National parks
Must do
National Parks
With close to 900 national parks, forests and reserves, NSW has the most diverse nature experiences in Australia. There are rainforests, marine parks, outback landscapes, mountains, islands and World-heritage listed areas.
With close to 900 national parks, forests and reserves, NSW has the most diverse nature experiences in Australia. There are rainforests, marine parks, outback landscapes, mountains, islands and World-heritage listed areas.
Key places to go
There are many extraordinary features that make nature experiences in New South Wales truly remarkable, from a vast and shimmering lake system, The Great Lakes, holding more water than Sydney Harbour; the highest mountain in mainland Australia, Mount Kosciuszko part of Kosciuszko National Park to the world's oldest known ceremonial burial site in Mungo National Park.
Lord Howe Island is one of just four island groups in the world possessing World Heritage status. It is distinguished by remarkable volcanic geology, exceptional ecosystems, a rare collection of plants, birds and marine life and the world's southernmost coral reef. Dorrigo National Park in the state's north (part of Gondwana Rainforest Reserves of Australia, selected as World Heritage sites for their exceptional biodiversity or rarity) offers wondrous waterfalls. National parks around Nimbin in the State's far north, including Nightcap National Park and Mebbin National Park, enjoy high rainfall and spectacular waterfalls.
A recent addition to the National Parks stable is Capertee National Park, about 50km north of Lithgow, a popular stop for visitors heading to Country NSW. Capertee is a breeding and feeding site for the nationally endangered regent honeyeater, a distinctive black-and-yellow bird with a sturdy, curved bill. Other great parks include Mutawintji National Park, with its ancient Aboriginal rock art and engravings, the Blue Mountains National Park, featuring the stunning Three Sisters, and Sydney's Royal National Park, Australia's oldest national park.
For more information about national parks, activities and events visit the Wild Wild World website.
Sands of Time
Although six times bigger in volume and four times bigger in area than Sydney Harbour, Jervis Bay remains a hidden treasure. Its beautiful beaches include Hyams Beach, which has the whitest sand in the world, according to Guinness World Records.
Loop the loop
Enjoy the tranquility of scenic loop roads, stopping for a walk
through forests dappled with sunlight or an invigorating swim in a creek
fed by waterfalls. Rainforest Way is a series of drives through World Heritage-listed rainforests and national parks in northern NSW.
Thar she blows
A day trip to Kiama’s Blowhole offers a chance to admire one of nature’s most endearing oddities. Gasp with awe as the ocean forces a fountain of spray through the rock shelf, the noise as dramatic as the tower of water.
A day trip to Kiama’s Blowhole offers a chance to admire one of nature’s most endearing oddities. Gasp with awe as the ocean forces a fountain of spray through the rock shelf, the noise as dramatic as the tower of water.
Shelf life
In the summer months, take a guided walk along the rock shelf near Ulladulla. It once formed the coast of the supercontinent Gondwana, and fossils dating back 296 million years to the Permean period can be found there.
In the summer months, take a guided walk along the rock shelf near Ulladulla. It once formed the coast of the supercontinent Gondwana, and fossils dating back 296 million years to the Permean period can be found there.
Star performers
For an unbeatable view of the night sky, head to the Siding Spring Observatory in the Warrumbungle National Park, where clear weather, little ambient light and low humidity create the best conditions in the country for star-gazing
For an unbeatable view of the night sky, head to the Siding Spring Observatory in the Warrumbungle National Park, where clear weather, little ambient light and low humidity create the best conditions in the country for star-gazing
Scrub it
The Pilliga Scrubland west of Dubbo constitutes the largest semi-arid woodland in NSW. The landscape is as eerie as it is intriguing, with hot artesian bores and salt caves scattered throughout the ghostly, spindly forest.
The Pilliga Scrubland west of Dubbo constitutes the largest semi-arid woodland in NSW. The landscape is as eerie as it is intriguing, with hot artesian bores and salt caves scattered throughout the ghostly, spindly forest.
Into the blue
To witness Australia’s flora at its most magnificent, head to The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mt Tomah, the premier cool-climate botanic garden in Australia with over 5,000 species from all around the world.
To witness Australia’s flora at its most magnificent, head to The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mt Tomah, the premier cool-climate botanic garden in Australia with over 5,000 species from all around the world.
Solid rocks
It may be officially called Sawn Rocks but this spectacular natural feature in the Mount Kaputar National Park near Narrabri is more reminiscent of a massive set of towering cathedral organ pipes and a reminder of the park’s volcanic past.
It may be officially called Sawn Rocks but this spectacular natural feature in the Mount Kaputar National Park near Narrabri is more reminiscent of a massive set of towering cathedral organ pipes and a reminder of the park’s volcanic past.
Don't miss things to do
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Port Stephens Adventure- Dolphins, Shark Feed, Four Wheel Drive Sand Dune Safari Port Stephens Area, North Coast, Surrounds A full day of adventure in Port Stephens. A dolphin watch cruise in the pristine waters, with a 99 per cent success rate of spotting the bottle-nose d...
www.gonewalkaboutsafaris.- Additional Information
- Full Day.
- View details
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Historic Walks of Windsor
Sydney North, Sydney, Windsor
A two hour walk around Historic Windsor. Windsor, in the Historic
Hawkesbury, was the third area settled in Australia's history. Walk in
the steps...
www.hstours.com.au- Additional Information
- Half Day or less.
- View details
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The North Shore Skimmer Trike Tour
Inner Sydney, Sydney, Surrounds
The main attraction of this ride are the beautiful beaches not far
from Sydney city. They pick you up in Manly. They show you famous Manly
Beach, the ...
www.trolltours.com.au- Additional Information
- Half Day or less, Tailored.
- View details
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Quad Biking
Jindabyne Area, Snowy Mountains, Jindabyne
Getting astride one of Snowy Wilderness' 500cc top of the range Quad
Bikes is exciting and is guaranteed to get your adrenalin running. The
majes...
www.snowywilderness.com.a- Additional Information
- Full Day, Half Day or less.
- View details
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Whale Watching
Port Macquarie Area, North Coast, Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie whale watching is the best it gets. The gentle giants
of the sea, majestic humpback whales, migrate past here non-stop from
mid-May to ...
www.cruiseadventures.com.- Additional Information
- Half Day or less.
- View details
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Rutherglen Region Tour
Albury Area, Country NSW, Corowa
Their bus will pick your group up from where you are staying and
give you a fully guided tour of the local wineries.Visit All Saints
Winery and take a...
- Additional Information
- Full Day, Half Day or less, Tailored.
- View details
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Grand Canyon Bush Walk at Blackheath
Katoomba Area, Blue Mountains, Katoomba
One of the Blue Mountains World Heritage areas signature walks in a
deep canyon environment. This walk has lots of steps; walk distance is
six kilomet...
www.treadlightly.com.au- Additional Information
- Full Day, Half Day or less, Night, Tailored.
- View details
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Grand Canyon Bush Walk at Blackheath
Katoomba Area, Blue Mountains, Blackheath
One of the Blue Mountains World Heritage areas signature walks in a
deep canyon environment. This walk has lots of steps; walk distance is
six kilomet...
www.treadlightly.com.au- Additional Information
- Full Day, Half Day or less, Night, Tailored.
- View details
-
Discover Best of Bondi
Inner Sydney, Sydney, Surrounds
Enjoy Bondi and do what you like, when you like. Your own Bondi
guide will pick you up and show you the best that Bondi has to offer.
This can include...
www.letsgosurfing.com.au- Additional Information
- Tailored.
- View details
Fri, 23 September 2011
Fri, 23 September 2011
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