World Heritage Regions
Areas listed according to the World Heritage Convention are internationally recognized as cultural and natural places of such outstanding value that they ought to be preserved for the benefit of humanity. Natural World Heritage areas often represent an important stage in the Earth’s evolutionary history. For further information contact the Australian Heritage Council, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT 2601 . New South Wales has several major World Heritage listed regions as outlined below (additional World Heritage areas are indicated in the National Parks section).

Lord Howe Island Group
This island group is situated 700km (400 miles) northeast of Sydney, covering 146,300 hectares (361,520 acres) and comprising Lord Howe Island, the Admiralty Islands, the Mutton Bird Islands and Ball’s Pyramid. Lord Howe Island consists of rich lowland and mountains covered with lush vegetation, surrounded by white sandy beaches. Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird (875m/2695ft and 777m/2394ft respectively) are both of volcanic origin and provide a stark contrast to the low-lying areas along the coast. Lord Howe Island has the southernmost coral reef in the world and boasts some of the rarest flora, bird and marine life. Owing to a strict conservation policy, the number of visitors on the island at any one time is limited to 393 and the number of cars is also restricted. The bicycle is the main mode of transport.

Willandra Lakes Region
This region covers 370,000 hectares (913,000 acres) of semi-arid country in the southwest center of New South Wales and is renowned as one of the world’s earliest known cremation sites; the archaeological discovery of skeletal remains and stone tools indicated that homo sapiens inhabited the area 40,000 years ago. The region also contains a system of Pleistocene lakes formed over the last two million years, most of which are fringed on the eastern shore by dunes. The area incorporates the Mungo National Park, which is open to visitors daily. The park offers good opportunities for walks along the famous Walls of China, orange-and-white dunes, as well as many native species of birds and animals.

National Parks
For further information about parks and nature reserves in New South Wales contact NSW National Parks Center, 102 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW.

Greater Metropolitan Area
Sydney Harbour National Park features forts, secluded beaches and spectacular views. Guided tours to historic buildings are available; the most popular trails for walkers are the 5Bluff’ track to Watson’s Bay, the ‘Hermitage Foreshore’ track to Vaucluse and the ‘Manly’ scenic walkway; the ‘Fairfax’ walk on North Head is suitable for wheelchair access. The Royal National Park is the oldest park in Australia and the second oldest in the world. Wattamolla and Garie are popular swimming spots while Garie, Era and Burning Palms are best for surfing.

The park offers a variety of walking tracks along its 30km (19-mile) procession of headlands, cliffs, forests and beaches. Camping is possible at Bonnie Vale; for bush camping, a permit is required. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (40 minutes north of Sydney) is noted for its Aboriginal rock carvings (which can be seen on the ‘Aboriginal Heritage Walk’) and extensive walking tracks (one of which, the ‘Discovery’ track, has wheelchair access); beautiful water views and good sailing facilities are available at West Head and picnic areas can be found throughout the park. The park also includes a koala sanctuary. The Blue Mountains National Park (a World Heritage listed park), just 90 minutes drive west of Sydney, offers waterfalls and panoramic views featuring landmarks such as the ‘Three Sisters’. There are numerous bushwalks on offer; the ‘Fairfax Heritage Walk’ at Blackheath is a wheelchair-friendly track to Govetts Leap lookout.

Northeast
The Myall Lakes National Park near Port Stephens is the largest coastal lake system in the State and an important habitat for many species of waterbirds. Visitors are offered a range of activities, including a rainforest walk at Mungo Brush, campsites, caravans and cabins along the lake shores and beaches, as well as houseboat accommodation facilities. The mountainous Barrington Tops National Park in the Hunter wine-making region is crossed by six rivers and is known for its dramatic altitude variations, allowing visitors to experience snow-capped mountains and subtropical rainforests in a day’s walk.

The best views and walking trails are at Gloucester Tops, Carey’s Peak and Williams River. The ‘Riverside’ walk is suitable for wheelchairs. Mount Warning National Park, 12km (7 miles) from Murwillumbah, offers a fantastic trek through rainforest communities, culminating in a challenging rock scramble, to reach the 1100m (3608ft) summit of the ancient volcano. Views from the top take in the expanse of the bowl-shaped Tweed Valley. Dorrigo National Park and Border Ranges National Park, both in tropical New South Wales, contain large stretches of rainforest, with walking tracks, educational tours, picnicking and camping all available; at Border Ranges, the rainforest grows on the rim of an extinct volcano.

Central
Rock climbing and mountain walks attract visitors to Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran, whose ‘Grand High Tops’ track through the remnants of ancient volcanoes ranks high among Australia’s many spectacular walks. The park is noted for its bizarre rock outcrops.

Outback
The Mutawintji National Park, situated 130km (82 miles) northeast of the old mining town of Broken Hill, offers the classic Outback experience. Homestead Creek is the main camping base (booking required) in this park on the back of an ancient mountain range, with spectacular gorges and a variety of native animals. Tours to the Mutawintji Historic Site, which contains an important collection of Aboriginal art engraved on a hillside, are also available. The nearby Kinchega National Park is similarly rich in Aboriginal sites and contains large areas of forest backwaters and lakes; camping and accommodation in former sheep shearers’ quarters are possible (booking required).

Southeast
South of Sydney by 450km (281 miles), the Kosciuszko National Park and Snowy Mountains National Park feature some of Australia’s highest mountains, including Mount Kosciuszko (the highest) as well as the great Snowy, Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers. Wintersports are popular from June to September while, in the summer, nature enthusiasts can enjoy rare alpine flora. The main attractions of Morton National Park are its waterfalls - one at Fitzroy Falls, the other at Bundanoon. Camping is possible (booking required).

Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a huge and diverse region. The north, the ‘Top End’ of Australia, is subtropical, with such high rainfall in the rainy season that much of it is accessible only by air. The south of the Territory is an arid desert, known as the ‘Red Center’.

Darwin and the Top End
The territorial capital, Darwin, which was savaged by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve 1974, has been rebuilt and has grown over the years to become a modern, multicultural, provincial city. Darwin and the rest of the Top End have two distinct seasons. In the tropical summer from November to April, monsoon conditions mean late afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity and heavy downpours. This is the green season when the waterfalls flow and the wildlife abounds. From May through to October is the ‘dry’ season, with unlimited sunshine and balmy evenings.

The wetlands begin to dry out, confining the bird and animal life to ever smaller areas. The Top End is the area to see lush tropical vegetation, either in Darwin’s Botanical Gardens, the Crocodylus Park just outside Darwin, or in the Territory’s various national parks (see below). Also south of Darwin are the Howard Springs and Berry Springs nature parks, Territory Wildlife Park and the birds’ haven Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve. There are many good opportunities for fishing near the city, for example at Mindil Beach or Vestey’s Beach. The Tiwi Islands, comprising Bathurst Island and Melville Island, are Aboriginal islands rich in history and culture. The islands are a short flight from Darwin, but they are accessible only by organized one- or two-day tours.

The Red Center
Alice Springs is located in what is almost the geographical center of the continent. A pleasant little town, set in red desert country, it is a popular tourist resort and a base for exploring the wonders of the Outback. There are many excellent hotels and motels, a casino, a variety of restaurants and varied sporting facilities ranging from golf and tennis to hot-air ballooning and tandem parachuting.
The Royal Flying Doctor Base is open daily to the public (excluding public holidays) and the School of the Air is operational during the school term.

There are also museums and preserved buildings which help the visitor to appreciate the history of this remote town. Not least among these are the Dreamtime Gallery and the Aboriginal Arts and Culture Center. The Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, 3km (2 miles) north of the town, is an historical reserve featuring original buildings, restored equipment and an illustrated display including early photographs, papers and documents. Anzac Hill War Memorial lies just behind Alice Springs and provides a panoramic view of the town and surrounding ranges.

The region around Alice Springs is pitted with colorful gorges, canyons, valley pools and awe-inspiring chasms. These include Standley Chasm, 57km (35 miles) west of Alice, Glen Helen Gorge, 140km (9 miles) west, Ormiston Gorge, 130km (80 miles) west, Kings Canyon, 330km (205 miles) southwest and N’Dhala Gorge, 96km (59 miles) east, which is also notable for its ancient rock engravings. Palm Valley lies around one-and-a-half hours’ drive to the southwest and Rainbow Valley to the southeast on the edge of the Simpson Desert.

Château Hornsby, the Northern Territory’s only vineyard, is situated approximately 10km (6 miles) from the town center and is a venue for tastings, barbecues, and Aboriginal corroborees.

Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Alice Springs is the main base for tours to Uluru - approximately 460km (285 miles) or five hours’ drive away - and the East and Western MacDonnell Ranges. Uluru is the world’s largest monolith and plays an important part in Aboriginal mythology, in which it is believed to have been created by ancestors of the Aborigines. Visitors may still climb the rock, although to do so is considered a gross sacrilege by the indigenous people, or explore some of the fascinating caves at its base. Sunset and sunrise must be seen as the sun’s rays change the rock’s color from blazing orange to red and even deep purple, depending on the atmospheric conditions. 22 km (13 miles) from Uluru (Ayers Rock) is the Ayers Rock Resort (Yulara) - a village built to cater for the growing number of visitors to the area. The resort contains top-class hotels, lodges, self-catering maisonettes, shops, bank, restaurants, post office, caravan park and campsites and caters for all the needs of the traveller. Tours depart throughout the day for the Rock, the nearby Olgas and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, as well as other points of interest.

Uluru (Ayers Rock) has its own airport with daily flights to Alice Springs and direct connections to Sydney and other Australian cities. Car hire is available and all major coach companies service Ayers Rock on a daily basis.

Other points of interest in the Red Center include Aboriginal tours to Pitjantjatjara country, and the Ross River Homestead for horseriding, log cabins and boomerang throwing. Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park), 4 hours’ drive southwest of Alice Springs, offers spectacular views, while visitors can discover the ‘Lost City’ (a maze of eroded earth domes) and the ‘Garden of Eden’ (a sheltered green waterhole) when walking around the canyon. Hotel accommodation is available at the Kings Canyon Resort. Campsite pitches are available at Kings Creek Station. Tennant Creek offers trail rides, half-day cattle drives and gold mine tours. An hour’s drive from Tennant Creek is the impressive formation of 7m (23ft) boulders called The Devil’s Marbles.

National Parks

Kakadu National Park

This may be found about a three-hour drive to the east of Darwin down the Arnhem Highway. The park includes the flood plains between the Wildman and the Alligator Rivers, which empty into Van Diemen Gulf to the north. It is bordered by the Arnhem Land escarpment, where the spectacular waterfalls of Jim Jim and Twin Falls cascade hundreds of feet into crystal-clear rock pools below. At Ubirr (Obiri Rock) and Nourlangie Rock are fascinating galleries of Aboriginal rock painting, many dating back over 20,000 years. These paintings show mythical and spiritual figures and an ancient lifestyle which still holds great significance for the Aboriginal people today.

Within the park there are several resort-style hotels and a number of camping and caravan sites from which to explore this beautiful area. Numerous creeks, rivers and billabongs provide excellent fishing, particularly for the much prized barramundi, which is found in abundance here. Thousands of birds inhabit the wetlands - over 275 species - and wildlife abounds throughout the year.
Aerial tours over the Arnhem Land escarpment depart daily and local fishing trips can be easily arranged.

A popular way to explore the waterways is on a boat cruise on the South Alligator River or scenic Yellow Water, giving access to nature at its best. It is possible to spot crocodiles basking on the riverbanks, and the graceful jabiru (Australia’s only stork) wading amongst the water lilies. Kakadu National Park is the habitat for all wildlife common to Northern Australia and as such provides a diverse and exciting experience in the tropical Top End. Tours and safaris from two to 21 days are available by air, coach or 4-wheel drive from Darwin.

Katherine Gorge/Nitmiluk National Park
The township of Katherine is in the area known as the ‘Never Never’ about 350km (220 miles) southeast of Darwin. This is pioneer territory, made famous by Mrs Aeneas Gunn in her book We of the Never Never. Katherine Gorge, some 30km (20 miles) northeast of the town, is one of Australia’s great natural wonders and the famous boat cruises through the spectacular gorges, towering up to 60m (200ft) high, are a highlight of any visit to the region.

There are, in fact, 13 gorges and each has its own glowing colors and fascinating outcrops, steep canyon walls above cool, blue waters. Marked walking tracks are well maintained for easy access to features of interest in the park. Canoeing, swimming and boat tours are all available (May to September) along with scenic helicopter rides over the gorges. There is a good range of accommodation both in the town and Nitmiluk National Parks, and campers and caravanners are also well catered for.

Litchfield National Park
Only one-and-a-half hours’ drive south of Darwin, Litchfield National Park is ideal for day trips or can be included in longer tours of the Top End. Six waterfalls provide the main attraction of the park. Other attractions include rainforest, bush walks, weathered sandstone formations, spring-fed streams, impressive cathedral termite mounds and wildlife, such as birds, possums, wallabies and lizards.

Queensland

Brisbane

Brisbane is the economic hub and State capital of Queensland, with a year-round warm subtropical climate. Australia’s fastest growing city, it is the gateway to many coastal resorts and itself offers many attractions. Probably the most famous of these is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary,which can be reached via a river cruise. The Botanic Gardens is a splendid shady reserve at the south end of the city center, accessible by a new footbridge. City Hall in King George Square houses an art gallery, museum and clocktower observation deck. Other buildings of note include the State Parliament House with its glittering copper roof, St John’s Cathedral, The Mansions and the Old Windmill, the city’s oldest surviving building and once a treadmill worked by convicts.

The Queensland Cultural Center at South Bank contains the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum and Performing Arts Center. The South Bank Parklands, on the site of the 1988 World Expo, boasts an interesting Maritime Museum and an enormous artificial swimming beach. The Brisbane Powerhouse is a lively alternative arts venue, and the looming art deco Castlemaine Brewery offers enjoyable daily tours with samples of its famous product. Brisbane’s many festivals are another major attraction; see Social Profile section for further information.

Beyond Brisbane
Probably the best beach area in the country, the Gold Coast region 80km (50 miles) south of Brisbane comprises 42km (25 miles) of white surf beaches, theme parks (Sea World, Movie World and Dreamworld), a casino, hotels and restaurants. It has year-round sunshine and lively tourist facilities. The partying never stops at Surfers Paradise, a Miami-style high-rise strip overlooking a crowded beach.

Inland are lush green mountains, rainforests, walking trails and scenic villages. Nature lovers will also appreciate the Lamington National Park in the McPherson Mountains, and the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary. An hour’s drive north from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast offers miles of untouched wilderness, lakes, mountains and unspoilt beaches with surf ranging in condition from mild to wild. Arts and crafts trails, nature walks and awe-inspiring views can be found in the hinterland, where the Glasshouse Mountains can be found.

Cairns is the major gateway to the far north. As well as the Barrier Reef, there are rainforests in the Atherton Tableland to the west, and to the south is Mission Beach with 14km (9 miles) of white sandy beaches, looking out to Dunk Island. To the north, there is the charming old town of Port Douglas attracting many visitors, as well as Daintree, which has services to Cape Tribulation National Park, and Cooktown, close to Endeavour National Park where excellent examples of Aboriginal rock art can be found. Beyond this lies the wilderness of Cape York Peninsula.

Townsville is North Queensland’s largest city, boasting an international airport and a casino. Cruises are available to nearby islands, as are trips to the Barrier Reef for diving, walking or whitewater rafting. This pleasant city, its streets lined with palm trees and tropical flora, has a number of interesting attractions on offer, such as ReefHQ, the largest coral aquarium in the world, with a transparent walk-in tunnel, and Magnetic Island, a resort island with superb beaches, diving opportunities, bushwalking tracks and a koala sanctuary, only 8km (5 miles) offshore and a 25-minute ferry ride from the city center.

Great Barrier Reef
This playground and beauty spot is also one of the world’s great natural wonders. It stretches for 2000km (1200 miles) along the Queensland coast, its width varying from 25km (15 miles) to 50km (30 miles). There is unique plant and animal life to be found, with visibility often as deep as 60m (200ft).

Dotted along the coast are 25 island resorts, lying on or between the Barrier Reef and the mainland. Heron and Lady Elliot Islands are coral cays renowned as the best diving spots on the reef. Lizard, Bedarra and Orpheus Islands are quiet, secluded and luxurious hideaways. Hayman Island is an international resort, with 5-star luxury facilities. Long Island, Great Keppel Islands, South Molle, Hamilton and Lindeman Island are all-year-round resorts with facilities for families. Tropical Dunk Island and Brampton Island are popular with honeymooners. Fitzroy and Hinchinbrook Islands offer unspoilt beauty. Camping facilities can be found at Fitzroy, Hook and Keppel Haven on Great Keppel Island.

Outside the main reef areas, the islands of Fraser, Moreton, Bribie, North and South Stradbroke offer some of the best unpopulated surfing beaches and national parks in Australia.

South Australia

Adelaide

Adelaide is home to more than two-thirds of the State’s population. It has a 30km (18.6-mile) stretch of attractive coastline with excellent white sandy beaches. The best view of Adelaide and the surrounding countryside can be had from Mount Lofty, to the east of the city. Adelaide is a spacious city surrounded by parkland, golf courses and the botanical and zoological gardens. The city itself has a European atmosphere, primarily because of the large German and southern European minorities. The streets are filled with cafes (especially lively Rundle Street), European-style churches, art galleries and antique shops. Adelaide also has a vibrant nightlife along Rundle and Gouger Streets. One of the key attractions in the city is the Festival Center complex in the parkland overlooking the Torrens River.