#5 National Parks near Sydney you must explore
Everyone has their Niche or particular interest, some are in to exploring new restaurants, cafes, picnic spots, lookouts, mine is national parks and fortunately there are plenty you can explore living in Sydney. Actually this is my favourite part about living in Sydney, every weekend you can go to new and amazing sites and completely awe yourself.
The wild and raw beauty of national parks and their ecosystem attracts me a lot, it grounds me and detoxifies me, well no one can deny the therapy of walking in woods. So here I am sharing some therapeutical places you can explore on a road trip from Sydney.
#1 ROYAL NATIONAL PARK , South Coast
All in all hands down the most stunning national park with diverse geographical features and beautiful coastal walks. There are so many things to explore within this that you can visit multiple times and still won't be done. Here I am sharing my favourite spots from this park
Figure 8 pools - Figure Eight Pools is located on a dangerous rock shelf in Sydney's Royal National Park near Burning Palms Beach. Plan your trip using the wave risk forecast. You can read my own experience here, I just went their completely unprepared :)
Wattamolla Beach and Lagoon - Absolutely amazing for family friendly adventure from the parking there is a short walk and then there is a stairway taking you to the beach and lagoon side by side you can carry your floaters and kids can enjoy the calming waters of the lagoon, you might notice a waterfall some people jumping of the cliff to the lagoon, its illegal and very dangerous the fence is clearly made to keep out so avoid getting inspired by those dare devils. For more details check the link highlighted in heading.
Stanwell Park - I am pretty sure you would have already visited it, doesn't matter how many times I visit this place always looks wonderful, you can plan a visit to Helensburgh temple and its just a small drive from there. If you are feeling a little adventurous and have no issues hiking you can drive to sea-cliff bridge for a hike to sea-cliff lookout - checkout my Insta account highlighted in heading, for details about getting there, alternatively you can walk the sea-cliff bridge and enjoy the sea breeze and views with kids and family.
Bundeena beach to Wedding cake rock - Another popular, accessible and beautiful coastal walk, if you have kids above 8 and are ok to walk you can do this royal coast track, carry food and water with hats and comfortable footwear and clothing. You can take lots of breaks in between as there are many points with stunning views on the way.
Lady Carrington Drive - You love cycling your family loves cycling together, this is the place to go. his historic cycling track near Audley and a short drive from Sydney follows the river and offers birdwatching, pretty picnic areas and history to explore.
#2 BOUDDI NATIONAL PARK
Stunning, magical, majestic!
Thats my view point on this, reachable and yet far enough from the city to avoid crowd.
Bouddi National Park is home to countless attractions, including one of Australia’s first marine protected areas, significant Aboriginal sites, wildlife and wildflowers, and even an old paddle steamer wreck. It's a great getaway for a weekend or a week.
Things to do -
Make the most of the park’s coastal location and camp at Little Beach, Putty Beach or Tallow Beach campground.
Go swimming, fishing or whale watching.
Try the awesome Bouddi Ridge Explorer mountain biking trail in looping several smaller track the 10km trail offers great variety and scenery.
Enjoy the coastal views and bushwalks at the well-known Bouddi Coastal walk.
#3 BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Well actually my friends tease me about this, like 'Where will Priyanka be found? In the Blue Mountains National Park'. Well I am guilty as charged, I love this region absolutely, and not the three sisters and scenic railway commercial part of it but the offbeat, local and the one which is still untamed and rather wild areas. I have written a whole blog about it, you can check it here
The walks and hikes here are meditative, I am a very retreat kind of person and I would say this is my retreat. Rather spending on an expensive one, you can have little doses of nature's therapy and be back in action for work week.
Some of my favourite walks here are below and I am still discovering more every time
Walls lookout
Sublime point walking track Leura
Gordon falls walk
Empress falls walk
Katoomba falls walk
Grand canyon walk
Picnic/photo Spots
Lincoln's rock lookout ( not recommended if you have small kids since its on the cliff and no boundaries, but most beautiful views are here)
Blue Mountains Botanic gardens
Wentworth lake picnic area
Leura cascades and picnic area
Gordon falls view and picnic area
Windyridge garden (ticket of $12.50)
I have recently explored Glow worm tunnel which is very offbeat and I will write a separate blog about it. Also I am yet to explore the Jenolan caves and glow warm tunnel here and I already have been like plenty of times, so you can imagine how much is there to explore in Blue Mountains.
#4 KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK
North of Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia. I am sure many of you already know as it includes our favourite palm beach area.
This National park is some and then more, it encompasses coastline, rainforest, bushland and a portion of the Hawkesbury River. Not just the nature walks, sea views and amazing restaurants, in the region this also has significant Aboriginal sites, including ancient red ochre rock paintings and rock engravings, reached via the Red Hands Cave track.
West Head lookout and the 19th-century Barrenjoey Lighthouse offer coastal views.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is made up of three different areas: West Head, Bobbin Head and the trails around the eastern side of Mount Ku-ring-gai; Cowan, Berowra and Brooklyn (we’ll call it Cowan Creek).
Things to do/visit -
Berowra Valley National Park- This large park occupies the beautiful bushland valley between the suburbs of Hornsby Heights, Thornleigh, Galston, Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook, reaching up to the quiet waters of Berowra Creek.Berowra Creek is a great spot for some canoeing or kayaking
Bobbin Head - The area features barbecues, picnic tables, shelters and plenty of green space for an impromptu frisbee session or a spot of cricket. There's also a children's playground that's sure to be a hit with kids and you can pick up a coffee at the Bobbin Head Inn Caf or tuck into some contemporary Australian cuisine at Waterside Bistro.
Aboriginal heritage walk - Within a 10-minute walk along the track, you’ll come across the best-known site in the park, Red Hands Cave. It’s not known how old some of this art is, but either way, you’re bound to be in awe of this ancient Aborginal art.
Palm Beach - Palm Beach curves 2.3km, from Little Head to Barrenjoey Head, Sydney’s northernmost seaside point. Follow the trail to heritage-listed Barrenjoey Lighthouse which boasts splendid views of the coast, Pittwater and Kur-ring-gai Chase National Park. You can get there via the Palm Beach ferry, which lands at the Basin campground or head to Ettalong on the Central Coast via Broken Bay at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River.
The thing to remember is that these three areas are surprisingly far from each other, and West Head and Bobbin Head have only one road in and out. Whilst West Head and Bobbin Head may not look far apart, it actually takes about 45 minutes to drive between the two.
#5 KAMAY BOTANY BAY NATIONAL PARK
Located in the Sydney metropolitan region of New South Wales, yes this one is within the city and has amazing stone structures, rock formations and history. Discover its rich Aboriginal culture, explore Captain Cook's Landing Place, spot native plants on a bushwalk or whales at Cape Solander.
This park has two regions
La-Perouse - I have written a separate blog about it as this place deserves its own share. La Perouse is the northern headland of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, near Maroubra. Such a beautiful oasis in the city and it can transport you to Australia's true geographic regions, thats one of the reason it's also listed in world's UNESCO heritage site. If you are in to photography this is your place, walk the bridge and capture those artistic walls as backdrop a true example of art by nature.
Krunell area - Kurnell area is at the southern headland of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, near Cronulla. Great walks, rock pools, rock formations along the coast and varied landscapes to explore also check out cafes with good vibes.
Well I hope you might have covered most of them as a Sydney local and if not, its time to explore :). Happy travels.