Australian National Parks Near Cities

If you’re yearning for an escape from the crowds of the city, why not head to the Australian national parks nearby Sydney, Brisbane and Perth? Just a short drive from the hustle and bustle, there are green oases of thick forest, lush parkland and beautiful nature waiting to be explored. You don’t have to go far to see these national parks, meaning you can spend the day exploring them and camp overnight before heading back – when you want to that is. Wherever you are, we’ve uncovered the best national parks near Australia’s buzzing cities so that you can get back to nature and sleep beneath the stars!

The Blue Mountains

With just a short drive away from the centre of Sydney, the Blue Mountains is an ideal location to unleash your inner explorer and set up camp for the night. The Blue Mountains is a region situated in New South Wales, and bordering Sydney’s metropolitan area, is easy to get to and back. With the outstanding formation of the Three Sisters and panoramic views, it is a truly beautiful area to visit. The tourist parks allow for convenient access and overnight stay, including Katoomba Falls, which even has regular train transport back into Sydney Central Station. A powered site with electric barbeques, Wi-Fi access, communal kitchen and shower blocks, Katoomba Falls makes for a great location to catch up on your beauty sleep after a jam-packed day of hiking, cycling and abseiling.

Lerderderg State Park

If you’re closer to Melbourne, approximately an hour and a half drive northwest of the city is Lerderderg State Park. Comprising a range of wildlife, plant life and remnants of gold mining, the park offers a range of walks as well as the picturesque Shaws Lake, ideal for picnicking and lazing around with friends. A sanctuary from the bustle of city life, Lerderderg State Park is a delightful location of natural beauty, perfect for bush camping.

Avon Valley National Park

For those visiting Perth, the Avon Valley National Park is nearly 5,000 hectares of forestry, streams and bushland, all intertwined with the Avon River that flows most rapidly in winter and spring. It lies 80 kilometres north-east of Perth and is a hub for bushwalking, spotting wildlife and canoeing. An hour’s driver from the city is worth it for the park’s natural beauty, and the many camping grounds provide a prolonged stay with barbecues, picnic tables and toilet facilities. Water is restricted to Bald Hill, Drummonds, Valley Camp and Ces Barrows camping sites.

Blue Lake National Park

North Stradbroke Island, a leisurely two-hour drive away from central Brisbane, is where you’ll find Blue Lake National Park. Protecting the clear blue waters of the lake, the park is home to the soft-spined sunfish, swamp wallabies and beautiful birds. You can capture magnificent views of the island, Pacific Ocean and the Gold Coast from Neembeeba Lookout, and if you want to stay on the second largest sand island in the world, Adder Rock Camping Ground makes for a tropical retreat to set up camp for the night. Located behind the pandanus forests, and boasting over 100 camping sites, Adder Rock Camping Ground is an intimate and scenic destination to head off to swim and surf or capture a view of whales and sample the local seafood.