NSW National Parks Hit Record Visits

0:00It's April 18th. This is Sydney News Today, AI-powered stories from your city. I'm Cory with the story. National Parts in New South Wales just smashed a record with 65.5 million visits in the last financial year. That's way up from past highs, like the 60.2 million back in 2018. The Blue Mountains led the pack with 7.8 million trips, followed by Royal National Park, at 4.9 million, and Curing Guy Chase, at 4.3 million. The biggest jump came from folks aged 24 to 35, who now make up 26% of visitors, up from 19%. Officials point to social media and Instagram as the spark, drawing younger crowds craving scenic escapes over city nightlife. People like Pat Murray, who runs a popular page on accessible Sydney trails, are seeing tons more young hiker show up to his group walks. He says it's a fresh wave of self-care, with peeps ditching clubs for bus tracks reachable by public transport. Two or operators report a solid rebound, too, with interstate and international visitors

1:03flooding back post-pandemic. This surveys the first to track overseas tourists, and 72% of them hit at least one park during their stay, after dips from fires, floods, and lockdowns. Minister Penny Sharp calls it a win for these vital green spaces, as more diverse crowds vote with their feet. Just pack smart, stay aware, and respect the trails. There's calling louder than ever.