Australia’s iconic national parks, such as Kakadu, Daintree, and Kosciuszko, will undoubtedly receive attention, but we believe these eleven deserve to be recognized.
Millstream-Chichester, Washington – national parks in Australia
This Pilbara park is the younger sister of the adjacent Karijini National Park. Despite the adjoining vermilion rocks and spinifex, spring water fuels the permanent pools and paper park streams that flow through the rivers. The 1920s Millstream home is a visitor centre, highlighting the area’s activities and Yindjibarndi culture (including ‘Warlu snakes’).
Mirima, Washington
Mirima is a tiny replica of the Bungle Bungle Range, located two kilometers east of Kununurra, a laid-back Kimberley town. Around the Miriwoong people’s dwellings, the ‘hidden valley’ offers various strolling alternatives, from leisure to sweat. There is also a swarm of birds for birdwatchers to enjoy, with species such as the white-feathered rock dove dwelling in the sandstone hills.
Coorong, South Australia
A two-hour trip southeast of Adelaide will take you to Coorong National Park, which is 130 kilometers away. The marshes provide a thriving nesting site for pelicans (the setting for the film Storm Boy) and various other wild species. Ancient shell mounds mark the campsites of the Ngarrindjeri people. Hiking, four-wheel driving, and kayaking are popular park activities.
Ku-ring-gai Chase, New South Wales
A 15,000-hectare park located about 20 kilometers from Sydney’s CBD is surprisingly diverse. Valley after valley of classic Sydney sandstone stretches from the Hawkesbury River to the sea, providing a haven for animals, rock art, and outdoor activities. The Kalkari Discovery Center is a terrific location to start, and nearby Bobbin Head is a peaceful site for a family picnic and dip.
Gundabooka, New South Wales
Mount Gundabooka rises half a kilometer above the surrounding plains, overlooking the Darling River, south of the famed Bourke outback. The Mulgowan Aboriginal Art Site pathway displays Ngemba and Paakandji peoples’ rock art (animal prints and stencils) and hunting implements. Pink macaws can be found in Gundabooka’s woodlands, floodplains, and sand dunes.
Tasmania, Tasman – national parks in Australia
Tasman National Park’s 300-meter-high columned dolerite cliffs and lonely beaches lie across the water from the modern history lesson at Port Arthur in Tassie’s southeast. The Cape Pillar Walk highlights the lovely coastal walking pathways, and it is an excellent way to view the majestic cliffs. The island’s northern tip can be explored by automobile or on a shore trip from Port Arthur to see seals, penguins, dolphins, and whales.
Litchfield, Northern Territory
Check Kakadu? Litchfield, just a few hours’ drive from Darwin, is accessible most of the year and, unlike Kakadu, allows swimming without fear of saltwater crocs. The park’s four beautiful waterfalls, Florence, Wango, Tjaynera, and Surprise Creek, are full of flow all year. One of the numerous reasons for the journey is to see magnetic termite mounds with a perfect north-south alignment.
Lamington, Queensland – national parks in Australia
Skip the Gold Coast’s hustle and bustle in favor of this inland paradise set on a 900-meter-high plateau – a pristine World Heritage Site with Mount Tamborine as your ever-present background. While strolling among the trees around O’Reilly’s Treetop Walkway, 30 meters above the forest floor, come face to face with dense subtropical rainforest and wildlife.
Great Otway National Park, Great Ocean Road, Victoria
Travel via all of the Great Ocean Road’s major cities to reach Cape Otway National Park, which features a rugged coastline, rock formations, beaches, lush woods, and lakes. It’s simple and satisfying to venture off the usual path and climb stunning waterfalls like The Cascades. It is also close to the delicious regional produce in surrounding inland towns.
Limmen, Northern Territory
Limmen, a national park since 2012, is located 305 kilometers southeast of Katherine in the center of a desolate tropical savanna. Its cultural legacy includes indigenous peoples, foreign sailors, Macassan backpackers, European explorers, and pastoral pioneers. The “Lost City” sandstone columns alone are worth the trek. Prepare thoroughly before embarking on this journey and avoid the wet season.
Top 10 most spectacular experiences available in Australia
