One of the things I love about travelling is experiencing beautiful, new landscapes. There’s something so therapeutic about nature and living in a big city, it’s great to be able to escape for a day or a weekend.
With more than 500 national parks in Australia, there are lots of opportunities to get away from it all. But you don’t have to travel far to feel like you’re a world away.
We’ve rounded up several national parks we’ve enjoyed over the last two years that are not only beautiful but also easily accessible to visitors. Plus, because our travels have focused primarily on the eastern side of the country, we’ve added a few more parks we hope to cross off our bucket list soon!
11 National Parks in Australia We Love
Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Northern Territory
Our trip to Uluru was one of our favourites over the last year. While there are a few things to consider when planning your visit, we loved hiking, capturing incredible photos of the night sky and watching the sunrise and sunsets each day. AMAZING!
Conway National Park, Queensland
A short drive away from the popular tourist destinations of Airlie Beach lies this national park. Walk through the rainforests, enjoy panoramic views over the Whitsunday area and take a dip under the waterfall at Cedar Creek Falls.
Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales
An easy day trip from Sydney, the Blue Mountains are beautiful at any time of year. In addition to the famous view of The Three Sisters, the World Heritage-listed site features everything from walking trails and camping to canyoning and horseback riding.
Morton Island National Park, Queensland
Catch a ferry from Brisbane and swap city skylines for tall sand dunes and crystal clear lagoons. To add a bit more adventure, head to the Tangalooma area to snorkel the ship wrecks.
Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
Tasmania may be small but it’s packed with scenic places, including this national park on the eastern coast. Most travellers can make the climb to the pass overlooking beautiful Wineglass Bay and the more adventurous can take a three-day trek across the Peninsula.
Whitsunday Islands National Park, Queensland
Easy agreed as home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire country, the Whitsundays are a must-do for tourists and visitors. Hire a boat cruise for a day of snorkeling at the largest coral reef system, take a scenic flight over the islands or just enjoy the peace of its secluded beaches.
Port Campbell National Park, Victoria
One of the most well known scenic drives in the country runs through this protected area. Follow the Great Ocean Road as the landscape changes from sea cliffs to dense forest to open fields and see the famous Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and Grotto rock formations.
Royal National Park, New South Wales
Another short drive from Sydney, this national park is perfect for a beach day picnic. It’s known as a great spot for whale watching and you can also rent boats and kayaks, and go on miles of coastal walks. One walk will take you to the famous Wedding Cake Rock, which is at risk of collapsing into the ocean.
Springbrook National Park, Queensland
Tucked away in the Gold Coast hinterland, south of Brisbane, this national park boasts impressive views and gorgeous waterfalls. Cool off under the forest trees and, if you’re brave enough, take a slide down the rocks and over the falls.
Tasman National Park, Tasmania
Some of the most impressive coastal sites in Tasmania can be found at Tasman. Its dramatic cliffs are among the highest coastal cliffs in the country and several of the main rock formations are easily reachable by car, including Tasman’s Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and The Blowhole.
Daintree National Park, Queensland
Take a step back in time in the lush, tropical rainforests of the Daintree. This area houses the oldest rainforests on the planet and is one of the most diverse in plant and animal life. You can take a tour to see some of Queensland’s crocs and the huge cassowaries.
And now, five more parks for our bucket list!
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Karijini National Park, Western Australia
Mungo National Park, New South Wales
Purnululu National Park, Western Australia
Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory
Have you been to any of these national parks? What’s your favourite from our list? Share your thoughts and picks in the comments.
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