With summer in full swing, we’re loving impromptu catch-up’s, road trips, seaside picnics and an excuse to say Cin Cin with friends.
Australia offers a diverse array of picturesque picnic spots, from lush gardens to coastal vistas.
Here are some top recommendations state by state to enjoy this Summer.
VIC
Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
A 38-hectare oasis near the city centre, featuring manicured lawns, diverse flora, and serene lakes. Ideal for picnics amidst nature.
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Known for towering Mountain Ash trees and fern gullies, this park offers tranquil picnic areas and forest walks.
Yarra Bend Park, Kew
As Melbourne's largest natural bushland park, it provides picnic spots, walking trails, and opportunities to observe local wildlife.
Albert Park, Melbourne
Featuring a picturesque lake with city skyline views, it's perfect for picnics, jogging, and leisurely walks.
St Kilda Botanical Gardens
A serene escape with diverse plant species, ornamental ponds, and ample lawn space for picnicking.
NSW
Royal Botanic Park, Sydney
Located in the heart of the city, boasting lush green lawns, exotic plants, and stunning views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge makes it a peaceful spot with iconic views.
Centennial Parklands, Oxford Falls
A sprawling green space just a few kilometres from the city centre, Centennial Park offers peaceful picnic areas, a large pond, and bike tracks. It’s one of Sydney's most popular parks for families and casual gatherings.
Wendy’s Secret Point, Lavender Bay
A hidden gem near Lavender Bay, this secluded garden provides a peaceful, serene atmosphere with stunning views of Sydney Harbour. It’s perfect for a quiet picnic, away from the hustle and bustle.
Tamarama Park, Tamarama
Surrounded by rocky cliffs with direct access to the beach, this spot is ideal for those wanting to combine a picnic followed by an afternoon surfing or swimming.
Clarks Point Reserve, Woolwich
A less crowded picnic destination, making for a relaxing day by the water spent boat-watching, fishing with panoramic views of the Parramatta River.
QLD
South Bank Parklands, Brisbane
A bustling riverside location with lush gardens, picnic areas, and art installations. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists, with views of the Brisbane River and the city skyline.
New Farm Park, New Farm
Located near the Brisbane River, New Farm Park is a spacious and family-friendly park with plenty of shaded areas and open lawns. It’s perfect for a picnic, and you can enjoy walking along the riverfront afterward.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Offering panoramic views of Brisbane’s skyline and the Brisbane River, Kangaroo Point Cliffs is a popular spot for picnics, especially at sunset. It’s a great spot for both picnics and outdoor activities like rock climbing.
Roma Street Parkland
Just a short distance from the city centre, this beautiful park features tropical and subtropical gardens, plus picnic tables and BBQ areas. It's a peaceful oasis in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD.
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
Located on the slopes of Mt Coot-tha, this garden offers a variety of picnic spots surrounded by scenic views, nature walks, and the nearby Mt Coot-tha Lookout. It’s perfect for a relaxing escape from the city.
SA
Adelaide Botanic Garden
This iconic garden in the heart of Adelaide offers a range of beautiful picnic spots among a variety of native and exotic plants. It’s perfect for a relaxed day out with lush surroundings and close proximity to the city.
Glenelg Beach
A beautiful spot for a picnic by the sea, Glenelg Beach offers picnic tables along the foreshore, with views of the ocean and the nearby jetty. Perfect for a beachside picnic after a swim.
Botanic Park
Situated next to the Adelaide Zoo, Botanic Park offers wide open lawns and shady trees, with lovely views of the park and the city. It’s a great spot for a family picnic or a quiet afternoon in nature.
Victoria Park
A wide, open park just minutes from the CBD, Victoria Park offers large grassy areas, making it perfect for picnics. You can also enjoy walking or cycling along the park's paths.
Hurtle Square
Located in the southern part of the city, Hurtle Square is a small, peaceful park with shady trees and plenty of space for a relaxing picnic. It’s less crowded than some of the city’s larger parks.
WA
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
One of the largest inner-city parks in the world, Kings Park offers expansive picnic areas with breathtaking views over the Swan River and Perth’s skyline. It's a must-visit for both tourists and locals.
Cottesloe Beach
Famous for its beautiful sunsets and crystal-clear waters, Cottesloe Beach offers plenty of picnic areas along its sandy shore. A perfect location for enjoying a relaxed day by the ocean.
Elizabeth Bay
Situated on the Swan River, Elizabeth Quay is a vibrant waterfront area offering picnic spots with great views of the water, city skyline, and Perth’s iconic Bell Tower. It’s a lively spot, ideal for a social picnic.
Hyde Park
Located in North Perth, Hyde Park is a peaceful spot with shady trees, a large pond, and wide lawns. It’s ideal for picnics, and visitors often enjoy birdwatching or walking along the park’s tracks.
Lake Monger
A large lake surrounded by lush parkland, Lake Monger is a perfect place for a picnic, with BBQ facilities and ample grassy spaces. It’s also a great spot for walking, cycling, or birdwatching.
TAS
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
This historic garden is located near the Hobart city centre and provides beautiful picnic spots with views of the Derwent River. The gardens are lush and serene, with plenty of space to relax.
Cornelian Bay
A peaceful waterside location, Cornelian Bay offers picnic tables and green spaces by the river, with views of Mount Wellington in the distance. It’s ideal for a quiet, scenic picnic.
Sandy Bay
A short drive from the city centre, Sandy Bay provides a lovely spot for a beachside picnic with views over the Derwent River. It's a great place for a relaxed outing.
Mount Wellington
For those who enjoy both nature and a challenge, a picnic on the summit of Mount Wellington (kunanyi) offers amazing panoramic views of Hobart and its surrounds. It’s perfect for a more adventurous picnic day out.
Franklin Square
Situated in Hobart’s CBD, Franklin Square offers a charming green space with shady trees and picnic tables. It's perfect for a quick city escape and is surrounded by heritage buildings.
ACT
Lake Burley Griffin
The central hub of outdoor activities in Canberra, Lake Burley Griffin offers numerous picnic areas along its shores, with views of Parliament House, the National Gallery, and the National Library.
Commonwealth Park
Just near the lake, Commonwealth Park is home to vast open lawns, gardens, and lovely picnic spots. It’s a great place to relax or enjoy a BBQ while overlooking the lake and cityscape.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
A short drive from the city centre, Tidbinbilla offers picnic spots surrounded by bushland, with the chance to spot kangaroos and koalas. It’s perfect for a nature-filled picnic experience.
Black Mountain Nature Reserve
Located on the edge of the city, Black Mountain offers great picnic spots with sweeping views of Canberra. The reserve is ideal for a scenic, nature-filled outing.
Mount Ainslie Lookout
For stunning panoramic views of Canberra, the Mount Ainslie Lookout is an excellent picnic spot. You can hike to the summit or simply enjoy a peaceful day in this tranquil location.
NT
Mindil Beach
Offering a perfect spot for a picnic with breathtaking sunset views over the Timor Sea. With the beach sunset markets nearby (during summer season), it makes a perfect spot for a relaxing meal with live entertainment and vibrant atmosphere.
George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
In the heart of Darwin, these gardens are surrounded by exotic plants, ponds and shady trees and make the perfect spot for a family picnic.
East Point Reserve & Lake Alexander, East Point
East Point Reserve offers an expansive green space with a mix of beaches, bushland, and the serene Lake Alexander. The peaceful lake is ideal for a post-picnic walk, and the area is often visited by wallabies and a variety of birdlife, adding to its natural charm.
Casuarina Coastal Reserve
With stunning views of the ocean and beach, this area offers shaded picnic tables, BBQs, and large grassy areas, making it ideal for a relaxed picnic by the water.
Darwin Waterfront Precinct
A more modern and vibrant area with lush green lawns amongst the waterfront, enjoy beautiful lagoon views surrounding the promenade.
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