Is the hustle and bustle of the city getting you down? Thankfully, a bit of peace and q̶u̶i̶e̶t̶ birdsong isn’t far away. Sydney is a city surrounded by national parks that make for the perfect escape into wilderness.
Whether you’re after a secluded camping trip, a coastal picnic spot, or a bushwalk to shake off the week, let Sydney’s national parks be your tonic.
From the coastal expanse of Royal National Park to the hidden gem that is Marramarra National Park, plus the very accessible Sydney Harbour National Park. This is your guide on how to make the most of your visit to Sydney’s national parks.
Royal National Park
Established in 1879, Royal National Park is Australia’s first national park.
The creation of national parks was one expression of the relatively new idea that nature could be beneficial, rather than a threat.
— First national park, National Museum of Australia
Located just south of Sydney, it’s easily accessible for a day trip from the city. Royal National Park spans over 15,000 hectares of diverse landscapes from beaches to bushland, which you can see for yourself on The Coast Track.
Popular activities in Royal National Park include bushwalking, swimming at Garie Beach, and picnicking at Audley. During whale migration season, you might spot humpbacks from park’s coastal vantage points. The Figure Eight Pools at the southern end of the park are another highlight, though to ensure you can access the pools safely, you should check tide conditions before visiting.
Sydney Harbour National Park
Sydney Harbour National Park protects various foreshore areas around Sydney Harbour. In Sydney Harbour National Park you’ll find coastal walks including Spit to Manly, secluded beaches like Castle Rock, and Aboriginal heritage such as the rock engravings at Grotto Point.
The park includes historic sites such as Fort Denison and Quarantine Station. These locations offer fascinating glimpses into Sydney’s colonial past and military history.
When visiting, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from lookouts at North Head and South Head. The park’s proximity to Sydney CBD makes it an accessible day trip from the city.
Berowra Valley National Park
Berowra Valley National Park is an area of bushland located approximately 30 kilometres north of Sydney’s CBD. If you’re looking for a national park you can get to using public transport, Berowra Valley National Park is a great choice with entry points close to Berowra and Mount Kuring-gai train stations.
The park features sandstone ridges, deep gullies, and bushland alongside Berowra Creek. In Berowra Valley National Park you can explore walking tracks, including sections of the Great North Walk, the popular Benowie Walking Track, and Lyrebird Gully circuit. If you’re interested in birdwatching, keep an eye out for lyrebirds, kookaburras, and powerful owls.
Kuring-gai Chase National Park
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is the second oldest national park in Australia, established in 1894, and it’s a big one.
The highlights of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park include West Head lookout with its views of Pittwater and the Barrenjoey Headland, the Jerusalem Bay track, The Basin campground, and the picnic area at Bobbinn Head.
Lane Cove National Park
Surrounded by suburban Sydney, Lane Cove National Park is a bushland escape located approximately 15 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD. You can reach various parts of Lane Cove National Park via public transport such as by train to North Ryde, Macquarie Park, or Thornleigh followed by a short walk to the park’s entry points.
Highlights of Lane Cove National Park include the walking trails alongside the Lane Cove River, riverside picnic areas, and kayaking.
Garigal National Park
Located between Lane Cove National Park and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is Garigal National Park. Among the bushland of Garigal National Park you’ll find the scenic Middle Harbour Creek, a popular picnic area at Davidson Park, and the mixed-use Cascades Trail which is open for walking, horseriding, and mountain bike riding.
The park is home to more than 100 Aboriginal sites, including rock engravings, cave art, and middens demonstrating the long standing connection to country of First Nations peoples.
Malabar Headland National Park
Malabar Headland National Park is located between Maroubra Beach and Malabar Beach, and offers scenic ocean views. The park is divided into two sections: the Western Section and the Eastern Section. The Western Section is open year-round, while the Eastern Section operates with restricted access due to its use as a rifle range.
Highlights of Malabar Headland National Park include the coastal tracks Boora Point walking track and the Western Escarpment walking track, wildflowers in spring, and whale spotting during the winter migration season. The park protects an area of eastern suburbs banksia scrub, an endangered ecological community.
Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Kamay Botany Bay National Park holds significance thanks to its links to both colonial and Aboriginal history. This coastal park is located south of Sydney’s CBD near La Perouse and Kurnell, spanning both the northern and southern headlands of Botany Bay. The park’s name reflects its dual heritage, combining the Aboriginal name “Kamay” with the European “Botany Bay.”
When you visit the park, you’ll find yourself at the site where Lieutenant James Cook landed on Australian soil in 1770. Take the Dharawal Resting Place track to see the designated Aboriginal site in the La Perouse section of the park. Looking to make the most of Kamay Botany Bay National Park’s coastal views? The Cape Banks walking track is a popular choice at 7km return.
Georges River National Park
Georges River National Park is a small national park located south west of central Sydney on the Georges River. Thanks to its riverside setting, Georges River National Park is a popular place for waterfront picnics at Burrawang Reach and Fitzpatrick Park. You can also enjoy bushwalks in Georges River National Park including the Ridge walking track and Yeramba Lagoon loop track.
If you’re looking to get out on the water, there’s a boat ramp Morgans Creek picnic area in Revesby Heights. And whether you’re boating, hiking, or having a picnic, be sure to keep watch for the friendly locals including powerful owls and superb fairy wrens… and listen for the laugh of the kookaburras.
Heathcote National Park
Heathcote National Park is situated on the southern outskirts of Sydney, between the suburbs of Heathcote and Waterfall suburbs. It’s also close to the section of Royal National Park that is home to Uloola Falls.
If you’re looking for a Sydney national park you can access via public transport, you can get to Heathcote National Park from Heathcote train station.
Kingfisher Pool is one of its most popular attractions in Heathcote National Park, offering a place to picnic, camp, and swim. Walking tracks in Heathcote National Park include Bullawarring walking track, Mooray walking track, and Lake Toolooma trail.
Marramarra National Park
Marramarra National Park offers a wilderness experience alongside Berowra Creek and the Hawkesbury River. Located on Sydney’s northern outskirts it’s a bit further out of the city compared with Sydney’s other national parks, but Marramarra National Park has scenic rewards for those who make the journey.
You can explore the park via several challenging walking tracks, including the Marramarra Ridge to Smugglers Ridge walking track and Canoelands Ridge walking track. You can also camp as several locations in Marramarra National Park including Gentlemans Halt campground, Marramarra Creek campground, and Twin Beaches campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities can be enjoyed in national parks around Sydney?
In Sydney’s national parks you can enjoy bushwalking, picnicking, birdwatching, and photography. In some national parks you can camp.
Water activities such as swimming and kayaking are popular in national parks including Royal National Park and Sydney Harbour National Park.
Some Sydney national parks also offer mountain bike trails, such as Centre Trail in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
What are some popular hikes and walks in Sydney’s national parks?
The Coast Track in Royal National Park is a 26km walk along coastal cliffs and is considered one of Sydney’s premier hiking experiences. For a shorter walk in Royal National, the Forest Path is a 4.5km loop through temperate forest.
In Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, the Aboriginal Heritage Walk takes you past significant cultural sites and views of Pittwater. The Spit to Manly walk traverses part of the Sydney Harbour National Park and showcases coastal bushland, harbour views, and hidden beaches.
Berowra Valley National Park features part of the challenging Great North Walk, while Lane Cove National Park offers gentler trails like the Riverside Walking Track along the Lane Cove River.
Are there any camping facilities in Sydney’s national parks?
Sydney national parks offer camping facilities with varying levels of amenities. The North Era campground in Royal National Park (currently closed) provides a basic bush camping experience, while Bonnie Vale offers more facilities including toilets, showers, BBQs, picnic tables, and drinking water.
The Basin campground in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is accessible by ferry and features flush toilets, cold shower facilities, picnic areas, BBQs, picnic tables, and drinking water.
In Marramarra National Park, you can book camping spots at Marramarra Creek campground, Gentlemans Halt campground, and Twin Beaches campground. At Heathcote National Park you can stay at Kingfisher Pool campground. If you’re looking for overnight stay at Lane Cove National Park, the Lane Cove Caravan Park has options for tents as well as campervans and caravans. And Crosslands Reserve, managed by Hornsby Council, is a basic campground that is close to Berowra Valley National Park.
Bookings are essential and must be made through the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website. During peak seasons like summer holidays, school holidays, and long weekends, you should book well in advance.
Is camping allowed in Royal National Park?
Overnight stays are permitted in Royal National Park at designated camping areas only. The main campgrounds are North Era (currently closed), Bonnie Vale, and Uloola Falls.
You must book and pay for your camping site in advance through the NSW National Parks website. Fees vary depending on the campground and season, with prices typically ranging from $20-$50 per night.
Camping conditions include respecting quiet hours (usually 10pm-7am), proper waste disposal, and adhering to fire ban regulations.
Which of Sydney’s national parks are accessible via public transport?
Thanks to its central location, Sydney Harbour National Park has excellent public transport access with ferry services to sections like Watsons Bay and Manly. Many other locations within Sydney Harbour National Park are accessible via city buses from Circular Quay or suburbs on the northern side of the harbour.
Royal National Park can be reached by train to Cronulla followed by a ferry to Bundeena, or directly by train to Otford or Heathcote stations. These entry points connect to major walking tracks within the park including The Coast Track and Karloo walking track.
Lane Cove National Park is accessible via bus services from Chatswood or train and metro to North Ryde station. Berowra Valley National Park can be reached via trains to Berowra or Mount Kuring-gai stations, with walking tracks, including a section of the Great North Walk, beginning near these stations.
Wherever you’re travelling to in Sydney, you can plan your public transport using Trip Planner by Transport NSW.