Catch the sunrise at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Photo: Tourism Australia
Many wonderful surprises and incredible adventures await at Australia’s national parks. From rugged cliffs to lush rainforests, there are many places with amazing discoveries to satiate your love for the outdoors.
Whether you’re looking to cover some of the best walking tracks in the world or just be in the wilderness, the national parks here certainly won't disappoint.
Best of all, prepare yourself for the unexpected. Want a beach with kangaroos? Check. How about clear sparkling water? Well, you got it.
It’s all about the best that Mother Nature has to offer at the many national parks in Australia. Tag along as we explore some of the green gems throughout the country.
Be mesmerised by beautiful natural wonders Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. — Sean Scott Photography
Prepare to be mesmerised by beautiful natural wonders at this captivating national park. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair is arguably one of Australia’s most beautiful parks and offers scenic vistas. The view of Dove and Crater lakes from atop Cradle Mountain is not to be missed.
The park is easily accessible from Hobart and Launceston. Here’s a money-saving tip, consider taking the Tasmania-bound ferry from Melbourne if domestic airfare doesn’t fit into your budget.
Once you’re at the park, the best way to explore the surrounding is the Overland Track. The six-day trek to Lake St Clair is a challenge, but you will be rewarded with the area's ever-changing scenery. Take it easy and you might even meet some wallabies, wombats and pademelons along the way.
For the adventurous ones, abseil 50m down into Dove Canyon. You can also go horse riding along Speeler Plain while taking in gorgeous views of Cradle Mountain, Barn Bluff and Mount Roland.
When night falls, watch the stars come out from the comfort of a park hut. The Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) illuminate the night sky and can be seen all year round, especially during winter and the spring equinox. The lights aside, the park is an all-round great place for stargazing.
Go on a guided tour to learn about the Aboriginal sites at the Grampians National Park. — Visit Victoria
Situated a short 2.5-hour drive from the bustling city of Melbourne is a park that offers adventure, nature and some great food. If you’re curious about the latter, the Royal Mail Hotel — with its award-winning dining – is located within the park’s lush terrains.
The main agenda would be the great outdoors, and the Grampians does not disappoint on that front. The popular Pinnacle and Mackenzie Falls tracks are worth getting up early for, for an energising morning hike.
There are also many lookouts to explore. One of the most scenic spots is the Boroka Lookout. You can also drive here to take in views of Halls Gap and the valley below, making it a good option for less mobile visitors.
Be sure to discover the rich Aboriginal history and culture too. Many of Victoria's Aboriginal sites are found in the Grampians. These include ancient oven mounds and rock art sites. You can take a guided tour from Halls Gap to learn more about the Aboriginal communities.
Its rich culture aside, the Grampians is famed for its wine scene too. Go on a Grampians winery tour or better yet — hop on a helicopter picnic tour and really take in the magnificent scale of the mountainous landscape.
Remarkable Rocks at the Flinders Chase National Park is an amazing sight. — Exceptional Kangaroo Island
Fine wines and buzzing cityscapes are synonymous with South Australia, but venture further into more rugged terrains and you’ll find the Flinders Chase National Park.
Situated on the beautiful Kangaroo Island (about 4.5 hours away from Adelaide), the park is home to mighty rivers, pristine beaches and historic lighthouses.
Kangaroo Island has great connection options, depending on your budget. Budget-friendly travellers can opt for the ferry that departs from the town of Cape Jervis. If you’d rather travel in style, the airline Regional Express offers twice weekly flights from Adelaide.
The main highlight here would be the amazing rock formations. The most iconic ones are the Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks.
If anything, Remarkable Rocks certainly live up to its name. It’s essentially boulders that are precariously balanced above the sea. Meanwhile, the Admirals Arch is naturally formed by the powerful waves of the Southern Ocean. Fur-seals often play among the rocks.
These spots are great for your Instagram feed. And speaking of Instagram-worthy, drive a safe route on the scenic Cape du Couedic Road. There are many beautiful photo opportunities on the drive.
You can also stay in the heritage lighthouse cottages at Cape de Couedic, which have been beautifully restored with modern facilities.
Glass House Mountains short walks to spectacular lookouts. — Tourism Queensland/Jason Charles Hill Photography
About an hour’s drive from Brisbane are the spectacular peaks of the Glass House Mountains. Here is where one can hike through the mountains or take short walks to spectacular lookouts.
Mount Tibrogargan and Mount Ngungun are open to the public for bushwalking and climbing. Stop at the Glass House Mountains Visitor and Interpretive Centre to learn about local history and attractions.
A must-do here is a visit to the Australia Zoo, founded by Steve Irwin, also known as "The Crocodile Hunter". Get up close to Australian native wildlife like koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils and crocodiles.
While you’re in the region, explore gourmet food as well as boutique accommodations. Glass on Glasshouse is a multi-award-winning collection of three beautiful cottages set in bushland.
There are also a range of bed and breakfast options and small hotels around the gourmet towns of Maleny and Montville.
The latter village offers a quaint and easygoing vibe for a relaxing time. Over at Maleny, visit the Maleny Botanical Gardens and Bird World for a great time with the family.
Sunshine Coast will also thrill shoppers and art lovers with the Eumundi Markets (Wednesday and Saturday) and Noosa Farmers Markets (Sunday morning). Other excellent markets include Peregian Beach Markets, Cotton Tree Markets and the Caloundra Street Fair.
If you’d rather source for your own produce, try your hand at strawberry pickings. Peak seasons are between May and November.
Make sure to also check out the Saltwater Cultural Tour that includes local indigenous storytelling and traditions. The new Aboriginal tour also offers wildlife spotting and bush tucker inspired catering.
The Kalbarri Skywalk offers breathtaking views, even at night. — Tourism Australia
This is arguably one of the most spectacular parks in Western Australia. Located about six hours from Perth, it is home to many unique wildflowers when you visit in season.
You can visit Kalbarri as part of the Indian Ocean Drive on Western Australia’s Coral Coast. Head out of Perth on a five-day adventure with stops at picturesque spots such as Nambung National Park with its famous Pinnacles Desert, enjoy marine adventures in Jurien Bay and explore historic Geraldton.
En route to Kalbarri National Park, make sure you stop at Hutt Lagoon (aka Pink Lake). Kalbarri is teeming with ancient history and you can find traces of first life on land at the park. This rich history also translates to the many wonderful natural attractions in the vicinity.
One of the most iconic is the Nature’s Window. Take the picturesque path to view the stunning rock formation that frames the rugged upstream view of the Murchison River. The attraction also marks the beginning and end of The Loop walking trail.
Just across Nature’s Window is the Kalbarri Skywalk, which offers breathtaking views over the park. The 100m high Skywalk features two cantilevered viewing platforms that extend beyond the rim of the Murchison River Gorge. The culture and stories of the Nanda Traditional Owners are also showcased at the facility.
Kalbarri is also famous for its magnificent cliffs. Take in views from the Eagle Gorge lookout, named after eagles that nest in the gorge.
For more picturesque views, head on to the Z-Bend Lookout and Z-Bend Lookout and the Ross Graham Lookout. The latter is a great place for a picnic.
The magnificent Blue Mountains is made of tall forests, sandstone cliffs, canyons and waterfalls. — David Ireland/Tourism Australia
The magnificent Blue Mountains is made of tall forests, sandstone cliffs, canyons and waterfalls. You will certainly be enchanted by the grand display of nature here.
Head out on one of the many bushwalking trails. Walk the original 1884 horse track from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves on the three-day Six Foot Track, or take the easier 1.8-kilometre Princes Rock Walk to a lookout over Wentworth Falls, Kings Tableland and Mount Solitary.
You can also learn about rich Aboriginal culture on a walking tour with a local Darug guide. For a hop-on hop-off kind of experience, join the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus or Blue Mountains Trolley Tours that visit 29 stops around Leura and Katoomba.
For spectacular vistas, take in the views of the Three Sisters. According to one Aboriginal legend, the pillars were once three beautiful sisters who were turned to stone.
Complete your trip to the Blue Mountains with a visit to Scenic World at Katoomba. The Scenic Railway, the world's steepest incline railway, offers an extraordinary experience! The ride passes through a long tunnel and gorge, ending on the valley floor.
The Field of Lights at Uluru in the Northern Territory is beautiful. — Tourism Australia
Be dazzled by a night sky that is illuminated by glass spheres at this spectacular park. The magical Field of Light brings to mind an ethereal garden in the middle of the outback. The brainchild of artist Bruce Munro covers an area the size of four football fields!
For an enchanting dining experience under the stars, make a reservation at Sounds of Silence. The four-hour culinary experience, with a menu inspired by traditional Australian bush tucker, takes place at a viewing platform overlooking Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
In the daytime, go on a scenic helicopter ride over Uluru, the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta and Lake Amadeus. Be enriched by first-hand Aboriginal cultural experiences by joining the Cave Hill tour, an Aboriginal cultural experience that will provide you with an insight into everyday Aboriginal life, in the heart of the Pitjantjatjara Lands of Central Australia.
After an exciting day, check-in to the luxurious Longitude 131. You'll wake up to views across Uluru at the luxury tents.
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