National Parks in Australia

There are many national parks in Australia. The country has 58 million hectares of protected area and occupies 7.55% of the country’s land mass. External territories of Australia, which include Norfolk Island, Heard and McDonalds Islands, Christmas Island, Pulu Keeling, and Australian Antarctic Territories, have national parks

too. So, about 60.4 million hectares is occupied by protected area in Australia.

As per the constitution of Australia, the management as well as the creation of the national parks is under the jurisdiction of the state governments. But there are as many as 15 parks that are controlled by the federal government.

516 national parks occupying 3.42% of the land area are registered under state as well as federal legislation. Australia also has 145 marine protected areas covering 38 million hectares.

Every year thousands of tourists flock to these national parks for wildlife tours. Most of the tour operators organize separate wildlife and national park trips. A trip is designed for tourists belonging to different professions. Ranging from students to corporate stalwarts, these ecological wonders have something to offer to everyone.

Top National Parks in Australia

Given below are names of national parks in the country that are considered as the most frequently visited tourist attractions for fauna lovers.

Kosciuszko National Park

Kosciuszko National Park is the most famous national parks in the country. In fact it is oftentimes known as King of Australia’s National Parks. The park is spread over an area of 700, 000 hectares. There are few towns that are located within this national park. The names of few of them are Charlotte Pass, Smiggin Holes, Guthega, Sawpit Creek, Mount Selwyn, and Thredbo

Royal National Park

Royal National Park, situated at a distance of 32 km from Sydney, is the second oldest national park in the world. It was set up in the year 1879. The park was included in the National Heritage List in July 2006. A trip to this second oldest national park will help you to enjoy riverside picnics, cliff-top walks, surfing, and cycling on rainforest tracks.

Flinders Ranges National Park

Flinders Ranges National Park is spread over an area 94, 908. It is regarded as one of the top tourist destinations of South Australia. It is well known for aboriginal rock sites, fossil, geological history, and remnants of European settlement. You will be able to catch a glimpse of the Yellow footed Rock wallaby. These creatures nearly faced extinction owing to the high demand for its skin.

Purnululu National Park

Purnululu National Park was established in the year 1987. It is fairly a recent national park. It earned the status of a World Heritage Site in the year 2003.

You can also travel to the following national parks when you travel to Australia.

• Kakadu National Park
• Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park
• Pulu Keeling National Park
• Christmas Island National Park
• Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Garden
• Booderee National Park
• Great Sandy National Park
• Port Campbell National Park
• Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park

Last updated on 10/11/2010