10 Largest National Parks in Australia

10 Largest National Parks in Australia

10 Largest Australia National Parks

1. Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park is situated between the Wildman and East Alligator rivers, 200 km east of Darwin, Northern Territory. The largest National Park in Australia, covers an area of 19,804 km². One of the World Heritage Site that is a unique archaeological and ethnological reserve which has been inhabited continuously for 50,000 years covering almost the entire catchment of a major tropical monsoonal river system. It is a unique example of a complex of ecosystems, including tidal flats, floodplains, lowlands and plateaux, and provides a habitat for a wide range of rare and endemic species of plants and animals. In addition an immense range of cave paintings, rock carvings and archaeological sites record the skills and way of life of the region's inhabitants, from the hunter-gatherers of prehistoric times to the present Aboriginal inhabitants still living there provide an outstanding record of human interaction with the environment over tens of thousands of years.

2. Lake Eyre National Park

Lake Eyre National Park covers an area of 13,488 km² and is located in South Australia, 697 km north of Adelaide. The park contains both the North and South sections of Lake Eyre which is the largest salt lake on the continent of Australia, and also the lowest point in Australia which is 15 m below the sea level. The area is considered one of the harshest environments in Australia; it is remarkably transformed when occasionally it fills with water. Then, it is home to fish and a multitude of waterbirds. Camping is permitted; permits are available at the National Parks and Wildlife office in Port Augusta or the William Creek store.

3. Jutpurra National Park

Jutpurra National Park (formerly known as Gregory National Park), the second-largest National Park in Northern Territory, is an impressive 12,882 km² of ranges, gorges, sandstone and escarpment. Monsoon rainforest, eucalyptus and tall, arid grasses contrast with distinctive boab trees. The park features spectacular range and gorge scenery and significant traces of Aboriginal culture, European exploration and pastoral history.

4. Rudall River National Park

The Rudall River National Park (now called Karlamilyi National Park), rich in aboriginal culture and with an abundance of wildlife is 12,837 km², is the largest national park in Western Australia. It is also one of the most remote places in the world. The park is 420 km from Marble Bar and 260 km from Newman. Access is difficult and the public are not encouraged to visit the park as the conditions are rough and there are no facilities by way of fresh water supplies, signage, park ranger services, camping facilities or picnic areas, and neither the mining companies nor the Aboriginal communities have stores of food, water or fuel for travellers.

5. Simpson Desert National Park

Bordered by South Australia and the Northern Territory, the Simpson Desert National Park is the largest National Park in Queensland, covers an area of 10,120 km² and is a suitable destination for 4WDs only. For those interested in remote desert camping, this park should be put in the first choice. Red sand dunes carpeted with spinifex and broken intermittently by valleys spotted with wattles and scrub create a most wonderful Australian scene. Inhabited more than 180 species of birds, including the Eyrean grasswren, and numerous mammals and reptiles live in the park.

6. Witjira National Park

Witjira National Park covers 7,700 km² of gibber, sand dunes, stony tablelands and floodplain country on the western edge of the Simpson Desert in the far north of South Australia, 987 km north of Adelaide. It is truly spectacular country with vast landscapes including many areas of considerable archaeological, biological and geological interest. The attraction of the Dalhousie mound springs, combined with some delightful camping spots and upgraded visitor facilities, make Witjira one of the most popular and famous Desert Parks. The springs are home to unique species of fish such as the Dalhousie goby and other rare aquatic life.

7. Kosciuszko National Park

The 6,904 km² of Kosciuszko National Park include the highest peaks of Snowy Mountains, which are rarely alpine in character. They include Mount Kosciuszko, at 2,228 m the highest mountain in Australia. The park is popular as a recreational area all year round. The snow lies for months in winter, allowing most kinds of winter sport and activity to take place. In summer the fascinating variety of its flora and fauna attracts bush walkers, climbers, anglers and water sport enthusiasts.

8. Alpine National Park

Alpine National Park at 6,606 km² is the Victoria's largest and protects our highest mountains and varied alpine environments. Extensive snowfields are the primary winter attraction; the warmer months bring stunning wildflower displays and opportunities for bushwalks and four wheel driving. Enjoy varied and beautiful summer wildflowers, and discover a whole range of other plants and animals, all adapted to cope with climatic extremes. The Alpine National Park has the greatest range of flora and fauna of any national park in Victoria.

9. Murray-Sunset National Park

Murray-Sunset National Park, covers an area of 6,330 km²  is Victoria's second largest national park and contains four designated wilderness zones. Discover the park's vast open spaces, isolation, abundant wildlife and colourful spring wildflowers. The park is one of the few remaining semi-arid regions in the world where the environment is relatively untouched and is home to Victoria's largest flower, the Murray Lily, and Australia's rarest bird, the Black-Eared Miner. Explore diverse habitats, including billabongs and floodplains near the Murray River, grasslands, native pine woodlands, Mallee covered dunes, saltbush flats and Pink Lake.

10. Karijini National Park

Previously known as the Hamersley Range, Karijini National Park is the second largest National Park in Western Australia which covers 6,274 km² and is a whopping 1,600 km from Perth. It is a truly beautiful region of the country and a highlight for many travellers, with its distinct brick-red canyons, gorges and rock pools. The walking and hiking here is particularly good, with Oxers Lookout presiding over Hancock, Joffre, Red, and Weano gorges being particularly humbling.

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10 Great Natural Rock Formations in Australia

10 Great Natural Rock Formations in Australia

10 Great Australia Natural Rock Formations

1. Uluru

Located in the red heart of the central deserts, the ancient forms of Uluru and Kata Tjuta lie geographically, spiritually and symbolically at the centre of the Australian continent. Rising majestically above the red sand plains, they are shrouded in myth and mystery, their colours and moods ever-changing with the interplay of light from sun, cloud and rain. Protected within Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) rise like giant red icebergs from the flat ‘sea’ of the surrounding desert. At around 350 m high, Uluru is the world’s largest monolith; its circumference measures 9.4 km and geologists estimate the rock reaches 6 km below the earth’s surface.

2. Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest and most complex reef system in the world, made up of thousands of individual coral reefs and hundreds of islands and coral cays. It stretches more than 2,600 km along the north-east coast of Australia and is one of the only natural structures that can be seen from the moon. With its infamous colorful coral, wetlands and smattering of pretty islands, this area is a stunning display of nature’s beauty and a good reminder of the importance of conservation.

3. Bungle Bungles

The Bungle Bungles area highlight of Purnululu National Park in western Australia. The landscape features deep caverns, dramatic caves, tropical pools, and hundreds of distinctive beehive shaped limestone formations that work together to create a phenomenal scene of wonder. The Bungle Bungles get their unique tiger stripes from black algae growth that penetrates the pores of the rock combined with the orange colored build up of manganese and iron stains.

4. Wave Rock

Wave Rock is in the wheat belt region of Western Australia, 350 km south-east of Perth. It is a curved granite cliff face, actually the northern face of a large granite erosional remnant called Hyden Rock. This curved cliff face, resembling a wave about to break, is 15 m high and 110 m long. It has been rounded by weathering and water erosion, undercutting its base and leaving a rounded overhang. Water from springs active in the wetter months runs down the cliff face, dissolving and re-depositing chemicals in the granite, leaving red, brown, yellow and grey stains of carbonates and iron hydroxide. Its age has been estimated at about 2700 million years.

5. Pinnacles Desert

Pinnacles Desert is located in Nambung National Park in the western part of Australia. The pinnacles are limestone pillars that protrude out of the sand. There are thousands of pillars that stretch across the desert sand creating an incredibly unique landscape. The Pinnacles are all different shapes and sizes with some reaching 3.5 m high. The pinnacles may be jagged, rounded, sharp-edged, or any combination depending on how the wind has eroded them away.

6. Three Sisters Katoomba

The Three Sisters Katoomba is the world famous rock pillars located at Echo Point in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. Towering above the Jamison Valley, these prominent and illustrious natural formations have gained legendary status as a renowned Australian tourist attraction. At an imposing height of 922 m, 918 m and 906 m respectively they present an overwhelming sight for anyone visiting the Blue Mountains. They have been given the Aboriginal names Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo.

7. Devils Marbles 

Devils Marbles or Karlu Karlu are huge rocks located south of Tennant Creek area of Northern Territory in Australia which have been given mythological reasons by Australian tribes, they believe in its sacred powers. The aboriginal tribes believe that Marbles are eggs of Mythical Rainbow Serpent. The story is still alive and passed from generation to generation.  These rocks are several meters high and extremely large in size. They consist of granite and were formed about 1640 million years ago. These granite blocks expand and shrink little in size every 24 hours due to high  temperature change between day and night. This causes some rocks to crack, sometimes even splitting them to half. The Devils Marbles conservation reserve is the main tourist attraction in northern territory of Australia. The reserve is accessible throughout the year.

8. Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair National Park, itself a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomise the feel of a wild landscape, while ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands, buttongrass and stands of colourful deciduous beech provide a range of environments to explore. Icy streams cascading out of rugged mountains, stands of ancient pines mirrored in the still waters of glacial lakes and a wealth of wildlife ensure there is always something to captivate you. The area is one of the most popular natural areas in Tasmania.

9. The Twelve Apostles

Situated between Apollo Bay and Port Campbell in The Port Campbell National Park are the 12 Apostles. Original named 'The Sow and Piglets'. The name was changed in the 1950s to tempt more visitors to see them. These famous residence of The Great Ocean Road were created from the 70 meter limestone cliffs by the relentless pounding of the Southern Ocean. To date only 8 of the original 12 apostles are still standing as the ocean continues to erode and shape the coast line.

10. Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound is the main attraction in Flinders Ranges National Park. The pound is a saucer-shaped structure of mountains with rough and rocky peaks around the rim. It looks like a natural amphitheatre. On the outside, the walls rise steeply up to 500 m, while inside they slope gently away from the peaks. Take a scenic flight from Wilpena Pound Resort. It is the best way to appreciate this stunning natural monument. Wilpena Pound is a paradise for bushwalking in Australia. St. Mary Peak (1190 m) at the north-western side of the pound is the highest peak.

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