Queensland's best-loved national parks and their doppelgangers

Carnarvon National Park is a fan-favourite among travellers, well-loved for its spectacular sandstone cliffs, gorgeous gorges and ancient Aboriginal rock art. But, if you're looking to experience some dramatic landscapes, Isla Gorge National Park, just off the Leichardt Highway, is a hidden gem that’s sure to take your breath away.

A complex maze of rugged gorges and isolated sandstone formations, Isla Gorge showcases nature’s artistry at its finest. Over millions of years, soft precipice sandstone has been eroded into a breathtaking landscape of cliffs, tunnels, overhangs, and arches. The Isla Gorge camping area, perched on the top of the escarpment is set among open woodlands, just a stone's throw from a dramatic cliff face. The day-use area has composting toilets, a wood barbecue and picnic shelter, where you can sit back, relax, and take in the view. If you’re looking to stretch your legs and test your rock scrambling skills, the Isla Gorge track is a short but challenging 800m return journey, following a spur to a natural lookout overlooking Gorge Creek and Devils Nest.

Isla Gorge National Park offers the kind of raw, untamed beauty that makes you feel like you’ve got the whole place to yourself.

Lamington National Park has it all, from lush rainforests and breathtaking waterfalls to scenic mountain views. However, its wallpaper worthy backdrop often means you can’t take a happy snap without someone else in the picture. If you're looking for similar scenes but with fewer photobombers, Mapleton National Park is a stunning alternative.

Tucked away in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Mapleton National Park invites you to slow down and soak it all in. From mountainous rainforests and panoramic views to cascading creeks and small waterfalls, you won’t want to miss a moment. For those who like to keep moving, the park features shared trails for walking, mountain biking, and horse riding. If you prefer a more laidback pace, take a scenic four-wheel-drive along gravel roads that wind through the park, offering spectacular views from the comfort of your vehicle. When it's time to rest, enjoy a picnic on the grassy lawns of the Mapleton Day Use Area. As the sun sets, settle in at Gheerulla camping area, nestled beside Gheerulla Creek. With just three camp sites (each accommodating up to six people), it’s an intimate spot for a peaceful stay immersed in nature.

Mapleton National Park is your ticket to rainforest magic, no filters needed.

Make your way to the magic Mackay national park islands. Nestled in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and not far from the renowned Whitsunday national park islands, a postcard-perfect paradise awaits you.

Scattered just off the central Queensland coast, the Mackay islands are a cluster of secluded escapes where nature takes centre stage. Think untouched beaches, sneaky snorkelling spots and coastline camping off-grid. These islands offer a back-to-basics experience ideal for nature lovers. Camping areas vary from basic to bush-style, with limited or no facilities — so you'll need to come fully prepared and self-sufficient. But that’s part of the charm. With only a handful of sites available and camper numbers capped, you’re guaranteed a more intimate connection with the landscape. And that’s not even the best part. The surrounding waters are also part of the southern section of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, but not on many of the globetrotter radars.

Whether you're bushwalking, birdwatching, snorkelling, or simply soaking up the serenity, Mackay’s national park islands offer a rare chance to experience the Great Barrier Reef, with fewer tourists around.

Boodjamulla National Park (Aboriginal Land) features spectacular gorge country, sandstone ranges and World Heritage fossils. It’s no wonder it’s a bucket-list destination for many. If you're drawn to places off the beaten track, Diamantina National Park is an outback oasis that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Formed over millions of years, Diamantina’s striking landscapes—think sandstone mesas, gibber plains and river channels—supports rare wildlife like bilbies, kowaris, and the elusive night parrot. After rain, the desert comes alive with wildflowers, birdlife, and bursts of colour. Enjoy spectacular sunsets from the banks of the Diamantina River at Hunters Gorge camping area. Or relax beside Whistling Duck Creek under shady coolabah trees at Gum Hole camping area. Steeped in cultural and pastoral history, the park is home to the Maiawali people and was previously a major cattle station. Explore heritage sites, take in panoramic views from Janet’s Leap lookout, and learn more at the Ranger base’s visitor information centre. Getting there takes a high-clearance 4WD, careful planning, and a taste for adventure with unsealed roads and unpredictable weather. The reward? Quiet camp sites and a true taste of outback solitude.

For those seeking space, stillness, and a sense of the outback, Diamantina National Park is a journey worth making.

Daintree National Park (CYPAL), part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, is renowned for its exceptional biological diversity and evolutionary history, making it a well-known destination for those venturing to Tropical North Queensland. But, if you’re in the area, you might be interested in uncovering a national park that’s a little more ‘underground’ and with an ancient beauty of its own kind.

Just 3 hours west of Cairns you’ll find Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park. It offers a fascinating outback alternative with ancient landscapes, unique geology and cultural history. Once the floor of a tropical sea over 400 million years ago, the area evolved into the striking limestone country you see today. In one of the few places in Queensland offering a personal guided tour from your very own Ranger, not to be missed.

You can also self-explore 3 other caves or wander the walking tracks which reveal remnants of the national park’s Aboriginal history and early European settlement. Several bat species roost and breed in the dark caves, and Chillagoe is one of five known nesting sites for the white-rumped swiftlet bird. Like insectivorous bats, the birds use echolocation for flying in the dark, listening for the non-stop metallic clicking as they manoeuvre about the caves. And the best news, you can visit Chillagoe any time of year, with Ranger-guided cave tours running daily (except Christmas Day).

If you’re looking to avoid the mainstream, Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park is a captivating escape, far from the well-trodden tourist trails.