacles, that are dotted around in the aptly named Pinnacle Desert.
What’s even cooler is that this desert meets the sea, so you have the chance to not only spot Aussie land animals like roos and dingoes in the desert section, but you might also be lucky enough to see humpback whales passing by as they migrate for the season.
For more ocean-based beauty, you can check out the protected Jurien Bay Marine Park that sits not far off the shore. You might make friends with some of the sea lions or dolphins that hang out here!
The best time to visit this natural wonderland is September or October, but with Western Australia’s weather being near perfect, you’ll have an incredible time no matter what day you visit.
Why not book an organised day tour from Perth, inclusive of sand boarding in the epic sand dunes? Woohoo!
10. Flinders Chase National Park, South Australia
Cute wildlife spotting in Flinders Chase National Park
You will feel like you are on the edge of the earth with a visit to Flinders Chase National Park. Located on the gourmet paradise that is Kangaroo Island, Flinders Chase is a natural wonderland and sanctuary for some of Australia’s most elusive creatures, including koalas, echidnas, and of course kangaroos. It is also a popular viewing point to spot the whales that will migrate just off the coast mid-year.
When the weather is warmer you can fill your days with hiking and beach trips, and when the mercury dips, you can bunker down and snuggle in, ready to watch the weather roll by from the warmth of your accommodation. Flinders Chase National Park is a must do anytime of year, and is very do-able as a day trip from Adelaide if you’re a bit short on time.
It’s no wonder Australia is considered to be such an exotic location when you can experience rainforests and snow within one national park. So, next time you are considering an overseas trip, why not look closer to home and be a tourist in your own country, or even your own state and get a taste of the natural beauty it has to offer.
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