One of the best things about living in Australia is that we are never far from a national park. Large and small, each one has a story to tell.

Deep Creek branches off the Heysen Trail, offering days of exploration for walkers of all levels. Credit: SATC/Ben Goode

Home to families of western grey kangaroos, short-beaked echidnas and hundreds of native birds, between June and October you can even spot a majestic southern right whale as they migrate from sub-antarctic waters. 

Part of SA’s amazing Fleurieu Peninsula, a trip to Deep Creek puts you in close proximity to wineries, beaches and Kangaroo Island, which you can see from Cobbler Hill Picnic Area!

Stay with us: Discovery Parks - Goolwa

READ ALSO: 24 Stunning National Parks in Australia

Cleland National Park

^{South Australia is blessed with hills 15 minutes from Adelaide’s city centre. Credit: SATC/Ben Goode}

Home to Cleland Wildlife Park, Waterfall Gully and the iconic Mt. Lofty Summit, Cleland National Park puts you within touching distance of Belair National Park, one of Australia’s oldest and most established reserves.

Even better, being here means it's easy to get to the Adelaide Hills bevvy of wineries and micro-breweries. Don't drink and hike though, book a stay with us!

Stay with us: Discovery Parks - Hahndorf Resort

Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) National Park

At 144km long and 77km wide, Lake Eyre is Australia’s biggest salt lake. Credit: SATC/Luke Byrne

This is a full-blown 4WD outback adventure in South Australia’s Far North, approximately 400km from Flinders Ranges National Park. 

Standing on the edge of a dry Lake Eyre is sure to bring up some moon-landing vibes, but when there’s water around you can expect to be greeted by pelicans, silver gulls, red-necked avocets and banded stilts, who come here to breed in their thousands.

Push your limits by adding this to your itinerary next time you head to the Flinders, an incredible adventure in an amazing and remote part of Australia.

Stay with us: Discovery Parks - Roxby Downs or Discovery Parks - Port Augusta

NATIONAL PARKS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Wellington National Park

^{A short drive east of Bunbury gets you to this haven of wildflowers inside 17,000 hectares of wooded forest. Credit: Tourism WA}

Featuring waterholes and gorges you can swim, canoe or fish in, this park punches well above its weight in terms of things to do.

Known for its picturesque picnic and swimming spot of Collie River Valley, Wellington is a great way to touch nature and be charmed by the birdlife who will sing to you as you go about your day.

Also popular with mountain bikers, there is a wide variety of trails to keep even the most experienced hikers entertained. Plus, look at those wildflowers!

Stay with us: Discovery Parks - Bunbury Village or Discovery Parks - Bunbury Foreshore

Karijini National Park

Karijini is well worth the drive inland from Karratha, Port Hedland or Onslow. Credit: @4boysandacaravan

This park should be on every Australian travellers bucket list. Simply put, it’s magical at any time of the year. 

With dozens of must-see gorges and watering holes, Hammersly, Hancock and Dale Gorges are just a few names worth writing down.

It’s also worth being prepared for a variety of weather inside Karijini, as the climate here varies from semi-arid to tropical. Wildflowers bloom in the cooler months and the park is teeming with wildlife all year round.

Stay with us:  Discovery Parks - Pilbara, Karratha, Discovery Park - Onslow, Discovery Park - Port Hedland

READ ALSO: Tackling the Warlu Way in Northwest WA

NATIONAL PARKS IN VICTORIA

Mount Buffalo National Park

Mount Buffalo National Park is an all-year-round nature lover’s paradise. Credit: Visit Victoria

Known for its dramatic granite cliffs, snow gum forests and abundant wildlife, this 76,000 acre ‘island in the sky’ offers something for the whole family. Loved by tobogganers and cross-country skiers during winter, during warmer climes its' 90 kilometres of walking trails show-off an incredible range of flora, including hundreds of wildflowers unique to the park. 

Not to be missed is The Horn Lookout, which provides majestic views from the Mount Buffalo plateau.

Stay with us: Discover Parks – Bright or Discovery Parks - Mount Buffalo

READ ALSO: 7 ways to make the most of Mount Buffalo

Great Otway National Park

Smack bang in the middle of Warrnambool and Geelong, the Great Otways are worth the effort. Credit: Visit Victoria

This is a large park, so plan ahead.

Walk a stretch of the Great Ocean Walk, go four-wheel driving on the Goat or Cowley Tracks and be soothed by the sounds of cascading waterfalls.

Tick off the Great Otways as part of your next Great Ocean Road adventure. A must-do for nature lovers and anyone who loves the sea.

Stay with us: Discovery Parks - Geelong and Discovery Parks - Warrnambool

READ ALSO: Top 10 stops on the Great Ocean Road

NATIONAL PARKS IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

Litchfield National Park

Pack your swimming costume because the number of swimming holes, waterfalls and gorges here is endless. Credit: Tourism NT / Shaana McNaught

While everyone has heard of Kakadu, Litchfield National Park is the real ace in the deck when you’re visiting the Top End. 

Florence Falls is a particularly special sight, the result of two waterfalls cascading into a monsoonal forest. 

Tabletop Track is a challenging 39km hike and there are loads of 4WD options with access to popular sites. A truly authentic NT experience.

Stay with us: Discovery Parks - Darwin 

READ ALSO: 8 things to do in the Northern Territory's Top End

Berry Springs Nature Park

Another Top End haven of relaxation, Berry Springs is all about cooling off in nature not far from Darwin. Credit: Tourism NT

Full of native wildlife, this park also has an abundance of shaded picnic and barbecue areas close to swimming pools and is surrounded by native vegetation.

It is also home to a significant number of Word War II artefacts, when more than 100,000 armed forces personnel were stationed in the area.

Stay with us: Discovery Parks - Darwin  

NATIONAL PARKS IN TASMANIA

Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair National Park

Cradle Mountain offers world-class hiking for all levels and is one of the jewels in Tasmania’s wilderness crowns. Credit:Tom Roschi

Home to a rich diversity of native vegetation, the variety of wildlife is also first class. Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna and loads of bird species all call this park home.

You can also hike sections of the Overland Track, Australia’s premier alpine walk. Not to be missed.

Stay with us: Discovery Park - Cradle Mountain, Discovery Park - Hadspen, Discovery Park - Devonport

READ ALSO: A foodies guide to Tasmania: Food & Wine on the Apple Isle

Ben Lomond

Jacob’s Ladder is one of Tasmania’s most spectacular alpine roads. Credit: Matthew Donovan

Full of rare plant species and an abundance of wildlife, in certain parts Ben Lomond doesn't feel ike 'Australia' at all. Comprised of all manner of stone types, its peak of Legges Tor is the second highest in Tasmania at 1500m above sea-level.  

A stunning spot with incredible views, this park is typical of Tasmania's frontier-style wilderness. 

Stay with us: Discovery Park - Cradle Mountain, Discovery Park - Hadspen, Discovery Park - Devonport

NATIONAL PARKS IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Kosciuszko National Park

Horseback riders will love an afternoon on the trails of the High Plains. Credit: Destination NSW

Mt. Kosciuszko is an all-year round adventure park with mountain biking, hiking and thermal pools to dip into at Yarrangobilly Caves. There’s also Kosciuszko itself, Australia’s highest point at 2,228 metres above sea-level - a bucket-list climb best taken in the warmer months.

For a hiking challenge doable in a day, take on the 20km Thredbo Valley Walk, then collapse in your cabin at Jindabyne!

Stay with us: Discovery Parks - Jindabyne

READ ALSO: Australian snow adventures to make you smile

Lane Cove

Only 20 minutes northwest of Sydney’s CBD, Lane Cove remains one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Credit: Destination NSW

Roughly following the course of the Lane Cove River, which flows into Sydney Harbour, this 1000-acre oasis of secluded bushland is a treat for anyone who loves being immersed in nature.

For those looking to make a weekend of it - or longer - there’s plenty to do including bushwalking and bike trails, as well as playgrounds and pleasure craft if a gentle river cruise sounds appealing.

Keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife on offer too, city bird watchers have made this a favourite haunt.

Stay with us: Discovery Parks - Lane Cove

NATIONAL PARKS IN QUEENSLAND

Great Sandy National Park

'Great Sandy' is an ocean-loving adventurer’s fantasy come true. Credit: TEQ

Home to the Cooloola Great Walk, this 102-kilometre trail winds its way through rainforest, eucalyptus and dry coastal woodlands, ending at the stunning Double Island Point and Teewah Beach.

Parts of the park are best accessed by 4WD, including the incredible sand dunes and freshwater lakes of Fraser Island, which you can get to by ferry. Definitely one for the Queensland bucket list.

Stay with us: Discovery Parks - Fraser St. Hervey Bay

READ ALSO: Explore more of Queensland: The Pacific Coast Way

Mount Archer

Archer Point is a 20 minute drive from Cooktown along Mulligan Highway and unsealed Archer Point Road. Credit: TEQ

While it is a bit of a climb to the summit, Mount Archer's views of Rockhampton and Roslyn Bay is the cherry on top of any Capricorn Coast getaway.

If you're hungry by the time you get there, drive up instead and use the public BBQs for lunch. Once there, remember to look up! Not for drop-bears, but for black cockatoos perched on eucalyptus. 

Stay at Discovery Parks - Rockhampton, Discovery Parks - Coolwaters, Yeppoon