From Banff to the Outback: Discovering the Natural Beauty of National Parks and Their Unique Experiences

National parks are one of the world’s natural wonders. They are incredible spaces whereby natural beauty can be enjoyed and experienced by the world’s living beings. National parks can be explored by travelers and animals, with many species making their home within these locations.

These areas have been defined as a protected area that has been established and is maintained by a national government. They have been designed to conserve the natural environment, wildlife, and cultural heritage that exists within its boundaries. The label helps to protect them from being destroyed or lost, especially as humans can have a tendency to want to use space to build upon as the world gets smaller in size due to an expanding population.

National parks can be ideal in creating opportunities for certain wildlife to thrive, as they have a habitat that can’t be eroded or tampered with. These green spaces can also preserve ecosystems that may not exist or be able to exist elsewhere, while landscapes and historical sites can also survive. Their existence can help to educate, provide scientific research or even include recreational activities.

Why are National Parks Visited By Millions?

These locations have become significant tourism destinations for many worldwide. According to estimates in 2015, it’s believed that there were a total of 8 billion visits each year being made. In 2024, that figure is only likely to have increased further.

Indeed, travelers can often take trips that are designed with exploring national parks in mind. There are thought to be more than 4,000 of them in existence, with many in locations worldwide. Canada is home to the Banff National Park; the US has Yellowstone; the Serengeti National Park can be found in Tanzania; Kruger National Park is in South Africa; the UK has several, with Australia having national parks located within the Outback and the Great Barrier Reef (Marine Park).

Adventurers can enjoy a variety of activities while exploring these national parks. All activities are regulated by governing bodies to try to prevent environmental damage while also ensuring the preservation of natural resources to encourage growth for future generations.

There are national parks where travelers can visit and stay. They can set up camp or rent out accommodation to enjoy an extended period of time exploring. During the time in which they will rest, they can engage in several activities that help them to unwind. Some may look to gaming as a means of unwinding, as they can help them to relax and recuperate the energy needed for the long walks and hikes that can be undertaken during a visit to these locations. Indeed, gaming has become a popular way to combine travel and entertainment with the themes that can be found.

Several options are available that have combined these two aspects together. It’s possible to find video games and even games at casinos for real money that have used national parks as part of their gameplay design or themes, given the status and importance of these areas of natural beauty to the world. With options available, they can be a great way for travelers to educate themselves more about the area they are visiting while also enjoying a form of entertainment that can help them to recharge their batteries.

The World’s Biggest National Parks

With it estimated that there are more than 4,000+ national parks in existence, it can be difficult for travelers to know which ones to visit. Each of them will provide diverse experiences, with varying landscapes, areas of natural beauty, and significant cultural events that can often be described as “bucket list moments.”

Depending on what part of the world is explored, travelers are guaranteed to get a very different experience. Those who travel and visit the Banff National Park in Canada will witness something very different to those who travel to Australia and visit the many national parks that exist in the Outback. There is a completely different ecosystem in place, while geography plays a role in the type of landscapes and conditions that can be found. At the same time, this can have an impact on the type of activities that can be enjoyed, the wildlife that can be seen, and the culture of the region.

Banff National Park

Located in Alberta, Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest national park. It was established in 1885, and has become one of the most visited in the world. In 2023/24, Banff National Park saw 4.28 million visitors, which was the busiest year on record, per the Canadian Government website.

The park covers a space of 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 miles), with the tree line lying around 7,500 feet (2,300 metres). This area leads to the glaciers that can be found in the Alberta province, as well as the alpine meadows. There are more than 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) of hiking trails in which travelers can look to traverse.

Given the climate and conditions of this national park, Banff allows visitors to enjoy a variety of different activities when they are there. Hikes can be undertaken that explore regions like Icefields Parkway and Lake Louise, with it also possible for travelers to take scenic drives. Although more ground can be covered, it’s a location that some might suggest is best explored on foot to truly appreciate the beauty that can be found here.

Additional activities can include participating in winter sports, with it possible to ski, snowboard, and ice skate along the frozen lakes in the winter. It’s also possible to go wildlife watching, as you can find creatures native to the area making Banff their home. Elk, bighorn sheep, and even grizzly bear are known to be spotted throughout the park at times during the year. Just don’t make the mistake of looking at your phone the whole time, or you might miss something beautiful.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is the world’s oldest national park, having been established in 1872 on March 1. It can be found in the US, covering the Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho borders due to its sheer size. It’s believed to cover an area of 8,983 square kilometres (3,468 square miles) and offers an array of landscapes to travelers who decide to visit. For these reasons, it’s one of the most iconic and known in the world.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yellowstone is home to more than half of the world’s geothermal features. This includes geysers and hot springs, with the world’s most famous “Old Faithful” located within the park. It’s also home to a huge variety of wildlife, with everything from bison to grizzly bears, wolves and elk, as well as birds like the bald eagle. The variety of animals and vegetation that can be found in this location is down to the diverse landscapes that can be found here, with everything from forests to grasslands and wetlands.

Serengeti National Park

Located in Tanzania, the Serengeti National Park was initially established as a game reverse in 1951 before being transformed into a national park in 1959. It is located near to the border with Kenya, consisting of 14,750 square kilometres (5,700 square miles). Like Yellowstone, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Serengeti usually appeals with travelers due to its environmental and historical importance, as there are many different species of animal located within the park. It’s famous for its “Great Migration”, where approximately millions of creatures – ranging from wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and more – swarm the ark and head into Kenya and the Maasai Mara region as they look for new land to graze on and water to drink from. It’s also home to some of the continent’s most associated beasts, with lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinoceros living here, as well as cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, and several hundred different types of birds.

From a history standpoint, it’s the location of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which has the Olduval Gorge. This is an important archaeological site, as it has provided lessons and teachings about human evolution.

Australia’s Outback

While Australia’s Outback isn’t a national park in itself, it’s a vast area that is home to many different national parks. The Outback is an area that is largely uninhabited. It covers approximately 81% of the country, and features many different aspects due to its sheer size. For instance, it’s largely a desert due to its arid climate, meaning bodies of water are often left dry. At the same time, there are a variety of different climates and landscapes that can be found, with the desert being joined by rainforests and mountain ranges.

Among the largest national parks in the outback are:

• Munga Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park
• Kakadu National Park
• Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park
• Currawinya National Park

Munga Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park

Found in South Australia, the Munga Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park is the Australian Outback’s largest. It consists of 36,000 square kilometres (13,900 square miles, or more than 3.6 million hectares). It covers an extremely large section of the Simpson Desert, which consists of dry, red sandy plain and dunes.

Visitors to the Munga Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park can participate in many different activities while exploring sections of the region, with it possible to check out sand dunes, salt flats, and see many creatures that have made it their habitat. It’s possible to spot dingoes, reptiles and even find rare plants growing within this particular ecosystem. It’s a protected area of land largely due to its cultural significance, too, as it has links with the Aboriginals.

Kakadu National Park

Also located in the Northern Territory province of Australia, the Kakadu National Park is the second biggest located in the Outback. It consists of approximately 19,804 square kilometres (7,646 square miles) of land, all of which are extremely diverse. Visitors to the national park can find everything from rainforests to wetlands, while seeing various animals and historical cultural links throughout the region.

A protected region due to its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kakadu National Park is known for its diverse culture and nature. It has many areas of wetlands and waterfalls that can be explored, which is combined with sandstone escarpments and savanna woodlands. As a result, it’s possible to find saltwater crocodiles roaming the water, while hundreds of different bird species can be found roaming the skies of the park. Visitors to the region will also find ancient rock art created by the Aboriginals that is thought to date back tens of thousands of years.

Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park

In the region of Queensland, it’s possible to find the Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. It consists of 2,837 square kilometres (1,095 square miles), and has a truly incredible natural landscape that will leave visitors to the region breathless. It’s an area that is particularly known for its gorges, as well as the limestone formations that have been formed over time.

Travelers who decide to visit Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) should be going to Lawn Hill Gorge to truly take in the beauty of this outstanding natural landscape. It has an emerald-green water that separates the sandstone cliffs that can be found on either side, with rare and diverse vegetation growing around its borders. Again, it’s got historical ties with the Aboriginals, with the Waanyi tribe said to have roamed this area. In addition to them, multiple species of fish, turtles, frogs, and freshwater crocodiles can be found in the waters, while numerous birds, mammals, and reptiles can also be found in this environment.

Currawinya National Park

Queensland is also home to the Currawinya National Park, which covers 3,344 square kilometres (1,291 square miles). The national park plays an important role in the sustainability of many of Australia’s important animals, with birds that migrate often heading to the region for the warmer months. At the same time, the region helps with the conservation of endangered species like the bilby, with less than 10,000 left, making them one of the country’s most at risk.

It is another location that can be described as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and a must for those who wish to travel and explore what the Australian Outback has to offer. It consists of a vast desert wetland, typical of what would be experienced if visiting one of Africa’s many national parks. Several freshwater lakes can be found throughout the national park, with Lake Wyara and Lake Numalla the most notable. Other animals that can be found in the region include kangaroos and reptiles among the 100,000+ waterbirds that visit each year.

Summary

In traversing the wonders of national parks from the breathtaking peaks of Banff to the rugged landscapes of the Outback, it’s clear that these natural sanctuaries offer more than just scenic beauty; they provide transformative experiences that deepen our connection to the world. Each park tells its own story, inviting travelers to not only witness but truly immerse themselves in diverse ecosystems, histories, and cultures. Whether seeking serenity, adventure, or inspiration, these treasured parks remind us of the importance of preserving their splendor for future generations. Embark on the journey, cherish the moments, and become a steward of the natural world.