"Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park not only has a groovy name, Australia’s second-oldest national park is easily reached from the north of Sydney, offering epic nature without leaving the metropolitan area. With coastal panoramas, serene harbor beaches, rainforests, eucalyptus, and mangroves, it’s a rich landscape, dotted with lofty lookouts and Aboriginal heritage sites. Swim, surf, sail, walk, or cycle around this 37,000-acre, heritage-listed retreat. You can pop up for a day trip, with Barrenjoey Lighthouse accessible in 90 minutes’ drive. Alternatively, those with more time can tackle stretches of the 155-acre Great North Walk tracking through the park." - Sophie Davies