From rugged mountain scenery to white sands and coastal trails, national parks in Australia are some of the most spectacular and remote wildernesses in the world. Marvel at the unusual species that inhabit these parks, hike lush cliffside trails with jaw-dropping coastal views, or enjoy a night camping in Australia under the stars. These national parks in Australia offer some of the most unique travel experiences in the southern hemisphere. So, whether you’re planning in advance or booking a spontaneous trip, these Australian national parks are well worth a visit.
National parks in Australia: Western Australia
From immense mountain ranges to ancient rock formations, you can find some of the best national parks in Australia in the west. If you’re visiting Western Australia, check out some of these parks.
Nambung National Park
Nambung National Park is roughly just over a 2-hour drive from Perth and around a 15-minute drive from Cervantes town. The area is one of Australia’s most fascinating national parks because of its famous limestone rock formations and varied wildlife. Visitors to Nambung National Park can explore the moonlike terrain covered in natural standing stones that make up the Pinnacles Desert. Some of these rock formations are over 3 billion years old and look out across the Indian Ocean.
You can reach Nambung National Park by road via Route 60, and camping is available at the Nambung Park Station Stay campsite. Camping is also available at the national park’s popular coastal spots, like Kangaroo Point and Hangover Bay. There is also plenty for animal lovers to see, with native species including red kangaroos, dingoes, possums, silver gulls, and snakes.
Purnululu National Park
Purnululu National Park is in north Western Australia, in East Kimberley. The park is accessible by car via Great Northern Highway and has several campsites and lodges where visitors can stay. However, if you’re planning to drive around the park, we suggest you use a four-wheel drive to cover rougher terrain. Purnululu National Park is a World Heritage site and is well known for its incredible landmarks, like the Echidna Chasm and the Bungle Bungle mountain range.
Although it is very remote, the national park is also an excellent spot for experienced hikers, with challenging trails like the Picaninny Gorge. Purnululu National Park is also home to native critters, like wallabies, goannas, striped-face dunnarts, and bats.
National parks in Australia: Northern Territory
For exquisite natural wonders like waterfalls and rock formations, consider visiting Australia’s national parks in the Northern Territory. Some of the best Northern Territory parks are below.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is located around 1 hour 40 minutes drive from Darwin, in Australia’s rugged Northern Territory. Visitors can reach the park by car via Arnhem Highway, and we recommend using a four-wheel drive vehicle to explore some of the park’s rougher trails. Kakadu is famous for its vast waterfalls, such as Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls. If you want to get close to these incredible cascades, you should visit the park in the dry season (May to October), as you can only view the falls from the air during the rains.
The park is also home to a diverse range of species, with wetland areas teeming with life. Kakadu National Park is also within the Alligator Rivers Region, and the wetlands and billabongs flowing through the park are home to freshwater and saltwater crocodiles. You can camp inside Kakadu National Park, but facilities at these sites are limited, so make sure you travel well-prepared.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is home to this famous giant rock formation that was previously known as Ayers Rock. The site had its name changed to Uluru to reflect its traditional Aboriginal roots. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is in the Central Australian Desert, and it’s best to reach it by car via Highway 4.
Visitors cannot camp inside the park, but facilities are available on the outskirts, close to Uluru. You can stay at Curtin Springs campsite or Ayers Rock campsite if you want to see incredible night-time views of this iconic location. Given its desert climate, the area is also one of the best national parks in Australia to see lizards and reptiles in their native habitat.
National parks in Australia: New South Wales
Want to lounge on the beach, strike out on your surfboard or see some famous Australian wildlife? New South Wales has some of the best national parks in Australia.
Royal National Park
Royal National Park is an incredible spot to visit if you’re staying in Sydney and fancy a day trip outside the city. Royal National Park is around a 50-minute drive from Sydney, and you can reach it via the A1 Highway. Spanning a vast coastal area, the park is a great place to visit if you love swimming and surfing. Surfers can catch some waves at Garie Beach, while the park’s eleven other beaches offer plenty of choices if you want a relaxing dip.
The national park charges a small entrance fee, but once you’re inside, you’ll find a range of campsites and accommodation options available. The area is also an excellent spot for hikers, with popular trails like Curra Moors cliffside loop or the more sedate Forest Path. In addition, look out for wildlife, like sugar gliders, wallabies, and koalas.
National parks in Australia: Tasmania
Tasmania is one of the most beautiful islands in the world and is also home to a surprising number of national parks. So if you’re heading to Tasmania, add these parks to your travel list.
Narawntapu National Park
Serious nature enthusiasts should not miss out on a visit to Narawntapu National Park. In Tasmania, Narawntapu Park is known as the Serengeti of Australia because of its abundance of wildlife. Narawntapu Park is on Tasmania’s northern coast, and you can reach it by car via the A7 or Route 1.
The park is home to species like wallabies, quolls, kangaroos, and wombats, and campsites are also available for visitors. Facilities at these sites are well maintained but fairly limited, so bring your own food and essentials.
Tasman National Park
Tasman National Park is on Tasmania’s southeast coast and is roughly just under a 2-hour drive from Hobart. Tasman National Park is an ideal place to visit if you love hiking. The park is home to the Cape Hauy Trailhead hiking route, which offers immense views from the coastline’s jagged cliffs. Further inland, you can hike the Three Capes Track or trek to Thumb’s Point.
Campsites are available inside the park, and the trek around the area takes 3-5 days, making it a great choice for a walking holiday. As well as breathtaking cliffs, the area has plenty of golden beaches you can access from the trails. You might even see penguins, dolphins or seals close to the shore.
National parks in Australia: Queensland
Queensland is home to bustling cities like Brisbane and superb beaches on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. It is also home to some of Australia’s most beautiful national parks.
Daintree National Park
Daintree National Park is in north Queensland, roughly just over a 1-hour drive from Cairns. It’s a World Heritage site and is home to the Daintree Rainforest, making it one of the oldest and most biologically diverse national parks in Australia. The Daintree wetlands are prone to flooding during the wet months (May to October), so it’s wise to avoid visiting during these times. However, if you visit in the dry season, you can cross the Daintree River on the boardwalks and find your way to spectacular hidden beaches along the coast.
Daintree National Park is also a habitat for rare and endangered cassowary birds. Unfortunately, you can’t camp in the park without a permit, but there are campsites and lodges available nearby.
Great Sandy National Park
Beach lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike will love the sandy coast and the rugged heaths and swamps that makeup Great Sandy National Park, Cooloola, in Queensland. The park is around 2 hours 30 minutes drive north of Brisbane via the M1, along the beautiful Sunshine Coast.
Once you get there, you can camp inside the park. The area is a hotspot for rare birdlife, with native species like mangrove honeyeaters, green catbirds, pale-yellow robins, and many more. In addition, hikers will enjoy exploring the Cooloola Great Walk trail, which offers a 5-day hike along the coast.
National parks in Australia: South Australia
Heading south in Australia? These South Australian national parks should be on your travel list.
Nullarbor National Park
Nullabor National Park is around a 9-hour drive from Port Lincoln. Visitors to the park can drive along the coastal Eyre Highway to see the incredible views from the Bunda Cliffs. You can also camp near the cliffside, with free campsites available throughout the park. As well as stretches of remote desert wilderness, the park is also home to unique Australian wildlife, like the hairy-nosed wombat and wild dingoes.
Flinders Chase National Park
If you’re looking for national parks in Australia close to Adelaide, Flinder’s Chase Park is an ideal option. The park is around a 4-hour drive from Adelaide, and you can camp there for about A$ 17.50 ($11,92) per night. The coastal location on Kangaroo Island makes this park a great stay for beach lovers, with natural wonders like the Admirals Arch rock formation accessible via hiking trails. Flinder’s Chase is also home to species like kangaroos, wallabies and koalas.
Ikara-Flinders National Park
Want to see some amazing Indigenous Australian artwork during your Australia trip? The Ikara-Flinders National Park is roughly a 6-hour drive from Adelaide and features ancient rock drawings at the Adnyamathanha site. The park also features stunning forest hikes, like Scree Slope and the Hills Homestead Walk, that are suitable for walkers with a range of abilities. The area is also a haven for yellow-footed wallabies, which you can see throughout the park.
