19 Natural Wonders to Discover in NSW

Put away that passport and pack up the car because beautiful NSW is calling your name! And if you're keen to see Mother Nature at her finest, then you're living in the right state.

Aside from our glorious coastline, NSW delivers natural wonders in droves. From curiously shaped rocks to bellowing blowholes, 'sea sparkles' and grand canyons, there are plenty of natural wonders in NSW, and some are just a short drive outside of Sydney. Get your cameras ready...

Table of Contents

Jump to:

Glow Worm Caves, Bilpin, Lithgow & Bundanoon
The Three Sisters, Katoomba
Caves Beach, Lake Macquarie
Kiama Blowholes
The Magical Blue Pool, Carrington Falls
Belmore Falls, Southern Highlands
Stockton Sand Dunes, Port Stephens
Bioluminescence, Jervis Bay
Wombeyan Caves, Southern Tablelands
Capertee Valley, Lithgow
Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains
Depot Beach, Murramarang National Park
Camel Rock, Bermagui
Horse Head Rock, Bermagui
Yarrangobilly Caves and Thermal Pool, Snowy Mountains
Glowing Mushrooms, Bournda National Park
Dark Sky Park, Warrumbungle National Park
Sawn Rocks, Mount Kaputar National Park
The Walls of China, Mungo National Park

1. Glow Worm Caves, Bilpin, Lithgow & Bundanoon

Distance from Sydney: Roughly 1 hr 15 mins

Who would've thought that a fungus could be so marvellous to look at! Yep, you read that correctly — fungus.

The larvae that ooze from fungus gnats, with their spectacular bioluminescence, create magical glow worm caves, and they exist only in Australia and New Zealand.

Three notable glow worm caves in NSW are worth visiting: Lithgow, Bilpin, and Bundanoon. All three are a sight of amazing wonder, and run both day and night tours for the whole family.

Read more from our glow worm guide.

2. The Three Sisters, Katoomba

Distance from Sydney: 1.5 hours

The three stunning sandstone formations are embedded in Aboriginal legend and represent three sisters ('Meehni', 'Wimlah' and 'Gunnedoo') who were turned to stone millions of years ago.

Three Sisters is an iconic Blue Mountains attraction and a great day out for the whole family, especially if you view them via the Scenic World Scenic Skyway.

Location: 23-31 Echo Point Rd, Katoomba

3. Caves Beach, Lake Macquarie

Distance from Sydney: 1.5 hours

Who knew there was a secret world of caves hiding along the shores of Lake Macquarie?

Just south of Newcastle, Caves Beach is home to an incredible network of sea caves carved into the sandstone cliffs by the ocean over thousands of years. At low tide, families can wander through enormous rocky openings and discover fascinating hidden chambers that feel like something straight out of an adventure movie! Make sure you time your visit with low tide and calm seas, as the caves are inaccessible when the water rises.

Location: Caves Beach, Lake Macquarie

4. Kiama Blowholes

Distance from Sydney: 1 hour 40 minutes

This roaring natural attraction in Kiama Harbour draws close to 100,000 visitors each year, who come to watch the magical synergy as great plumes of water gather inside the harbour rocks with a bellowing whoosh!

Along with the famous Kiama Blowhole, Kiama is also home to a second ‘Little Blowhole’ on Tingira Crescent just 3 kilometres south of the town centre.

Location: Kiama Harbour, Terralong Street, Kiama

5. The Magical Blue Pool, Carrington Falls

Distance from Sydney: Roughly 2 hours

Drive just two hours south of Sydney, and you'll stumble upon the magical Blue Pool that needs to be seen to be believed.

Located at Carrington Falls in Budderoo National Park, the Blue Pool is a glowing natural watering hole that shimmers blue-green when the light hits it just right.

Along with ogling at such natural beauty, a day trip to Carrington Falls will reward you with stunning views, waterfalls, bushwalking opportunities, picnic spots, and even the chance to camp overnight — sold!

Location: Cloonty Rd, Robertson

6. Belmore Falls, Southern Highlands

Distance from Sydney: 2 hours

Few sights are more spectacular than a beautifully flowing waterfall. Luckily for us, NSW has plenty of waterfalls to gaze at, but one in particular is truly special.

Located in the Morton National Park in the Southern Highlands, Belmore Falls cascade for an impressive 100 metres and land in a glorious pool of fresh water at the bottom. While we wish we could dip in the freshwater pool, it's a 45-minute trek down an abandoned path that isn't very safe for little ones. Several worthy lookouts give you spectacular views of the falls in all their glory and can be accessed via the Hindmarsh Lookout Track.

Location: Hindmarsh Lookout Track, Barrengarry

7. Stockton Sand Dunes, Port Stephens

Distance from Sydney: 2.5 hours

We couldn't list amazing natural attractions in NSW without mentioning our glorious coastline, especially the Stockton Sand Dunes.

Located in the Worimi Conservation Lands at Anna Bay in Port Stephens, the Stockton Sand Dunes are sand on a very (very!) large scale. Stretching for 32 kilometres and towering 400 metres above sea level, Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest continually moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.

Beyond checking out this impressive natural formation, sandboarding down the dunes is a favourite activity, or you can get really adventurous and book one of the many 4WD tours on offer. Whatever you do, bring plenty of water and sunblock, as there's not an inch of shade in sight.

Location: Stockton Sand Dunes, Port Stephens

8. Bioluminescence, Jervis Bay

Distance from Sydney: 2 hours 45 minutes

The seaside village of Jervis Bay on the NSW south coast boasts the whitest sand in the world and a stunning natural phenomenon in the ocean. 

Incredible bioluminescent light shows illuminate the water with 'sea sparkle' thanks to a thriving population of microscopic bioluminescent algae called Noctiluca. Most visible at night, chemical reactions beneath the surface cause plankton to become luminescent. The displays are unpredictable because of underlying environmental conditions, but you're most likely to see this glowing spectacle in the warmer months; however, bioluminescence has been seen in Jervis Bay in July.

The sheltered, white-sand beaches on the western and southern sides of the bay offer the highest statistical chance of trapping the glowing plankton, so if you're going hunting, Barfleur Beach, Blenheim Beach, Iluka Beach, Callala Bay and Hyams Beach are top spots.

For bioluminescence closer to Sydney, there have been some sightings recorded along Sydney's Northern Beaches, even as recently as October 2026! It's incredibly hard to predict when and where bioluminescence will appear; however, Newport, Manly, and Freshwater beaches have seen the same influx for a few years in a row — when and where will it pop up next?!

9. Wombeyan Caves, Southern Tablelands

Distance from Sydney: 3 hours

Ready to head underground? The spectacular Wombeyan Caves are hiding some seriously impressive natural wonders beneath the Southern Tablelands!

Located north of Goulburn, this ancient limestone wonderland is filled with enormous caverns and glittering stalactites that have formed over millions of years. Families can explore the incredible Fig Tree Cave on a self-guided tour or join a guided adventure into some of the other underground chambers. Prefer to stay above ground? The easy 600-metre Victoria Arch Walking Track leads to a breathtaking natural rock arch that deserves a spot on your NSW bucket list!

Location: Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve, Wombeyan Caves

10. Capertee Valley, Lithgow

Distance from Sydney: 3 hours 20 minutes

Capertee Valley is the world's second-largest canyon, after the Grand Canyon, and just a 3.5-hour drive from Sydney near Lithgow.

Capertee Valley is an impressive 30 kilometres wide and boasts hundreds of impressive rock formations, stunning scenery, and an abundance of plant and birdlife.

Pearsons Lookout offers one of the best views of the canyon and is easily accessible by car.

Location: Capertee National Park

11. Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains

Please note, the Jenolan Caves are closed until 2027 due to road damage. 

Distance from Sydney: 3.5 hours

Home to some of the most breathtaking natural rock formations in the world (that's right — the world!), visiting the incredible Jenolan Caves is definitely a bucket list item to tick off asap.

The Jenolan Caves are around 3.5 hours from Sydney in the Blue Mountains, so you'll probably want to make a day of it when visiting — luckily, there's plenty to see and do! Book a cave tour to get up close to the mega stalactite limestone formations and learn about their history (they're over 340 million years old!). Then you can stop off at the Jenolan Caves House Cafe for a bite to eat, followed by a visit to the Blue Lake, and a stroll along the Jenolan River Walking Track.

Location: 4655 Jenolan Caves Rd, Jenolan

12. Depot Beach, Murramarang National Park

Distance from Sydney: 3 hours 40 minutes

If you're road-tripping down the NSW South Coast, add Depot Beach to your itinerary. Nestled in the Murramarang National Park, Depot Beach is where you can see loads of kangaroos outside a zoo or wildlife park.

Hundreds upon hundreds of kangaroos live in the National Park and come out to visit the shores of Depot Beach and neighbouring Durras, Pebbly and Pretty Beach every day. There are a few great camping spots at Depot Beach if you want to stay overnight.

Location: Depot Beach, NSW South Coast

13. Camel Rock, Bermagui

Distance from Sydney: 5 hours 20 minutes

NSW is known for several curious rock formations, and Camel Rock in Bermagui is no exception — it looks eerily like a sitting camel!

It's rumoured to be close to 500 million years old and was named during the first mapping of the NSW coastline. The giant camel sleeps right next to Camel Rock Surf Beach and is worth the five-hour drive to see it.

Location: Camel Rock Surf Beach, Bermagui

14. Horse Head Rock, Bermagui

Distance from Sydney: 5 hours 20 minutes

A horse dipping its head into the ocean? Mother Nature certainly has a sense of humour!

Another curious rock formation in Bermagui, Horse Head Rock is an extraordinary 500-million-year-old rock formation that looks remarkably like a horse bending down to drink. This ancient beauty is one of the oldest rock formations in NSW and is best admired from the lookout along the 1.5-kilometre Camel Rock to Murunna Point Walking Track. The coastal scenery is pretty spectacular too, so don't forget your camera!

Location: Camel Rock to Murunna Point Walking Track, Bermagui

15. Yarrangobilly Caves and Thermal Pool, Snowy Mountains

Distance from Sydney: 5.5 hours

Fancy a dip in a naturally heated swimming pool surrounded by the Snowy Mountains? Yes, please!

Hidden within Kosciuszko National Park, Yarrangobilly Caves offer a double dose of natural wonder in NSW. Head underground to discover spectacular limestone chambers filled with ancient rock formations before swapping your walking shoes for swimmers at the famous Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool. Fed by a natural spring, the water stays at a toasty 27 degrees all year round, even when there's snow on the surrounding mountains! There's even a separate children's wading pool, although the walk down is fairly steep.

Location: Yarrangobilly Caves, Kosciuszko National Park, Snowy Mountains

Check out more hot springs in NSW.

16. Glowing Mushrooms, Bournda National Park

Distance from Sydney: 5 hours 45 minutes

Head to Bournda National Park on the NSW South Coast and you'll spot a load of glowing mushrooms. Yep, you read that right — glowing mushrooms.

March to August is the best time to find glowing mushrooms, but locating them can be a challenge because the glow is subtle. Upon initial observation, the subtle light green glow may go unnoticed amid the darkness of the night. Yet, as your eyes acclimate, you'll discern it: bioluminescent fungi thriving in a cluster on a deceased tree stump, nestled in the heart of the Australian bush.

Experts say it's an interaction between a compound in the fungi, oxygen, and an enzyme that creates the light. Who knew?! Whether you're a mushroom fan or not, this is an incredible natural attraction in NSW! 

Location: Bournda National Park, Bournda Rd, Wallagoot

17. Dark Sky Park, Warrumbungle National Park

Distance from Sydney: 6 hours

Dark Sky Park is not only the first Dark Sky Park in Australia, but also in the Southern Hemisphere!

Thanks to the park's crystal-clear skies, low humidity and high altitude, the cosmos comes alive with thousands of spectacular stationary and shooting stars every single night.

Warrumbungle is also home to the largest optical telescope in Australia at the Siding Spring Observatory, which regularly runs tours during the school holidays. The best time to view the Milky Way and all the stars is of course at night, so if you're keen to camp under the stars, there's a range of campsites available.

Location: Warrumbungle National Park

18. Sawn Rocks, Mount Kaputar National Park

Distance from Sydney: 6 hours 40 minutes

Another naturally stunning rock formation, Sawn Rocks in Mt Kaputar National Park is the largest natural musical instrument we've ever seen.

While Sawn Rocks don't actually make music, the dramatic formation of the 40-metre-high pentagonal basalt pipes looks exactly like a giant musical organ. The jaw-dropping rocks are the remains of lava flow from the Nandewar Volcano 21 million years ago.

Access to Sawn Rocks is an easy 15-minute walk through Mt Kapatur National Park.

Location: Killarney Gap Road, Narrabri

19. The Walls of China, Mungo National Park

Distance from Sydney: Roughly 12 hours

The Walls of China is a collection of dramatic rock formations sculpted by wind and erosion in the most fascinatingly intricate designs. Dating back to the 1800s, the 40-metre-high dunes stretch for over 33 kilometres along the Mungo lakebed and are a sight to behold.

The best way to view the Walls of China is via the 10-kilometre cycling track that takes you across the stunning ancient Mungo lakebed. Guided tours are also available and run throughout the year.

Location: Mungo Foreshore Walk, Mungo

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About ellaslist

ellaslist is a trusted guide for Australian families, written by parents and family lifestyle editors who understand that the best family holidays need to be fun, practical and worth the effort. Our team researches and curates family-friendly destinations, attractions, accommodation and experiences across Australia and beyond, with helpful details on age suitability, accessibility, transport, facilities, budgets and parent-approved tips to make travelling with kids easier.

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