The best national parks to visit on your Australian road trip

To experience Australia’s sublime landscapes, a visit to at least one of the country’s 500+ national parks is a must. While all diverse, they each represent an ideal place to switch off, recharge, and tap back into your adventurous spirit and sense of freedom.

From an East Coast ‘short’ list of 1,289, we’ve selected the top 12 national parks across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. All are perfect for short and long getaways on the Australian East Coast.

Choosing from over 1,000 options can be overwhelming. Thankfully, we’ve done the work, so you don’t have to. Use our quick guide to Australia’s national parks – three per state - to help narrow your options.

Queensland

Daintree Rainforest

Queensland boasts an impressive number of national parks –1,000 in total – but none transport you back in time quite like a visit to the Daintree Rainforest. Wandering beneath the ancient canopy of this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site reveals diverse flora and fauna, including rare endemic species like the 110-million-year-old idiot fruit and the prehistoric-looking southern cassowary.

The park offers over 1,200 kilometres to explore, with road trippers typically using the Daintree Rainforest Centre or Mossman Gorge as a base. The latter is closest to our Star RV Cairns branch. Both bases offer inspiring Indigenous experiences alongside access to the Daintree’s mind-blowing natural wonders. Join the traditional custodians as they share Dreamtime stories and bush tucker tales to deepen your connection to this ancient land.

Our top picks for the best motorhome stay? Cape Tribulation Campground or Daintree Rainforest Village.

Great Barrier Reef

The world’s most famous marine national park, the Great Barrier Reef is not to be missed when road-tripping Far North Queensland. With ample activities on and in this aquatic marvel, there’s something to suit every kind of traveller. Stretching 2,400 kilometres from Cape York to Bundaberg, you can explore this iconic natural wonder multiple times across a Queensland coastal road trip.

Snorkelling and scuba diving get you closest to the world’s largest coral reef, including the mesmerising kaleidoscope of fish, coral, and sea creatures that call the Great Barrier Reef home. You can also go kayaking, take a boat trip, and even soar over the reef on a scenic flight or skydive over it. The Great Barrier Reef is the ultimate Queensland must-do.

Park your RV at Cairns Holiday Park or Cairns Cool Waters.

Noosa

On Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Noosa is a rare destination that offers the best of both worlds: access to its stunning national park and the town’s trendy cafés, boutiques, and quality restaurants. Only 120 kilometres north of our Brisbane branch, Noosa is an ideal destination for a short getaway or as a destination stop on a longer adventure north.

Noosa National Park is a coastal sanctuary where pristine beaches, rocky headlands, and lush woodlands merge to create an idyllic escape. Spanning 2,883 hectares, the park reaches Noosa headland, Lake Weyba, Peregian, and Coolum.

The park’s trails include the famous 4-hour Coastal Walk, a trail that showcases why Noosa is such a beloved destination. There’s even a bus to take you back to the hipster Hastings Street if you only want to walk one way. Pack your swimwear and a picnic to advantage of the gorgeous bays you’ll pass on your hike and watch for koalas and dolphins, along with whales from May to October.

Top Noosa places to stay include Noosa River Holiday Park or Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp.

*Honourable QLD mentions: paradise-on-earth at the Whitsundays Islands National Park, the white-sand beaches of K’gari Great Sandy National Park on the Fraser Coast, and Burleigh Head’s ocean view bush walk on the Gold Coast. *

New South Wales

Barrington Tops National Park

Drive four hours north of Sydney to reach Barrington Tops National Park, a 290-million-year-old forest once part of the Gondwana supercontinent. Barrington Tops is now one of the 41 reserves that make up the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests.

The diversity of Barrington Tops’ flora and fauna is its biggest drawcard. In fact, it’s considered the terrestrial equivalent of the Galapagos Islands! Pass through temperate rainforests, sub-alpine woodlands, grasslands, swamps, and more, while watching for native critters and plants along the way.

The Gloucester Falls walking track is an easy hike to the twin Gloucester Falls, as is the 1.5-hour Antarctica Beech Forest trail. For a longer hike, join the resident kangaroos and wallabies on the 8-kilometre Gloucester Tops Circuit. You can also explore the park by canoe and mountain bike.

Stay a night or two at Treachery Camp at Seal Rocks or the free Manning River Campground.

The Blue Mountains

The Greater Blue Mountains region encompasses an enormous 1 million hectares, with a quarter of it being the iconic Blue Mountains National Park. It’s not the rock that gives the Blue Mountains their name, but rather the blue hues emitted from the four kinds of eucalyptus trees that fill the park. The Blue Mountains are only 65 kilometers from our Sydney Star RV branch.

This UNESCO park’s most famous landmark is the Three Sisters rock formations. They stand tall amid the region’s towering sandstone cliffs, ancient forests, and cascading falls. A ride on the Scenic Skyway gondola and a visit to Echo Point Lookout captures the majesty of the Blue Mountains, however, it’s on foot you fully immerse. The Kanangra-Boyd National Park’s 2-hour Plateau Walk is our pick to experience the blue haze at its most vibrant.

Besides its natural wonders, the Blue Mountains National Park is home to charming towns like Katoomba and Leura and Indigenous rock art at Red Hands Cave. The multi-level Jenolan Caves - the world’s oldest – are also worth adding to your Blue Mountains road trip itinerary.

Snooze under the stars at Katoomba Falls Tourist Park or Jenolan Holiday Park.

Kosciuszko National Park

For adventure-loving road trippers, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Kosciuszko National Park feels like a big kids’ playground. On the New South Wales and Victoria border, this mountain mecca has plenty to keep you entertained, no matter the season. A drive along the Kosciuszko Alpine Way is a road trip driving highlight.

In the warmer months, hike, bike, raft, kayak, fish, and explore Kosciuszko’s caves. During the springtime, alpine wildflowers bloom amplifying the region’s charm. If you thought summiting Australia’s highest peak would be a challenge, you’re wrong. A metal walkway to Mt Kosciuszko's 2,228-kilometre peak means even the moderately fit can tick this off their bucket list.

Not everyone knows that the sunburnt Country gets snow, with Kosciuszko being the premier place in Australia to experience it. By day, don your skis or snowboard at Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass, and Selwyn Snowfields, or even go bobsledding or snow tubing. By night, a lively après ski scene unfolds, making for a fun-filled winter getaway.

Sleep at Discovery Parks – Jindabyne or Island Bend Campground (booking fee only).

*Honourable NSW mentions: the coastal wonders of Booderee National Park, wake with wild kangaroos around your motorhome at Pebbly Beach in Murramarang National Park, and the otherworldly vibes at Mungo National Park on the NSW/VIC border. *

Victoria

Port Campbell

While you may not have heard of Port Campbell National Park, you do know its location: it’s on the Great Ocean Road. This 1,750-hectare park is partway along Australia’s most famous road trip and 230 kilometres from our Melbourne branch.

Port Cambell’s dramatic coastline and Southern Ocean-thrashed Twelve Apostles limestone towers are worthy of your attention. As are The Grotto, London Bridge, and Loch Ard Gorge. Nicknamed Shipwreck Coast, over 600 ships sank off these shores; take the Loch Ard Shipwreck Walk to learn of this treacherous part of the Great Ocean Road’s history.

Port Campbell National Park is a fabulous place to see little penguins in the wild. Head to London Bridge at dusk to see them adorably waddling up the beach after a day at sea. Whales are also commonly sighted from the Port Campbell township.

Lay your head at Port Campbell Holiday Park or the affordable Port Campbell Recreation Reserve.

The Grampians

Head inland to the rugged landscape of the Grampians National Park. Sandstone Peaks, gushing falls, and vibrant flora make this a retreat filled with beauty and tranquillity. You can also access five rock art sites, bringing to life the importance of the Gariwerd to the Jadawadjali people.

For panoramic park views, take a hike to the Pinnacle Lookout. Mackenzie Falls is another top Grampians stop and it’s the only waterfall in the region that flows 365 days a year.

Visit from late August to mid-November to witness the park’s spectacular wildflower display. Year-round kangaroos, koalas, emus, echidnas, and native birds may become your temporary neighbours.

Enjoy the Grampians longer when you stay at BIG4 Grampians Parkgate Resort or Halls Gap Holiday Park.

Wilsons Promontory

If pristine beaches, granite mountains, and diverse ecosystems appeal, you’ll love a road trip to Wilsons Promontory National Park on Victoria’s east coast. With a range of natural wonders, countless activities, and a plethora of wildlife, including wombats, kangaroos and emus, the Prom is a state treasure.

Besides touring this 50,500-hectare national park in your comfortable Star RV, getting out on foot is also recommended. Hike to the summit of Mt Oberon for 360-degree views, take a nature walk at Lilly Pilly Gully or listen to the quartz sand sing as you stroll Squeaky Beach. The park’s flora includes temperate rainforests and the world’s most southerly mangroves. Enjoy the latter on the Millers Landing Nature Walk.

You can also enjoy a dip at Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park, affording you a 2-for-1 national park adventure on your road trip. Snorkel off Norman Beach to see why the marine life here rivals the Great Barrier Reef.

Book your RV into Tidal River Campground or Wilsons Prom Holiday Park.

*Honourable VIC mentions: the pink lakes at Murray-Sunset National Park, the tranquil vibes and healing waters at Dandenong National Park, and fun times koala spotting along the Kennet River at Great Otway National Park. *

Tasmania

Freycinet National Park

While there are many stunning places in Tasmania to make your jaw drop, there’s nothing quite like Freycinet National Park, 180 kilometres from our Hobart branch.

Nestled on the east coast, Freycinet is filled with vibrant hues, from the pristine white-sand beaches to the clear turquoise waters to the pink granite peaks in the distance. The total effect is breathtaking, especially at the legendary Wineglass Bay.

Hiking is the most idyllic way to immerse yourself in all that makes Freycinet National Park special. With over 20 trails, there’s a route for every kind of interest and fitness level. Our pick? Freycinet Circuit and Wineglass Bay Lookout. If you’re game, hike to the summit of Mt Amos at sunrise for epic views across the bays and beyond.

The perfect complements to time on the trails include a Wineglass Bay cruise or kayaking adventure, plus scenic flights are available.

Our top RV campground picks are Freycinet National Park Camping Ground or Freycinet Campground. Book early if travelling over the summer months.

Cradle Mountain-St Clair National Park

Mt Ossa may be Tasmania’s tallest peak, but it’s not its most famous one. That accolade goes to Cradle Mountain, the park’s majestic centrepiece. Both are within Cradle Mountain-St Clair National Park, northwest of Hobart. Craggy mountains and still glacial lakes frame the deep river gorges and verdant rainforests.

Cradle Mountain draws visitors due to its exceptional beauty (think brochure-cover worthy) and challenging slopes. Walk to its summit in eight hours return. Cradle Mountain is also the start of the 65-kilometre-long Overland Track, the state’s most popular multi-day trail through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

It’s not only scenic wonders that appeal with a road trip to Cradle Mountain-St Clair National Park, the wildlife here wows, too. Quolls, echidna, wombats, platypus, and Tasmanian devils reside in the park. Stop by the Devil’s Cradle Conservation Centre, too.

Enjoy a fabulous sleep in your Star RV motorhome at Lake St Clair Camping or Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain.

Maria Island

Hop aboard a short ferry ride for a day trip to Maria Island National Park. A natural wildlife sanctuary, you’ll love the picture-perfect landscape of near-empty beaches, the inviting azure waters, and the rare wildlife that thrive on this car-free island. Spotting a Tasmanian pademelon and Forester kangaroo is the Maria Island equivalent to a lottery win.

It’s not only a rich ecosystem that awaits visitors to Maria Island but a slice of Australian history, too. Twice from 1825 to 1856, the island became a penal colony. There are 14 buildings and ruins open for exploration today, and the Darlington Probation Station is one of 11 UNESCO World Heritage Australian Convict Sites.

One of Maria Island’s other highlights includes a low tide walk to the swirly sandstone patterns on the Painted Cliffs and seeing the 300-million-year-old fossils at Fossil Cliffs.

So which East Coast Australian National Park appeals?

Thanks to this handy guide, you now know which of the East Coast’s 1,289 national parks is best to visit with your Australian motorhome rental. Something special awaits.

Book your Star RV motorhome HERE or call our friendly team on 1800 875 018.