These are the 10 national parks travellers just can’t get enough of.
NSW’s national parks just had their biggest year on record. In the 2024–25 financial year, 65.5 million visits were made to the state’s network of around 900 parks and reserves – smashing the previous record of 60 million set back in 2018.
The numbers behind the numbers are equally striking. Of those 65.5 million visits, 37 million happened outside Greater Sydney. And for the first time, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service tracked international visitation – finding that 72 per cent of overseas tourists to NSW visited at least one national park, generating 4.6 million visits on their own.
Before we dive into the list, we want to say upfront that visitors should always be mindful of the impact they have on our national parks. Stick to the marked tracks to avoid erosion, avoid unofficial lookouts, take your rubbish with you, respect closures and cultural sites and visit midweek or early in the day wherever possible.
So, where is everyone actually going? Here are the 10 most visited parks in NSW, and what keeps drawing people back.
1. Blue Mountains National Park – 7.8 million visits
The Blue Mountains is NSW’s most visited national park. (Credit: R Brand / DCCEEW)
It’s not even close. The Blue Mountains attracted more visitors than any other national park in the state, and it’s easy to understand why. World Heritage-listed, impossibly scenic and just 90 minutes from Sydney’s CBD, it offers something for everyone – from the Scenic World boardwalk to wilderness treks through the Grand Cliff Top Walk and beyond. The Three Sisters remain one of the most photographed spots in the country. Take time to soak in the magic of these ancient rainforest gullies and the kind of views that make you stop mid-step and just stand there.
2. Royal National Park – 4.9 million visits
Royal National Park is the world’s second-oldest national park. (Credit: J Spencer / DCCEEW)
The world’s second-oldest national park sits just 30 kilometres south of Sydney and feels like a secret the city keeps badly. Royal draws nearly five million visitors a year for its coastal cliff-top walks, sheltered swimming beaches and wildflower displays that explode into colour each spring. The Coast Track – a 26-kilometre multi-day walk from Bundeena to Otford – is one of the finest coastal walks in Australia, full stop.
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3. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park – 4.3 million visits
Ku-ring-gai Chase is a park of two personalities. (Credit: P Ogden / DCCEEW)
Explore Barrenjoey Lighthouse. (Credit: D Parsons / DCCEEW)
On Sydney’s northern fringe, Ku-ring-gai Chase protects one of the largest collections of Aboriginal rock engravings in NSW alongside the stunning waterways of the Hawkesbury River. It’s a park of two personalities: quiet forest trails and sandstone plateau walks on one hand, and popular boating, kayaking and picnicking spots on the other.
4. Lane Cove National Park – 2.4 million visits
Lane Cove River is perfect for kayakers. (Credit: D Parsons / DCCEEW)
A green ribbon running through Sydney’s inner north, Lane Cove punches well above its size. The river walking and cycling trails draw a loyal local crowd year-round, and the calm flatwater is perfect for kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders wanting to escape the harbour chop.
5. Kosciuszko National Park – 2.4 million visits
Kosciuszko National Park isn’t only a winter destination. (Credit: D Parsons / DCCEEW)
The only park in the top five that isn’t on Sydney’s doorstep, Kosciuszko is a two-season destination in the Snowy Mountains, drawing visitors for skiing and snowboarding in winter and alpine wildflower walks, including to Australia’s highest suspension bridge, in summer. At 2.4 million visits, it’s proof that Australians will travel for the right landscape.
6. Sydney Harbour National Park – 2.2 million visits
2.2 million people visited Sydney Harbour National Park. (Credit: J Spencer / DCCEEW)
One of the most unusual parks in NSW, Sydney Harbour National Park is scattered across dozens of separate headlands, bushland reserves and islands around the harbour. It protects historic fortifications, quiet coves and some of the most coveted camping spots in the country – Cockatoo Island and the Quarantine Station among them. Over 2.2 million people found their way in last year, which makes sense: it’s everywhere, and it’s free.
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7. Brisbane Water National Park – 2.1 million visits
Visit Somersby Falls in Brisbane Water National Park. (Credit: J Spencer / DCCEEW)
On the Central Coast, Brisbane Water is best known for two things: its spectacular wildflower season in spring, when the heathland erupts with colour, and its extensive network of Aboriginal rock engravings at Bulgandry and elsewhere. The park’s estuaries and inlets are popular with kayakers and fishing enthusiasts, and the Bouddi Peninsula walking track passes through the southern edge of the park on its way to some very fine coastal views.
8. Morton National Park – 1.9 million visits
If you’ve been to the Blue Mountains but not Morton, this is the one to add to the list. (Credit: J Spencer / DCCEEW)
Morton is one of NSW’s largest and most underrated parks – a vast sandstone wilderness in the Southern Highlands that rewards those willing to go looking. Deep slot canyons, hidden waterfalls and the spectacular Fitzroy Falls are the drawcards, alongside some of the best remote camping in the state. If you’ve been to the Blue Mountains but not Morton, this is the one to add to the list.
9. Bouddi National Park – 1.6 million visits
The Bouddi Coastal Walk is one of the country’s best walks. (Credit: J Spencer / DCCEEW)
A compact coastal gem between Gosford and Broken Bay, Bouddi rewards the effort it takes to get there. The multi-day Bouddi Coastal Walk links a series of beaches and headlands above a protected marine park, offering some of the best snorkelling on the NSW coast. Little Beach – only accessible on foot – is the kind of place that earns its name.
10. Glenrock State Conservation Area – 1.5 million visits
Discover Burwood Beach. (Credit: N Adamson / DCCEEW)
Rounding out the top 10 is a Newcastle favourite that many Sydneysiders haven’t heard of. Glenrock is a rugged coastal conservation area offering world-class mountain biking trails, a surf beach, and one of the few protected coastal areas in NSW where dogs are permitted.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.
When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.
Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)
Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.
1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle
Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)
Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.
Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.
Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe.
Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca, which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.
One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie, the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.
Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.
3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks
Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)
What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?
Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach. Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen, which is open from 6am.
Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse.
You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach, where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.
Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.
4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle
Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)
In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.
Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.
Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.
5. Newcastle nightlife
Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)
As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.
