Australia is a country quite unlike any other. With diverse landscapes and terrains, ranging from lush rainforest to deep red desert to white sandy beaches, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the world’s premier destinations. With its beautiful climate and incredible national parks, it offers so much to the intrepid traveller.
With over 500 national parks covering over 28 million hectares of land, Australia is home to some of the world’s most unique wildlife along with 14 World Heritage Sights and 13 marine parks. Of course, you’d be hard pushed to visit every single national park in Australia – which is why the editorial team here at Thrifty have put this handy guide together.
This is arguably one of the world’s most beautiful national parks. The Whitsunday Islands are a collection of 74 islands located off the coast in Queensland. It actually sits in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, so you know when you visit you’ll see some beautiful sights both on and off land. One trip we definitely recommend (other than to the underwater magic of the Reef), is to Whitehaven Beach. It’s got gleaming white sands that are 98% silica and has the most beautiful unique formation every single day caused by the tidal waters. Enjoy this national park by either staying on one of the island resorts or on a boat on the water. It’s magical.
To experience the Whitsundays region, hire a car from Airlie Beach.
The Blue Mountains National Park is a huge 662,130 acres in New South Wales, and it’s just a 2-hour drive from Sydney. It’s a part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the beautiful blue haze atop the dense rainforest as you look out over the Three Sisters and beyond. Take the time to drive through the surrounding towns and check out the different hikes available – it’s like travelling to a land before time as you descend into the incredible canyons throughout the park.
To discover the Blue Mountains, hire a car from Katoomba.