Discover the best picnic spots in Sydney, from hidden harbourside gems to beautiful parks perfect for a relaxing outdoor day.
With its fantastic climate and stunning natural scenery, Sydney is the perfect city for enjoying a picnic outdoors. From parks and reserves to beaches, there are countless spots to explore, ensuring you’ll always have a new destination for weekend outings.
So, pack your picnic basket, gather the family, and head to one of these beautiful picnic spots for some quality time in the fresh air.
Find all of the below picnic spots in this interactive map.
1. Clifton Gardens Reserve
Featuring a beautiful beach, a fenced playground, change rooms, and excellent BBQ and picnic facilities, Clifton Gardens Reserve is the ideal summer picnic spot on Sydney’s lower north shore.
This popular destination is also a dog-friendly beach, offering plenty of space for dogs to run around, whether in the park, on the beach, or in the water.
For those who prefer a café lunch, a short walk to nearby Chowder Bay offers a relaxing spot to enjoy a coffee and a bite at one of its inviting kiosks or cafés.
| Clifton Gardens Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Barbecues, tables, change rooms, beach access, exercise areas, walking trails, dog-friendly. |
| More info: | Clifton Gardens Reserve |
2. Koonjeree Picnic Area
Lane Cove National Park offers several great picnic spots, with the most popular being the Koonjeree Picnic Area, located in the park’s eastern section at Chatswood West.
This spacious, family-friendly area is equipped with BBQs, picnic tables, drinking water, a large car park, and plenty of open green space.
For those in the mood for a walk, the Lane Cove Riverside Circuit Walk is a fantastic 10 km bushwalking trail that follows the Lane Cove River.
| Koonjeree Picnic Area | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Barbecues, tables, toilets, parking, drinking water. |
| More info: | Koonjeree Picnic Area |
3. Wattamolla Picnic Area
Wattamolla Beach in the Royal National Park offers a spacious picnic area with great facilities, including BBQs, picnic tables, seating, a toilet block, and running water.
Located conveniently next to the car park, this spot is perfect for taking a break from swimming and hiking to enjoy a relaxed lunch in the fresh air.
Keep in mind that the area can get busy during summer weekends, so arriving early is recommended to make the most of your day at Wattamolla.
| Wattamolla Picnic Area | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Barbecues, tables, toilets, parking, beach, walking trails. |
| More info: | Wattamolla Beach and Picnic Area |
4. Ballast Point Park
Ballast Point Park is a 2.6-hectare recreational space in Birchgrove on the Balmain Peninsula, offering visitors a chance to explore Sydney’s rich history.
Opened to the public in July 2009 by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, the park features walking paths, a playground, barbecues, picnic areas, and access for cyclists.
Situated at the end of Ballast Point Road in Birchgrove, right at the tip of the Balmain Peninsula, the park boasts stunning views of Sydney Harbour.
| Ballast Point Park | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Barbecues, toilets, parking, harbour views, walking trails, dog-friendly. |
| More info: | Ballast Point Park |
5. Glebe Foreshore
Established in 1988 to commemorate 200 years of white settlement in Australia, Bicentennial Park in Glebe is a beautiful place to enjoy a lazy afternoon.
For the best picnic spots, try the Federal Park picnic shelter or one of the benches closer to the water’s edge.
While you’re there, make sure you do (part of) the Glebe Foreshore walking trail from Bicentennial Park to Bridge Road along the shores of Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay.
| Glebe Foreshore | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Picnic shelters, walking trails, parking, light rail nearby, dog-friendly. |
| More info: | Glebe Foreshore |
6. Pirrama Park
Pirrama Park is a beautiful harbourside green space in Pyrmont, making it a perfect spot to relax with a book or enjoy a quiet picnic with friends.
This award-winning park features a thoughtfully landscaped design, with flat grassy areas, a playground, public toilets, nearby cafés, and, most importantly, excellent picnic and BBQ facilities.
Previously serving as a base for the water police force, the land was purchased by the City of Sydney in 2005 and transformed into a public park.
| Pirrama Park | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Barbecues, exercise areas, toilets, shaded areas, cafe. |
| More info: | Pirrama Park |
7. Barangaroo Reserve
Sydneysiders have truly embraced Barangaroo Reserve as a stunning Sydney Harbour foreshore park since it opened in 2015.
This 6-hectare green space, located just north of the Barangaroo precinct, is home to over 75,000 trees and plants native to the Sydney region.
With its beautifully designed terraced gardens and winding walking paths, Barangaroo Reserve is an ideal spot for an afternoon picnic.
| Barangaroo Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Shaded areas, walking trails, parking, public transport nearby, harbour views, swimming pool. |
| More info: | Barangaroo Reserve |
8. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Located right next to the Sydney CBD, the Royal Botanic Garden has been one of the world’s most significant historic botanical institutions since 1816.
Choose a spot anywhere in the garden and enjoy a picnic surrounded by unique plants, trees, and flowers. With the Harbour, Opera House, and CBD skyline nearby, the views are sure to impress.
Technically part of The Domain, Mrs Macquaries Point offers a fantastic picnic spot with panoramic Harbour views. It’s an ideal destination for impressing visitors from overseas!
| Royal Botanic Garden Sydney | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Shaded seating, cafe, walking trails, public transport nearby, guided tours, harbour views. |
| More info: | Royal Botanic Garden Sydney |
9. Bobbin Head Picnic Ground
Bobbin Head is a popular day-trip destination in the western part of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, nestled along the shores of Cowan Creek.
Surrounded by stunning natural scenery, Bobbin Head features excellent facilities, including picnic areas, gas barbecues, cafés, and playgrounds.
With a wide range of hiking trails nearby, it’s also an ideal spot for those looking to enjoy some bushwalking.
| Bobbin Head Picnic Ground | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Barbecues, tables, walking trails, drinking water, toilets, cafes. |
| More info: | Bobbin Head |
10. Berry Island Reserve
Berry Island Reserve is a peaceful recreational area in Wollstonecraft, offering a short bushwalking track, picnic areas, and a fenced playground.
Once one of Sydney Harbour’s many islands, Berry Island is now a peninsula connected to the mainland of Wollstonecraft.
Dogs are welcome at Berry Island Reserve but must be kept on a lead. They can also join you on the Gadyan Track, a short bushwalk through the reserve.
| Berry Island Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Barbecues, playground, seating, walking trails. |
| More info: | Berry Island Reserve |
11. Lake Parramatta Reserve
Beautiful Lake Parramatta was formed when Hunts Creek was dammed in 1856. While the dam was decommissioned many years ago, the lake has since been transformed into a popular recreational area.
Visitors can enjoy excellent picnicking and BBQ facilities, a designated swimming area, playgrounds, free parking, and a small café.
The reserve is also home to one of Sydney’s best bushwalks. The Lake Parramatta Circuit Walk offers a family-friendly trail through picturesque scenery.
| Lake Parramatta Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Barbecues, toilets, cafe, parking, walking trails, swimming area, dog-friendly. |
| More info: | Lake Parramatta Reserve |
12. Bradfield Park
Situated right beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Kirribilli, Bradfield Park is a quiet and shaded spot for a picnic.
With Luna Park and the Olympic Pool nearby, the park boasts excellent views of Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour.
For easy access, we recommend taking a train to Milsons Point station. Alternatively, you can catch a ferry from Circular Quay or Barangaroo and enjoy a short walk to Bradfield Park from Milsons Point ferry wharf.
| Bradfield Park | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Train and ferry nearby, playground, drinking water, shaded seating. |
| More info: | Bradfield Park |
13. Yarranabbe Park
Overlooking Garden Island, the Sydney CBD skyline, and the Harbour Bridge, Yarranabbe Park in Darling Point is an ideal spot to relax and unwind.
With plenty of park benches, large trees, and stunning Harbour views, Yarranabbe Park offers a perfect setting for a picnic.
As there are no tables available, it’s best to bring along a classic picnic rug to make the most of this fantastic park.
| Yarranabbe Park | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Shaded areas, foreshore trail, exercise areas, dog-friendly. |
| More info: | Yarranabbe Park |
14. Robertson Park
Featuring plenty of picnic tables, a fenced playground, lovely views of Sydney Harbour, and a range of nearby food options, Robertson Park in Watsons Bay is an ideal family-friendly picnic spot.
While you’re there, we highly recommend taking the short yet scenic walk to South Head, including the South Head Heritage Trail.
The trail offers stunning views of the Harbour, the city skyline, the Tasman Sea, Manly North Head, and the historic Hornby Lighthouse.
| Robertson Park | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Playground, rotunda, large grassy areas, cafes and restaurants nearby, ferry wharf. |
| More info: | Robertson Park |
15. Woronora Dam Picnic Area
The Greater Sydney area is home to many historic dams, many of which offer excellent picnic facilities.
Woronora Dam in the Sutherland Shire is one such spot, where you can explore the dam itself and enjoy two spacious picnic areas equipped with tables, barbecues, and playgrounds.
The dam wall is open to the public, and walking across it is a remarkable experience, with stunning views of the lake on one side and the gorge on the other.
Read our list of dams in Sydney, which includes Woronora and 11 other dams that you can visit.
| Woronora Dam Picnic Area | |
|---|---|
| Facilities: | Barbecues, toilets, drinking water, parking, picnic shelters, viewing areas. |
| More info: | Woronora Dam Picnic Area |
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