# New South Wales national parks

* Conservation areas in Australia topics: National parks • Marine parks • Indigenous Protected Areas
* State/territory national parks: NSW • NT • Qld • SA • Tas. • Vic. • WA
There are more than 240 national parks in New South Wales (NSW), every park containing a hidden gem and each with its own unique beauty. This is about 4 times as many national parks and reserves as in the United Stares. NSW has the second most national parks in Australia as well, just after Queensland. One third of all national parks in Australia are in NSW.

## Understand

National parks in New South Wales include some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the state, and they're often good places to go for different purposes, with hiking being the most common. Many parks are home to something unique, with a hidden beauty. There is a lot of geographic variety between the places: some parks might be considered a plain beauty by some, and "boring" by others.
Historic sites are also run by the New South Wales Parks and Wildlife services, and all have something to showcase. Some of these might not have much, but they are historically significant to the state.
There are also four "Karst Reserves" as well, designed to protect the karst landscape. These are not national parks, but are managed by the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service.
On top of all this, there are some "state conservation reserves" as well, and they may be more known or even more visited than some of their national cousins. Cape Byron State Conservation Area, for example, is a highlight for anyone coming to Byron Bay, and is much more visited than most other national parks.
A brown colour on the map means it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while a darker maroon colour means it's a historic site. Other colours on the map indicate the region.
It's worth noting that not all parks in the state are accessible or have facilities. Some like Barakee, Belford or Cataract National Parks are only there for conservation, not recreation. However, these parks will not be promoted on the ground.

## Fees and permits

Of the many parks in New South Wales, only 45 parks collect fees. A full list of which parks do so can be found on the NSW Parks website.
There are also NSW Parks passes, which provide unlimited access to many parks for a year, or two if you choose to get a 24-month pass. The passes also provides faster entry and is valid for 12 months (or 24 if you purchase a two-year pass) from date of purchase. The fees per vehicle (as at 2021) as follows:
* All Parks Pass – includes all parks in New South Wales, including Kosciuszko National Park ($195 for one year, $335 for two years)
* Multi Park Pass – includes all parks in New South Wales, excluding Kosciuszko National Park ($65 for one year, $115 for two years)
* Country Parks Pass – includes all parks in Country New South Wales, excluding Kosciuszko National Park ($45 for one year, $75 for two years)
There is also a fourth pass; the Single Park Pass, worth $22 for one year and $40 for two, mainly for if you're wanting to visit the same park again and again. It is not valid in Kosciuszko National Park.

## National parks
### Sydney and surrounds

* -33.64151.091 Berowra Valley National Park – a national park next to very-crowded-full-of-traffic Hornsby. It takes a while to realise whether you're in Sydney or not. The answer to that is, yes, you are still in Sydney.
* -33.615150.4177781 Blue Mountains National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the Three Sisters, the most visited indigenous site in Australia, which also holds a deeper story behind it.
* -33.498333151.4177782 Bouddi National Park – a small but yet scenic national park showcasing some of the best beaches the Central Coast has to offer, and a lot of greenery as well, right next to crowded Woy Woy
* -33.459444151.3011113 Brisbane Water National Park – it has pleasant and interesting walks that can vary from mild to rugged with varying environments
* -33.5472150.8974 Cattai National Park – while not particularly a large nor famous national park, it has stunning views of the Hawkesbury River with lookouts and walking trails
* -34.203852150.8515265 Dharawal National Park – a national park on the border of Sydney, the Illawarra and the Southern Highlands, with stunning waterfalls and rockpools
* -33.365151.0844446 Dharug National Park – a park with nice and creative rock formations which also are home to a lot of Mangroves. Unusually though, parts of the park were disputed between the Dharug and Darkinjung countries before the British had arrived.
* -33.154619150.0409692 Gardens of Stone National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site with some stunning picturesque lookouts and hiking trails.
* -33.7058151.2367 Garigal National Park – popular with bushwalkers and mountain bike riders, there are over 35 trails in the park covering 120 km. 100% of the park is in Metropolitan Sydney and there have been over 100 Aboriginal sites recorded, including shelters, cave art, rock engravings, middens, grinding grooves and a possible stone arrangement
* -33.9828151.0328 Georges River National Park – a national park which has recreational activities such as hiking, picnicking, barbecues, boating, fishing, and water/jet skiing, segmented into 15 sectors along the riverbanks of the Georges River
* -34.098333150.9761119 Heathcote National Park – deeply dissected Hawkesbury sandstone plateau which formed about 200 million years ago, Heathcote National Park is home to a lot of Aboriginal rock engravings, a lot more than some other neighbouring parks in Sydney
* -34.020556151.22472210 Kamay Botany Bay National Park – home of Captain Cook's landing spot as well as Bare Island Fort, the location of where Mission Impossible 2 was filmed in part. Moreover, Kamay Botany Bay National Park is home to the French town of La Perouse, where French explorer Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse came. Many of his items have been recovered and are at the La Perouse museum at this park.
* -33.937778150.0908333 Kanangra-Boyd National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site adjacent to Jenolan Caves, with expansive mountain gorges, magnificent lookouts and a series of wild and scenic rivers give a special edge to Kanagra-Boyd's wilderness.Shark Island, Sydney Harbour National Park
* -33.615151.20111111 Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park – a big large national park right inside Sydney rich in Aboriginal culture, with one side alongside tributaries of the Hawkesbury river, and the other being beside the Hawkesbury, along with some WWII fortifications.
* -33.7836151.13912 Lane Cove National Park – a big national park right in the middle of the Macquarie Park/Ryde region surrounded by buildings on all four corners, but with a big blob of greenery and a river in the park, with walking trails and picnic spots
* -33.95554151.2507513 Malabar Headland National Park – the smallest national park in New South Wales at only 1.77km², but yet with very scenic with nice cliffs and a popular whale watching spot during the months of May to November
* -33.531667151.06777814 Marramarra National Park – offers bushwalkers a wide range of environments, from the mangrove communities along Marramarra Creek to the drier, sclerophyll scrub along the ridges
* -34.2894150.364 Nattai National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site which mostly offers bushwalking, but also the views from this UNESCO world heritage park is quite unimaginable, particularly from Wollondilly lookout
* -33.381667151.19277815 Popran National Park – takes its name from Popran Creek, mainly to protect the Popran Creek area but is home to a ton of mangroves
* -34.131667151.05111116 Royal National Park – the oldest national park in the southern hemisphere and the second oldest in the entire world just after Yellowstone
* -33.594167150.89277817 Scheyville National Park – in the northwestern suburbs of Sydney, it is mostly famous for the Longneck Lagoon, which before European settlers, this was used by the people of Dharug Country for food supplies
* -33.848333151.23444418 Sydney Harbour National Park – a national park rich in Aboriginal, military, WWII and colonial history, where history meets the harbour. It is also the only national park where the harbour bridge can be seen, as well as the opera house, but there's parts of this park where you could be lost in natureMt. Yengo seen from Yengo National Park
* -34.215150.5511115 Thirlmere Lakes National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site mostly known for its lakes which are just plain natural beauty
* -32.848333151.41777819 Werakata National Park – in the 1800s when European settlers came, most of this park was destroyed. Forestry commenced and sawmills were established in and near area the area of the park (most of the timber going to local mines for pit props). The park now remains as a measure to protect what is left
* -32.998333150.3344446 Wollemi National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site sadly home to the largest continuous bushfire affected area in the 2019-20 bushfire season, it is home to some of the world's oldest trees, which have still been up there since the Jurassic period
* -33.398333151.48444420 Wyrrabalong National Park – a national park mostly surrounded by water except for a small section on the north where it's connected to the mainland from Lake Tuggerah and the Tasman Sea, it is home to some woodland and water birds that are hard to find in other areas
* -33.712793150.79270221 Yiraaldiya National Park – a park yet to open to the public and is a work in the making, most notably free from feral pests.
* -33.014722150.9113897 Yengo National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in Aboriginal culture, flora and fauna, natural beauty and wildlife, with some sacred sites visitors can visit

### Central NSW

* -34.098333149.6677781 Abercrombie River National Park – protects an important area of remnant bushland within the southwestern Central Tablelands, and contains a diversity of vegetation communities characteristic of montane and tableland species as well as of the western slopes of the state.
* -32.649565151.2962442 Belford National Park
* -28.739444152.3360823 Cataract National Park
* -34.131667146.2177784 Cocoparra National Park
* -33.748333148.4391675 Conimbla National Park
* -31.750833150.0713896 Coolah Tops National Park – known for its wildlife, waterfalls and, not to forget, the stunning mountain ranges and lookouts seen here.
* -31.113149.6397 Garrawilla National Park
* -32.751111148.3344448 Goobang National Park – the few places where you can see both coastal and inland vegetation
* -32.2333331509 Goulburn River National Park – a sanctuary for kangaroos, wombats, emus, goannas, platypus, and a wide variety of birds. It lies within the Mudgee-Wollar Important Bird Area, so identified by BirdLife International because of its importance for the endangered regent honeyeater.
* -34.3113144.322610 Kalyarr National Park
* -30.290556150.14277811 Mount Kaputar National Park – mostly known for its iconic Sawn Rocks.
* -35.7933145.02712 Murray Valley National Park
* -33.398333148.56777813 Nangar National Park Weddin Mountains National Park
* -34.7214145.27314 Oolambeyan National Park
* -29.292222152.32166715 Timbarra National Park
* -33.198333149.93444416 Turon National Park
* -31.292222149.00805617 Warrumbungle National Park – known for its breadknife shaped rock
* -33.998333148.00111118 Weddin Mountains National Park – despite the mountains being the main thing, it certainly is something that many find intriguing, and looking much nicer than the territory's Mount Conner.

### Hunter and Mid-North Coast

* -31.5322152.6291 Bago Bluff National Park – has shell fossils and a rich diversity of birdlife which include magpies, whistlers, kookaburras, among others.
* -31.641667151.8516672 Barakee National Park – another one of those parks with the usuals.
* -32.048333151.5011118 Barrington Tops National Park – most of Barrington Tops National Park is declared wilderness; large, natural areas of land that, together with their native plants and animal communities, remain essentially unchanged by modern human activity. Don't forget the rich diversity of flora and fauna here, with hiking trails. Also the southernmost of all Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
* -30.415152.7011113 Bellinger River National Park – park by the Bellinger River with unspoiled forests and ecosystems, and one of the oldest in the world.
* -31.615151.2177784 Ben Halls Gap National Park
* -30.295152.9335 Bindarri National Park
* -31.507222152.3063896 Biriwal Bulga National Park
* -30.398611153.0347227 Bongil Bongil National Park
* -32.281667152.5177788 Booti Booti National Park
* -30.258056152.8086119 Cascade National Park Crystal Shower Falls, Dorrigo National Park
* -31.712222152.522510 Coorabakh National Park
* -31.831667152.66777811 Crowdy Bay National Park
* -31.664444152.77388912 Dooragan National Park
* -30.381667152.7511119 Dorrigo National Park – UNESCO world heritage site and is the most visited Gondwana Rainforest of Australia, and has a lot to offer if one is interested in rainforests. Not to forget, it is right within 2 km proximity of the waterfall capital of Australia; Dorrigo
* -30.676667152.65194413 Dunggir National Park
* -32.262222152.11694414 Ghin-Doo-Ee National Park
* -31.065153.01777815 Hat Head National Park
* -32.840078151.779916 Hunter Wetlands National Park – hidden gem in the northern suburbs of Newcastle, Hunter Wetlands National Park is a wildlife sanctuary, and one of the few parks suited for all kinds of ages.
* -30.299167152.72722217 Junuy Juluum National Park
* -31.143056152.60138918 Kumbatine National Park
* -31.32327152.9155719 Limeburners Creek National Park
* -31.162778152.87333320 Maria National Park
* -31.6942152.67121 Middle Brother National Park
* -32.200278151.32361122 Mount Royal National Park
* -32.431667152.36777823 Myall Lakes National Park – mostly notable for fishing, camping, and kayaking, but that is not the only thing that Myall Lakes National Park is known for, but also for the sand dunes right nearby.
* -30.108611152.73194424 Nymboi-Binderay National Park
* -32.008333152.56611125 Saltwater National Park
* -31.4639152.93126 Sea Acres National Park The Milky Way seen from Tomaree National Park
* -31.663611152.18694427 Tapin Tops National Park
* -32.752778152.14083328 Tomaree National Park – while not like Stockton Beach, the sand dunes here are still huge, and has some sandy bush walks, and just one minute from Nelson Bay
* -31.845833150.07361129 Towarri National Park
* -30.250278153.08055630 Ulidarra National Park
* -33.13151.6331 Wallarah National Park
* -32.301111152.43527832 Wallingat National Park
* -33.005151.39305633 Watagans National Park
* -31.178611152.49083310 Willi Willi National Park
* -31.748333151.75111134 Woko National Park
* -30.79152.9535 Yarriabini National Park

### Northern Rivers

* -28.6603153.6211 Arakwal National Park – a small beachside park off Byron Bay's eastern shore. It borders Cape Byron State Conservation Area, home to the easternmost point of mainland Australia (Norfolk Island contains the easternmost point of Australia)
* -28.359722152.98611111 Border Ranges National Park
* -29.053889153.412 Broadwater National Park
* -29.331667153.3344443 Bundjalung National Park
* -29.098056153.1438894 Bungawalbin National Park
* -29.429722152.8794445 Fortis Creek National Park
* -28.579722153.4047226 Goonengerry National Park
* -28.305278152.4388897 Koreelah National Park
* -28.919167152.75361112 Mallanganee National Park – this is perhaps one of the least visited parks of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia with only a lookout that's of interest to travellers.
* -28.504722152.0777788 Maryland National Park
* -28.4469153.1713 Mebbin National Park – part of the Shield Volcano Group of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, and is home to numerous endangered species of birds. The park also forms the western edge of the Mount Warning volcano
* -28.388333153.4647229 Mooball National Park
* -28.324167152.5210 Mount Clunie National Park
* -28.484444153.35777811 Mount Jerusalem National Park
* -28.3175152.63361112 Mount Nothofagus National Park
* -29.0111152.69513 Mount Pikapene National Park
* -28.548333153.33444414 Nightcap National Park – another popular park that's part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia UNESCO World Heritage Site for its impressive waterfall
* -29.711389152.67333314 Ramornie National Park
* -28.595556152.71416715 Richmond Range National Park
* -28.448333152.44277816 Tooloom National Park
* -28.487778152.72583317 Toonumbar National Park
* -28.389722153.26861115 Wollumbin National Park (Mount Warning National Park)
* -29.944167152.51083318 Yabbra National Park
* -29.815153.26777819 Yuraygir National Park

### Northern Tablelands

* -28.848333152.0511111 Bald Rock National Park – right next to the boerder with Queensland, this park has a very bald rock as the name says
* -29.660278152.19252 Barool National Park
* -28.933056152.1530563 Basket Swamp National Park
* -28.8175152.1783334 Boonoo Boonoo National Park
* -29.518889152.0119445 Butterleaf National Park
* -29.392778152.0088896 Capoompeta National Park
* -30.893056152.2419447 Carrai National Park
* -28.739444152.3360828 Cataract National Park
* -30.415152.2511119 Cathedral Rock National Park
* -29.944167152.51083310 Chaelundi National Park
* -31.350556152.13388911 Cottan-Bimbang National Park
* -30.624722152.21722212 Cunnawarra National Park – sister to neighbouring New England National Park; the main thing of interest here is one lookout, but one with gorgeous mountain views.
* -29.554444152.32388913 Gibraltar Range National Park
* -30.031667152.30111114 Guy Fawkes River National Park
* -30.085556151.25055615 Indwarra National Park
* -29.58151.36555616 Kings Plains National Park
* -29.154167150.98388917 Kwiambal National Park
* -31.3125151.84444418 Mummel Gulf National Park
* -30.498333152.50111116 New England National Park – much known for its lush green Gondwana Rainforests and the breathtaking lookouts.
* -31.532778151.59777819 Nowendoc National Park
* -29.644167152.41805620 Nymboida National Park
* -30.996389152.0117 Oxley Wild Rivers National Park – popular spot for camping that not to forget the huge, Wollomombi Falls.
* -29.996944151.41138921 Single National Park
* -29.292222152.32166722 Timbarra National Park
* -29.991667151.92777823 Warra National Park
* -30.531667150.93444424 Warrabah National Park
* -29.365152.33444418 Washpool National Park
* -31.198333152.22611119 Werrikimbe National Park

### Outback NSW

* -29.080556147.0352781 Culgoa National Park – impressive river red gums and expansive floodplains, is the landscape that is thought to be representative of the Australian outback. Additionally, the park's name comes from the river that flows through this park. Also home to two iconic mammals of the outback, the common brushtail possum and Little pied bat
* -30.509444145.7163892 Gundabooka National Park – has some petroglyph rock art and ancestral ceremonial grounds are located inside the park which also has many exotic plants, right next to the Darling River
* -32.498333142.3344443 Kinchega National Park – a quiet lesser known national park along the Darling River that allows visitors to understand the historical significance and the importance of both Outback life in the 19th century, and birdlife in the Outback. Also has some impressive river red gums and floodplains, but for a comparison on whether Culgoa or Kinchega differs on opinion, but both are unique in their own right.
* -32.1954144.73434 Koonaburra National Park – protects an extensive area of sandplain
* -34.198333142.4677785 Mallee Cliffs National Park – Mallee Cliffs National Park preserves the original clay red plains of south west New South Wales, protecting extensive areas of flat to undulating sandy red plains and linear sand dunes formed during arid periods from 350,000-500,000 years ago. Unusually though, this is one of the few places where the Malleefowl can be found, which is only found in arid areas only where the mallee grows. However, do note that this park is restricted in access, and can only be used for educational purposes.
* -31.30378145.3127956 Mount Grenfell National Park – road-inaccessible sacred park; only accessible on foot.
* -33.731667143.00111120 Mungo National Park – UNESCO world heritage park with some of the world's oldest human bodies outside Africa dating back to about 42,000 years ago, with part of the reason why it's still well preserved today is because of the sheer isolation, getting here without a 4WD is almost impossible. Mungo N.P. is also popular for the Walls of China as well, mostly for how its shaped.
* -31.1467142.3817 Mutawintji National Park – filled with some gorges, canyons and a historic site in the centre
* -29.227249142.5376128 Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park – this large reasonably new outback national park is often forgotten a lot. The park protects one of the most incredible wildlife havens in the Outback
* -31.52143.99 Paroo-Darling National Park
* -29.215141.96777810 Sturt National Park – the northwestern most park in New South Wales, it is also home to Cameron Corner, a marker encompassing three states. But apart from that, this park also gives a real feel for how life was like, living in the Outback in the 19th and early 20th century. It's also one of the few places in New South Wales where the dingo fence can be seen
* -30.265145.40111 Toorale National Park – just a few kilometres northwest of Gundabooka NP, home to what was once the world's largest sheep station.
* -33.498333145.50111112 Willandra National Park – Aboriginal occupation in the park dates back to more than 15,000 years ago, it is mostly known for its habitat for native species like the emu, the threatened Plains-wanderer, red and grey kangaroos, echidnas and a variety of reptiles, such as Gould's sand goanna and the Mulga brown snake.
* -34.65143.58313 Yanga National Park – A rather new national park established in 2007. It is significant to the Indigenous Aboriginal people, and a significant birdlife site

### South Coast, The Highlands and Snowy Mountains

* -34.46425150.1770111 Bangadilly National Park
* -37.165150.0011112 Beowa National Park – southern most national park in New South Wales, Ben Boyd National Park is home to all sorts of things, but most notably its coastline and inlets.
* -35.78607147.0956043 Benambra National Park
* -36.451111149.9419444 Biamanga National Park
* -35.486944150.1138895 Bimberamala National Park
* -36.813379149.9347076 Bournda National Park
* -35.238611148.8011117 Brindabella National Park
* -35.498333150.0011118 Budawang National Park
* -34.648333150.7011119 Budderoo National Park – known for its rainforest, waterfalls, and is one of the most visited national parks on the south coast
* -34.82247150.44686310 Bugong National Park
* -34.797222150.01638911 Bungonia National Park
* -35.678333150.14916712 Clyde River National Park
* -35.249167150.47583313 Conjola National Park
* -35.915149.75111114 Deua National Park
* -36.121944150.12472215 Eurobodalla National Park
* -35.91825149.51362616 Gourock National Park
* -36.306667150.01916717 Gulaga National Park
* -34.396291150.13110918 Guula Ngurra National Park – one of the state's newer national parks which is home to Mount Penang, accessible via a mildly difficult but also quiet hiking trailKosciuszko National Park in winter from the summit of Mount Kosciuszko
* -35.06150.4419 Jerrawangala National Park
* -34.9872150.75620 Jervis Bay National Park
* -36.32149.9221 Kooraban National Park
* -35.998333148.33444422 Kosciuszko National Park – New South Wales's largest national park and home to the roof of mainland Australia. It's the only national park in NSW that gets a consistent level of snow, also home to one several ski resorts and villages.
* -35.3689147.3623 Livingstone National Park
* -34.327778149.912524 Mares Forest National Park
* -34.565150.65111125 Macquarie Pass National Park – 90 km southwest from Sydney, although the name "Macquarie Pass" is often related to the pass on the Illawarra Highway (A48) for its windy bends, the road goes through this national park. Macquarie Pass National Park is home to a range of eucalyptus trees, and wildlife including unique birdlife and wallabies. There are hiking trails as well that allows visitors to experience this.
* -35.448333150.39722226 Meroo National Park
* -36.665149.95111127 Mimosa Rocks National Park
* -35.25148.14166728 Minjary National Park
* -35.6631149.97129 Monga National Park
* -35.231667150.20111130 Morton National Park
* -37.165149.75111131 Mount Imlay National Park – home to Balawan, a fun but challenging mountain to hike.
* -35.631667150.31777832 Murramarang National Park
* -34.815150.75111133 Seven Mile Beach National Park
* -36.9872149.47634 South East Forest National Park – a large, lush and wet wilderness. Its relative unknowness is what keeps it that way.
* -35.743611149.48138935 Tallaganda National Park
* -34.498333149.91777836 Tarlo River National Park
* -36.466667149.58333337 Wadbilliga National Park
* -35.8714147.48538 Woomargama National Park
* -35.525556149.40833339 Yanununbeyan National Park

### Other parks

* -35.150833150.6452781 Booderee National Park – While treated like in NSW, this park is not in NSW, but in the federal territory of Jervis Bay Territory. (It was once part of the ACT.) NSW Parks passes aren't valid in Jervis Bay Territory. The area was planned as a grand "Pacific City" and the port of the nation's capital, but this vision was never realised,. Instead, it is just a national park with a population of only 393 (2020). 100% of the territory is protected. There is also an indigenous village that interests travellers called "Wreck Bay Village", which is some fishermans' secret fishing spot.
* -35.666667148.952 Namadgi National Park – The only national park in the ACT, apart from Booderee (although JBT isn't part of the ACT anymore), home to many unique bird species.

## Historical sites

* -33.8589151.2091 Cadmans Cottage Historic Site
* -30.918184152.9883722 Clybucca Historic Site
* -37.112149.9163 Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site
* -33.5448150.1754 Hartley Historic Site
* -33.0334149.41675 Hill End Historic Site
* -31.5036152.876 Innes Ruins Historic Site
* -34.496611146.3627 Koonadan Historic Site
* -33.418241150.9915118 Maroota Historic Site
* -32.574896148.9514119 Maynggu Ganai Historic Site
* -31.242803142.29854210 Mutawintji Historic Site
* -31.442484152.91962911 Roto House Historic Site
* -30.1985153.267912 South Solitary Island Historic Site
* -28.197156153.54950713 Tweed Heads Historic Site
* -33.390677150.98387414 Wisemans Ferry Historic Site
* -33.122015148.88264115 Yuranigh's Aboriginal Grave Historic Site

## Karst conservation reserves

* -33.913056149.3511111 Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve
* -33.248889148.9352 Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve
* -33.820556150.0214443 Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve
* -34.3051149.97144 Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve

## See also

* National parks
* National parks in Australia
** South Australian national parks
** Tasmanian national parks