Australia National Parks

Barrington Tops
200 mi/322 km north of Sydney
Features high plateaus, sub-alpine snowgums, rain-forest, lyrebirds and bower birds. Activities: Birdwatching, bushwalking, camping, fishing and picnicking. Best time to visit: All year round.

Blue Mountains
60 mi/97 km west of Sydney.
Features sandstone, canyons, eucalypt forests, wildflowers and parrots. Activities: bushwalking, camping, climbing and picnicking. Best time to visit: All year round.

Brisbane Waters
46 mi/74 km north of Sydney.
Features streams, eucalypt forest, walking tracks, and Aboriginal rock engravings. Activities: bushwalking, fishing and picnicking. Best time to visit: All year round.

Kosciusko
302 mi/487 km south west of Sydney.
Features highest mountains and most extensive snowfields in Australia. Activities: skiing in winter, bushwalking, camping and fishing. Best time to visit: All year round.

Ku-ring-gal Chase
20 mi/32 km north of Sydney.
Features rugged sandstone carved by deep waterways and abundant wildflowers. Activities: bushwalking, fishing, picnicking and swimming. Best time to visit: All year round.

Morton
90 mi/145 km south west of Sydney.
Features sandstone cliffs and Fitzroy and Belmore Falls. Activities: camping, canoeing, climbing, cycling, fishing and picnicking. Best time to visit: September -May.

Myall Lakes
160 mi/257 km north of Sydney.
Features a major lake system. Activities: boating, bush-walking, camping, canoeing, swimming and water skiing. Best time to visit: All year round.

New England
50 mi/80 km east of Armidale.
Features steep cliffs, valleys, and a rainforest with heath and snowgums. Activities: bushwalking, camping and picnicking. Best time to visit: September -November, March - May.

Royal
20 mi/32 km south of Sydney.
Features sandy beaches, rugged coastline, and woodlands. Activities: boating, bushwalking, canoeing, fishing, picnicking, and swimming. Best time to visit: All year round.

Warrumbungle
310 mi/499 km north west of Sydney.
Features spires and domes created by intense volcanic activity. Activities: birdwatching, bushwalking, camping, and climbing. Best time to visit: September - November, March - May.

Noteworthy New South Wales Coastal Areas
(not necessarily National Parks)

Lord Howe World Heritage Site
Two hour flight north-east of Sydney.
Features remarkable islands supporting very rare species of birds and plants, with coral reefs that are further south than any others in the world. Best time to visit: All year round.

More on Lord Howe Island