Must-see national parks near Aussie cities

Brisbane, QLD

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Bird enthusiasts, take note: Lamington National Park, a 90-minute drive from Brisbane, is one of the best places to see Australia’s colorful avian residents in the wild. King parrots, crimson rosellas and bowerbirds are among the more than 190 bird species in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Stroll through Lamington’s subtropical rainforests to cascading waterfalls, and keep an eye out for adorable red-necked pademelons along the way. Up for some adventure? Wend your way through the canopy on suspension bridges at the free Tree Top Walk.

Springbrook National Park is another lush beauty near Brisbane, with more rainforest walks and waterfalls. You can also explore glowworm caves, see the famous Natural Bridge formation and hike to Purling Brook Falls Lookout.

And if you’re seeking a little sun, sand and sea, Gheebulum Coonungai (Moreton Island) National Park and Naree Budjong Djara National Park on North Stradbroke Island (‘Straddie’) are just a short ferry ride from Brisbane – both featuring sweeping white-sand beaches.

Where to stay: YHA Brisbane City | YHA Coolangatta | YHA Stradbroke Island

Sydney, NSW

Image: Tourism Australia

You don’t need a car to get a nature fix from Sydney – just hop on a train and head to the beautiful Blue Mountains. Inhale the scent of eucalyptus leaves as you wander along its winding trails, and ogle breathtaking views of sheer sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, deep canyons and fragrant blue-gum forest.

Short on time? The best way to quickly soak up the beauty of this much-loved Aussie wilderness is to soar over the valley on the Scenic Skyway or Cableway at Scenic World. Don’t miss seeing the iconic Three Sisters rock formation from Echo Point lookout, either.

Other easy-to-visit nature areas near Sydney include the Royal National Park, where you can hike along the surf-washed coast to secluded beaches, and Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park (where YHA Pittwater Eco is located), known for its glittering waterways and crowd-free trails.

Where to stay: YHA Blue Mountains | YHA Sydney Central | YHA Sydney Harbour | YHA Pittwater Eco

Adelaide, SA

Image: Tourism Australia

A quick nature jaunt from Adelaide is easy: just head for the hills! The Adelaide Hills are home to two of the state’s most visited conservations areas – just over 20 minutes from the city. Best of all, they’re both easily accessible by public transport.

The first is beautiful Belair National Park. Hiking, biking and birdwatching are among the top things to do here. Follow the Waterfall Hike to discover the park's hidden gems, like tranquil rock pools and the picturesque Echo Tunnel. For a more relaxed experience, sizzle up some snags for a picnic by peaceful Playford Lake, or take a guided tour of Old Government House.

The second, Morialta Conservation Park, is 14 kilometres northeast of Adelaide and easily accessible by bus. Come here for its epic hikes, rock climbing or Instagram-worthy views of towering waterfalls tumbling down sheer checkered granite cliffs. You might even spot koalas, kangaroos and kookaburras.

Where to stay: YHA Adelaide Central

Melbourne, VIC

Image: Visit Victoria

Wilsons Promontory National Park, or ‘The Prom’, is a favorite getaway from Melbourne. Just under a three-hour drive away, this coastal wonderland offers diverse and dramatic topography. Cool off in the crystal-clear waters of Squeaky Beach, hike up the granite crags of Mount Oberon or wander through dense forests on the park’s scenic trails. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some famous Aussie animals in the wild, including kangaroos, emus and wombats.

For more fresh air and forests, head to the enchanting Dandenong Ranges National Park, 35 kilometres from the city, and hike through towering forests of mountain ash. Highlights include Grant's Picnic Ground, with its flocks of colourful parrots, and the panoramic views from Burke’s Lookout.

Located on the famous Great Ocean Road, Great Otway National Park is another top nature getaway, just under three hours from Melbourne (and right next to Apollo Bay). Explore windswept beaches, waterfalls, rainforests and fern-fringed lakes or surf the booming beach breaks at Johanna Beach.

Where to stay: YHA Melbourne Central | YHA Apollo Bay Eco (Great Otway National Park)

Cairns, QLD

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Two of the planet’s richest ecosystems — rainforest and reef — lie an easy day trip away from Cairns. About 100 kilometers north of Cairns, Daintree National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest on Earth. Immerse yourself in the lush greenery, take a guided walk and look for the elusive cassowary. For a truly memorable experience, hop on a river cruise along the Daintree River to see crocodiles and water birds.

And, of course, just off the coast is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, home to the world’s largest coral reef system. Book a day cruise from Cairns for unparalleled snorkelling and diving along the colourful coral gardens.

About 15 minutes from Cairns, you can also glide over beautiful Barron Gorge National Park on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Part of Australia’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, this is an ancient land, where waterfalls plunge into the mist-cloaked gorge below.

Where to stay: YHA Cairns Central

Perth, WA

Image: Tourism Australia

Wetlands, wildlife and ancient caves are the highlights at Yanchep National Park less than an hour away from Perth. Take a relaxing stroll along the Woodland Trail, and keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, koalas and birds. For something different, take a guided tour of Crystal Cave, then cap off your visit with a picnic by the lake.

Even closer to Perth — about a 30-minute drive away — is John Forrest National Park, where you can bike the Railway Reserves Trail, go bushwalking or enjoy a picnic. Winter and spring are the best times to visit, when the park's two waterfalls flow with force, and the wildflowers bloom the brightest. 

Wildflowers are also a highlight at Kalamunda National Park, also only 30 minutes from the city, as is the park’s prolific birdlife. Black cockatoos, Australian ring-neck parrots and galahs are among the many species here. Wander along the Piesse Brook trail and look for echidnas, bandicoots and kangaroos.

Stay nearby: YHA Fremantle Prison

Hobart, TAS

Image: Tourism Australia

Sea cliffs cloaked in mossy green pop against the deep blue sea at South Bruny National Park, on Bruny Island. You can easily access the island via a 20-minute ferry ride from Kettering, about 32 kilometers south of Hobart, and exploring the park is easy via an eco-cruise or on foot through the many nature trails.

Wildlife is a major draw – fur seals, fairy penguins, seabirds, echidnas, wombats and wallabies are among the many critters you can spot here. Plus, you can surf the swells or enjoy breathtaking views from the historic Cape Bruny Lighthouse. 

Dramatic dolomite spires, rock arches and blowholes are highlights at Tasman National Park, about a 90-minute drive southeast of Hobart. Australia’s highest sea cliffs plunge to picturesque bays, and deep caves cut through the rocky cliffs. You can admire some of the beauty on short day walks or the famous multi-day Three Capes Track, or for something more daring, rock climbing and hang-gliding are also popular.

Mt Field National Park, a 90-minute drive from the city, is another top nature escape near Hobart. See the stunning three-tiered Russell Falls or hike through rainforests and alpine moorland. Cross-country skiing is also popular during winter.

Where to stay: YHA Hobart Central 

Darwin, NT

Image: Tourism Australia

Just a 90-minute drive from Darwin, Litchfield National Park offers a great nature-focused day trip from the capital — especially if you can’t squeeze in a visit to Kakadu.

Beautiful waterfalls and magnetic termite mounds are among its most striking features. Take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear pools at Florence Falls and witness the cascading beauty of Wangi Falls.

If you have more time, Kakadu National Park is a must-see. A three-hour drive from Darwin, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is Australia’s largest, and arguably most spectacular areas of wilderness, with diverse wildlife and dynamic landscapes that change in every season. Cruise along the Yellow Water Billabong to spot crocodiles and an array of bird species, marvel at ancient Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie and Ubirr or take a hike through the monsoon forests. Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls are other top attractions in the park.

Where to stay: YHA Darwin

Tip:

First time visiting a national park? If you plan on bringing a vehicle in, you'll usually need to pay an entry fee or purchase a pass from the local state-based parks & wildlife authority. It's generally affordable, but plan ahead and do your research!

Words: K. Hastings

Read next: 9 of Australia's most incredible UNESCO sites