The Grampians National Park is renowned for its dramatic sandstone mountain ranges, diverse wildlife, and rich Aboriginal heritage, featuring towering waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints, and vibrant wildflower displays in spring.
A national park is a protected area of land set aside for conservation purposes, typically managed by government agencies to preserve natural landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems. These parks often provide opportunities for public recreation and education while safeguarding the environment.
The history of national parks in Australia dates back to 1879, when the Royal National Park was established near Sydney. Over the years, the concept evolved from primarily recreational spaces to areas focused on conservation and biodiversity protection. This shift reflected growing environmental awareness and the need to preserve Australia's unique landscapes and wildlife.
The criteria used for selecting the 'Top 20' national parks include biodiversity richness, geographical size, visitor facilities and accessibility, unique natural features, cultural significance, and ecological importance. These factors contribute to the parks' overall appeal and conservation value.
Name of the National Park: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Location: Northern Territory, central Australia (25.3444° S, 131.0369° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established on 24 May 1977. The park was initially named Ayers Rock-Mount Olga National Park but was renamed in 1993 to reflect its Aboriginal heritage.
Size: 1,326 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is renowned for its iconic red sandstone monolith, Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock), and the nearby rock formations of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). These ancient geological formations hold deep spiritual significance for the Anangu people, the land's traditional owners. The park's unique desert ecosystem supports diverse flora and fauna adapted to the harsh, arid environment.
Name of the National Park: Daintree National Park
Location: Far North Queensland (16.1667° S, 145.4167° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1981, the park was later expanded and inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1988 as part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland.
Size: 1,200 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Daintree National Park is home to the world's oldest tropical rainforest, estimated to be over 180 million years old. It boasts exceptional biodiversity, including ancient plant species and rare wildlife such as the Southern Cassowary and Bennett's Tree-kangaroo. The park's unique landscape features a stunning coastline where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef.
Name of the National Park: Kakadu National Park
Location: Northern Territory, 171 km southeast of Darwin (12.6557° S, 132.8203° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in stages between 1979 and 1991, Kakadu was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981 for its natural and cultural values.
Size: 19,804 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Kakadu National Park is Australia's largest terrestrial national park, known for its diverse landscapes, including wetlands, rivers, sandstone escarpments, and woodlands. It is home to over 2,000 plant species and numerous native animals. The park also contains over 5,000 recorded Aboriginal rock art sites, some dating back 20,000 years, making it a living cultural landscape.
Name of the National Park: Purnululu National Park
Location: Kimberley region, Western Australia (17.4936° S, 128.4119° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1987 and declared a World Heritage site in 2003.
Size: 2,397 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Purnululu National Park is famous for the Bungle Bungle Range, a series of distinctive beehive-shaped sandstone domes striped with orange and grey bands. These unique formations are the result of 350 million years of geological processes. The park also features deep gorges, hidden pools, and diverse wildlife adapted to the semi-arid climate.
Name of the National Park: Freycinet National Park
Location: East coast of Tasmania (42.1275° S, 148.2958° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1916, making it Tasmania's oldest national park.
Size: 169 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Freycinet National Park is characterised by its dramatic pink granite peaks, pristine white sand beaches, and crystal-clear turquoise waters. The park's most iconic feature is Wineglass Bay, which is consistently ranked among the world's best beaches. The park supports diverse flora and fauna, including Tasmanian devils and over 80 species of orchids.
Name of the National Park: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Location: Central Highlands of Tasmania (41.8350° S, 146.0250° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1922 and later combined with Lake St Clair National Park in 1971.
Size: 1,614 square kilometres
Unique natural features: This park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and is known for its diverse landscapes, from the rugged peaks of Cradle Mountain to the deep glacial lakes of Lake St Clair. It features ancient rainforests, alpine heathlands, and glacial formations. The park is home to unique wildlife, including Tasmanian devils and platypuses, and is the starting point for the famous Overland Track.
Name of the National Park: Mount Field National Park
Location: Central Highlands of Tasmania (42.6823° S, 146.7172° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1916, making it one of Tasmania's oldest national parks.
Size: 158.6 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Mount Field National Park is known for its diverse vegetation, ranging from tall swamp gum forests and massive tree ferns at lower elevations to alpine vegetation at higher altitudes. The park features stunning waterfalls, including the three-tiered Russell Falls. It is home to some of the world's tallest flowering plants, the swamp gum (Eucalyptus regnans), and provides habitat for several endemic Tasmanian species.
Name of the National Park: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
Location: South Australia, approximately 450 km north of Adelaide (31.5000° S, 138.6000° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1945, the park was renamed in 2016 to include the Adnyamathanha word 'Ikara', meaning 'meeting place'.
Size: 912 square kilometres
Unique natural features: The park is renowned for its ancient geological formations, including the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound. It showcases 800 million years of geological history and is home to significant Aboriginal rock art sites. The rugged landscapes support diverse wildlife, including the yellow-footed rock wallaby, and feature stunning gorges, creeks, and diverse flora adapted to the semi-arid environment.
Name of the National Park: Litchfield National Park
Location: Northern Territory, about 100 km southwest of Darwin (13.1167° S, 130.7833° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1986, named after Frederick Henry Litchfield, a pioneering explorer of the Northern Territory.
Size: 1,500 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Litchfield National Park is known for its stunning waterfalls cascading from the sandstone plateau of the Tabletop Range. The park features crystal-clear pools, magnetic termite mounds, and monsoon rainforests. Its diverse habitats support a wide range of native wildlife, including wallabies, flying foxes, and hundreds of bird species. The Lost City, a collection of large sandstone formations, resembles the ruins of an ancient city.
Name of the National Park: Wilsons Promontory National Park
Location: Southern tip of Victoria (39.0333° S, 146.4000° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1898, it is Victoria's oldest national park.
Size: 505 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Wilsons Promontory National Park, affectionately known as 'The Prom', is characterised by its granite mountains, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests. It features the southernmost point of mainland Australia and is home to diverse wildlife, including wombats, kangaroos, and emus. The park's varied landscapes include secluded coves, squeaky sand beaches, and tidal mudflats, providing habitats for numerous plant and animal species.
Name of the National Park: Grampians National Park
Location: Western Victoria (37.2500° S, 142.5000° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1984, the area has been a significant site for Indigenous Australians for thousands of years.
Size: 1,672 square kilometres
Unique natural features: The Grampians National Park is known for its dramatic sandstone mountain ranges, diverse wildlife, and rich Aboriginal heritage. It features towering waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints, and vibrant wildflower displays in spring. The park is home to over 800 indigenous plant species and provides a habitat for native wildlife such as kangaroos and emus. It also contains numerous Aboriginal rock art sites, some dating back more than 20,000 years.
Name of the National Park: Tasman National Park
Location: Southeast coast of Tasmania (43.1833° S, 147.9500° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1999, incorporating several previously protected areas.
Size: 107.5 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Tasman National Park is renowned for its spectacular coastal scenery, including towering sea cliffs, rock formations, and sea caves. The park features the famous Three Capes Track, offering stunning views of the Tasman Sea. It is home to diverse marine life, seabirds, and land animals, including the Tasmanian devil. The park's dramatic coastline includes notable formations such as the Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen, and the Blowhole.
Name of the National Park: Great Otway National Park
Location: Southwest Victoria (38.7500° S, 143.5833° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 2004 by combining several existing parks and reserves.
Size: 1,032 square kilometres
Unique natural features: The Great Otway National Park is known for its diverse landscapes, including tall forests, ancient rainforests, rugged coastlines, and pristine beaches. It features magnificent waterfalls, such as Triplet Falls and Hopetoun Falls, and is home to glow worms in Melba Gully. The park supports a rich variety of wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, and numerous bird species. Its coastal areas offer dramatic views of the Southern Ocean and are part of the famous Great Ocean Road.
Name of the National Park: Royal National Park
Location: New South Wales, south of Sydney (34.0683° S, 151.0544° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1879, it is the world's second-oldest national park and Australia's first.
Size: 151 square kilometres
Unique natural features: The Royal National Park features a diverse range of landscapes, including coastal cliffs, secluded beaches, eucalyptus bushland, and rainforests. It is home to Aboriginal sites, including rock engravings and middens. The park's coastal walk offers spectacular ocean views, while inland areas feature cycling trails and picnic spots. Notable attractions include Wattamolla Beach, Wedding Cake Rock, and the Figure Eight Pools.
Name of the National Park: Booderee National Park (formerly Jervis Bay National Park)
Location: Jervis Bay Territory, on the south coast of New South Wales (35.1500° S, 150.7000° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1992, renamed Booderee National Park in 1998 to reflect its Aboriginal heritage.
Size: 65 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Booderee National Park is known for its pristine white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, and diverse ecosystems. It features coastal heathland, freshwater swamps, and eucalypt forests. The park is home to abundant wildlife, including eastern grey kangaroos, possums, and over 200 bird species. Its marine environment is part of the Jervis Bay Marine Park, supporting diverse aquatic life. The park also includes the historic Cape St George Lighthouse ruins.
Name of the National Park: Kosciuszko National Park
Location: New South Wales, in the Snowy Mountains region (36.4553° S, 148.2637° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1967, evolving from the Kosciusko State Park created in 1944.
Size: 6,900 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Kosciuszko National Park is home to mainland Australia's highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 metres). It features unique alpine and sub-alpine environments, glacial lakes, and limestone caves. The park is the source of several major rivers and is known for its snow-capped mountains and ski resorts in winter. It supports diverse flora and fauna, including rare species like the mountain pygmy possum and the Corroboree frog.
Name of the National Park: Namadgi National Park
Location: Australian Capital Territory, southwest of Canberra (35.5000° S, 148.7833° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1984, the park has been significant to Aboriginal people for over 21,000 years.
Size: 1,060 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Namadgi National Park covers nearly half of the ACT and forms part of the Australian Alps. It features granite mountains, alpine meadows, and snow gum forests. The park has Aboriginal and European cultural sites, including rock art and huts. It is home to diverse wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies, and numerous bird species. The Orroral Valley Tracking Station, which played a role in the Apollo moon landings, is located within the park.
Name of the National Park: Murchison River National Park (now part of Kalbarri National Park)
Location: Western Australia, about 485 km north of Perth (27.8167° S, 114.1667° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1963 and later incorporated into Kalbarri National Park in 1969.
Size: 1,830 square kilometres (as part of Kalbarri National Park)
Unique natural features: Formerly known as Murchison River National Park, it is now a significant part of Kalbarri National Park. It features dramatic coastal cliffs, deep river gorges, and diverse wildflowers. The park is known for its striking red and white banded sandstone formations along the Murchison River gorge. It supports various plant species, many unique to the area, and provides habitat for numerous bird species and native animals.
Name of the National Park: Francois Peron National Park (part of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area)
Location: Western Australia, about 800 km north of Perth (25.8500° S, 113.5500° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1993, it is part of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area listed in 1991.
Size: 529 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Francois Peron National Park, within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, is known for its striking contrast between red desert dunes and turquoise waters. It features diverse marine life, including dugongs, dolphins, and sharks. The park is home to the world's largest seagrass beds and ancient stromatolites, some of the oldest living fossils on Earth. Its unique landscape includes salt pans, birridas (inland salt lakes), and coastal cliffs. The park also preserves evidence of its pastoral history, including the historic Peron Homestead.
Name of the National Park: Nambung National Park
Location: Western Australia, about 200 km north of Perth (30.5958° S, 115.1597° E)
Date of establishment and historical context: Established in 1967, it gained international recognition in the 1960s when the Pinnacles were first widely photographed.
Size: 192 square kilometres
Unique natural features: Nambung National Park is famous for its otherworldly landscape of limestone formations known as the Pinnacles. These ancient rock spires, some standing up to 3.5 metres tall, create a unique desert landscape. The park also features pristine beaches, coastal dunes, and areas of Banksia woodland. It provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including emus, kangaroos, and numerous bird species.
As of 2024, there are approximately 681 national parks across Australia. This number can fluctuate slightly as new parks are established or existing ones are reclassified.
Here is a listing of the top 10 largest national parks by area in Australia:
Here is a listing of the top 10 smallest national parks by area in Australia:
New South Wales boasts a diverse range of national parks, each offering unique landscapes and experiences. Some of the notable national parks in New South Wales include:
These parks showcase the state's diverse ecosystems, from alpine regions to coastal habitats, offering visitors a range of outdoor activities and natural wonders to explore.
The national parks in Queensland are listed below:
The national parks in the Northern Territory are listed below:
The national parks in Western Australia are listed below:
The national parks in South Australia are listed below:
The national parks in Tasmania are listed below:
The national parks in Victoria are listed below:
The national parks in the Australian Capital Territory are listed below:
It's worth noting that while the Australian Capital Territory has fewer national parks compared to other states and territories, it compensates with numerous nature reserves and protected areas that serve similar conservation and recreational purposes.
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