FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: national parks

  • Sydney’s Best Picnic Spots – Dine in Australia’s Parks & Beaches

    Sydney is home to many of the world’s best restaurants overseen by leading chefs like Tetsuya Wakuda, Peter Gilmore, and Neil Perry. However dining at their establishments can quickly empty your wallet. But frugal travelers need not miss out on great food and water views while visiting the harbor city. Just bring your own and enjoy some of Sydney’s best picnic spots!

    Soak up Sydney’s sun, surf, and sand with a picnic by the beach. The city has several great coastal parks that are perfect for families. Balmoral Beach in Mosman may be one of Sydney’s most famous, but it’s a reputation that’s well deserved. The Norfolk Island pine trees provide plenty of shade, and there’s a playground to keep the kids entertained. You can bring your own grub or grab some cheap fish and chips from one of the nearby takeaway stores.

    If you enjoy peace and quiet you may prefer a less popular Australian beach like Chinaman’s Beach on nearby McLean Crescent. This coastal spot is a bit of a local secret, but the residents won’t mind you claiming a piece of parkland. There’s plenty of space for enjoying a game of frisbee or Aussie cricket. And of course the water’s not too far away either. The well-protected beach has small and gentle waves just perfect for tiny tots.

    For a different kind of water view choose a spot near Sydney’s famous harbor. The Royal Botanic Gardens is a popular picnic spot for tourists and locals alike. The outlook is incredible, and the shady lawns, rose gardens, and fountains create an incomparable atmosphere. Admission to the gardens is free, and exploring them is a great way to work off your lunch.

    The Royal Botanic Gardens can get crowded when the weather is fine though. If you’d prefer to stray from the tourist path, take a trip to Wendy’s Secret Garden in Lavender Bay. The whimsically named spot was created by Wendy Whiteley in memory of her husband, the late Sydney based artist Brett Whiteley. The large fig trees offer plenty of shade and a home for the resident parrots, kookaburras, and other birdlife.

    Sydney is built around its waterways, but some of the city’s best picnic spots aren’t by the water at all. Centennial Park acts as an oasis in Sydney’s bustling inner east. With 189 hectares of space there’s plenty of room to spread out near the duck ponds and flower beds.

    Picnic in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens
    Picnic in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens

    Things are a bit quieter at Lake Parramatta Reserve in North Parramatta. It’s a shade smaller at 73 hectares, but there’s still plenty of space for a family picnic. There are native birds and wildflowers for nature lovers, and rock shelters decorated with the hand-stencils of Sydney’s first indigenous inhabitants.

    So who wants to sit inside a stuffy restaurant? A picnic in a park by the beach or the harbour is a much better way to soak up Sydney and save money!

    [Image Source: Freddy Rhoads/Flickr]

  • Explore Asia’s National Parks – Natural Paradises in the East

    When international travelers think of Asia they think of technological innovation, a bustling lifestyle, and all that delicious food.

    While Asia's cities buzz, its national parks are a real draw card for tourists looking to get back to nature. The following parks, many of which are UNESCO World and Natural Heritage sites, are amongst Asia's best. The Three Parallel Rivers Protected Areas in China's Yunnan Province is somewhat of a lost paradise. Here 16 indigenous groups live simple lives, free of the stresses of the modern world. Many offer accommodation for visitors who come to the area to see the gorges, glaciers, and enormous rivers. While much of Hong Kong is a thriving metropolis, one fifth of the nation belongs to the trails of Tai Tam Country Park. This area is steeped in history; tourists can explore ancient forts and towers while admiring the ocean views and diverse flora. There are also several areas for barbecues and picnics, so why not make a day of it? Many ecological experts consider Shiretoko National Park to be Japan's last surviving wilderness. It's a haven for marine and land animals, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the brown bears, dolphins, and seals that live there.
    Sightseeing boats regularly leave from the mainland to take tourists closer to the warm Kamui Wakka Falls. Or you could travel to the falls on foot and soak yourself in the hot springs. You might not know it, but if you're a James Bond fan you're already acquainted with Thailand's Ao Phang Nga National Park. This gorgeous natural oasis was featured in the spy flick The Man with the Golden Gun. You can hire small boats to explore the area and its natural rock formations and limestone pillars which emerge almost mythically from the ocean. It's the kind of locale you'll want to linger at, and with bungalows and camping sites available you can. The buzzing cities of Asia are alluring, but if you'd like a change of pace the continent's national parks can deliver it.