New South Wales


The most populous of Australia’s States, New South Wales is also home to magnificent national parks which cover nearly 5 million hectares of land. It’s a large state and the distances to walking regions can be substantial but the efforts are amply rewarded.

There are many well-established multi-day walking tracks showcasing a diversity of natural attractions and catering for all standards of walking. Walkers can choose from coastal seascapes, rugged outback areas or the alpine country in the south-east where Australia’s highest peak Mount Kosciuszko is located. 

Popular coastal walks include the Coast Track in the Royal National Park just south of Sydney. Here, whale watching is an added bonus between May and November. Further south, on the “Sapphire Coast”, the ‘Light to Light’ walk follows the Pacific Ocean coastline for a stunning 30 kilometres.

Many walkers choose to head inland to explore the Snowy Mountains region. The summit of Mt Kosciuszko affords stunning views of surrounding mountains, forests and valleys. And just below, the headwaters of the iconic Snowy River can be found amidst the alpine meadows.

Iconic destinations such as the Blue Mountains, the Gondwana Rainforests and Lord Howe Island have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Areas. They each deliver stunning walks in a pristine environment.

 
 
 

 

Some of the best walking regions in New South Wales are set out below

 

 

Blue Mountains National Park

Renowned for its dramatic mountains which are tinged with a blue haze. Everything here is done on a grand scale - canyons, sandstone cliffs, forested valleys, rocky outcrops and waterfalls. Little wonder that this is a listed World Heritage Area which has inspired countless artists and writers.

 

Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island provides a truly unique holiday experience. This is a walker’s paradise famous for its pristine, turquoise lagoon and dramatic twin mountain peaks looming nearby. The island is a designated World Heritage Site due to its rare attractions including precious flora, birdlife, corals and marine life.

 
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Kosciuszko National Park

Forming part of the Australian Alps, Kosciuszko National Park is home to Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko as well as the mighty Snowy Mountains and the historic Snowy River. The dramatic mountain ridges and summits offer exhilarating views of glacial lakes, valleys, rock formations and waterfalls.

 
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Oxley Wild Rivers National Park

Situated in the Northern New England Tablelands, this National Park forms part of the World Heritage Gondwana Rainforests of Australia due to its rare and extensive dry rainforests. This high country area is also home to one of the largest rock gorge systems in Australia, Antarctic beech forests and a multitude of waterfalls.

 

The Sapphire Coast and Beowa National Park

The Sapphire Coast is the southern-most stretch of the New South Wales’ coastline and is named after its strikingly blue Pacific Ocean waters. Amongst the several national parks and state forests in the area, Beowa National Park is particularly scenic with its diverse hinterland vegetation, rugged coastline and idyllic beaches.

 
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Sydney Royal National Park

Located less than one hour’s drive from Sydney’s centre, the Royal National Park is a world away from city crowds and development. Spread out over 15,000 hectares of pristine coastal bushland, the park is home to many glorious walking trails including the renowned Coast Track.