Discover New South Wales' most beautiful national parks

Seeing the wild beauty of Australia’s national parks in different seasons is one of the greatest reasons to visit Down Under – it’s the best way for nature lovers to take in the epic beauty of the region at full scale. More than 19.75 per cent of Australia’s landmass are protected areas and reserves – the populous state of New South Wales alone offers 225 national parks. While barely scratching the surface, here are six outstanding parks you’ll want to put on your radar first.  

Blue Mountains National Park 

Blue Mountains, named for its hazy blue landscape (caused by a proliferation of eucalyptus trees), is one of the most popular – and easily accessible – national parks in Australia. A two-hour train ride west of Sydney, the area is popular for all kinds of outdoor activities suited for both kids and adults. 

Listed as a Unesco World Heritage site in 2000, the vast area of a million hectares covers cliffs, gorges, forests, rivers and lakes, and boasts rich biodiversity. Besides famous sightseeing spots such as the Three Sisters rock formation or Govett’s Leap lookout, the park also offers guided tours for visitors looking for an insider’s understanding of the region. If you’re there to chill out, try wining and dining your way through parts of the park, most notably at Katoomba, the main town in the Upper Mountains. 

Royal National Park 

The Royal National Park is also within easy reach of Sydney, taking one hour by car. Established in 1879, it is the world’s second oldest national park, after Yellowstone in the United States. Activities are plentiful here, with everything from birdwatching to bushwalking and barbecues.  

One of the most famous attractions of the Royal National Park is the Figure Eight Rock Pools. As the name suggests, these pools are shaped in a figure eight when seen from above – carved into the granite rock through time by erosion. The pools are accessible on foot and offer bucket-list-worthy photo opportunities for those who wish to take a dip. It’s advised to visit the pools only during low tide – make sure to check for the local authorities’ wave condition updates , which warn visitors when it’s too hazardous to visit.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park 

It takes just 30 minutes to drive from Sydney to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park . Spanning 15,000 hectares, Ku-ring-gai Chase is ideal for a family-friendly excursion with plenty of opportunities for camping, picnics, bushwalking, as well as seasonal fishing and whale watching.  

The Kalkari Discovery Centre offers a Discovery Trail for visitors to get up close and personal with the wildlife – an easy one-hour walk suitable for both beginners and children. Additionally, the Bobbin Head area makes for a great stop for a picnic, and for water activities such as boating and fishing. 

Dorrigo National Park 

Dorrigo National Park is an hour’s drive from Coffs Harbour on the north coast of New South Wales, yet it feels a world away. The park is part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, offering a mix of primordial forests and breathtaking waterfalls – the larger Gondwana area is also the most extensive area of biodiverse rainforest in this entire geographical region, making it a visual feast for adventurers wanting to spot unique flora and fauna .

Tucked away in the lush forest is the Crystal Shower Falls which dramatically cascade down into a rocky cavern. Visitors can go behind the falls and admire the veil of falling water up close. There are also a great variety of walks of various lengths, fit for different experience and stamina levels. 

Warrumbungle National Park 

Located near Coonabarabran, Warrumbungle National Park is the first internationally recognised dark sky park in Australia with zero light pollution, making it one of the best stargazing spots Down Under – ideal for amateur and seasoned astronomers alike.  

The park also features plentiful volcanic formations and spectacular igneous domes and spires, dotted throughout various trails. Visitors can enjoy bushwalking by day and camping by night under the starriest of skies. 

Mungo National Park

Located in the New South Wales outback, Mungo has a rugged, almost otherworldly landscape of craggy formations and dry riverbeds. This arid stretch of desert land is not only visually arresting, but the area is also rich in Aboriginal history, with culture dating back some 40,000 years.  

Visitors can delve deeper into these ancient stories with the Aboriginal Discovery Tour or join the guided driving tour to the famous Walls of China , a geographical feature that has tremendous indigenous significance, making for an unforgettable — and educational – family-friendly adventure.