If sun-kissed beaches, mobs of lounging kangaroos and views that are nothing short of jaw-dropping are what draws you to Australia, then this list is for you. After two Covid-filled years, the Land Down Under has fully re-opened its borders and is welcoming travellers with open arms. With 685 national parks filling Australia’s wild and wonderful landscape, it is tricky to choose a favourite. From the spellbinding Great Barrier Reef and immense desert Outback to crystal-clear waterholes and lush rainforests, dive in and explore what we think are some of the best national parks in Australia…
1
Daintree National Park
Wander along wooden boardwalks that wind through rich viridescent vegetation and kaleidoscopes of aquamarine butterflies in Daintree National Park, the oldest rainforest in the world situated on Australia’s northeast coast. Daintree is split into two sections: the lush, waterfall-filled Mossman Gorge, and Cape Tribulation which brims with secluded sandy beaches. The scope for adventure here is huge. Take to the trees on an adrenaline-fueled zip wire adventure for a bird’s-eye-view of the forest below, take a dip in one of the freshwater swimming holes that are dotted throughout the area or embark on a walking tour with a private guide where you can keep your eyes peeled for Bennett’s tree-kangaroos or sweet southern cassowaries. To top it off, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the few places in the world where rainforest meets reef, making it one of our top choices for the best national parks in Australia.
2
Flinders Chase National Park
Kangaroo Island, located off the south coast of Australia, is home to the iconic Flinders Chase National Park. Jam-packed with wacky rock formations and incredible vistas, this national park is one of the most exciting in Australia. For a wildlife kick, visit the Cape du Couedic where you can take a tour to spot the long-nosed fur seal colony sunbathing and playing on rocky outcrops. For geology aficionados, the Remarkable Rocks - a cluster of precariously balanced granite boulders - are reason enough to visit Flinders Chase. Come evening, set your Instagram alight with a snap of the setting sun, framed by the craggy cave structure of Admiral’s Arch, a particular highlight of Flinders Chase National Park. Out of the best national parks in Australia, this is one of the most wonderfully wild.
3
Whitsunday Islands National Park
The glassy waters, icing-sugar beaches and emerald-green islands make this archipelago one of Australia’s most sought-after destinations and the ultimate playground for divers, boaters and anyone with a love of breathtaking vistas. Whitsunday Islands National Park is sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef, making it the perfect place to hop aboard a tour boat and head out in search of idyllic island views. Keep your eyes peeled for green turtles and manta rays gliding effortlessly in the sea below or watch the islands for Proserpine rock-wallabies hopping to and fro in the undergrowth. A highlight of a visit to this national park is a diving or snorkelling trip to the Great Barrier Reef, where you can admire an abundance of marine life in the coral cays and reef systems.
4
Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park
There is one word we would use to describe Uluru and Kata Tjuta – vast. Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer enormity, vivid colour and beautiful peacefulness of these rocks. Situated in Aboriginal land, these incredible landforms are a popular tourist attraction, but one that can’t be missed. Take time to delve into Anangu history at the Cultural Centre, where you can see ancient artifacts and listen to inma (ceremonial songs) being hauntingly chanted, while the wind whistles around Uluru rock. Explore the national park on a Segway tour or on foot with a private guide, before settling down with a refreshing sundowner to watch the fire-tinted sun dip below the rocky horizon.
5
Freycinet National Park
Home to some dramatic pink peaks, expansive white-sand bays and exciting wildlife, Freycinet National Park, on Tasmania, is the ultimate adventure playground. Head out on a guided night tour to spot Tasmanian Devils scrabbling around in the dense scrub and keep your eyes peeled for the short-legged, stubby-tailed wombats that also inhabit this part of Tasmania. While kayaking or beach walking, scan the ocean for the occasional whale tail or a pod of playful dolphins splashing about in the shallows. For one final adrenaline kick, soar above the sea in a helicopter with Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles, where you will get views like no other of the island from above.
6
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is nothing short of a treasure trove, home to mirror-clear waterfall pools, ancient Aboriginal rock art and some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the country. Hop aboard a private boat tour to explore the winding creeks and wildlife-filled wetlands of the Yellow Water Billabong, a landlocked ecosystem teeming with rich flora and fauna, including wandering wild horses and delicately perched egrets and jacana. Back on dry land, spend an afternoon on a circular walking trail, complete with stop offs at ancient Aboriginal shelters, and even climb up to Gunwarddehwardde lookout where you can take in views of the red rock and parakeet-coloured undergrowth as the sun begins to set. Kakadu is undeniably one of the best national parks in Australia.
7
Blue Mountains National Park
The rolling, Quink -tinted slopes of the Blue Mountains are just 40 miles from Sydney city centre, making this the perfect national park to explore when in New South Wales. The masses of eucalyptus trees that line the mountains are what gives them their blueish haze, and they are often flecked with the bright scarlet of crimson rosella parrots perched high in the trees. Ask our Concierge to arrange a wonderfully remote picnic lunch and you’ll feel like a tiny speck on the edge of the world while you overlook the incredible Three Sisters rock formation. Climb aboard the steepest railway in the world for a different view of the mountains and keep an eye out for scuttling tiger quolls and solitary koalas moving effortlessly through the undergrowth. This is by far one of the most scenic adventure spots and is up there with the best national parks in Australia.
Written by Immy Kelly