The 13 Best National Park Day Trips in Australia

1.Port Arthur Full-day Guided Tour with Harbour Cruise and Tasman National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 585 reviews · from $121Our pick

Travel from Hobart to Port Arthur with hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, Wi-Fi, and a guide such as Colin, Vic, Rod, or Mark. Spend about four and a half hours at the convict site, join the included harbour cruise around Isle of the Dead, and stop at Richmond, Tasman Arch, Remarkable Cave, and the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry.

“There's a lot to see. After Port Arthur, the trips to natural features made a lovely contrast. This is a wonderful trip.”

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2.Grampians National Park Small-Group Eco Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 577 reviews · 13 hours · from $109Best value

Spend 13 hours exploring Gariwerd, the Grampians National Park, from Melbourne. Visit Silverband Falls, the Grand Canyon, MacKenzie Falls, Reeds Lookout, and Boroka Lookout, with time in Halls Gap for lunch and wildlife. English-speaking guides such as James, Lisa, Rhys, and Jaimes lead the day, while audio commentary is available in 16 languages.

“We love this tour. Thank you Jon for the well-organized tour! Your knowledge and enthusiasm made our experience unforgettable.”

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3.Kakadu Wilderness Escape & Rock Art Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 403 reviews · 12 hours · from $180

Travel 620 kilometres from Darwin into Kakadu National Park with an English-speaking guide such as Becs, Dani, Leigh, or Tim. See ancient rock art at Ubirr, watch crocodiles at Cahills Crossing, and choose between a jumping croc cruise and Fogg Dam wetlands. It is a long, hot day, but a strong one-day introduction to the Top End.

“Big day but Leigh the tour guide was the most informative and fun guide I have ever had on a tour”

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4.Litchfield National Park Day Tour from Darwin

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 264 reviews · from $154

Travel from Darwin to Litchfield National Park with AAT Kings on a 9-hour guided day. Visit Florence, Tolmer, and Wangi Falls, see giant magnetic termite mounds, swim when conditions allow, and learn about local wildlife and Aboriginal stories from guides such as Cameron, Libby, and Prem.

“A superb day out Jas is an excellent guide and very safe on the road. The highlights were definitely the termite mounds and the swim in the Wangi Falls. Punctual pickup and drop off. Recommend any of AAT KINGS tours. You won’t be disappointed.”

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5.Wineglass Bay & Freycinet National Park Day Trip from Hobart

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 249 reviews · 10 hours · from $120

Spend 10 hours travelling from Hobart to Freycinet National Park in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout, choose from several scenic routes, stop at beaches and viewpoints, and buy fresh seafood or Tasmanian wine. Guides such as Gino, Phil, Jack, and Briony are praised for friendly commentary and personal help.

“Brilliant day out - Briony was fabulous - knowledgeable great info and good fun we had a lovely day to a stunning location — happy wedding Briony! Thanks again David and Nancy x”

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6.Litchfield National Park: Full-Day & Lunch from Darwin

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 205 reviews · 10h 30m · from $176

Spend about 10.5 hours exploring Litchfield National Park from Darwin in an air-conditioned coach. AAT Kings guides such as Jess, Sandy, Russell, and Troy lead you to termite mounds, Florence Falls, Tolmer Falls, Wangi Falls, monsoon forest, and Tabletop Range scenery. Lunch is included, but swimming and some stops depend on weather and road conditions.

“Had a great day, beautiful scenery, 2 stops for swimming during the day was perfect. Our tour guide was great, he was so informative of the local areas as well as being very friendly.”

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7.Kakadu National Park & Wildlife Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 200 reviews · 12 hours · from $166

Spend 12 hours travelling from Darwin into Kakadu National Park, with stops at Fogg Dam, Bowali, Cahill Crossing and Ubirr. You can add the Adelaide River jumping crocodile cruise. Guides such as Lee, Pascal, Daryl and Becs bring Aboriginal culture, wildlife and Top End stories to life, but expect a long day with plenty of driving.

“Great day. Our driver and guide’s knowledge of the area, Indigenous history and culture, habitats and interaction of the wildlife and flora was outstanding. Although it was a long day, all our needs were thoughtfully catered for. Unforgettable memory.”

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8.Hobart: Maria Island National Park Active Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 166 reviews · 10 hours · from $152

Travel from Hobart by coach and ferry to Maria Island for a full day of wildlife, convict history, and easy guided walks. You will visit Darlington, Painted Cliffs, and Fossil Cliffs, covering about 10 kilometres on uneven ground. Guides such as Heather, Trevor, Ben, and Nick are known for spotting wombats and explaining the island’s past.

“I had such a great day with our guide Ben! He had such great expertise about plants, animals and everything else on maria island. We also saw cute wombats, so def would recommend!”

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9.Litchfield National Park & Waterfalls Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 158 reviews · 10h 30m · from $130

Spend 10.5 hours exploring Litchfield National Park from Darwin in an air-conditioned minibus. Swim at Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole, see Magnetic Termite Mounds, visit Fogg Dam or take an optional Adelaide River crocodile cruise, and learn about Top End wildlife from guides such as Leigh, Daryl, Dani, and Emily.

“Amazing day trip, Tim is an excellent guide who had so much interesting stories to share! 10/10 would recommend!!”

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10.Kakadu National Park Day Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 151 reviews · 12 hours · from $240

Spend 12 hours with Offroad Dreaming exploring Kakadu from Darwin. Your English-speaking guide, such as Norm, Neville, or Mike, leads the Ubirr rock art walk, while a traditional custodian guides the Guluyambi cruise on the East Alligator River. Expect crocodiles, Arnhem Land culture, fresh lunch, snacks, and a long but well-paced day.

“Simply amazing can not fault one aspect of the trip, a major thank you to the bush boys I absolutely walked away on cloud 9 and couldn’t wait to tell the mob back home. Mandaag guwu (thank you)”

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11.Hobart: Wineglass Bay & Freycinet National Park – Active Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 142 reviews · from $118

Travel from Hobart to Freycinet National Park in a small group of up to 20. Walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout, then choose the steep beach hike or easier Honeymoon Bay and Cape Tourville walks. Guides such as Peter, Heather, Ben, Nick, and Hannah lead the day, which ends at Devil’s Corner Winery.

“Excellent guide Heather from Tours Tasmania- perfect group size- unbelievable scenery. Heather have just the right amount of information at the right time.”

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12.Litchfield National Park Small-Group Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 131 reviews · 10 hours · from $152

Spend 10 hours exploring Litchfield National Park in an air-conditioned minivan with up to 11 people. Swim at Florence Falls, Wangi Falls, Buley Rockholes, and possibly seasonal Berry Springs, while guides such as Lars, Naomi, and Rueben share local stories, wildlife facts, and Aboriginal bush knowledge.

“Slightly more legroom on bus but otherwise perfect. Annie was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and entertaining.”

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13.Litchfield National Park Day Tour & Berry Springs, Max 11 Guests

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 131 reviews · from $154

Leave Darwin for a 10-hour small-group outing through Litchfield National Park. Swim at Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole, Wangi Falls and Berry Springs when conditions allow, with guides such as Lars, Mel and Glen sharing local stories. Hotel pickup, snacks, water, noodles, sunscreen and insect repellent are included.

“Experience depends on knowledge of guide .Ours , Meatloaf was excellent. Water holes were very crowded but experience second to none.”

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