Visits to national parks across New South Wales have surged to a record 65.5 million, reflecting a growing appetite for outdoor recreation, reports the ABC.
According to the state government, findings from the biennial Park Visitation Survey highlight a notable increase in younger visitors, particularly those aged 24 to 35.
This group recorded the largest rise in attendance, signalling a shift in how younger generations are engaging with nature.
Blue Mountains National Park was the most visited park, continuing its long-standing popularity due to its accessibility and iconic scenery. It was followed by Royal National Park in Sydney’s south and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to the north of the city.
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the proportion of visitors aged 24 to 35 had increased from 19 per cent to 26 per cent. She suggested social media platforms, including Instagram, were playing a role in inspiring more people to explore natural landscapes and share their experiences.
The survey, first conducted in 2008, recorded just under 38 million visits. The latest total comfortably surpasses the previous high of just over 60.2 million set in 2018.
Visitor numbers dipped during 2020 and 2022 due to the combined impacts of the pandemic, bushfires and major flooding events across the state.
For the first time, international tourism has been included in the data, showing that 72 per cent of overseas visitors to NSW attended at least one national park during their stay.