No matter when you visit, Australia never runs out of places to explore. This is a country where ancient rainforests sit not far from white-sand beaches, where red desert stretches for miles, and where mountain air feels crisp after a day outdoors.
The best way to experience it all is through Australia's national parks, where the country’s raw beauty feels close, real, and unforgettable. Across the country, you’ll find everything from tropical wetlands and dramatic cliffs to quiet bushland trails filled with native wildlife.
If you’re planning a trip, exploring these protected areas is one of the most rewarding ways to understand Australia beyond its cities. This guide will talk about some of the best Australia national parks that you can explore on your next adventure.
New South Wales
1. Blue Mountains
The UNESCO Heritage-listed Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s natural wonders for a reason: its biodiversity is unmatched. In a single area, you can explore wetlands, grasslands, and forests and still have plenty of areas left to discover.
To see the area from different angles, visit the Blue Mountains Scenic World. Ride the cableway, take the steep railway down into the forest, or follow the walking paths at your own pace. For an easy way to get around the region’s main sights, you can also choose a hop-on hop-off explorer bus.
2. Chinese Garden of Friendship
You don’t have to leave Sydney to enjoy greenery and quiet corners. The Chinese Garden of Friendship offers shaded pathways, koi ponds, and traditional pavilions right in the city.
Stop for dumplings and tea at The Gardens by Lotus while overlooking the water. The garden was built to celebrate Sydney’s sister-city relationship with Guangzhou and adds a historical meaning to its peaceful setting.
3. Lord Howe Island
Photo Credit: Dylan Shaw on Unsplash
Lord Howe Island feels untouched and calm. Clear waters, coral reefs, and forested peaks make it a great place for hiking, snorkeling, and swimming. Even in winter, temperatures average around 19°C or 66°F, so outdoor activities stay comfortable year-round.
Victoria
4. Enchanted Adventure
Enchanted Adventure on Arthur’s Seat is a fun break for families. Kids (and adults) can tackle mazes, rope courses, and zip lines while enjoying views over the Mornington Peninsula.
The Maize Maze changes design each year, keeping things fresh for repeat visitors. Younger children can try Nippers Tree Surfing, where safety comes first, but the fun stays high.
5. Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens
As one of Australia's natural landmarks, the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens is a staple for locals and visitors alike throughout the year. In the summer, it’s one of the best picnic areas. You can keep cool while munching on snacks by the lake. In the winter, admire the twinkling lights illuminating the blooming flowers with the entire fam.
To learn more about Melbourne's ultimate green space, go on an open-air minibus tour aboard The Explorer to see the gardens’ finest sights. Learn about the gardens’ diverse collection of plants from around the world from your expert guide.
Get a different perspective on the gardens when you go on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk. Get an in-depth look at the history of the First Peoples of Australia as you visit important locations in the garden with an Aboriginal guide.
Take it up a notch and combine your trip to the Botanic Gardens with a tour of the Rippon Lea House and Garden Estate. The Melbourne Gardens and Days Gone By Historic Tour visits the city’s most important and well-preserved properties for a comprehensive view of Melbourne’s rich history.
6. Churchill Island
Exchange the bustling city life for a day of seaside relaxation at Churchill Island. Located right off Phillip Island, the island provides a taste of the countryside, encounters with friendly farm animals, and incredible views of the Western Port.
Take the day to enjoy a cup of coffee as you’re watching the waves roll into shore or even take part in the farming activities, like feeding the sheep, milking the cows, and even cracking whips!
7. Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
Paint the town red on a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. It sets itself apart from its Melbourne counterpart with its unique bushland features, which include the Red Sand Garden. Find swirls of scarlet sand creating a stunning landscape before discovering the rest of the lush greenery.
Keep your eyes peeled for fascinating birds like Superb Fairy-wren and the Willie Wagtail that live in the garden. Visiting with the kids? They’ll love the Seek & Find challenge at the garden, where they have to follow different clues and have a keen eye to discover the different plants and wildlife at Cranbourne.
If you just want to enjoy a nice walk in the park, follow the Great Southern Land Walk to admire unique Aussie plants.
8. Cactus Country
There’s no need to travel all the way to the desert to see a cactus! A visit to Cactus Country will do the trick. The garden boasts one of the most impressive collections of cactus plants in Australia.
The unique and funky shapes and sun-soaked scenery are practically made to be captured for Instagram.
9. Mornington Peninsula
Photo Credit: Aenneken on Flickr
Just outside Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula blends coastal views with rolling vineyards. Wine lovers often stop at Montalto Winery or Red Hill Estate.
For coastal walks and ocean views, head to Mornington Peninsula National Park, one of the scenic coastal areas within Australia’s national parks. Walking trails lead past cliffs, beaches, and bushland where kangaroos are often seen.
10. Yarra Valley
Photo Credit: Pat Whelen on Unsplash
Another place to visit for a grand nature escape, Yarra Valley offers several outdoor activities from Melbourne. The valley offers several outdoor activities, like animal encounters at Healesville Sanctuary, a ride through the Dandenong Ranges aboard the Puffing Billy train, and a visit to the Warratina Lavender Farm.
With over 70 wineries, you can take the time to select which vineyards suit your palette. We recommend the Helen & Joey Estate for the booze and views and Rochford Wines for the incredible food.
Hikers can explore Dandenong Ranges National Park for forest trails and waterfall walks. If you prefer a guided day outdoors, you can consider a Grampians hiking tour for convenience.
Queensland
11. Maleny Botanic Gardens
Relax and disconnect when you visit the Maleny Botanic Gardens. Boasting waterfalls, lakes, and ponds, it provides an escape from the bustling city life. With over 6km of pathways, you can follow one of the many trails for a scenic walk and even have a leisurely swim.
For a more laid-back experience, it’s a great place to take the family for a picnic. You can also have a close encounter with the parrots and finches at Bird World. It’s an aviary that’s home to more than 700 birds.
12. Amaze World
Combine impressive natural sights with challenging activities, and what do you get? Amaze Word is one of the most popular family-friendly attractions on the Sunshine Coast for locals and tourists! The area has heaps of activities and games for the entire family to enjoy, like the massive maze and the mini golf course.
After all the fun, you can chill at the cafe and order a nice, hearty burger with a side of fries at the picnic area. There are Indian and Thai options, as well!
13. Hamilton Island
Photo Credit: Vladimir Haltakov on Unsplash
Hamilton Island combines beaches, walking trails, and wildlife. Popular hikes like Passage Peak reward walkers with wide ocean views. Keep an eye out for dolphins and whales during migration season.
14. Kuranda Scenic Railway
When it comes to adventure tours in Australia, you can’t go wrong at Kuranda Scenic Railway. It offers breathtaking vistas of the world's oldest living tropical rainforest, Daintree, as well as views of cascading waterfalls and even encounters with koalas and kangaroos.
Make the most out of your trip and visit Lamington National Park. It’s not far from the Gold Coast. It’s known for its ancient rainforest and treetop walks. You can learn more about the sights, its history, and the wildlife that lives here with a Lamington guided bus tour.
Another favorite is the Springbrook National Park, known for waterfalls and glowworm caves.
15. Bunya Mountains
Photo Credit: Tatters ✾ on Flickr
With over 40 km of walking trails, Bunya Mountains offers some of the best Australian hiking experiences. There’s the Barker Creek Lookout trail for beginners. As you make your way to the top, you’ll pass through picturesque waterfalls, towering bunya pine trees, and a fern-carpeted forest. For advanced hikers, you can follow the Fishers Lookout Circuit Track, which boasts overlooking views of the southern plains, a cattle field, and a lush forest. For the best views, time your hike before sunrise (or sunset) to see the skies in hues of orange and pink.
16. Port Douglas
Photo Credit: Ravini on Pixabay
Looking for a laid-back nature escape? Port Douglas is the place for you. The town serves as the more relaxed neighbor to the thrillseeker-friendly Great Barrier Reef and the action-packed Daintree Rainforest. You can relax and work on your tan at Four Mile Beach, snorkel or dive at Agincourt Reef, or shop at the Sunday Markets. The best part? The weather is pretty mild throughout the year, so you can visit during winter without being bothered by the cold.
17. Cairns
Photo Credit: Paleontour on Flickr
Cairns is known for adventure activities like rafting, bungee jumping, and reef skydiving. It’s also a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest waterfalls.
In the Northern Territory, Kakadu National Park is one of the largest and most well-known Australia national parks. It’s famous for Aboriginal rock art, wetlands filled with birdlife, and dramatic escarpments.
18. The Whitsundays
Photo Credit: eddyduck on Pixabay
It may be less known than the neighboring Great Barrier Reef, but the Whitsundays is among Australia’s natural wonders for a reason. The swirls of white sand, azure waters, and great marine life make it a beach lover’s dream destination.
Plus, it has amazing weather while most of the country is experiencing cold winter temperatures. Snorkel at Daydream Island, swim at Cedar Creek Falls, or just grab a meal at one of the many restaurants on Airlie Beach.
You can even hit two places in one day with a day tour at Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach. You can have a relaxing trip either in the morning or in the afternoon, based on your itinerary. For sure, you can adjust it to visit one more breathtaking location!
Tasmania
19. Freycinet National Park
Aerial view of Wineglass Bay in Freycinet | Photo Credits: Unsplash
Tasmania is home to Freycinet National Park, known for Wineglass Bay and its curved stretch of white sand. It’s one of the standout coastal Australia national parks and a favorite for hikers and photographers.
South Australia
20. Barossa Valley
Photo Credit: Stephen Michael Barnett on Flickr
Come for the world-class wine and dining, and stay for the sweeping countryside views. Barossa Valley is known for its outstanding food scene and cellar doors. Dine at Salters Kitchen Restaurant for thoughtfully paired dishes and local wines. At Fest Essen by Artisans of Barossa, enjoy a long lunch while learning how to match wine with every course.
The region is also teeming with sublime natural beauty, from the serene Barossa Goldfields Walking Trail, where you’ll get a glimpse into the history of the area thanks to views of the old gold mines and tunnels, to the Hale Conservation Park, where you’ll see cascading falls, rocky lookouts, and remnants of the old mines.
Western Australia
21. Lesmurdie Falls
Photo Credit: Leonard S Jacobs on Flickr
Interested in hiking in Perth? Head to the Mundy Regional Park and follow the trail to the Lesmurdie Falls. The park starts from the coastal plains of the Darling Scarp all the way to the waterfalls. No matter the season, you’re guaranteed a nice hike.
In the summer, you can take a relaxing dip in the swimming hole. During spring and winter, you’ll be rewarded with the sight of the water spilling over to the Darling Range Escarpment.
FAQs about nature spots in Australia
1. How many national parks are there in Australia?
Australia has more than 500 national parks across its states and territories. Together, they protect millions of hectares of land and wildlife habitats.
2. What is the most famous national park in Australia?
Kakadu National Park is widely considered the most famous. It’s known for its size, cultural sites, and rich ecosystems.
3. What are the top 10 best national parks?
Popular choices include Kakadu, Freycinet, Blue Mountains, Daintree, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Grampians, Kosciuszko, Karijini, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair, and Lamington. Each offers distinct scenery and outdoor activities.
4. Which is the biggest national park in Australia?
Kakadu National Park is the largest. It covers nearly 20,000 square kilometers in the Northern Territory.
5. What is the #1 most visited national park?
Blue Mountains National Park is one of the most visited. Its easy access from Sydney makes it a top choice for both locals and tourists.
Related Articles
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
✨ Follow us for more deals and inspiration for your upcoming travels
