4 Exciting, Expansive, and Interesting Australian National Parks

When most tourists think of Australia, they think of the Outback. While the country is well known for its arid deserts, there’s certainly no shortage of other natural attractions to see. From inner-city parks to beautiful beach paradises, there are hundreds of National Parks throughout Australia for visitors, residents, and long-term travellers to soak up.

These four parks offer an interesting mix of Australia’s best natural features. From desert mountains to beautiful coastal beach towns, include these attractions in your travel schedule and you’ll witness the best of Australia without spending hours in the car, on the train, or asleep on the tour bus.

1. Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia

Residents of America’s south-western states will feel at home in Kalbarri National Park. A unique blend of desert Arizona and mountainous Utah, Kalbarri is home to some of Australia’s largest and most visually stunning rock formations.

Climb to the famous Nature’s Window arch and witness a panoramic view of Western Australia’s incredible scenery. While Kalbarri is an inconvenient seven-hour drive from Perth, the park can be accessed by plane in just two hours. Tickets are available from Perth and tend to be inexpensive.

2. Churchill National Park, Victoria

Churchill National Park is an ultra-convenient oasis for Melbourne residents, located just minutes from the city and boasting an interesting array of natural attractions. With mountain biking tracks, walking and long distance hiking paths, and beautiful picnic grounds on offer, Churchill Park is a favourite of Melbourne residents and visitors to Victoria.

Please note that Churchill National Park is often closed due to fire risks. Victoria’s emergency fire services have planned a series of burns for the park, which will lower the risk of bush hires in the future. These may cause inconvenient closures for park visitors.

3. Purnululu National Park, Western Australia

Home to Australia’s beehive-style Bungle Bungle Mountain Range, the Purnululu National Park is located just over three hours from the small northern town of Turkey Creek. While the park offers relatively little to package tourists and convenience visitors, it’s one of Australia’s most interesting national attractions and a must-see for true adventurers.

Visitors are advised to purchase excess gasoline and food supplies before entering the park, as it is located fairly far from towns and civilization. While Purnululu is fairly inconvenient for temporary visitors and short-term tourists, it is worth the three-hour drive if photography is your passion.

4. Blue Gum Hills National Park, New South Wales

Just twelve kilometres from Newcastle, Blue Gum Hills National Park was once a quarry site. The park was restored and converted several years ago, and now offers a wide range of historical sites, exciting adventure activities, and ultra-convenient nature. Popular with residents of Newcastle and nearby Sydney, Blue Gum Hills National Park is one of New South Wales’ most accessible parks.