List of national parks of Australia facts for kids
Australia is a huge country with amazing natural places! Many of these special spots are protected as national parks. These parks are like giant outdoor classrooms and playgrounds, filled with unique animals, plants, and incredible landscapes. They are super important for keeping Australia's nature safe for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future.
Even though they are called "national" parks, most of them are actually looked after by the governments of Australia's different states and territories, not just the main national government.
Contents
Australian Capital Territory
In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the parks are managed by a group called Transport Canberra & City Services.
| Name | Coordinates | Date of establishment |
|---|---|---|
| Namadgi National Park | 35°40′00″S 148°57′00″E / 35.666666666667°S 148.95°E | 1984 |
Namadgi National Park is the main national park in the ACT, offering stunning mountain views and Aboriginal cultural sites.
New South Wales
New South Wales (NSW) has many national parks, all managed by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. These parks protect everything from beautiful beaches to tall mountains and ancient forests.
| Name | Coordinates | Date of establishment |
|---|---|---|
| Abercrombie River National Park | 34°05′38″S 149°42′29″E / 34.0939°S 149.708°E | 1995 |
| Arakwal National Park | 28°39′37″S 153°37′16″E / 28.6603°S 153.621°E | 2001 |
| Bago Bluff National Park | 31°31′56″S 152°37′44″E / 31.5322°S 152.629°E | 1999 |
| Bald Rock National Park | 28°51′09″S 152°03′20″E / 28.8525°S 152.05555555556°E | 1971 |
| Barakee National Park | 31°38′30″S 151°51′06″E / 31.641666666667°S 151.85166666667°E | 1999 |
These are just a few of the many amazing national parks you can find in New South Wales! Each one offers unique natural beauty and chances to explore.
Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory, most parks are managed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. However, some very famous ones are managed by the Director of National Parks.
| Name | Coordinates | Date of establishment | Managed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barranyi (North Island) National Park | 15°34′10″S 136°52′08″E / 15.5694°S 136.869°E | 1991 | Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory |
| Charles Darwin National Park | 12°27′03″S 130°52′24″E / 12.45083333°S 130.87333333°E | 1998 | Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory |
| Davenport Murchison National Park | 20°51′36″S 134°56′28″E / 20.86°S 134.941°E | 1993 | Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory |
| Djukbinj National Park | 12°08′00″S 131°17′10″E / 12.1333°S 131.286°E | 1997 | Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory |
| Kakadu National Park | 13°02′11″S 132°26′23″E / 13.036388888889°S 132.43972222222°E | 1979 | Director of National Parks |
| Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park | 25°18′44″S 131°01′07″E / 25.312222222222°S 131.01861111111°E | 1958 | Director of National Parks |
The Northern Territory is home to iconic parks like Kakadu and Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa, which are famous worldwide for their natural beauty and Aboriginal culture.
Queensland
Queensland's national parks are managed by the Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service. This state is known for its tropical rainforests, stunning coastlines, and unique wildlife.
| Name | Coordinates | Date of establishment |
|---|---|---|
| Alton National Park | 27°59′23″S 149°18′48″E / 27.989722222222°S 149.31333333333°E | 1973 |
| Alwal National Park | 15°12′12″S 143°34′48″E / 15.2033799°S 143.5800908°E | 2010 |
| Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) National Park | 15°34′00″S 145°12′25″E / 15.5665902°S 145.2069207°E | 2006 |
| Apudthama National Park | 10°55′16″S 142°37′37″E / 10.9211°S 142.627°E | 1994 |
| Astrebla Downs National Park | 24°12′41″S 140°34′09″E / 24.211388888889°S 140.56916666667°E | 1996 |
Queensland boasts a wide variety of national parks, from the outback to the Great Barrier Reef islands.
South Australia
The National Parks & Wildlife Service South Australia looks after the parks in South Australia. This state has diverse landscapes, including deserts, coastlines, and mountain ranges.
| Name | Coordinates | Date of establishment |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park—Winaityinaityi Pangkara | 34°35′38″S 138°23′53″E / 34.594°S 138.398°E | 2016 |
| Belair National Park | 35°00′47″S 138°39′21″E / 35.013055555556°S 138.65583333333°E | 1891 |
| Canunda National Park | 37°42′56″S 140°16′59″E / 37.7156°S 140.283°E | 1959 |
| Cleland National Park | 34°58′03″S 138°41′45″E / 34.96750°S 138.69583°E | 2021 |
| Coffin Bay National Park | 34°34′56″S 135°19′19″E / 34.5822°S 135.322°E | 1982 |
South Australia's parks protect important habitats for birds and other wildlife, as well as unique geological features.
Tasmania
In Tasmania, the Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service manages the national parks. Tasmania is known for its rugged wilderness, ancient forests, and unique wildlife like the Tasmanian devil.
| Name | Coordinates | Date of establishment |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Lomond National Park | 41°33′S 147°40′E / 41.55°S 147.67°E | 1947 |
| Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park | 41°50′S 145°55′E / 41.83°S 145.92°E | 1922 |
| Douglas-Apsley National Park | 41°46′S 148°12′E / 41.76°S 148.20°E | 1989 |
| Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park | 42°25′S 146°02′E / 42.41°S 146.03°E | 1908 |
| Freycinet National Park | 42°03′S 148°17′E / 42.05°S 148.28°E | 1916 |
Tasmania's national parks are perfect for hiking and exploring wild, untouched nature.
Victoria
The national parks in Victoria are managed by Parks Victoria. This state has a mix of coastal parks, mountain ranges, and forests.
| Name | Coordinates | Date of establishment |
|---|---|---|
| Alfred National Park | 37°34′17″S 149°21′37″E / 37.571388888889°S 149.36027777778°E | 1925 |
| Alpine National Park | 37°20′15″S 146°45′25″E / 37.3375°S 146.757°E | 1989 |
| Barmah National Park | 35°52′00″S 145°07′05″E / 35.866666666667°S 145.11805555556°E | 2010 |
| Baw Baw National Park | 37°45′50″S 146°13′23″E / 37.7639°S 146.223°E | 1979 |
| Brisbane Ranges National Park | 37°47′43″S 144°16′44″E / 37.7953°S 144.279°E | 1973 |
Victoria's parks offer a wide range of activities, from bushwalking in the mountains to exploring marine environments.
Western Australia
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions manages the parks in Western Australia. This state is the largest in Australia and has vast, diverse landscapes.
| Name | Date of establishment | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Morrison National Park | 1969 | 30°02′57″S 115°35′00″E / 30.0493°S 115.5834°E |
| Avon Valley National Park | 1970 | 31°36′33″S 116°13′38″E / 31.6093°S 116.2272°E |
| Badgingarra National Park | 1973 | 30°26′06″S 115°24′41″E / 30.4351°S 115.4115°E |
| Beelu National Park | 2004 | 31°56′40″S 116°08′52″E / 31.9444°S 116.1478°E |
| Blackwood River National Park | 2004 | 34°05′39″S 115°18′16″E / 34.0941°S 115.3044°E |
Western Australia's national parks protect everything from ancient gorges to stunning coastlines and unique desert ecosystems.
External territories
Parks in Australia's external territories are managed by the Director of National Parks. These are islands far from the mainland.
| Name | Coordinates | Date of establishment |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Island National Park | 10°29′00″S 105°38′00″E / 10.48333333°S 105.63333333°E | 1980 |
| Pulu Keeling National Park | 11°50′00″S 96°49′00″E / 11.833333°S 96.816667°E | 1995 |
| Booderee National Park and Botanic Gardens | 35°09′03″S 150°38′43″E / 35.15083333°S 150.64527778°E | 1992 |
| Norfolk Island National Park | 29°04′00″S 167°56′00″E / 29.06666667°S 167.93333333°E | 1984 |
These remote island parks are vital for protecting unique island ecosystems and marine life.
See also
