Six national parks that feel like you're in a Hollywood movie

Ever wish that your life was like the movies? Do you find yourself daydreaming about living as a dashing secret agent, walking alongside dinosaurs or finding a portal to a secret world behind the filing cabinet?

I reckon you probably have, but there’s no harm in a bit of fantasy if it gets us out the door. In fact, New South Wales is home to some incredible environments that resemble the locations of famous films and make you feel as if you’re on a cinematic adventure.

You don’t need to head off the coast of Costa Rica to be immersed in the dense jungle and climb the ancient peaks of Isla Sorna – the famous, mythical island from Jurassic Park.

Instead, head north. Towards the border of NSW and Queensland, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest of Border Ranges National Park is the perfect place to get your dino-fix. Start off with a stroll up to Pinnacle lookout where you’ll see the crater escarpment, Wollumbin (formerly known as Mount Warning) and the valley below. Given how ancient the Gondwana rainforest in the valley is, it might be worth keeping your eyes pried for dinosaurs, you know, just in case...

Brindle Creek walking track should be your next stop. The track is 6km one-way and features a certified Gondwana relic, the Antarctic beech tree, as well as wild swimming at Evan’s Falls and moss-covered everything (watch your step and don’t swim alone!). Finish the day camping out at Forest Tops campground, it’s the most immersive rainforest experience you can get.

The sand-blasted desertscape so central to the Mad Max series is only a few hours north of Sydney.

Don’t bother heading to Namibia - where the filming of the recent fourth film moved after Broken Hill started sprouting wildflowers - head to Stockton Dunes, the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Parts of Mad Max 2 are said to have been filmed at Tin City which is inside Worimi Regional Park. Tin City is a strange, privately-owned settlement at Stockton Beach. Enjoy looking at it from a distance, but remember not to get too close, this is private property.

For the full Mad Max experience, jump in the car and head to Worimi Conversation Area for some of NSW's best beach driving. You will need a 4WD and a permit to access this area. Load up your rig safely and enjoy this unique family friendly experience, and remember to drive responsibly. If you don’t own a 4WD you can still visit on these incredible guided tours.

Quad biking tours are one of the best ways to enjoy the sand dunes. Check out Sand Dune Adventures, an Aboriginal owned and managed tour company led by experts in dune driving who understand the culturally and environmentally sensitive parts of the dune system.

Transport yourself to the lush planet of Pandora with a visit to Dorrigo National Park. The World Heritage Gondwana Rainforest, only an hour from Coffs Harbour, is a protected pocket of diversity. You’ll feel as firmly in touch with nature as the Na’vi, as you wander through 600-year-old trees and swim in rainforest pools.

For a truly immersive experience in the canopy check out the Skywalk lookout – the elevated walkway comes straight out of the visitor centre and places you in the heart of the rainforest, where vines and ferns compete in the misty half-light. Look out for the Hometree – Pandora’s massive beating heart – surely it’s the cause of all this beauty. Prolong the search with a stop at Never Never picnic area, stay quiet enough and nature might come to you.

Time for an adrenaline injection. If action flicks are your jam then head to Bare Island, part of Kamay Botany Bay National Park. The small island is the site of an imposing fort that’s built into the island itself and home to a chequered past. Walk across the 130-year-old footbridge to the Bare Island Gate to meet for a guided tour of the fort.

Some of Bare Island’s rock platforms might look like they’re from Mission Impossible II, that’s because they are! Parts of the second film were shot right on Bare Island. You might want to check out the surrounding area too – the Henry Head walking track is perfect for sussing Bare Island from afar or, if you’re qualified, get below the surface for a bit of scuba action.

Okay, nowhere in Australia quite fits the bill of being under an “eternal winter”, but if you’re looking to experience the crispy cold conditions on the other side of the wardrobe, the alpine region of Kosciuszko National Park is a sure bet during the winter months.

Sure, you can hit the resorts at Perisher and Thredbo for the usual skiing or snowboarding. But if you really want to see what the White Witch is up to, you can’t beat back country snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. 

They say if you can walk, you can snowshoe. So if you've never tried it, and you’re not an experienced ski tourer or mountaineer, give it a go with an experienced backcountry guide – tours are available for all fitness levels.

Sounds a bit gnarly? Why not camp out for a few days at the more forgiving Geehi Flats campground? You can even pretend the White Witch is dead and go in summer, we won’t tell anyone.