The 25 best parks to enjoy in Australia

Fun fact – did you know that Perth's Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of the world’s largest inner-city parks? That’s right, more than 400 hectares of pristine landscape is perched just one and a half kilometres uphill from Perth’s city centre, offering everything from bushland walking trails, maintained gardens, playgrounds, spectacular cityscape views, and many a highpoint that overlooks the vast Swan River waters. Marvel at the 3000-odd species of native Western Australian flora or simply pull up at one of Kings Park’s eateries and breathe in that freshly yielded oxygen. It truly is an absolute godsend to have access to such breathtaking bliss.

If there’s anywhere you can escape the madness of the Melbourne CBD without actually leaving it, the Royal Botanic Gardens is the place. Located on the city’s fringe, this expansive garden is home to a cool 8,500 plant species, zen lakes and lush lawns. Workshops, tours, walks and talks showcase the intricacies of the gardens – from star-gazing night tours in the Melbourne Observatory to science seminars, which explore the phylogeography of coconut. Plus, the Aboriginal Heritage Walk takes you on a journey into the history of the Koolin nation.

Perched within the Adelaide Hills’ treetops, a mere 18 kilometres from the city centre, lies the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens – an oasis for nature enthusiasts and avid picnickers alike. The 97-hectare sanctum has stood the test of time as one of the best parks in Adelaide, offering plenty of walking trails, tranquil lakes where reflecting takes on a double meaning, and wildlife galore of kangaroos, koalas and bandicoots. The garden is home to a plethora of cool-climate plants that blush with spectacular hues in the autumn months – a brilliant spot for a romantic date, may we say.

You could easily spend a whole day dilly-dallying around South Bank Parklands. Brisbane's riverside paradise is a sprawling paradise for families with leafy walkways, 15 hectares of lush lawns and ingeniously designed playgrounds for active fun – both wet and dry. Grab a pastry from a nearby café and stroll along Clem Jones Promenade, taking in stellar city skyline views. Alternatively, sizzle some sausages on the free barbeques or lay out a picnic on the shaded lawns. For little explorers, the $1.7 million Riverside Green Playground is an absolute dream and is located right near Streets Beach, a huge temptation on a sweltering day.

Located just minutes away from the centre of Canberra, Commonwealth Park is the city's go-to, all-purpose park. Each year it hosts Floriade, Canberra’s annual celebration of flowers and Australia’s largest spring festival. The festival transforms the gardens with over one million tulips and daffodils cropping up alongside cultural performances, markets, music and horticultural workshops. It is also home to Stage 88, which hosts sporting, cultural and musical events throughout the year.

Located 37 kilometres southeast of Perth’s city centre, within the Darling Ranges of Roleystone, Araluen Botanic Park blooms. 14 hectares of heavenly, developed gardens blossom alongside the beauty of native flora and fauna – a contrast that can only be expected in Australia. Araluen is famed for its beds of remarkable tulips in the tens of thousands, meticulously colour-coordinated in rows upon rows for your viewing satisfaction from mid-August to October each year. Follow the maze of pathways around Araluen to witness Mother Nature at her finest, complete with the always-flowing Stinton Creek for those magical, musical notes of nature. Laze about the lawns that are ideal for a quaint midday snooze or feast over a barbecue of your cultivation.

Aside from the memorial walls made of old tombstones, you’d never know St David’s Park was once the site of Hobart’s first cemetery. Nowadays, it's a serene section of parkland right in the heart of the city. Tucked away between city streets and the famed Salamanca Markets, this historic site is a small slice of nature within close proximity to both the waterfront and city centre. Pop down for a stroll on your lunch break or your next visit to the markets, and find a shady spot beneath the towering trees. Be sure to swing by the park’s rotunda where, on any given day, you might stumble upon musical performances, poetry readings or even a wedding.

Overlooking Darwin Harbour and stretching the length of The Esplanade from the Northern Territory’s Parliament House to Doctor’s Gully is the green grass of Bicentennial Park. Even locals feel like they’re on holiday when they visit this spot, thanks to its shady trees, ocean breeze and the bougie Hilton hotel across the road. This is a place where people gather to watch the boats sail by, pay respect at the Cenotaph war memorial and celebrate the annual Greek Glenti festival. It’s a place where kids squeal on the flying fox and climb the enormous rope tower at the playground. And, it’s a place where city workers escape the office for a dose of nature. How lucky we are to have such a vast parkland in the very heart of the city. 

Roma Street Parklands has no competition – it’s hands down the best place to head in Brisbane if you want to enjoy some outside time. The expansive park is a horticultural gem and welcoming community space, featuring spectacular flower gardens, multiple children's playgrounds, accessible facilities, lakes, cafés and even an amphitheatre. The verdant lawns and plentiful trees provide ample opportunities to relax (be that with a book, picnic basket or yoga mat in hand) while the park hosts events regularly – check its website for what's upcoming. If you've never been to Roma Street Parklands before, make sure you visit the Spectacle Garden and the Rainforest Walk. 

This little slice of nature in Yarralumla, Canberra is the perfect compromise for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life without having to venture too far away from home. Weston Park is less than a ten-minute drive from the CBD but the atmosphere will make you feel miles away from modern society. While nibbling on their own snacks, picnickers have been known to encounter some furry friends munching away at the grass. In addition to kangaroos and wallabies, there’s a petting zoo – but the fun doesn’t stop there. You can also kayak, swim, paddleboard and barbecue. 

Inner-city bliss awaits at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens – 51 hectares of it, to be precise. The public garden serves as a refuge from the neighbouring city’s buzz, where frolicking is most definitely encouraged. Wander through looming bamboo pathways, smell the roses in magnificently maintained plots, up your knowledge at the Museum of Economic Botany, and discover diverse habitats inside the Palm House, Bicentennial Conservatory and Amazon Waterlily Pavilion. Once you’re all gardened out, whip out the picnic rug for a lil’ urban snooze or pull up at one of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens’ eateries – it’s a smorgasbord of greenery for your pure delight. 

The Jingili Water Gardens are located on the banks of Gurrumbay (Rapid Creek) in Darwin. In the Larrakia language, Gurrumbay means elbow, which is also the shape Rapid Creek makes. The bend in the river is a special place for the Larrakia people, who generously share it with us all. The very best part of the Jingili Water Gardens is in its name: the water. Throughout the nature reserve, you’ll hear the soothing sound of running water coming from glorious water features, lily ponds and fountains. How’s the serenity, eh? Before you get too relaxed, take the time to explore the all-abilities play space (including a balance log, accessible swings and musical instruments), the skate park (where weekly skate nights are held), and the community orchard (growing free tropical fruit for all). 

Whether you’re searching for a romantic date spot, a pleasant setting for walking the dog, or a slice of peaceful solo time – this is the place. Although not as expansive as its London counterpart, Perth’s Hyde Park sure is reminiscent of the famed British parkland. Sitting just two kilometres north of the CBD, the glorious grounds are lined with gargantuan trees with the likes of pine, plane and jacaranda commanding your awe and attention to two central lakes – reeling in avid and aspiring photographers alike. Autumn brings a certain serenity to Hyde Park, where golden hues of dwindling leaves complement the misty morning fog that dissipates over the waters as the day breaks. Oh, there’s also a water playground, barbecues, fitness equipment and a kiosk for your nibbling needs.

Spread across 56 hectares, this living green museum in Brisbane is home to tranquil gardens, beautiful plant displays and more than 5,000 species of flora. Explore the Scented Garden, Bonsai House, Japanese Garden, Cactus House and Rainforest (which has the largest collection of Australian native rainforest trees in the world). There are free guided minibus tours to give you an overview of the gardens, as well as free guided walks daily. Want to adventure on your own? There are also self-guided walks, including an Aboriginal plant trail, which takes you through the Yuggera land and explores the plants used by Indigenous communities.

Now, we know what you’re thinking – ‘St Kilda, isn’t that in Melbourne?’ – yes, but there's also a St Kilda right near Adelaide. Located 31 kilometres north of the big smoke, St Kilda Adventure Playground is a seaside epicentre of fun and games where the kids are in charge of their imaginative destiny. The mega play park covers four hectares and features a three-storey castle, bouncy boomerang, flying fox, pirate ship and volcano with spilling slides where running amok is more than welcome. Big kids never fear, there’s a basketball court for all your hoop-shooting needs, as well as shaded areas and electric barbecues for the ultimate picnic.

If you’ve got a free afternoon, grab the binoculars for some bird watching or pack your favourite snacks for a picnic at Black Mountain Peninsula. If you’re feeling a little more spontaneous, lace up the boots for a go at one of the many hiking tracks that offer epic vistas over Canberra City. Most of the walks are only a couple of kilometres long so they’re the perfect post-picnic stroll, and the views at the top from Black Mountain Tower are something pretty special.

Three words: inflatable fun park. The Darwin Waterfront Precinct is home to an epic aqua park with a four-metre-high, floating, inflatable obstacle course. Need we say more? If it requires spelling out, this park is a guaranteed good time. As well as the aquatic jumping castle, the Waterfront has a luxurious grass area surrounding the public swimming lagoon, an on-land playground and a nearby wave pool. You could easily spend a day at the Waterfront, alternating between swimming in the saltwater, sun basking on a deckchair and snacking on treats from the neighbouring restaurants (ideally the salt and pepper crocodile from Snapper Rocks or a fresh mango sorbet from Trampoline Gelato). 

Cascade Gardens sits at the foothills of the picturesque kunanyi/Mount Wellington. While it makes for a stellar picnic spot, you can follow the walking track along the Hobart Rivulet through the inner suburb of South Hobart and all the way to the city centre. This trek is more of a stroll, but if you work up an appetite, double back to the nearby Cascades Brewery for a traditional pub meal and a few cold ones. The 200-year-old landmark – which is in fact Australia’s oldest brewery – backs onto the gardens and offers historic tours where you can learn all about the history of the brewery and grounds.