New South Wales (NSW) is home to some of the most stunning national parks in Australia, each offering unique landscapes, diverse wildlife, and numerous outdoor activities. Here are some of the best national parks in NSW, along with reasons to visit, fees, campgrounds, and key attractions.
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Blue Mountains National Park
If you want to see towering mountains, lush rainforests, and mouth-opener cliffs, then look no further with Blue Mountains National Park. Just a short ride from Sydney! Thanks to its awe-inspiring valleys paired with large plateaus, walking in its trails feels like a scene in Discovery Channel.
If trails are your kind of adventure, there are plenty of them in this national park. There’s the Grand Canyon walk, Ruined Castle hike, and Katoomba Falls march just to name a few. So if you want to enjoy trail hiking to its fullest, make sure to take a walk in these trails we mentioned. Don’t forget to get your camera’s ready because are surely going to talk a lot of photos along the way.
There are also caves to explore at Blue Mountains too. But we highly suggest to only do cave exploration if you bought proper equipment. Caving may be fun, but they are dangerous, especially if you get lost inside without a map or GPS with you.
There are still plenty of scenery and attractions to enjoy at Blue Mountains but we don’t want to spoil it for you. We highly recommend visiting this national park during the weekends.
Why Visit: Offers a mix of adventure activities like hiking, abseiling, and rock climbing, alongside beautiful lookouts like Echo Point and the Three Sisters.
Fees: $8 per vehicle per day.
Campgrounds: Blackheath Glen, Euroka, and Ingar campgrounds.
What to See: Three Sisters, Scenic World, Wentworth Falls, Jenolan Caves.
Royal National Park
The Royal National Park is touted as the second oldest national park not only in Australia but in the world. It is a national park that is away from the city, just south of Sydney. Two of the best attractions you can find here is the Wedding Cake Rock and Figure Eight Pools.
But beware! The Figure Eight Pools can be a friend or foe sometimes depending on the tide. So do your research first before taking a dip in these pools as the tides can rise occasionally by season. Failing to do so and you’ll find yourself being carried away towards the sea, which is something that you should definitely avoid. Other fun attractions also include the Aboriginal rock carvings where you can admire its majestic beauty and the Audley River where you can rent rowboats at an affordable price.
Why Visit: Ideal for coastal walks, picnics, and spotting native wildlife.
Fees: $12 per vehicle per day.
Campgrounds: North Era, Uloola Falls, and Bonnie Vale campgrounds.
What to See: Figure Eight Pools, Wedding Cake Rock, Wattamolla Beach, Bundeena Drive to Marley Walk.
Kosciuszko National Park
Kosciuszko NP is the largest of the state and home to Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Located in the heart of the snowy mountains, this national park is a must see for nature lovers. In spring, you can admire carpets of wildflowers, go for beautiful bush walks and of course admire the views.
If you are keen to walk to Australia’s highest point, summit of Mount Kosciuszko (2228 metres), you can begin the journey from either Thredbo or Charlotte Pass. Thredbo Pass is 13km return or four to five hours. Charlotte Pass summit walk is 18.6km return (8 hrs return).
Why Visit: Perfect for skiing in winter and hiking, mountain biking, and fishing in summer.
Fees: $17 per vehicle per day (winter), $8 per vehicle per day (summer).
Campgrounds: Thredbo Diggings, Ngarigo, and Island Bend campgrounds.
What to See: Mount Kosciuszko Summit, Yarrangobilly Caves, Thredbo Village, Snowy River.
Mungo National Park
Want to feel like Lara Croft and get your archeological game on? Mungo National Park in the Murray-Riverina region is the place for you. This national park gives you a taste of history. Back in the days, archeologists found cremated human remains in the area. As well as signs where lakes are supposed to be located but are now turned into drylands. Exploring this national park will make you feel like you’re inside a history textbook.
The park itself has a sparkling resemblance to Egypt thanks to its landscapes that are made from sculpted sand and clay. You can also see a lot of kangaroos scattered around the area.
Why Visit: Explore the Walls of China, see ancient footprints, and learn about the park’s cultural significance.
Fees: $8 per vehicle per day.
Campgrounds: Main campground, Belah campground.
What to See: Walls of China, Mungo Lookout, Zanci Homestead, historic shearing shed.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Spanning over 14,928 hectares, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, including dense bushland, scenic coastlines, and tranquil waterways. The park is renowned for its rugged terrain, which features sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, and serene estuaries.
The park is a significant site for Aboriginal heritage, home to over 1,500 recorded Aboriginal sites, including rock engravings, cave art, and middens. These ancient sites offer a glimpse into the cultural history and practices of the Guringai people, the traditional custodians of the land.
Ku-ring-gai Chase’s proximity to Sydney, just 25 kilometers north of the city center, makes it an easily accessible retreat for urban residents and visitors. The park’s rich biodiversity supports a variety of wildlife, including wallabies, echidnas, and an array of bird species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers.
Why Visit: Offers excellent hiking, boating, and picnicking opportunities.
Fees: $12 per vehicle per day.
Campgrounds: The Basin campground.
What to See: West Head Lookout, The Basin, Aboriginal rock art sites, Bobbin Head.
Bouddi National Park
This National Park is located near Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast. Feel the breeze of the sea as you walk through Bouddi National Park’s coastal line. Its rocky coastline produces this picturesque scenery for all your picture-perfect moments, especially during sunset. The national park itself is connected to two beaches namely the Putty and MacMaster’s beach.
We highly recommend going for a walk in this park in the afternoon. This gives you a glimpse of those huge rocks glowing during sunset.
Why Visit: Offers coastal walks, snorkeling, and whale watching.
Fees: $8 per vehicle per day.
Campgrounds: Putty Beach, Little Beach, and Tallow Beach campgrounds.
What to See: Bouddi Coastal Walk, Maitland Bay, Box Head, Gerrin Point Lookout.
Wollemi National Park
The Wollemi National Park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage, which makes it one of the most popular national parks to date. It is located in the northern Blue Mountains and Lower Hunter regions of NSW. In here, you will find plenty of picturesque lookouts and camping sites. The park itself is around 487,000 hectares in size. Making this area best explored with a vehicle.
If you plan to visit this national park, don’t forget to climb on the Pagoda Lookout. Reaching the top gives you a 360-degree view of its entirety that will truly make you gasp in awe. Want to swim? Visit the Ganduddy-Dunns Swamp campground and take a dip. The area in this campground also features a quiet yet lengthy trail, which is perfect for hikers who want to go for a walk and get their much-needed solitude.
Why Visit: outdoor activities, including bushwalking, canyoning, and kayaking.
Fees:There are no entrance fees for Wollemi National Park.
Campgrounds: Dunns Swamp (Ganguddy), Newnes Campground.
What to See: Glow Worm Tunnel, Ganguddy (Dunns Swamp), Pagoda Rock Formations, Historic Ruins of Newnes.
Jervis Bay Marine Park
Located 3 hours south from Sydney, this national park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the state. This amazing national park is a concentration of splendid beaches and hiking trails. You’ll also find a lovely botanical garden, the ruins of the Cape St George Lighthouse, and historic native sites.
As you get there, go directly to Hyams Beach, whitest beach in the world. You will be amazed by the white sand, the crystal clear waters and may even see some dolphins!
Why Visit: Ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife watching, the park is home to abundant marine life and native species like kangaroos and birds. The stunning Hyams Beach, known for its white sand, is a must-see.
Fees: $13 for 2 days
Campgrounds: Green Patch Campground, Bristol Point Campground.
What to See: Hyams Beach, Murrays Beach, Point Perpendicular Lighthouse.
Barrington Tops National Park
Barrington Tops National Park is a stunning natural gem located in the Hunter Valley region. The park is home to ancient Gondwana rainforests, which are World Heritage-listed. These rainforests are incredibly diverse and showcase a range of unique flora and fauna.
The park is blessed with pristine rivers and streams that flow through its landscapes. The rivers, such as the Barrington River and Williams River, are known for their crystal-clear waters, making them ideal for swimming, picnicking, and even freshwater fishing.
One of the standout features of Barrington Tops National Park is its volcanic peaks. The park is part of the Mount Royal Range and boasts several impressive volcanic formations, including Mount Barrington and Mount Royal. These peaks offer breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
The park offers a variety of well-maintained walking trails that cater to different fitness levels. From shorter walks to full-day hikes, you can explore the rainforests, waterfalls, and scenic lookouts while immersing yourself in the tranquility of nature.
Why Visit: Popular for hiking, camping, and birdwatching, the park’s varied terrain provides habitats for numerous wildlife species, including wombats, kangaroos, and lyrebirds.
Fees: There are no entrance fees for Barrington Tops National Park.
Campgrounds: Polblue Campground, Devils Hole Campground.
What to See: Polblue Falls, Gloucester Tops, Blue Gum Loop Trail.
