Don't forget your camera when you visit these natural wonders
Awesome landscapes, breathtaking vistas, extraordinary natural features - it's a special feeling when you're faced with nature in all its glory. From the rugged rocky outcrops of the Warrumbungles and the forested canyons of the Blue Mountains to the sweeping flat desertscape of the far west, the natural wonders of NSW national parks will make you wish you had a bigger memory card on your camera! Some of these places you simply have to see to believe!
Bald Rock - Bald Rock National Park
750 metres long, 500 metres wide and 200 metres high, the water-streaked dome of Bald Rock is the largest granite rock in Australia (and the second largest monolith after Uluru). Gather your reserves and don't pass up the opportunity to make the three-hour return walk to the summit - you'll be rewarded with canyons and stone arches on the way and, if it's a clear day, you can see all the way to Queensland from the top!
Where: Bald Rock National Park is 29km north of Tenterfield in the New England Tablelands region.
Dorrigo Skywalk - Dorrigo National Park
It's all about perspective - the rainforests of Dorrigo National Park are one of the most accessible World Heritage Areas in the country. Waterfall tracks take you deep into the lush forest, scenic drives let you explore in and around the area, and the famous Skywalk, puts you above the action and the canopy for a bird's eye view of the dramatic panorama.
Where: Dorrigo National Park is 2km east of Dorrigo on the mid-north coast.
Walls of China - Mungo National Park
You might feel like you've stepped into another world in landscape of Mungo National Park. Time and wind have worked their magic on the sand and clay of the desert, sculpting dramatic formations including the 33-km-long Walls of China. You can see the walls on a walk along the park's boardwalk, take a self-guided 70-km driving tour, or join an Aboriginal cultural tour for a real insight into the timeless history and culture of the land.
Where: Mungo National Park is located 110km north-east of Mildura in Outback NSW.
The Falls of Nightcap National Park
People have long found calm and tranquillity in the presence of thundering water. Add to the mix a lush World Heritage rainforest and you have a nature retreat to revive your spirit. Picnic near the awesome 100-metre Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park, or take a short walk to the breathtaking Protestors Falls.
Where: Nightcap National Park is 35km north of Lismore in the northern rivers region.
The Breadknife - Warrumbungle National Park
Warrumbungle is one of the most popular national parks in the state and it's easy to see why when you catch glimpse of its dramatic vista of forested ridges, deep gorges and geological hi-rise. For the adventurous walker, the Breadknife High Tops Walk offers an iconic walk past the park's most famous rock formations.
Where: Warrumbungle National Park is 35km west of Coonabarabran in Central NSW.
Pinnacle Lookout - Border Ranges National Park
The World Heritage rainforests of Border Ranges National Park hug the rim of a vast, ancient volcano - a sight that's best appreciated from up above. With views of Mt Warning - the volcanic plug that stands sentinel over the immense caldera - the escarpment and all the way to the coast, a stop at the Pinnacle Lookout is a must.
Where: Border Ranges National Park is 38km west of Murwillumbah in the northern rivers region.
The Three Sisters - Blue Mountains National Park
For decades, the Three Sisters at Katoomba have drawn visitors from around the world, fascinating people with their place in local Aboriginal culture and their precipitous location overlooking the spectacular canyons and sandstone cliffs of the Jamison Valley in Blue Mountains National Park. Heralding the gateway to the extraordinary walks and nature experiences of this World Heritage-listed national park, the Three Sisters are a must-see for any day-tripper to the Blue Mountains.
Where: You can see the Three Sisters in Blue Mountains National from Katoomba, 100km west of Sydney.
Sawn Rocks - Mount Kaputar National Park
Mount Kaputar National Park is an island of wilderness rising 1200 metres above the western plains, an extinct volcano eroded and sculpted over seventeen million years into an extraordinary place of diverse ecosystems and habitats for threatened species. Rocky outcrops offer breathtaking views and you can walk to the summit of Mount Kaputar. But don't miss Sawn Rocks, Australia's best example of the striking geological formation known as organ-piping.
Where: Mount Kaputar National Park is 50km east of Narrabri in Central NSW.
Yarrangobilly Caves - Kosciuszko National Park
Ski the slopes of Perisher or Thredbo, drive the scenic Alpine Way, or cleanse your lungs on a summertime walk through the wildflowers. Kosciuszko National Park offers year-round experiences in the great outdoors, but there's also a whole other world just waiting to be discovered underneath the Snowy Mountains. Yarrangobilly Caves is an underground treasure trove of caverns and grottos that can be explored on guided and self-guided tours. Take a walk on the dark side and then immerse yourself in the therapeutic waters of Yarrangobilly's natural thermal bathing pool - it runs at a constant 27 degrees!
Where: Yarrangobilly Caves in Kosciuszko Nationional Park is 70km south-east of Tumut.
Lord Howe Island Marine Park
Crystal clear waters, abundant sea life, dramatic forest-covered mountains rising sheer out of the ocean - you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd stumbled onto some remote island paradise. Less than two hours flight from Sydney, the marine park that frames Lord Howe Island contains the world's southernmost barrier coral reef, a snorkeller's delight where you can see hundreds of fish species and spot green and hawksbill turtles throughout the year.
Where: Lord Howe Island Marine Park is 700km north-east of Sydney by air.
Page last updated: 27 February 2011