Ten wild experiences within city boundaries

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This was published 6 years ago

Ten wild experiences within city boundaries

Where the wild things are.

By David Whitley
Standing tall: A giraffe with city skyscrapers in the background at Nairobi National Park, Kenya.

Standing tall: A giraffe with city skyscrapers in the background at Nairobi National Park, Kenya.Credit: Alamy

1 BAYOU SAUVAGE, NEW ORLEANS

The largest urban wildlife refuge in the USA, Bayou Sauvage is within the city limits of New Orleans and a haven for water birds. The Ridge Trail boardwalk, just off Highway 90, is the best bet for exploring the swampy wetlands, and depending on the time of year, you might be able to see bald eagles, brown pelicans, herons and the less likely to take flight alligators. See fws.gov/refuge/Bayou_Sauvage

2 THE WAITAKERE RANGES, AUCKLAND

Acting as the green lung of Western Auckland, the Waitakere Ranges are covered in forests that have regrown after being enthusiastically harvested for timber. The walking trails from the visitor centre lead to top drawer hilltop viewing platforms, but also to huge kauri trees that survived the cull. Some of these were standing before humans arrived in New Zealand – they predate even Maori settlement.

3 THE CANYONS, LOS ANGELES

Part of the Hollywood Hills, the canyons of LA are a popular escape for joggers. If you're wanting to see the full Lycra-clad, little dog-carrying la la land stereotype, Runyon Canyon is the one to hike up. The views from the top are pretty marvellous too. Branch off Runyon, though, and you're soon on to iffily marked trails, with rocks to scramble up, foliage intruding and an overriding tension about snakes that may be hiding away in there.

4 NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK, KENYA

It's hardly the Masai Mara, but Nairobi National Park provides pretty good wildlife viewing on the southern edge of the Kenyan capital. You can see the Nairobi skyscrapers in the distance, but if you're looking at them rather than the wandering rhinos, paddling hippos and grazing giraffes, then you've got your priorities wrong. See kws.go.ke/parks/nairobi-national-park

5 MAGNETIC ISLAND, TOWNSVILLE

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Technically a suburb of northern Queensland's largest city, Magnetic Island has become something of a holiday escape, known for its beaches and fishing. But step away from the coast, and over half of the island is National Parkland. The walking trails get more rugged and remote as you head north-west, and there's always a strong chance of spotting koalas in the trees. See magneticislandtourism.com

6 BUKIT TIMAH, SINGAPORE

The most accessible part of the Central Nature Reserve that preserves the last remaining primary rainforest in Singapore, Bukit Timah was home to tigers as recently as the 1930s. Now you'll get thick rainforest canopy, plenty of macaques, a decent array of bird life and a sweaty hike up to the top of the hill. See nparks.gov.sg

7 TABLE MOUNTAIN, CAPE TOWN

From sea level, Table Mountain, is a photo opportunity. Once on it, however, it is a wonderful playground of steep hiking and mountain biking trails that require proper precautions to be taken on – people often get lost, or caught in weather changes. From the top, it's possible to see how wild the mountain is. The landscape is covered in fynbos flora, and little rock hyraxes known as dassies scuttle around to bring in the cute factor. See sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain

8 PEDRA BRANCA STATE PARK, RIO DE JANEIRO

Pedra Branca is Rio's highest point – topping out at 1024 metres – and the state park that surrounds it protects the tracts of Atlantic forest that have been spared from development. It is largely kept green, with the walking trails highlighting different aspects of the park. Some lead to waterfalls and weirs, others to quiet cove beaches, others to bird-heavy wetland swamps.

9 MAI PO, HONG KONG

Hong Kong is teeming with surprisingly wild spots – especially on the islands and in the New Territories. But the spot most obviously given over to wildlife is the Mai Po marshes. It's best to get there early in the morning if you want the best birdlife viewing, but the Hong Kong Wetland Park within Mai Po does an excellent educational job in showing visitors what to look for from specially set up hides and viewing platforms. See wetland-park.com

10 KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK, SYDNEY

Sydney does remarkably well for green spaces within the city boundaries, but it's the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park that feels furthest away from the big smoke. The basic deal is craggy, splintered waterways surrounded by forest, so there's a choice between strolling in the bush or heading out on a paddle boat. See nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/kuringgai-chase-national-park

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