Nature Tourist Destinations and Attractions in Sydney, Australia

Parramatta Park

Parramatta Park is one of the famous parks in Australia. To get to this place, you can use public transportation and then stop between Corner Pitt and Macquarie Streets.

The park was built by Governor Arthur Phillips after the arrival of British colonial army. No wonder so many parts inside which inspired European designs such as Old Government House, Elizabeth Farm, St John's Cathedral, the Lancer Barracks and the Linden House Museum. Initially, the land was used as a market selling basic needs, gradually turned into a social and cultural interest.

For children, there are two play areas where they can bike safely. then there is also a beautiful rose garden contains a variety of unique and rare species of roses.  Not only that, there is also a curator buildings built since 1800’s.

Sydney Tropical Centre

The place holds many bred tropical plants. Sydney Tropical Centre is in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie Road.

The building is also dubbed as the Glasshouse Pyramid provides education about tropical plants with an attractive display and you can directly touch or take pictures with different varieties of plants from around the world.

Some are native plants from Australia. All of these plants have become responsibility of NSW government.

Rodd Island

Located on the Parramatta River in Sydney, name "Rodd" is taken from the owner, Brent Clements Rodd. The family lived in west Iron Cove, which is now known as Rodd Point.

In the 1850's, he tried to buy land from the government. Until finally the island was transformed into one of the first recreation facilities in Australia. The island was first used as a laboratory Scientists to monitor the rabbit population in Australia that is not plagued cholera microbe.

There is a summer house with a capacity up to 25 people, while the total capacity of this island is only 100 people.

Thirlmere Lakes National Park

This place is part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Site. Thirlmere Lakes National Park is home for many species.

There is a lake in the middle of park, which is the life place of some rare aquatic species, such as Watershield (Brasenia Schreberi), wooly frogsmouth lily (Philydrum lanuginosum. There are also some rare trees like the rough-barked apple (Angophora floribunda), sydney peppermint (Eucalyptus piperita), red bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera), and many more.

Thirlmere Lakes National Park is managed by the government since 1972. Many experts claim that a natural forest park is formed due to geological processes that occurred about 15 million years ago. At that time, the land rises and eventually cause cracks on the bottom, and because of a variety of factors ultimately going great niche, and eventually into the lake.

Royal National Park

Discovered by Sir John Robertson, Royal National Park is the first park was proclaimed as a national park in Australia and is the second in the world after Yellowstone, USA.

The park is recognized as a national park on 26 April 1879 and included in the Australian National Heritage List in December 2006. There are 3 places in this park, that Audley, Maianbar, and Bundeena.

Royal National Park is the habitat for many animals and plants. Most of the plants that grow in the mountains is a native Australian plants and not imported from somewhere else, so there are some species that are categorized as endangered. Therefore, the Australian Government through the National Parks and Wildlife Service was inspired to use this land as a breeding area.

Heathcote National Park

Located 35 kilometers south of Sydney central business district, Heathcote National can be an additional reference for you if you want to see the natural beauty of Australia. There is no vehicle access to get to this place, but visitors can arrive here by train via Illawarra line.

Just like the Royal National Park, Heathcote National Park is a habitat for many animals and plants. Some species included in the endangered category. Therefore, like Royal national Park, the Australian Government through the National Parks and Wildlife Service was inspired to use this land as a breeding area for several endangered plants.

Cockatoo Island

This island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour. Here you can see an artificial garden, old school, workshop, to prison. The island has been recognized in several cultural heritage, such as National Heritage, Commonwealth Heritage and World Heritage. Interestingly, here provided accommodation, package tour, a picnic area and bBBQ, business outlets, and the food stalls.

Previously, the island was used as a place to repair ships during World War II. At that time, it can repair up to 250 ships including the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

Warragamba Dam

Warragamba Dam is the largest dam in Australia, even reputedly the largest in the world. The height reached 142 meters with a 351 meters length, located 40 miles or about 65 kilometers west Sydney, coursing Warragamba River which is a tributary of the Hawkesbury River.

To build the dam area takes up to 3 million tonnes of concrete were placed in the middle of the Warragamba River interblocking to form 4 times larger than Sydney Harbour. This dam can supply power up to 50 MW.

Botany Bay

Botany Bay National Park is a tourist destination for the traveler who visited New South Wales. Historically, this land is home for  Aborigin people since 5000 years ago. Aborigin people have a sub-group called Eora were settled between two rivers that pass through this area. Then James Cook landed in Australia and gave name to this land “Sting Ray Harbour”, because of the large jellyfish captured in the plains. Then in 1800’s, the name was changed to Botany Bay.

There are several beaches near the park, such as Brighton beach and Le-Sands beach. These areas are demarcated for national conservation on the orders of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Interestingly, the marine life is very diverse here, so a bunch of tiny sea dragons can be found at dive sites.

Shark Island

Named Shark Island, because this area is very dangerous to pass by the sailors. This island landscape could make high waves, making the sharks came around the island. But things have changed since 1880 and 1975 when this small island to be a place for animal quarantine, public recreation, and for storage of goods.

This island has 1.5 hectares area. Located only 1 mile from Rose Bay. From here you can see the beautiful view of Sydney Harbour, complete with Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Harbour National Park

Initially, this land is home for the Aborigines. However, during the World War, it turned into a military base. In fact, this place also had functioned as a place to quarantine animals affected by disease because of a virus.

Later, Neil Nielsen who became governor of NSW, finally bought this land in 1965, and the park was inaugurated as Sydney Harbour National Park 10 years later.

The most interesting is the amazing ports, such as North Head, Manly to the Spit, Middle Head, Bradleys Head, the Harbour Islands, Neilsen Park and South Head. This park has incredible natural wealth, you can find  thousands species of flora and fauna here.

Bare Island

If you've seen Mission Impossible 2, then you must have seen Bare Island. Yes, it does seem isolated island, but had an amazing view. No wonder, if some Hollywood director makes Bare Island as a background.

The island is located in southeast Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 16 kilometers to south of central business district, very close to Botany Bay.

Previously, the island was used as a residence for Aborigin and Gweagal. But in 1770, James Cook discovered it, and since that's the name of Bare Island is often used to refer to this land. In 1877, the colonial government decided to build a fortress and was completed eight years later, this project had spent at least 34.000 pounds.

History rolled on, until in 1967 Bare Island incorporated as the New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service in the category of museum and family entertainment park.

Freres Crossing Bushwalk

The park is located 18 kilometers northeast of Sydney. Being one with the Georges River National Park, Freres is a small part of this nature. The entrance is located at Georges River National Park, which is at the Henry Lawson Drive, that is the main road in south Sydney.

Freres Crossing Bushwalk is a habitat for some animals and plants. Most plants are grown is a native from Australia, some are rare plants such as Gymea Lilies, fuchsia heath and grevilleas. Therefore, the Australian Government through the National Parks and Wildlife Service was inspired to use the land as a breeding area.

Neilsen Park

This park is part of Sydney Harbour National Park. Nielsen Park is a coastal area that has been conserved. That's the interesting side of this park, which combines elements of beach with natural forests.

Since 1914, this beach has become a tourist destination. Originally, this area was owned by William Wenworth and named Wenworth Estate. However, since his beloved daughter died, this area has never been used again and finally opened for public.

The park is managed by government, with a total area nearly 23 hectareares (57 acres). The view is very beautiful here, where you can see the harbor and Shark Beach, the best beach in this area.

Headland Park Mosman

The park is located in Mosman and is the newest park in Middle Head peninsula. The park is taking Middle Head, Georges Heights and Chowder Bay lands. In earlier times, this area was used as a military area to train the army. There are many historical relics in this place, such as ports, tunnels, old buildings, to some military equipment.

This park has not much been touched, so it looks balanced and sustainable without any pollution. In the pedestrian area, you can see a lot of birds, carved statues, some former war equipment used military training, and some of the spots that can be used as an event location.

La Perouse

La Perouse is located 14 kilometers south-east of Sydney's central district. This place has an amazing ocean view. Starting from Congwong Bay Beach, Little Congwong Beach, to swim in the natural area at Botany Bay. But not only that, here are some beautiful natural place, which is used as a viewpoint and background pictures.

Named as a French navigator, Jean-Francois de Galaup, comte de Laperouse (1741-88). King Louise XVI ordered Laperouse to sail to Asia.

You can get around by following the walking track. For example the route between Endeavour Lighthouse and La Perouse museum will be presenting a lot of awesome scenery. This peninsula connected by a small bridge to Bare Island.