A picnic is the perfect family activity on a sunny weekend. It can be as simple or extravagant as you like. From your standard cheese or egg sandwiches to a smorgasbord of cold meats, cheese and pickles, it’s time to pack up your wicker baskets and tartan blankets and find a shady picnic spot at one of these fabulous parks across the city.

Top Picnic Spots in Sydney For Kids And Families

Sydney City

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

A day out at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney offers an abundance of stunning flowers with the most spectacular harbour views. There is wide open space for the kids to play, native wildlife to spot and a multitude of gardens to explore, plus you can wander to Mrs Macquarie’s chair or head to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. 

Barangaroo Reserve

Barangaroo Reserve is a lush green space in the heart of the Sydney CBD, with 75,000 native trees and shrubs, rolling green lawns, wide open spaces and sweeping views of Sydney Harbour. There are large spots for a picnic, bike tracks, gorgeous waterside scenery, and you can even bring your doggie on a leash. 

Prince Alfred Park

Prince Alfred Park boasts picnic areas and BBQs, tennis and basketball courts and two lovely little children’s playgrounds featuring beautiful, hand-crafted rides. Kids can take their scooters or bikes and ride along the path, and of course plenty of picnic spaces.

Eastern Suburbs

Nielsen Park

Along with stunning harbour views from Nielson Park, kids can splash in the shallows of the netted swimming area whilst you claim a picnic spot under the canopy of one of the many Moreton Bay Fig Trees. This park is BUSY, so catch the bus or just be prepared for a bit of a walk.

Centennial Park

Centennial Park caters to all! There are playgrounds, ponds, walking tracks, multi-person hire bikes and horse riding. A large circular park, you can drive the loop before settling on a location to stop. The playground and BBQ area is the busiest spot for Centennial, which is very large, and every inch of it holds its own beauty and perks. Sit in the quieter areas near the duck ponds or relax at the benches across from them.

Parsley Bay

Parsley Bay is one of the most idyllic park-playground-beach combos in the East. This lovely and shady reserve leads into a beautiful, clean flat beach, then into the most perfect waveless shallow bay with a protected swimming area. There are no BBQs, but plentiful picnic tables under the trees and areas for a bushwalk. The small car park fills up quickly, so get there early.

Inner West

Glebe Foreshore Parks

Have a wander around the Glebe Foreshore Walk and take your pick of one of the four beautiful waterside parks that it encircles. There is plenty of space to settle in for a relaxed picnic or BBQ with the family and enjoy the great views of Anzac Bridge. There are kids’ adventure playgrounds, native wetlands, beaches and off-leash areas for dogs.

Bicentennial Park

You’re spoiled for choice at Bicentennial Park! Spread your picnic blanket at Lake Belvedere or under a shady shelter and take advantage of the free BBQs. Let the kids run wild at the adventure playground with its sandpit, slide, climbing frame, swings and shade sails. If it’s really hot, they can cool off at the splashing fountains and water spouts at the water play area! 

Greater West

Lizard Log

Lizard Log encourages creative play and greater interaction amongst visitors and the natural bushland setting, making it a great spot for some fun. The Children’s Nature Playground will keep them busy whilst you get the food ready on the available park BBQ. There are also picnic shelters and loads of parking.

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah

A picnic at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah is hard to beat. With cool mountain air, sweeping views and plenty of peaceful spots to roll out a rug, it’s the kind of place where lunch turns into a lingering afternoon. Kids can roam nearby open spaces while parents relax among vibrant seasonal gardens, all set against a backdrop of crisp autumn colour and fresh alpine scenery.

South Sydney/St George

Carss Bush Park

Carss Bush Park has excellent sports fields, playground areas, picnic and BBQ facilities and an intertidal swimming area.

North Shore

Taronga Zoo’s Main Entrance Plaza

Taronga Zoo’s Main Entrance Plaza is a lovely spot for a family picnic, and access is FREE. You can see some of the Zoo’s wildlife exhibits, which are open to the public free of charge.

This enchanting little cove of Chowder Bay has a kids’ playground at Clifton Reserve and plenty of lovely picnic and BBQ spots. The surrounding park offers lots of space for running and a protected and netted beach perfect for an afternoon dip.

Northern Beaches

Manly Dam

You’ll find activities ranging from kayaking, swimming and fishing to water skiing and mountain biking around Manly Dam. There are picnic spots, shaded tables and BBQs along the waterfront. The picnic tables are bookable! Little lovers of nature will love the park’s easy Wildflower Walk and Nature Trail, and there’s a good kids' playground right on the shore of the dam.

Winnererremy Bay Flying Fox Park

The parklands around Winnererremy Bay Flying Fox Park contain barbeques, picnic shelters, bike paths and a beach. There is plenty of open space to throw a ball or play a good game of cricket/rugby. There’s also a first-class, fully fenced playground that caters for young children and a separate playground for older children. Of course, the oversized Flying Fox is the main attraction here.

North West

Bella Vista Farm Park

Enjoy free access to 20 hectares of parkland and panoramic views of the Sydney basin back to the Blue Mountains at Bella Vista Farm Park – it’s a lovely, serene spot for a picnic. As well as the grounds, you can coincide your visit with the Heritage Precinct, including homestead and farm buildings.

Sutherland Shire

Royal National Park

Really get away from it all and explore the world’s second-oldest national park - the Royal National Park. Beautiful vistas, lovely bushwalks, amazing ocean views or quiet contemplation. Older kids will love exploring the coast track, the waterfalls and paths at Wattamolla, while younger kids will work up an appetite wandering Lady Carrington Drive or Audley Weir. If you are out in the bush, facilities are limited, but peace is abundant. A permit is required to take your car into the park for the day.

More Nature Adventures For Families

Sydney's Best Botanic Gardens for Kids
The Best Playgrounds by the Water in Sydney
28 Family-Friendly Beaches in Sydney

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