A bushwalk in the Royal is a great way to spend time with the family, to take a break from the hectic pace of life and to enjoy the natural environment in the world’s second-oldest national park.

The park offers exceptional bushwalking, swimming and scenery. You can go whale watching from one of the lookouts and take a swim at beaches like Garie and North Era. The Coast Track also offers a spectacular multi-day hike.

Bushwalking is not only excellent for our health and wellbeing. It also helps to build community appreciation for our natural environment and educate the community about the places we need to conserve. The government wants more people, especially younger people, to explore and learn about NSW heritage and our native fauna and flora. We want to make sure that all sections of our diverse community connect with our parks. As Sir David Attenborough said:

“No-one will protect what they don’t care about, and no-one will care about what they have never experienced.”

I’m thrilled to see the growth in indigenous management of our parks and reserves. It’s more than an important act of reconciliation:

it allows knowledge to be passed down between the generations, and important skills and management to be taught.

I’m also keen to ensure increased access to national parks for all to enjoy. For example, last year I re-opened the Three Sisters Walking Track after a significant upgrade, which included making the track assisted-wheelchair accessible. We’re also making sure there is better information, and better visitor facilities in our parks. You don’t have to be an avid explorer or professional bushwalker to enjoy and appreciate NSW national parks.

You can also plan your bushwalking adventure and learn more about the area before the trip using the Google Street View Trekker for many of our NSW walking tracks. If you have any questions about a walk contact the local park office.

Walking in national parks provides a great opportunity for solitude and self-reliant exploration. It’s a great opportunity to re-set the brain and re-energise. Science is showing that nature-based activity is both physically and mentally rewarding.

Best of all, there’s something for each level of ability. There are plenty of short, relaxing walks, and multi-day treks or hikes along our coast and rainforests. Walking tracks are maintained at different grades, so there’s a track for you regardless of your level of experience.

The government recognises the need for community participation to identify ways to improve tracks, track safety and the overall visitor experience. I encourage the community to report any track issues and to provide ideas for improvement to the NPWS.

We also ask all walkers to ensure that native plant, animal communities and heritage sites are disturbed as little as possible. Parks and reserves offer protection to endangered wildlife, while conservation and research programs target particular Australian native plants, animals and ecosystems under threat. Many programs, especially those for pests and weeds, involve community volunteers and contribute enormously to the restoration of native habitats.