National parks across the North Coast continue to attract millions of visitors each year, supporting tourism and regional communities. In 2024/25, there were 6.81 million visits to North Coast parks, up from 6.19 million in 2022.
The most visited parks were Coffs Coast Regional Park, Cape Byron State Conservation Area, Crowdy Bay, Arakoon and Bundjalung national parks, which each attracted over half a million visits.
These figures come from the most recent National Parks visitation survey that found more people than ever are choosing to experience the natural beauty of NSW, with a record 65.6 million visits to national parks in FY24/25.
This positions the state's parks network as a major driver of economic activity, regional development and affordable outdoor recreation.
Visitation has grown strongly in recent years, up 24 per cent since 2022 statewide.
The Minns Labor Government has invested more than $49 million in the North Coast to support growing visitation and protect these iconic destinations.
This includes the new Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk in Tweed-Byron and upgrades to popular Trial Bay and Point Plomer campgrounds.
Planning is well underway for the redevelopment of the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and creation of the Dorrigo Escarpment multi-day walk.
Alongside the iconic Great Koala National Park, these improvements support families, hikers and those seeking world class nature experiences and are making the North Coast a must-see visitor destination on the Australian East Coast.
From coastal reserves to hinterland rainforests, the region offers some of the most diverse nature-based experiences in NSW.
Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin said:
"The North Coast is such a special part of the world, and it's no surprise that so many people, both locals and visitors, are drawn to our incredible beaches and rainforests.
"Seeing 6.8 million visits to our local parks is a reflection of how much we value our natural backyard and how vital these spaces are for our regional economy.
"By investing more than $49 million into our parks, we are making sure that iconic spots like Cape Byron and the Coffs Coast are well maintained for our community to enjoy.
"It's about protecting what we love so that our kids and grandkids can experience the same North Coast magic we do today."
