The Most Underrated National Parks Near Your Capital City

The city is pretty, but if you're keen to breathe some crisp, fresh air before the holidays end, there are endless national parks around your capital city that are very worth a visit. Whether you're wanting to pop out for a day trip or round up your mates for a road trip, there's a national park that fits the brief. Here are some of the parks that we reckon deserve a bit more recognition.

Melbourne/Naarm

Day Trip: Yarra Ranges National Park

The Yarra Ranges are the dictionary definition of a perfect day trip. Just over an hour away from the CBD, this national park is a little rainforest oasis with a bunch of pretty walks alongside creeks and streams. Plus, the drive in is exquisite.

@nathsway Victoria’s very own rainforest skywalk! #visitmelbourne #melbourneactivities #travelaustralia #melbournethingstodo #warburton #yarravalley ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) - Danilo Stankovic

Road Trip: Grampians National Park

If you head three hours north-west of Melbourne, you’ll come across this absolute gem of a National Park. If you’re a fiend for a great view, The Pinnacle at Grampians is a must visit. Not to mention the huge canyons, waterfalls, and natural baths you can swim in. 

@nathsway Amazing drive to the Grampians 🚙 #melbourneaustralia #thegrampians #travelaus #visitvictoria #grampians #visitmelbourne #seeaustralia ♬ Aesthetic - Tollan Kim

Sydney/Eora

Day Trip: Budderoo National Park

Budderoo is home to one of the most stunning waterfalls in NSW, Gerringong Falls. The 180m shower falls over a cliff face into a huge natural pool with built in steps and it’s giving Roman bath house.

@walkmyworld 180m Hidden waterfall! #nsw #australia #newsouthwales #tiktokaustralia #aus #sydney #southernhighlands #wollongong #kiama #waterfall #fyp ♬ original sound - Ian Asher

Road Trip: Barrington Tops National Park

If you head a little bit further out of Sydney, up past Newcastle, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the ancient rainforest known as Barrington Tops National Park. Chock full of spectacular views, luscious rainforest with some stunning spots for camping and fishing, this park is perfect if you’re a fan of a bit of BCF-ing fun.

@barringtoncoast Careys Peak sunrise #barringtontops #barringtoncoast #beautifuldestinations #newsouthwales #aussietravel #australia #visithere #fyp ♬ Time Of My Life - The Rubens

Brisbane/Meanjin

Day Trip: Springbrook National Park

Less than 2 hours out of Brisbane’s CBD, Springbrook boasts one of the most mind blowing waterfalls in the country. It’s not the biggest, but it falls into a beautiful little cave you can swim in, or just enjoy while sitting on the rocks at the edge of the cave.

@casey.jra The prettiest waterfall in south-east Queensland ✨ #waterfall #queensland #springbrooknationalpark #travelaus #fyp #foryou #bucketlist #granolagirl ♬ mystery of love - ava 🦋

Road Trip: Girraween National Park

If you’re keen to head somewhere a bit drier, Girraween National Park is a great shout. This park is worth visiting purely to see the enormous rock formations that are reminiscent of Joshua Tree in the US. Plus, it’s only a three hour drive from Brissy.

@andyescapes Location at the end! and it's justtt over the NSW border 🤫 #travel #roadtrip #explore #views #fpvdrone #fpv #nature #fly #hike ♬ original sound - Andy

Perth/Whadjuk

Day Trip: Nanbung National Park

If a desert landscape is your ting, Nanbung is the perfect spot for you. The highlight of this park is the huge sandy plain covered in a scattering of vertical standing rocks, known as The Pinnacles.

@alvarpazph

 

Road Trip: Kalbarri National Park

Hot take, but Kalbarri National Park is home to the greatest view in all of Australia. The Skywalk that looks over endless kilometres of rivers and desert landscapes is defs one to add to the bucket list. You just have to be up for the 6 hour trek from Perth to get there.

@perth.local An epic skywalk over magnificent river gorges. Read our tips for an adventure in Kalbarri National Park.👇👇 Around 6 hours drive from #Perth, Kalbarri National Park is one of the most popular holiday destinations in #WesternAustralia. The National Park encircles the township and has two distinct areas - the inland river gorges with rock formations as old as 400 million years, and the southern ocean rugged cliffs plummeting to the waves below. Both offer superb walking trails and epic views. Our video features the inland section of Kalbarri National park. Hiking here is like stepping into another world – and the landscape is truly something you’ve got to see with your own eyes! OUR LOCAL TIPS: 🔸 Prepare for flies - odds are you’ll encounter quite a few on your hikes. Pack a reusable fly head net. 🔸 Take lots of drinking water - there are no water fountains inside the park. 🔸 Have a full tank of fuel - the National Park is about 30 kms from the township of Kalbarri. 🔸 Visit when it’s cooler - in summer it can get super hot and some trails may be closed. Go early morning or late afternoon in the warmer months. 🔸 No camping - the National Park is off limits for campers, instead try the Murchison Caravan Park in Kalbarri. 🔸 Entry Fee - it’s $15 per vehicle per day to visit the Inland National Park - or buy a Park Pass valid for entry to all parks in Western Australia for the duration of the pass. (RAC members can get a discount). For more information on the Skywalk, Natures Window or Z-Bend visit our website guide at perthlocalguide.com . . . . #Kalbarri #hikingaustralia #hikingtiktok #travelaustralia #perthtodo #4wdaustralia #adventurevibes #hiddengems #campingaustralia #justanotherdayinwa ♬ Good Days - SZA

Adelaide/Tarndanya

Day Trip: Deep Creek National Park

Deep Creek National Park has some of the most picturesque sights you’ll come across. But unfortunately all roads within the park are dirt, meaning if you want to travel here, you’ll need a 4 wheel drive, or at least have a lot of faith in your 2 wheel drive. On the plus side, this park is a lot quieter than other parks that are easier to access.

@franmagiera A beach nestled amongst valleys and hills 🌊 solid hike to get to this one but soo worth it for this views #fleurieupeninsula #southaustralia #deepcreekconservationpark #aussiebucketlist ♬ We Are The People - southstar Remix - Empire Of The Sun & southstar

Road Trip: Lake Mungo National Park

It’s a pretty decent trek to get to Lake Mungo from Adelaide. As in a 6 hour trek into NSW. But honestly, this seems like one of the best national parks in Australia. If you love a desert landscape that will make you feel like you’re on a completely different planet, this is the place to go.

@pavenrayat Sunsets on Mars ☄️✨ #australia #nsw #traveltok #mungonationalpark ♬ essence by future james - Joe Kay

Canberra/Ngambri

Day Trip: Deua National Park

If you’re into peculiar land formations, Deua has got you covered. From a huge, never ending hole you can look out over, to incredible gorges and natural arches you can walk through, Deua is definitely worth a visit.

@kiteyksaway "The Big Hole" in Deua National Park, NSW, Australia 🇦🇺. Also look up Marble Arch in the same national park 😉 #fyp ♬ Amityville Horror - Scary Halloween Sound Effects - Halloween Sound Effects

Road Trip: Beowa National Park

I have no idea how I didn’t know this place existed sooner. Not a hint of exaggeration when I say: this place is proper stun. Located on the south coast of NSW just past Eden, this park has a bunch of gorgeous swimming spots surrounded by red dirt cliff faces.

@theaustraliantrav Morning swims are a must when camping at #bittangabeebay in #BeowaNationalPark. 😍 Perfection! 🙌 Video by @beck.stack 🤟follow @theaustraliantraveller for more #SapphireCoastNSW #feelnsw #newsouthwales #seeaustralia #ig_australia #australiagram #placesweswim #nswparks #earthpix #stayandwander #earth ♬ original sound - theaustraliantrav

Hobart/Nipaluna

Day Trip: Hartz Mountain National Park

I think Hartz Mountain gets overlooked more than it should because it's so close to Southwest National Park. I was pretty blown away when I took a trip here a couple of years ago, from the random lake that's just chilling halfway up a mountain to the boardwalk through the cute wildflowers and never-ending views. 
 

@hikingtierra 📍Hartz Mountain, Tasmania #hiking #mountain #tasmania #outdoors ♬ original sound - Tierra 🌍

Road Trip: Ben Lomond National Park

If you want to feel like you're driving through the Swiss Alps without leaving Tassie, you absolutely have to visit Ben Lomond. It's only a three-hour drive from Hobart, yet the journey is just as good as the destination. Pack your driving gloves because this one is perfect for driving enthusiasts. 

@ourdaystouring One of our favourite drives in Tassie so far 🙊 📍Jacobs Ladder, Ben Lomond National Park #tasmania #troopy #vanlife #travelaustralia #roadtrip #lapofaustralia #australia #travel #fyp ♬ original sound - S ❤︎︎

Darwin/Garramilla

Day Trip: Litchfield National Park 

Okay, so not the most secret of spots. But Litchfield is underrated purely because it couldn’t ever be rated highly enough. There are so many amazing swimming spots, waterfalls, rockpools and hikes that capture the essence and beauty of the Northern Territory. 
 

@ourtraveltales Have you visited Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory? 😍 #travelaustralia #ntaustralia #litchfieldnationalpark #darwin #lapofaustralia #tiktokaustralia ♬ spectrum - el.audiossss🎧

Road Trip: Butterfly Gorge Nature Park

While it’s not technically a national park, Butterfly Gorge is truly stunning and is 100% worth a visit. Spend a day hiking through the sandy gorge and explore rock pools that are perfect for a swim to cool off.

@lauracrick7 Butterfly Gorge 🦋. #northernterritory #NT #butterflygorge #travel #australia #waterfall #darwin ♬ original sound - Laura 🌿