The Ultimate Guide to National Parks in Australia

We often get asked about National Parks Passes, when do you need one?, can you fly your drone there?, where can I find more information?  Tegan, who lapped Australia with Wonder to Wonder Oz, has put together this ripper guide with all the information you need about National Parks in each state – all in the one spot! Plus a few favourite photos from us…x

VICTORIA

Highlights: The Grampians National Park, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Great Otway National Park, Dandenong Ranges National Park, Alpine National Park, Cathedral Ranges, Murray-Sunset National Park

Parks Permit: Permits are not required to visit any of the National Parks in Victoria.

Camping: Fees apply to applicable sites which are all listed on Parks Victoria’s website.

https://parkweb.vic.gov.au/visit/book-your-stay

More Info: https://parkweb.vic.gov.au

Drones: Launching and landing a drone is prohibited in Victoria’s National Parks with hefty fines up to a maximum of  $3171.40.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Highlights: Mt Kozciuszko National Park, Blue Mountains, Sydney Harbour National Park, Lord Howe Island, Tomaree National Park, Cape Byron State Conservation Area, Munmorah State  Conservation Area, Mungo National Park

Parks Permit: Park entry fees for vehicles apply at 45 out of 870 national parks and reserves. Prices range from $190 for an annual All Parks Pass (includes Mt Kozciuszko National Park) or $65 for a Multi-Parks Pass (excludes Mt Kozciuszko National Park). Passes can be purchased online https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/passes-and-fees/annual-passes via phone (13000 PARKS), at a NSW National Parks visitor centre, or via email and post by downloading the Annual pass order form (Doc 153KB) and returning it by email to annual.passes@environment.nsw.gov.au, or post to National Parks Contact Centre, PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232.

Camping: Fees apply to applicable sites which are all listed on NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service’s website.

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation

More Info: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Drones: Recreational use of drones is only by consent of the park managers. This can be in the form of signs at a park entrance or inside the park, or by written or verbal notice. Users must comply with all CASA regulations.

QUEENSLAND

Highlights: Daintree National Park, Boodjamulla National Park, Carnarvon National Park, Great Sandy National Park, Whitsunday Islands National Park, Springbrook National Park, Lamington National Park, Girringun National Park

Parks Permit: Permits are not required to visit any of the National Parks in Queensland. However a vehicle access permit must be obtained before driving on Bridie Island, K’gari (Fraser Island), Moreton Island, Cooloola and Minjerribah recreation areas.

Camping: Fees apply to applicable sites which are all listed on Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service’s website.

https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/camping/bookings

More Info: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au

Drones: Queensland has the most relaxed rules out of all Australian states and territories. “For recreational purposes you do not need a permit to use a drone in Queensland’s National Parks as long as it weighs under 2kg, there are less than 10 people involved in the film shoot (i.e. the crew) and no buildings or structures are being filmed”.

TASMANIA

Highlights: Cradle Mountain, Freycinet National Park, Mount Field National Park, Mount William National Park, Ben Lomond National Park, South Bruny National Park – Check out our Tour of Tassie FREE eMagazine here!

Parks Permit: A Permit is required for entry to Tassie’s national parks. You can purchase a single entry pass for $24, an 8-week pass for $60 or an annual pass for $96. The permits can be purchased online https://passes.parks.tas.gov.au, at visitor centres, on the Spirit of Tasmania or by completing a hard copy application form and returning via mail.

Camping: Camping and accommodation fees are in addition to national park entry fees. You can find out which parks this applies to and how to purchase/book here https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=412

More Info: https://www.parks.tas.gov.au  Be sure to download this great guide to Tasmania’s national parks and reserves with everything you need to know and more!

https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=47189

Drones:  The operation and use of drones on reserved land is not permitted unless the Parks and Wildlife Service have provided specific written authority.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Highlights: Litchfield National Park, Nitmiluk National Park, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, West MacDonnell National Park, Gregory National Park – Check out our tips for Yulara Here

Parks Permit: Most National Parks in Northern Territory do not require a permit, however if you want to visit or drive through Aboriginal land, you must have one. You can find a list of the relevant parks here https://northernterritory.com/plan/useful-information/land-permits. Kakadu is probably the most well known, and entry prices vary depending on the season, with lower prices during the tropical summer from November to May. Park passes are free for Northern Territory residents.

Park passes are valid for 7 days by default. This can be extended to 14 days at no extra cost. https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/plan/passes/ . Your pass includes free ranger guided walks, talks and cultural activities.

Camping:  You must pay a fee in Northern Territory parks where camping is allowed.

The fee will depend on the campground facilities and camping areas with more facilities are usually more expensive. https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/camping-fees

More Info:  https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves

Drones:  To fly a drone in NT’s national parks you require a permit. The permit will allow you to fly your drone in areas generally open to the public at approved parks as long as you follow park rules and the CASA’s regulations. Many parks and sites have restrictions due to cultural considerations and flying is strictly prohibited.

https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/flying-drones-in-parks

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Highlights: Karijini National Park, Kalbari National Park, Purnululu National Park, Cape Range National Park, Francois Peron National Park, Cape Le Grand National Park, Nambung National Park

Parks Permit: A Permit is required for entry to WA’s national parks. You can purchase a month entry pass for $46 or an annual pass for $92. The permits can be purchased online https://shop.dbca.wa.gov.au/collections/park-passes or in person at a number of visitor centres and agents.

Camping:  Camping and accommodation fees are in addition to national park entry fees. You can find out which parks this applies to and how to purchase/book here https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park-stay

More Info:  https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au

The Experience WA app is an easy to use app that can help you make the most of your visit to WA. It puts thousands of places to see, explore, eat, drink and stay at around the State. Save things that interest you, and the app will learn your interests to personalise its suggestions for you.

Drones:  WA’s national parks and conservation reserves are covered by the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 (CALM Act). In order to fly a drone in the parks, you must firstly meet all legislative and regulatory requirements of the CALM Act, CASA and Biodiversity Acts. Then before you launch you need to contact the relevant district office prior to make sure that your drone does not impact on, or is not impacted by, aerial and other park management operations. Contact details for the district offices are listed online.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Highlights: Flinders Ranges National Park, Inness National Park, Mount Remarkable National Park, Coffin Bay National Park, Naracoorte Caves National Park, Kangaroo Island

Parks Permit: Vehicle entry fees apply to enter some national parks in SA, but not all so do some research before you visit. You can purchase a multiple entry park pass for $40 for 2 months or $90 for an annual pass from https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/book-and-pay/parks-passes

You can also buy the passes in person at a number of visitor centres and agents.

Camping: Camping and accommodation fees are in addition to national park entry fees. You can find out which parks this applies to and how to purchase/book here https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park#/list?A128

More Info:  You can download maps for many of SA’s national parks from www.parks.sa.gov.au or use the free Avenza PDF Map app to get interactive maps on your mobile (even when you don’t have internet)

Drones:  It is an offense to fly drones in South Australia’s national parks, reserves and marine park restricted access zones without a permit. Permits are considered for scientific research and commercial filming.