Need a breather from city life? Take a trip to a national park in Australia! Lucky for you, there are over 500 of them. If you want to admire the best of nature in Australia, add these to your bucket list!
Since there are heaps of national parks in Australia to choose from, we’ve narrowed them down the list to a manageable number (17) for you. Check out the parks to add to your bucket list:
New South Wales
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Kosciuszko National Park
- Royal National Park
Victoria
- Grampians National Park
- Port Campbell National Park
- Christmas Island National Park
Queensland
- Daintree National Park
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Whitsunday Islands National Park
Northern Territory
- Kakadu National Park
- Litchfield National Park
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta
South Australia
- Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
Western Australia
- Kalbarri National Park
- Purnululu National Park
Tasmania
- Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
- Freycinet National Park
New South Wales
1. Blue Mountains National Park
On a Blue Mountains hop-on hop-off bus tour, you can hop on the bus and hop off at any stop you desire! Image credits @scenicworld_aus on Instagram
The World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains is a renowned national park in Australia, which is about an hour away from Sydney. It’s home to dramatic canyons, rock formations, greenery, and the famed Scenic World.
You can explore the Blue Mountains through this hop-on hop-off bus tour, which has optional Scenic World tickets. With your tix, you can try fun experiences such as ropeway, railway, and cableway rides.
2. Kosciuszko National Park
Walks in natural parks are the ultimate laidback nature appreciation. At Kosciuszko National Park, you can add camping, cave exploration, and mountain biking to the mix! Fun fact: it’s also home to the country’s highest mountain Mt. Kosciuszko.
3. Royal National Park
Around an hour to the south of Sydney lies Royal National Park, where you can have some reprieve from the busy city. You can enjoy both water and land activities, from chill barbecues, bushwalking, fishing, and even whale watching!
National parks in Australia are also hotspots for campers. If you’re looking for more camping spots in NSW, check out our top picks of Jervis Bay campsites:
Victoria
4. Grampians National Park
There are two moderately challenging hikes in the Grampians that are a must-try!
The Grampians offers national park staples such as nature and wildlife, but with a few twists. You can also enjoy food, wine, art, culture, and history during your visit. The Grampians Grape Escape, a food and wine festival, is held here annually.
Explore it on the Grampians Hiking Day Tour, where you’ll explore two of its breathtaking lookouts: The Pinnacles and Boroka Lookout. You’ll also visit Mackenzie Falls, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Australia.
5. Port Campbell National Park
Port Campbell National Park is a great stop during your Great Ocean Road drive. Marvel at the mesmerizing coastline, as well as the London Bridge and The Grotto: two iconic rock formations worth seeing in person!
6. Christmas Island National Park
Christmas Island National Park is a haven for ecotourism. Located 1,500 kilometres from the mainland, it’s an amazing place to get away from it all and enjoy the tropical rainforests, the unbelievable sea cliffs, and diverse wildlife.
Looking for more camping spots in Victoria aside from these parks? Check out our top picks:
Queensland
7. Daintree National Park
You’ll find Daintree Rainforest, one of the oldest surviving rainforests in the world, in this national park.
Daintree National Park, also known as Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land or CYPAL, includes the famed Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation. Watch as the river flows over granite boulders in the Gorge, and check out the lush mountains surrounding the beaches of Cape Tribulation!
Discover more of Daintree, specifically Daintree Rainforest, on this afternoon rainforest tour from Cairns! Aside from enjoying the natural landscapes, you’ll also go on a scenic cruise along the Daintree River.
8. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
The Great Barrier Reef is home to thousands of species that make up one of the most complex ecosystems globally.
This national park in Australia is responsible for managing the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, known to be the largest living system in the world. Live the dreams of your inner Nemo fan during your visit to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park!
A great way to explore the famous reef is on this pontoon cruise, where you’ll journey to an exclusive location and dive into waters to see the marine life up close. You can even opt for a 10-minute helicopter flight to see the reef’s beauty from above!
9. Whitsunday Islands National Park
According to geologists, you can’t find the sands of Whitehaven Beach elsewhere! Image credits @jadevoi on Instagram
Also in sunny Queensland is Whitsunday Islands National Park, known for its well-endowed coast with white sand beaches, clear waters, wildlife, and pristine reefs. Every May to September, you can also catch a glimpse of humpback whales.
A unique way to explore Whitsunday is this scenic helicopter flight, where you’ll have an unparalleled vantage point of Heart Reef and Whitsunday Islands. You’ll also have time to hang out at the famous Whitehaven Beach.
Northern Territory
10. Kakadu National Park
This park spans an incredible 19,800 square kilometers! Image credits @suraj_mylife on Instagram
Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia and in the tropical parts of the world. As the home of Aboriginal people for thousands of years, you’ll find plenty of artefacts, like cave paintings and rock carvings along with marvellous archaeological sites.
This full-day tour will better acquaint you with Kakadu, which includes a Yellow Water cruise where thousands of saltwater crocs reside, as well as a tour of Nourlangie Rock Art Sit.
11. Litchfield National Park
Buley Rockhole has plenty of ancient rock pools that are perfect for a good swim!
Litchfield National Park is filled with adventures waiting to happen: clear pools for swimming, impressive waterfalls, and even 4WD tracks. You’ll also find interesting gigantic termite mounds and sandstone pillars.
On the Litchfield National Park day tour from Darwin, you’ll be able to explore all the hidden falls and pools of water, such as Florence Falls, Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls, and Buley Rockhole pools. Bring your swimming attire, because you’ll get the chance to take a dip in the waters!
12. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
The famous red rock formations in Uluru-Kata Tjuta were formed over 600 million years ago. Image credits @hayleegough on Instagram
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, located in the Central Australian desert, boasts two iconic red rock formations: Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Both carry ancient wisdom and diverse flora and fauna, making for spectacular photo op backdrops.
On the Uluru Sunrise and Kata Tjuta half-day tour, you can watch the sun as it rises over the brilliant landscape while warming yourself up with a cup complementary of tea or coffee. You’ll also be able to stroll around the base of Walpa Gorge, a narrow valley famous for its trail.
South Australia
13. Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
The semi-arid climate at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park contributes to its unique landscape dotted with ancient mountains, tree-lined gorges and wildlife. Here you’ll find the gorges of the Heysen Range, Brachina, and Bunyeroo, as well as Wilpena Pound amphitheatre of mountains.
Western Australia
14. Kalbarri National Park
Here, you’ll find an abundance of wildflowers such as kangaroo paws and feather flowers.
Kalbarri National Park is one of the most popular in Western Australia. Its cliffs and gorges that go through red and white sandstone make for scenic surroundings.
The best part of visiting this national park in Western Australia is going on the Kalbarri Skywalk Tour, where you’ll explore the two lookouts that offer unmatched views of Murchison River Gorge and the entire park. It’s something that guests of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy!
15. Purnululu National Park
The World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park is home to one of the most astonishing geological landmarks in the territory: Bungle Bungle Range. Its dome formations are some of the finest cone karst formationsin the world.
Tasmania
16. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
This park is important to a number of Tasmania’s endemic flora and fauna. Image credits @kaitlin__rose__ on Instagram
This national park in Australia covers Cradle Mountain (Tasmania’s fifth highest mountain) and Lake St Clair, all part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a great place to see ancient rainforests, river gorges, snowy peaks, and other wonders of nature.
Explore the park on this guided coach day tour from Launceston, which will show you the best of Cradle Mountain—with some fun little treats sprinkled in between! You’ll even see Ashgrove Cheese Farm and the picturesque town of Sheffield.
17. Freycinet National Park
This national park is full of coves and beaches waiting to be explored. Image credits @zoefleming_ on Instagram
Freycinet National Park is known for Wineglass Bay, which is comprised of a white beach framed by glimmering waters. The land formations along the coast are also diverse, making jaw-dropping views.
Tour the park’s highlights and visit one of the world’s best beaches on this day trip from Launceston! You’ll also see Honeymoon and Sleepy Bay and go on Cape Tourville Lighthouse walk.
Want to add more to you bucket list? How about a visit to the big things in Australia:
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