Nature and parks

Natural wonders in Sydney and NSW

Wander through the Royal Botanic Garden and spot the dinosaur tree, a nickname for the Wollemi pine, whose evolutionary lineage dates back at least 90 million years. It was discovered in 1994.

Beyond Sydney, in regional NSW, are remarkable World Heritage wilderness areas waiting to be explored. The Blue Mountains are two hours by train from Sydney; join a guided tour for an introduction to the mountains’ unique flora and fauna.

The dinosaur tree was found in a deep canyon in the rugged Wollemi National Park, part of the vast Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. To see Wollemi pines in the region, visit the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah.

The Gondwana Rainforests, in northeast NSW, are also World Heritage listed. They contain many animal and plant species that are little changed over millions of years. In outback NSW is Mungo National Park, a World Heritage wilderness.

By train or bus you can get to many exciting destinations in regional NSW. Bus tours also leave from Sydney. Renting a car is a great option so you can explore NSW at your leisure. Some of the best natural attractions are near regional airports serviced by airlines from Sydney Airport.

Fragrant gardens and leafy parks in Sydney attract fruit bats, butterflies and native birds such as rainbow lorikeets, kookaburras and sulphur-crested cockatoos. On coastal trails, from May to November, watch whales on their annual migration. Walk in enchanting eucalypt forest on Sydney Harbour foreshore.

There are many attractions in Sydney and the NSW regions where you can see Australia’s native animals, such as kangaroos, koalas, platypus and echidnas. Popular destinations in Sydney are Taronga Zoo and Darling Harbour’s WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.