Popran National Park conserves spectacular sandstone cliffs and gullies and many Aboriginal sites. It includes four kilometres of Hawkesbury River foreshore to the east and north of Milson Island and contains a number of undisturbed small creek catchments. These completely natural fresh running water tributaries to the Hawkesbury River are becoming scarce and so the park is important for their conservation and the protection of the animals and plants that depend on them. The park provides remote walking routes, secluded rock pools and exceptional displays of spring wildflowers.

This park is 65 km north of Sydney and 25 km west of Gosford, north of the Hawkesbury River. There's easy access from the F3 Sydney-Newcastle Freeway exiting at Mount White or Calga. You can reach the northern section of the park from Ironbark Road, Mangrove Mountain, off Wisemans Ferry Road. The southern section, which includes Cascade Gully and parts of Marlows Gully, can be reached from the old Pacific Highway, Mount White.

Facilities and things to do: You can go bushwalking or mountain bike riding, or wander through the exceptional wildflower displays. Camping is not permitted in the park but you can ramble through the rainforests where white cedars, lilli pillies and coachwoods are linked by vines, and bird nests, ferns and staghorns nestle high up in the canopy. You may be lucky enough to hear and see green catbirds, satin bowerbirds, lyrebirds or brush turkeys.

Walking tracks
Take the Mount Olive Track through dry open woodland and soak up the magnificent views of Glenworth Valley, extending to the distant Hawkesbury River. You can see honeyeaters and spinebills along the way and may hear the raucous cries of yellow-tailed and glossy black cockatoos. Observant walkers may see Aboriginal engravings.

West of Mount Olive is 248 track. Ironbarks, turpentines and Sydney blue gums replace the dry open woodland of grey gums, Sydney peppermints and angophoras. There are more Aboriginal engravings along this track, which ends with spectacular views of Ironbark Creek and the Hawkesbury River.

For more experienced walkers there is an extensive system of fire trails starting in the Mt White area. These trails lead to Bar Point and the wreck of HMAS Parramatta, where only the hull remains. The walk is approximately 8 km one way, with steep sections only suited to fit walkers.

Other attractions
Horseriding is possible in north Popran, along the 248 and Mount Olive tracks. You can also explore the edges of the park by boat. Meander through the mangroves or enjoy views of the sandstone cliff lines while fishing. There's a boat ramp just outside the park at Mooney Mooney Point on the northern side of the Peats Ferry Bridge. You can also swim in the Hominy Creek near Mount Olive.