11 Best National Parks to Visit in Blue Mountains, Australia
Sydney is well-known for its beautiful harbour and iconic bridge, but did you know that Sydney also has some of the best National Parks to visit? If not, this post will delight you with a list of the best national parks in the Blue Mountains in Australia. We have compiled a list of different places that are perfect day trips from Sydney to the Blue Mountains. Whether it's hiking trails or waterfalls, these parks have something magical about them!
Adventurous people can also abseil down the cliffs or go paragliding over the three waterfalls. Other than that, there is a beautiful boardwalk along an old quarry. It has some of the best views over Sydney to the Blue Mountains, so it's best to check out this place if you want some great photo opportunities, or maybe some cabin retreats with your partner.
1. Sydney Harbour National Park
Sydney Harbour National Park was given national park status in 2013. It is the best place to visit if you want to take lovely pictures of your family on Sydney harbour. The best thing about it is that it's free, so there is no need to book your tickets or camping sites months before visiting! You can also check out Shark Island, which is one of the best places for snorkeling and seeing flying fish. Other than that, it has a lot of walking trails and picnic spots throughout Sydney Harbour National Park. If you're looking for stunning views over the Blue Mountains, then this is definitely the best place to go!
2. The Blue Mountains National Park
The best thing about Blue Mountains National Park is that it has several lookouts that give you pristine views over Sydney and the Blue Mountains. A popular lookout point is at Echo Point, which gives you panoramic views of three different waterfalls in one location! Katoomba Falls is another stunning waterfall worth visiting, located very close to Sydney. You can also see all three waterfalls during a hike along the Grand Canyon Walk, which takes less than an hour to complete! So if you're looking for some great walks around the Blue Mountains in New South Wales (NSW), then this is certainly the best place to go!
3. Yengo National Park
If you're looking for a nature trip with your family, then Yengo National Park should be the best place to visit! It's perfect for those who want to go on a nature walk around the Blue Mountains as it has several walking trails that connect to different lookouts over Yengo National Park. There are also natural springs where you can refill your water bottles before going on a day trip around the Blue Mountains. You can also camp at one of their campsites if you plan to visit Sydney but promise yourself that you will only stop by Yengo National park just because there is so much more to explore in the Blue Mountains in NSW!
Photo by: John Spencer
4. Kanangra-Boyd National Park
If you're looking for some more adventures and camping trips, then Kanangra-Boyd National Park is the best place to visit! This national park has several hiking trails as well as great places for campfires and picnics. If that wasn't enough, then you can also visit Honeymoon Pool (which looks like a pool from a fairytale), as well as Brindle Creek, where you can spot platypus swimming in the water! There are also great views over the Blue Mountains in Australia to check out once you reach the top of Kanangra Walls, so if you're looking for an adventure, then this is the best place to visit!
5. Wallaby Scrub National Park
Wallaby Scrub National Park is best known for its family-friendly walking trails. It has some beautiful natural rock pools filled with clear blue water that your whole family will love splashing around in. You can also see wild wallabies bouncing up and down through Wallaby Scrub National Park, which makes it one of the best places to visit during the Sydney holidays! If wildlife excites you, then this should be the best place to visit the Blue Mountains in Australia.
6. Kosciuszko National Park
If you're visiting Australia in winter, then Kosciuszko National Park is a must visit.
During winter, the Blue Mountains will be covered in snow. You can do some tobogganing or skiing if you love being active during Sydney winters. There are also great views from Perisher Valley Ski Resort, which is another great place to go if you're looking for a complete change of scenery during your holidays. So if ice and snow excite you, then this should definitely be the best place to visit the Blue Mountains in NSW.
Photo by: Kosciuszko National Park
7. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is best known for being one of the best places in Sydney to go bushwalking! It has 26 different trails, all 20 minutes long to explore. There are so many options when you visit Ku-ring-gai that it's best to take a map with you and see which route you want to walk along. Some of the best parts are getting to see wild kangaroos, entering deep canyons with cliffs towering over you, and seeing waterfalls up close.
Photo by: David Finnegan/OEH
8. Garigal National Park
Garigal National park is great for hiking in most areas, but if you're looking to challenge yourself, then climbing Mt. Warrawong is highly recommended. If it's too difficult for you, then just walking along most trails will be relaxing enough! The best time of year to visit this national park is during autumn when the leaves on the trees turn golden yellow. One perfect spot in Garigal National Park is Chinamans Beach, which offers stunning views over Sydney itself! This makes it a must see desintation when visiting the Blue Mountains in Australia.
Photo by: John Spencer/OEH
9. Blue Gum Forest
Blue Gum Forest is best to visit in the morning when the optimal lighting conditions occur. It's also recommended to wear closed-in shoes as some areas of Blue Gum Forest can be quite steep and rocky! This park will allow you to walk through a lush rainforest-covered by bright blue gumtrees (eucalyptus Deanie). These trees are over 100 years old and tower over most people, making them best seen from above on lookouts such as One Tree Hill or Jim Crow lookout point.
Photo by: Blue Gum Forest/NSW National Parks
10. Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden has no entry fee and it has an amazing range of plants you can see up close. It's best to visit on weekdays when it's not overcrowded with families, but if you do go, then be prepared for the best picnic spot of your life! Blue Mountains Botanic Garden has over 5,500 different species of plants, with most being Australian natives. There are also multiple walking trails that allow you to see most areas of the Blue Mountains.
Photo by: Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
11. Araluen Botanical Park
If you're looking for a romantic date spot, be sure to check out the Araluen Botanical Park. This park has a wide range of activities that are best done in the company of someone else. You will certainly have a wonderful afternoon exploring the gardens and bird watching.
Final Thoughts
If you want the best Sydney holiday experience, then be sure to visit these amazing parks near the Blue Mountains in Australia. You can enjoy many different activities, from hiking and camping to swimming at some of the best beaches in Australia.
Last but not least, don’t forget to bring some travel gifts or essential items with you while enjoy your adventures through the Blue Mountains!
