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Among the best issues about Australia is how naturally stunning its panorama is. You could find all the pieces from expansive crimson deserts to wild and untamed jungles to jaw-dropping coastlines to distant wetlands.
In the event you’re a nature lover, you’re going to like Australia!
For these travellers who love the nice open air, our primary journey tip is to go to as most of the greatest nationwide parks in Australia as potential!
We simply love all the pieces about them. The walks, waterfalls, gorges, swimming holes, forests, rivers, wildlife, and tenting.
Aside from the flies and mosquitoes – can anyone please take away these – and getting bogged in Kakadu, which is humorous now, however not a lot on the time.
However there are greater than 500 Nationwide Parks in Australia, so selecting which of them to go to shouldn’t be a simple activity. That can assist you out, we’ve listed our favorite ones beneath!
The Greatest Australian Nationwide Parks
From deserts, to swamps, to tropical islands, be sure you mark these high nationwide parks in Aus in your bucket checklist!
1. Freycinet Nationwide Park – Tasmania
Freycinet Nationwide Park is our favorite vacation spot in Tasmania, and considered one of our high three nationwide parks in Australia. It’s positively our favorite outdoors of mainland Australia.
With loads of beautiful strolling trails, gorgeous seashores, granite peaks, and a seaside persistently rated as one of many world’s greatest, what extra may you ask?
All you want is nice climate like we had and also you’ll be singing its praises like us! On good days, chances are you’ll even see dolphins leaping within the ocean.
Some high issues to do see and do in Freycinet are stroll to Wineglass Bay and Hazards Seaside, Coles Bay, Honeymoon Bay, Pleasant Seashores, and take a scenic flight over Freycinet and Hazards in a seaplane.
2. Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair Nationwide Park – Tasmania
One other nationwide park in Tasmania that’s price trying out is Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair Nationwide Park, dwelling to the craggy Cradle Mountain within the coronary heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Space.
Positioned 165 km northwest of Hobart this Australian Nationwide Park attracts walkers from all around the world and is a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage space.
We didn’t do lots of the walks right here as we had restricted time, however when the children are older we’d love to return and do the well-known Overland Monitor.
The park is understood for its pure magnificence and enjoyable ambiance. Within the aboriginal language, the location is called leeawuleena which implies ‘sleeping water.’ And no more true title may very well be given to this lake.
Whichever path you are taking, you’ll be blessed with gorgeous views of the glistening lake, alpine vistas, and historical mossy forests.
Some well-liked trails are the Dove Lake circuit and the Customer Heart Rainforest Stroll.
3. Wild Rivers Nationwide Park – Tasmania
Not as many individuals go to the west coast of Tassie, however it’s price it.
Operating by means of the center of the Tasmanian wilderness a lot of this park is distant and rugged with dramatic mountain peaks, spectacular gorges, and world-famous rivers.
Our cruise down the Gordon River was a spotlight of our month-long go to to Tasmania.
Some high issues to see and do are go to the waterfalls (Nelson Falls and Hogarth Falls), hike as much as Shock Valley Lookout, King William Saddle, or take the Franklin River Nature Path.
One other well-liked exercise is to take the World Heritage Gordon River Cruise. You’ll want to try the sundown within the city of Strahan (Number one on this checklist of sunsets to not miss in Australia).
4. Wilsons Promontory Nationwide Park – Victoria
Victorians have stored Wilsons Promenade, or The Promenade a secret for too lengthy. We had been blown away by this park and may’t imagine it’s not promoted extra in different Australian states.
It’s essential to ebook method forward because it’s massively well-liked with bushwalkers and campers.
Simply image gorgeous vistas of pink granite boulder mountains, turquoise water, and squeaky-white sand and also you’ll know why.
In the event you love seashores, you’ll love the attractive sands of Squeaky Seaside (well-known for the squeaky noise the sand makes as you stroll on it), Norman Seaside and Sealers Cove. Mount Oberon is price trying out, too!
We beloved our keep at Tidal River Campground the place we had been fortunate sufficient to see wombats!
5. Grampians Nationwide Park – Victoria
Generally known as The Grampians, it’s a rugged mountain vary situated in Western Victoria and is famend for its breathtaking rocky views, wealthy tradition, gorgeous wildflower shows, bush walks, and mountain climbing.
One among our favorite moments – we conquered the summit of the 4km Pinnacle’s stroll with our two younger kiddies, they did so properly.
Another notable websites within the park are Reeds Lookout, Boroka Lookout, and MacKenzie Falls.
You may as well cycle from city to Lake Bellfield and discover the city of Halls Hole. You’ll want to try The Brambuk The Nationwide Park & Cultural Centre and eat and drink at Livefast Way of life Cafe.
6. Nice Otway Nationwide Park – Victoria
Additionally known as The Otways, Nice Otway Nationwide Park is likely one of the hottest stops alongside the Nice Ocean Highway in Victoria.
Immerse your self in an historical land and stroll amongst tall timber and big tree ferns, and uncover stunning waterfalls alongside the way in which.
You’ll want to make a cease at Triplet Falls, look out for wild koalas in Kinnett River, alongside the Gray River Highway, and go to the Cape Otway Lighthouse (the oldest lighthouse in Australia).
In the event you like strolling, the Otway Fly Treetop Stroll is a superb scenic stroll. Melba Gully can be price seeing.
7. Port Campbell Nationwide Park – Victoria
In the event you solely have time to go to one space alongside the Nice Ocean Highway, make it Port Campbell.
That is the place you’ll see one of the best of the GOR and you would spend an entire day simply right here.
Wonderful pure formations over the rugged shoreline with cliff-top tracks, gorges, seaside walks, and tales of shipwrecks to find.
Be sure to go to the long-lasting Twelve Apostles rock formations for sundown or dawn (and miss the loopy lunchtime tour group insanity).
Another websites to see are Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge Arch, The Grotto and The Arch.
8. Mount Kosciuszko Nationwide Park – New South Wales
In the event you’re seeking to climb Australia’s highest peak, you’ll discover it right here in Kosciusko Nationwide Park in NSW.
Simply don’t do what we did and try a part of this stroll with younger youngsters in gown garments and ill-prepared for the freezing windy climate, lol.
Apparently visiting Kosciuszko in the summertime is wonderful because the wildflowers are in bloom. Plus mountain biking is superior.
Since we don’t have lots of mountains within the nation, this can be a distinctive nationwide park in Australia.
And while you’re right here, why not discover The Snowy Mountains area.
If snow sports activities and alpine snowboarding have you ever (sure, you possibly can ski in Australia), then Mount Kosciuszko Nationwide Park is the place to do it.
Mount Kosciuszko is Australia’s highest mountain, and is well-known for its snowboarding and snowboarding runs, Thredbo or Perisher, which open within the winter, and mountain climbing and mountain biking trails in the summertime.
If going up mountains shouldn’t be your factor, how about going underground? Deep within the mountain is the underground Yarrangobilly Caves which have six spectacular caves open to the general public.
Alternatively, head to the decrease snowy and higher Murray rivers the place you possibly can fish, paddle, or swim.
You’ll want to eat at Eagles Nest restaurant (Australia’s highest restaurant) or strive their connoisseur sizzling chocolate.
9. Jervis Bay Nationwide Park – NSW
Jervis Bay is gorgeous.
Usually we’d head to the north coast of NSW from Sydney however on our highway journey round Australia, we headed to the south coast for the primary time and spent 5 days within the Jervis Bay area.
The seashores and coastal walks round listed here are pretty much as good as any in Australia and most of the greatest seashores had been nestled within the Jervis Bay Nationwide Park.
For seaside lovers, try Hyams Seaside and Greensfields Seaside. You’ll want to try the White Sands Stroll and cease for a chew to eat at Hyams Seaside cafe.
10. Booderee Nationwide Park – NSW
Simply while you suppose Jervis Bay is gorgeous, across the nook from Jervis is that this gem of a park known as Booderee.
Extremely popular with the locals due to its unspoiled seashores and nice tenting, however I’m suspecting not well-known across the nation, we’d actually by no means heard of it beforehand.
This area of NSW blew us away. We particularly preferred seeing Murrays Seaside and the Cape St George Lighthouse ruins. You’ll want to try the Scottish Rocks and camp at Greenpatch Seaside.
11. Murramarang Nationwide Park – NSW
Murramarang is 200km south of Sydney and well-known for seeing wild kangaroos hopping about on the seashores.
They even hand around in entrance of your cabins and tent websites like well-trained pets, which was a thrill for our youngsters.
Nice swimming, browsing, and bush strolling right here, plus the cliffs and headland walks are a should. It’s probably the greatest locations to see wild kangaroos in Australia.
When visiting the park, make sure to try Fairly Seaside, Pebbly Seaside, Depot Seaside and Durras Seaside.
You may as well take a scenic stroll from Fairly Seaside to Merry Seaside and keep at Fairly Seaside cabins within the night.
12. Blue Mountains Nationwide Park – NSW
You’ve most likely heard of the Three Sisters within the Blue Mountains, however the Blue Mountains have a depth higher than these spectacular rock formations.
Being so near Sydney, it’s one of the well-liked nationwide parks in Australia.
There are waterfalls and rainforests, all kinds of bushwalking tracks, journey and rejuvenation, unbelievably good native produce, world-class cafes, cosy pubs, and eating places.
It’s a nature lover’s and foodie’s paradise. To not point out there are some historic landmarks and aboriginal bushwalks to take right here, too.
When visiting the park, make sure to hike the Nationwide Cross Path, Grand Canyon Stroll and go to the Echo Level Lookout.
One other high attraction within the nationwide park is The Scenic Railway, which passes most of the most stunning spots.
For individuals who love journey, you possibly can strive abseiling or mountain climbing, and go to the gorgeous Wentworth Falls.
You’ll want to try the small city of Leura.
13. Royal Nationwide Park – NSW
Do you know that the Royal Nationwide Park is Australia’s oldest Nationwide Park and the second oldest on this planet behind Yellowstone?
We didn’t both till a number of years in the past.
Located only one hour south of Sydney, the park’s range is seen in its coastal cliffs, sandy seashores, mountainous sandstone ridges, and deep river valleys.
It’s a scenic park with unimaginable views and nature spots, and provides a breath of contemporary air from the busy metropolis of Sydney.
You’ll want to do the moonwalk and go to Wattamolla Seaside while you go to.
14. Burleigh Head Nationwide Park – Queensland
Burleigh Heads is considered one of our favorite spots on the Gold Coast, and we’re so glad we determined to enterprise into the nationwide park.
It’s a small park however a preferred place for mountain climbing, strolling and jogging as a result of it gives nice views of the ocean and seashores.
The coastal stroll mixed with a part of the rainforest circuit is about 2.5 km up. It’s not tough as each of our younger youngsters walked many of the method.
In the event you’re involved in doing a little coastal walks, then make sure to try the Ocean View Circuit.
Different high sights within the park are Echo Seaside, Tallebudgera Creek, and Tumgun Lookout.
Learn extra useful journey suggestions for the Gold Coast.
15. Noosa Nationwide Park – Queensland
The city of Noosa is a well-liked high-end journey vacation spot on the Sunshine Coast 1.5 hours north of Brisbane with a full of life calendar of occasions and delightful individuals, however for us, the wonder lies within the Nationwide Park that hugs the headland.
It’s one other one of the well-liked parks within the nation with beautiful walks and several other gorgeous seashores.
Some high issues to see and do are stroll the coastal stroll from city to Sunshine Seaside, hike as much as Noosa Hill, and take the monitor to Hell’s Gate.
16. Nice Sandy Nationwide Park – Queensland
This nationwide park in Queensland is split into two sections. The Cooloola part between Noosa Heads within the south and Rainbow Seaside within the north. After which there’s the unimaginable Fraser Island part.
Fraser is the world’s largest sand island and considered one of Queensland’s pure icons. If four wheel drive is your factor, you’ll love Fraser!
It’s additionally an important place to see humpback whales throughout their migration season, as they typically swim near the shoreline.
Some high issues to see and do are to drive alongside the long-lasting 75 Mile Seaside, stopping off at Lake Mackenzie, Eli Creek, the well-known Maheno Shipwreck, The Pinnacles and Rainbow Seaside.
17. Daintree Nationwide Park – Queensland
At 110 million years outdated The Daintree Rainforest pre-dates the Amazon and the dinosaurs.
The Daintree and Cape Tribulation – a headland situated throughout the nationwide park look something however tattered and outdated.
In 1988 it turned a World Heritage Website and it’s the one place on this planet the place two World Heritage areas meet – Daintree Rainforest meets the World Heritage Listed, Nice Barrier Reef.
Some high issues to see and do are take a Dreamtime stroll of the Mossman Gorge, go to Daintree village and Daintree Discovery Centre, and check out spearfishing at Cooya Seaside.
You’ll want to try Cape Tribulation and Cape Kimberley. For scenic views, head as much as Alexandra Lookout and funky off at Mason’s Cafe and swimming gap.
18. Nice Barrier Reef – Queensland
It’s known as a Marine Park however the Nice Barrier Reef is considered one of Australia’s pure icons and World Heritage-listed websites, so I’m including it to my checklist of must-visit nationwide parks in Australia.
Stretching 2,300 km lengthy with over 900 islands, there’s a lot to see and do.
Cairns is the principle gateway to the barrier reef however there are lots of entry factors alongside the Queensland coast from Port Douglas within the north right down to Girl Elliot Island within the south.
In the event you don’t wish to dive, you possibly can go snorkeling or take a glass-bottom boat tour. One among our favourite issues to do on the barrier reef is to take a scenic helicopter flight over the reef, which is one of the simplest ways to see its dimension and enormity.
See excursions of the Nice Barrier Reef right here:
19. Boodjamulla Nationwide Park – Queensland
We expect this Australian Nationwide Park is Queensland’s greatest stored secret, however perhaps not for for much longer.
Boodjamulla (Garden Hill) is discovered alongside the Savannah Method Drive in Outback North Queensland.
It’s one of many final locations to go to earlier than you hit the Northern Territory.
It’s an emerald inexperienced oasis in semi-arid land with a gorgeous gorge, quite a few mountain climbing trails and bush walks, and tenting websites.
Many individuals go to the park for its gorges. A few of our favorite issues to do within the park had been canoeing on the Decrease and Higher Gorge, and strolling as much as the Higher Gorge lookout.
Indarri Falls and Adels Grove had been additionally price visiting. If you wish to go tenting, you possibly can! Simply be sure you ebook forward.
20. Undara Volcanic Nationwide Park – Queensland
Undara was one of the fascinating locations we visited on our highway journey by means of Queensland.
I didn’t even know Australia had a lot volcanic historical past till visiting Undara Lava Tubes.
This park is situated alongside Savannah Method drive heading west from Cairns in North Queensland.
Undara is the aboriginal title for the park which implies ‘great distance’, which presumably refers to the truth that the park has the longest lava tubes on this planet.
The volcanic caves and tubes listed here are greater than 190,000 years outdated, which you’d by no means be capable to inform since they lie below a panorama of dry rainforest and grasses.
A few of the high issues to do within the park are to stroll to the rim of Kalkani Crater, take a sundown tour to identify some wildlife, and naturally, discover the Lava Tubes.
You may as well keep in a railway carriage which is sort of a novel expertise.
21. Whitsunday Islands Nationwide Park – Queensland
Searching for paradise? Then head to this gorgeous Australian Nationwide Park with 74 islands known as The Whitsunday Islands.
These islands are boarded by the Nice Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea halfway alongside the Queensland coast.
In the event you love gorgeous seashores with smooth white sand, island life, and any water sport you possibly can think about, go right here!
In the event you’re a fan of diving and snorkeling with marine life, this is likely one of the greatest locations to do it. You’ll be able to see turtles and manta rays, and perhaps even sharks!
Be sure to go to the world-famous Whitehaven Seaside and Airlie Seaside.
An excellent place to remain within the park is on Daydream Island or Hayman Island Resort, the place you possibly can ebook excursions to go crusing, take a scenic flight, or snorkel at Manta Ray Bay.
Cedar Creek Falls are additionally price trying out.
22. Nitmiluk Nationwide Park – Northern Territory
Beforehand named Katherine Gorge, Nitmiluk is a few 5-hour drive from Darwin within the Northern Territory.
Katherine Gorge is made up of 13 gorges carved by means of historical sandstone by the Katherine River which have nice ceremonial significance to the native Jawoyn individuals, who’re custodians of Nitmiluk Nationwide Park.
Probably the most well-liked issues to do within the nationwide park is to go kayaking down the River Katherine and into Katherine Gorge.
In the event you can stand up early, we extremely suggest taking the dawn cruise in Katherine Gorge. In the event you go at sundown, you is perhaps fortunate to see some fruit bats.
Stroll to Barrawei Lookout for some unimaginable views, and lie again and stargaze while staying at Nitmiluk Caravan Park. Bliss!
23. Kakadu Nationwide Park – Northern Territory
Ahh, the wonders of Kakadu Nationwide Park. Not solely is it Australia’s largest nationwide park and well-known for its crocodile inhabitants, however it’s probably the greatest locations in Australia to see aboriginal rock artwork.
From wetlands to sandstone escarpments, waterfalls, swimming holes, billabongs, rivers, and wildlife – it teems with abundance and an historical mysticism urging you to discover its altering landscapes.
Kakadu would sit in my high three nationwide parks in Australia to this point and is actually one of many high issues to do close to Darwin.
Some high issues to see and do are go to Gunlom Falls, Barramundi Gorge, Twin Falls, and Jim Jim Falls.
You also needs to ensure to study aborigines at Nourlangie Rock Artwork and likewise head as much as the Nourlangie Lookout for sundown.
One other nice sundown viewpoint is on the Nardab Lookout, Ubirr
If you wish to see the saltwater crocs of their pure habitat, contemplate taking a Yellow Water Billabong Cruise.
24. Litchfield Nationwide Park – Northern Territory
Litchfield is simply over an hour’s drive from Darwin, which makes it a simple spot for a day journey or perhaps a weekend getaway from town.
The spotlight of this park is its many stunning waterfalls and swimming holes. A few of the hottest are Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole, Wangi Falls, and Walker Creek.
You may as well see a novel phenomenon right here; magnetic termite mounds. Sure, magnetic! You need to see them to imagine it.
There are some good strolling tracks and biking trails. There are some roads that require a 4WD, however you enter the park with a standard automobile.
25. Karijini Nationwide Park – Western Australia
We spent 5 wonderful days exploring Karijini Nationwide Park and it’s most likely our favorite nationwide park in Australia due to its unimaginable swimming holes.
The park is stuffed with mountain climbing trails and walks, mesmerizing gorges, and swimming holes.
A few of our favorite spots within the park had been Dales Gorge, Kalamina Gorge, Weano Gorge, Knox Gorge, and Hamersley Gorge.
We extremely suggest you do the walks for every of the gorges too, not simply go to the swimming holes.
Put it in your MUST VISIT checklist for Western Australia.
26. Nambung Nationwide Park – Western Australia
Nambung Nationwide Park is a novel desert panorama in Western Australia, only a couple hour’s drive south of Perth on the Coral Coast.
Throughout the park is The Pinnacles Desert, which is essentially the most well-known a part of the park. The desert is surrounded by white sand dunes and coastal plains, in addition to some nice seashores for swimming.
Lake Thetis is one other stunning a part of the park which has a simple boardwalk path round its perimeter.
Subsequent to the lake, you possibly can see stromatolites, that are kind of cave-like formations protruding out of the earth. They’re such a novel website to witness and positively a spotlight of visiting this Aussie nationwide park.
27. Uluru-Kata Tjuta Nationwide Park – Northern Territory
Most individuals all over the world have heard of Ayres Rock. It’s one of the iconic landmarks in Australia and one of the sacred aboriginal websites.
This iconic monument is situated in Uluru-Kata Tjuta Nationwide Park, which might be essentially the most well-known nationwide park in Australia for its desert panorama.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta is dwelling to a number of websites not simply Ayres Rock. The world across the park is teaming with iconic shiny crimson rock formations, numerous crops and flora, and historical aboriginal rock artwork.
You’ll be able to stroll across the base of Ayres Rock, see the domes of Kata Tjuta and really feel the soothing sounds of the desert.
One factor to notice when visiting this park is to remain on the paths always, in any other case, chances are you’ll disturb some desert wildlife equivalent to snakes and scorpions!
28. Purnululu Nationwide Park – Northern Territory
Positioned within the Bungle Bungle vary, within the Kimberley area of Australia, is the gorgeous Purnululu Nationwide Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
It’s well-known for its rock formations, that are these unimaginable beehive-shaped orange and black mountains made with Devonian-age quartz sandstone that rise for 300 meters above the bottom.
In addition to these rocks, you’ll discover loads of waterfalls, mountain climbing trails, some native crops and fauna, and gorgeous views from the cliff tops.
It’s additionally one other fascinating nationwide park with aboriginal roots, courting again 40,000 years. The park has greater than 200 websites with rock artwork or aboriginal burial grounds.
You will want a 4WD automobile to discover this park because the terrain is fairly tough.
Earlier than You Go
So there you will have it, these are one of the best nationwide parks in Australia and as you possibly can see there are such a lot of totally different landscapes and nature spots to take pleasure in.
Whether or not you’re visiting the Western area, Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, and even Tasmania, there’s a lot to see and luxuriate in at these Australian nationwide parks.
Earlier than you go, ensure to obtain maps and all of the related apps as these parks are often distant and haven’t any cell service.
Take nice care when planning your journey and be sure you pack all of the necessities; bug spray, first help kits, loads of water and many others.
And above all, have one of the best time exploring Australia’s nice open air!
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What Nationwide Parks in Australia would you add to this checklist? Tell us within the feedback!
Supply: Breaking Travel News