Brisbane Water National Park

National park 47 km north of Sydney — bushland, sandstone cliffs, Darkinjung rock engravings, and abundant wildlife.

Brisbane Water National Park sits 47 kilometres north-east of Sydney, established in 1967 as one of New South Wales's early protected areas. The park stretches north of the Hawkesbury River mouth, bounded to the east by the Brisbane Water lagoon near Gosford and Woy Woy. Its particular appeal lies in the combination of intact Australian bushland, dramatic sandstone outcrops, and ancient rock engravings left by the Darkinjung — the Aboriginal people who have inhabited this country for thousands of years. Walking tracks lead to clifftop lookouts over the jagged coastal landscape, while kangaroos, wallabies, and echidnas are regular sightings on the trails. It makes an excellent day trip for anyone wanting to swap Sydney's crowds for quiet bush.