The best national parks to explore near Sydney

Distance from Sydney: 37km

What list of Sydney’s nearby national parks would be complete without the majestic OG? Less than an hour from the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s CBD, you’ll find a whopping 15,091 hectares of bushland hugging the coast south of the city. Whatever outdoor pursuit you’re in the mood for – swimming, surfing, hiking, biking, bird watching, camping, or just chilling out in nature – you can find your fix here. Serious walkers should set their sights on the 26km coastal trail, which usually takes two days to complete.

Distance from Sydney: 25km

Where the Hawkesbury River meets the sea, overlooking the insular peninsular of the Northern Beaches, some 15,000 hectares of dense forests, hidden coves and sheltered beaches are waiting for you. If you want to keep one eye on civilisation, you can catch the ferry from Mackerel Beach Wharf across the sapphire expanse of Pittwater to Palm Beach, where you'll find bijou cafés and waterfront diners. But not before you’ve had the chance to take in the stunning views at West Head Lookout, perfectly positioned by the mouth of the Hawkesbury with the Barrenjoey Lighthouse in the distance.

Distance from Sydney: 65km

There’s a very good reason why the epic vistas of the Blue Mountains are World Heritage listed. Several in fact. Firstly, it has some of the most breathtaking geological formations, gorges and waterfalls anywhere in the country, many of which are important sacred sites for the Gundungurra and Darug peoples who have called these lands home for thousands of generations. Secondly, it boasts a unique diversity of vegetation, including certain species of eucalypts that are found here and nowhere else in the world. It’s also one of the largest national parks of its type in the country (the top spot goes to Kosciuszko National Park, also in NSW), covering more than a million hectares. It’s almost beyond belief that such world-beating natural beauty can be reached in little more than an hour's drive from central Sydney.

Distance from Sydney: 9km

Some people have a yen to roam far and wide, but others prefer to stick closer to home. If you count yourself among the latter, this slice of pristine nature within sight of the city is the national park for you. Most easily accessed from the city via the Taronga Zoo ferry, it's set up with walking trails and coastal paths, making it a perfect day trip destination for anyone who doesn’t want an overly arduous trek. Follow the trail to Bradley’s Head, where you’ll find stunning views of the harbour, the Middle and South Heads as well as the Hornby Lighthouse in the distance at Watson’s Bay, one of Sydney’s most Instagrammed landmarks. There are equally photogenic views of the city skyline from the Bradley’s Head Amphitheatre, so bring your camera and get ready to rake in those double taps. 

Distance from Sydney: 98km

Hugging the Central Coast near Gosford, this park is a real crowd-pleaser. The 8.5km coastal walk is easily manageable in an afternoon, and if the uninterrupted ocean views on the trail aren’t enough for you, you can always head to Gerrin Point Lookout, a short walk from Putty Beach, where you’ll find unbeatable whale watching conditions during the season. Why not up the adrenaline factor by breaking out the mountain bikes and taking on the 10km Bouddi Ridge course? For those in search of a more challenging trek, there's the Maitland Bay bushwalking trail down to the area’s famous shipwreck. There’s also a wealth of wildlife for animal lovers to encounter, including sea eagles, echidnas and sugar gliders. And if all that sounds rather ambitious for a day trip, no problem: you can pitch a tent at one of the park’s three campsites for a weekend – the Putty Beach grounds even have shower facilities.

Distance from Sydney: 74km

The ancient eucalypt and shale forests, dense bushlands and pooling waterways within this protected area south of Helensburgh sit on the ancestral lands of the Dharawal people. There are several sites of cultural and sacred significance within the park, including Indigenous artworks and axe-grinding grooves that date back thousands of years. One of the most enlightening and powerful ways to experience this beautiful park is on one of the official Indigenous-led walking tours, which happen on the second Saturday of the month. Discover the lore and culture that still resonates through the Hawkesbury sandstone to this day, while also learning about the local flora and fauna and how the area is being preserved.

Distance from Sydney: 70km

This sprawling forest is one of the Hawkesbury's best-kept secrets. The landscape here is staggeringly dynamic; sandstone gullies give way to mangrove forests on the shoreline, while tall, ridge-top woodlands blanket the highlands. In the summer months, the conditions are perfect to explore the area by kayak or canoe, although there are also excellent biking routes to explore and even a horse riding trail. In winter, day hikes are the best activity for the season, exploring the Canoelands Ridge track or the Marramarra Ridge to Smugglers Ridge walking trail, but be sure to rug up – the average winter temp is a chilly six degrees.

Nestled inconspicuously in Sydney's north, hugging the Lane Cove River as it snakes its way through the suburbs, this small yet perfectly formed National Park is one of those Sydney miracles, where you can be surrounded by the urban cityscape one second, and then find yourself deep in the bush the next. While it doesn't have quite the same impressive footprint as some of its starrier neighbours, this is still a wonderful place to retreat from the city without having to trek too far out of town. It's a picnickers paradise, with more than 25 designated areas plus public barbecue facilities. You can even hire a rowboat if you fancy a little jaunt upstream.