National parks in Australia: statistics and facts

Fact checked · 118 sources

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How many national parks are there in Australia?

Australia is home to 715 national parks across all states and territories, covering about 37 million hectares (as of June 2024).1 That is about 4.8% of the country's land; Queensland has the most national parks (276)2, and Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert is the largest3.

Illustration of an A-frame cabin among pine trees, with the text: Australia is home to 715 national parks, spanning 37 million hectares across all states and territories

What percentage of Australia is national park or protected?

Australia has an extensive network of national parks. About 37 million hectares are national park, which constitutes approximately 4.8% of the country’s total territory.1

National parks are only one kind of protected area. On 30 June 2024 Australia had 14,575 terrestrial protected areas – including conservation parks, nature reserves and Indigenous Protected Areas – covering 22.57% of its land4.

How many national parks are in each Australian state?

Queensland has the most national parks in Australia (276).2 Next is New South Wales (212)5 and Western Australia (118).6 By share of land, the ACT (33.0%)7 and Tasmania (21.8%) have the most set aside as national park8.

Number of national parks by state and territory (June 2024)
State or territoryNational parksArea (hectares)Share of land area
Queensland27626,787,40623.9%2
New South Wales21255,612,66857.0%5
Western Australia11868,487,71163.4%6
Victoria4592,910,779912.8%9
South Australia29107,856,656108.0%10
Tasmania1881,488,522821.8%8
Northern Territory16113,733,764112.8%11
Australian Capital Territory1777,872733.0%7

Source · Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2024, terrestrial summaries by state and territory. Area is national park land only; share is of the state or territory's total land area.

Famous national parks in each Australian state
State/TerritoryNational ParkLocationDate of Establishment
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)Namadgi National ParkACT1984
New South Wales (NSW)Blue Mountains National ParkEastern NSW1959
Kosciuszko National ParkSoutheastern NSW19675
Royal National ParkSydney, NSW187912
Mungo National ParkWestern NSW19795
Ku-ring-gai Chase National ParkNorthern Sydney, NSW189413
Northern Territory (NT)Kakadu National ParkTop End, NT1979
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National ParkCentral NT1985
Litchfield National ParkNorthern NT1986
Nitmiluk National ParkNorthern NT1989
Queensland (QLD)Daintree National ParkNorth QLD1981
Great Sandy National ParkSouth East QLD1971
Noosa National ParkSunshine Coast, QLD1939
Lamington National ParkSoutheast QLD19152
South Australia (SA)Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National ParkOutback SA2021
Ikara–Flinders Ranges National ParkFlinders Ranges, SA194510
Flinders Chase National ParkKangaroo Island, SA191910
Nullarbor National ParkWestern SA197910
Tasmania (TAS)Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National ParkCentral TAS19228
Freycinet National ParkEast Coast, TAS19168
Tasman National ParkSoutheast TAS1999
Southwest National ParkSouthern TAS1955
Victoria (VIC)Alpine National ParkEastern VIC1989
Great Otway National ParkSouthwest VIC20059
Grampians (Gariwerd) National ParkWestern VIC19849
Wilsons Promontory National ParkSouthern VIC18989
Western Australia (WA)Karlamilyi National ParkPilbara, WA19776
Karijini National ParkPilbara, WA19696
Purnululu National ParkKimberley, WA19876
Kalbarri National ParkMid West, WA19636
Commonwealth/National TerritoriesBooderee National ParkJervis Bay Territory1992
Christmas Island National ParkChristmas Island1980
Pulu Keeling National ParkCocos (Keeling) Islands1995
Norfolk Island National ParkNorfolk Island1986

What is the largest national park in Australia?

Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park is the largest national park in Australia.3 Part of it protects the Simpson Desert. It is one of the most remote parks and covers 36,000 km² in South Australia.

Kakadu National Park is the second-largest national park in Australia. It is located in the Northern Territory and covers 19,804 km².14

10 largest national parks in Australia
RankNational ParkStateSize (km²)
1Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National ParkSA36,0003
2Kakadu National ParkNT19,80414
3Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National ParkSA13,50710
4Judbarra/Gregory National ParkNT12,85711
5Karlamilyi National ParkWA12,8376
6Munga-Thirri National ParkQLD10,1442
7Limmen National ParkNT9,58111
8Witjira National ParkSA7,68210
9Kosciuszko National ParkNSW6,8895
10Murray-Sunset National ParkVIC6,6589

What is the oldest national park in Australia?

Royal National Park is the oldest national park in Australia – the first to be declared. It is located south of Sydney and was established in 1879.12 It is the second-oldest national park in the world after Yellowstone National Park in the USA.15

10 oldest national parks in Australia
RankNational ParkStateYear Established
1Royal National ParkNSW187912
2Belair National ParkSA189116
3Ku-ring-gai Chase National ParkNSW189413
4Wilsons Promontory National ParkVIC18989
5Mount Buffalo National ParkVIC18989
6John Forrest National ParkWA19006
7Tamborine National ParkQLD190817
8Bunya Mountains National ParkQLD190818
9Main Range National ParkQLD19082
10Millstream Falls National ParkQLD190919

Source · Year the park, or its oldest section, was first declared a national park. Sources: state park agencies; CAPAD 2024.

Which Australian national parks are World Heritage-listed?

Australia has 21 places on the World Heritage List20, and several of the national parks on this page are part of one:

  • Kakadu National Park – inscribed in 1981, extended in 1987 and 199214.
  • Tasmanian Wilderness21 – 1982, including Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park22.
  • Gondwana Rainforests of Australia23 – 1986, including Lamington National Park24.
  • Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park – 1987 for its natural values and 1994 for its cultural values25.
  • Wet Tropics of Queensland26 – 1988, including Daintree National Park27.
  • K’gari – 1992; most of the island is national park28.
  • Greater Blue Mountains Area – 2000, including Blue Mountains National Park29.
  • Purnululu National Park – 200330.

What is the most visited national park in Australia?

Blue Mountains National Park in NSW has the most visits of any Australian national park that publishes a count: 7.8 million in 2024–25.31

Visitor numbers are counted differently in each state – survey estimates in NSW, traffic counters in Victoria and the NT, park passes at Uluṟu and Kakadu – so they compare best within a state.

  • Blue Mountains National Park (NSW) had 7.8 million visits in 2024–25, the most of any NSW park, ahead of Royal National Park (4.9 million)31.
  • The Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park (VIC) had about 2 million visits in 2024–25, and Wilsons Promontory 605,88732.
  • Karijini National Park (WA) attracts more than 650,000 visits a year33.
  • Litchfield National Park (NT) had 280,100 visitors in 2025 and Nitmiluk 251,20034.
  • In Tasmania, about 287,000 people visited Freycinet in 2024–25 and 268,000 visited Cradle Mountain’s Dove Lake35.
  • Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park had 267,363 visitors in 2024–25, Booderee 254,712 and Kakadu 176,23036.

How much does it cost to enter national parks in Australia?

It depends on the state. Some charge vehicle entry at selected parks, Tasmania requires a pass for every national park, and Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa and Kakadu sell their own passes:

  • New South Wales: vehicle entry is charged at selected parks – usually $8 a day, or $29 per 24 hours at Kosciuszko in the snow season37; an All Parks Pass costs $190 a year38.
  • Western Australia: day entry at fee-charging parks is $17 per vehicle39.
  • Tasmania: a Parks Pass costs $49.15 per vehicle for a day, or $98.35 for a holiday pass covering every national park40.
  • Northern Territory: visitors pay $30 for a two-week adult pass to NT Government parks41.
  • Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa: $38 per adult for three days42.
  • Kakadu: $40 per adult in the dry season and $25 in the tropical summer, valid for 7 days43.

Can you camp in Australian national parks?

Yes. Every state and the Northern Territory has campgrounds in its national parks, from free bush sites to ones with hot showers. Fees are charged per night and are usually separate from park entry fees, and you need to book the popular sites ahead.

  • Queensland: a camping permit costs $7.75 per person per night, or $31 per family, from 1 July 2026.44
  • New South Wales: campgrounds are booked online, and the booking does not include vehicle entry fees where a park charges them.45
  • Victoria: there are more than 1,000 places to camp, some free and some bookable, and camping fees are half-price at Parks Victoria campgrounds until July 2027.46
  • Western Australia: $10 to $20 per adult per night, depending on the facilities, and park entry fees are paid separately.47
  • South Australia: campsites are priced by how many vehicles they hold and their facilities, and most campground bookings include vehicle entry.48
  • Tasmania: you need a parks pass to enter any national park40, and some parks, such as Douglas-Apsley, have free bush camping.49
  • Northern Territory: designated campsites must be booked online before you go, at $10 to $20 per adult per night depending on the campground.50

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Frequently asked questions

How many national parks are in Queensland?

Queensland has 276 national parks, the most of any state. They cover about 6.8 million hectares, or 3.9% of the state.2

How many national parks are in NSW?

New South Wales has 212 national parks covering about 5.6 million hectares, or 7.0% of the state.5

How many national parks are in Victoria?

Victoria has 45 national parks. They cover about 2.9 million hectares, or 12.8% of the state9, a bigger share than any state except Tasmania.

Is Royal National Park the oldest national park in the world?

No. Royal National Park, south of Sydney, was declared in 1879 and is the second-oldest national park in the world12, after Yellowstone in the USA.15

Can you take a campervan into Australian national parks?

Yes, many national park campgrounds take campervans, but not all of them. In the Northern Territory, for example, caravans and generators are only allowed at certain campgrounds50, so check the campground before you book.

More national park statistics

References

  1. Terrestrial CAPAD 2024 National summary (XLSX) · dcceew.gov.au ↑ b
  2. Terrestrial CAPAD 2024 Qld summary (XLSX) · dcceew.gov.au ↑ b c d e f g h i
  3. Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert National Park | National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia · parks.sa.gov.au ↑ b c
  4. Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2024 — terrestrial protected area statistics · dcceew.gov.au ↑
  5. Terrestrial CAPAD 2024 NSW summary (XLSX) · dcceew.gov.au ↑ b c d e f g h
  6. Terrestrial CAPAD 2024 WA summary (XLSX) · dcceew.gov.au ↑ b c d e f g h i j
  7. Terrestrial CAPAD 2024 ACT summary (XLSX) · dcceew.gov.au ↑ b c d
  8. Terrestrial CAPAD 2024 Tas summary (XLSX) · dcceew.gov.au ↑ b c d e f
  9. Terrestrial CAPAD 2024 Vic summary (XLSX) · dcceew.gov.au ↑ b c d e f g h i j
  10. Terrestrial CAPAD 2024 SA summary (XLSX) · dcceew.gov.au ↑ b c d e f g h
  11. Terrestrial CAPAD 2024 NT summary (XLSX) · dcceew.gov.au ↑ b c d e
  12. Australia's First National Park · nma.gov.au ↑ b c d
  13. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Lion Island, Long Island and Spectacle Island nature reserves plan of management – NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service · environment.nsw.gov.au ↑ b
  14. World Heritage Places — Kakadu National Park, DCCEEW · dcceew.gov.au ↑ b c
  15. History & Culture – Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b
  16. Belair National Park | National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia · parks.sa.gov.au ↑
  17. Tamborine National Park – About, Queensland Parks · parks.qld.gov.au ↑
  18. Bunya Mountains National Park – About, Queensland Parks · parks.qld.gov.au ↑
  19. Millstream Falls National Park – About, Queensland Parks · parks.qld.gov.au ↑
  20. Australia's World Heritage List – DCCEEW · dcceew.gov.au ↑
  21. World Heritage Places – Tasmanian Wilderness, DCCEEW · dcceew.gov.au ↑
  22. Cradle Mountain — Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service · parks.tas.gov.au ↑
  23. World Heritage Places – Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, DCCEEW · dcceew.gov.au ↑
  24. Lamington National Park – About, Queensland Parks · parks.qld.gov.au ↑
  25. World Heritage Places – Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, DCCEEW · dcceew.gov.au ↑
  26. World Heritage Places – Wet Tropics of Queensland, DCCEEW · dcceew.gov.au ↑
  27. Wet Tropics World Heritage Area – parks, Queensland Government · environment.qld.gov.au ↑
  28. World Heritage Places – K'gari (Fraser Island), DCCEEW · dcceew.gov.au ↑
  29. World Heritage Places – Greater Blue Mountains Area, DCCEEW · dcceew.gov.au ↑
  30. World Heritage Places – Purnululu National Park, DCCEEW · dcceew.gov.au ↑
  31. Record visits to NSW national parks drive economic growth and regional jobs · destinationnsw.com.au ↑ b
  32. Parks Victoria – National Parks Act Annual Report 2024–25 · parliament.vic.gov.au ↑
  33. Karijini National Park improvement project – DBCA · dbca.wa.gov.au ↑
  34. Parks and Wildlife visitor data — Darwin region (NT Government) · dth.nt.gov.au ↑
  35. Visitors to PWS "Reference Sites" 2019-20 to 2024-25 Financial Years · parks.tas.gov.au ↑
  36. Director of National Parks Annual Report 2024–25 · dcceew.gov.au ↑
  37. Fee-collecting parks – NSW National Parks · nationalparks.nsw.gov.au ↑
  38. Annual passes – NSW National Parks · nationalparks.nsw.gov.au ↑
  39. Park entry fees – Explore Parks WA (DBCA) · exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au ↑
  40. Park passes and entry fees – Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania · parks.tas.gov.au ↑ b
  41. NT parks visitor pass – NT.GOV.AU · nt.gov.au ↑
  42. Buy your pass – Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park · uluru.gov.au ↑
  43. Park passes – Kakadu National Park · kakadu.gov.au ↑
  44. Camping fees from 1 July 2026 – Queensland parks and forests · parks.des.qld.gov.au ↑
  45. Terms and conditions: Accommodation bookings – NSW National Parks · nationalparks.nsw.gov.au ↑
  46. Camping in Victoria – Parks Victoria · parks.vic.gov.au ↑
  47. Camping fees – Explore Parks WA (DBCA) · exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au ↑
  48. Book and pay FAQs – National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia · parks.sa.gov.au ↑
  49. Where to stay — Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service · parks.tas.gov.au ↑
  50. Camping fees in NT parks – NT.GOV.AU · nt.gov.au ↑ b
  51. National Parks in Australia (Senate Committee report) · aph.gov.au
  52. Parks Australia
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