Best Picnic Spots in Australia (State by State)
The Best Picnic Spots in Australia (State by State)
Australia is one of the best countries in the world for outdoor eating. The climate, the scenery, the sheer variety of landscapes — from harbour foreshores to national park lookouts to hinterland valleys — means a great picnic spot is rarely far away, wherever you are.
Here's a state-by-state guide to some of Australia's best picnic locations, ranging from iconic to off the beaten track.
New South Wales
Nielsen Park, Sydney
Tucked inside the Sydney Harbour National Park in Vaucluse, Nielsen Park is one of Sydney's best-kept picnic secrets. A sheltered harbour beach, sweeping views across to the Heads, and large shaded lawn areas make it a favourite for families and couples alike. Arrive early on weekends — it fills up fast.
Byron Bay Hinterland, Northern NSW
Swap the beach for the hills and you'll find some of the most beautiful picnic country in Australia. Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park, the rolling paddocks around Bangalow, and the lookouts along Dorroughby Road all offer the kind of scenery that makes you want to stay for hours. Bring a proper blanket — the grass is lush but the ground is uneven.
Blue Mountains — Govetts Leap Lookout
The Grose Valley views from Govetts Leap are among the most dramatic in NSW. There are picnic tables at the lookout and flat grassy areas nearby. On a clear day you can see for kilometres across the escarpment. Worth the drive from Sydney for a full day out.
Barangaroo Reserve, Sydney
One of Sydney's newer green spaces, Barangaroo Reserve sits right on the harbour foreshore between the CBD and the Rocks. A mix of sandstone headlands, harbour views, and carefully restored native bushland makes it a surprisingly beautiful spot for a city picnic.
Queensland
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Grounds, Brisbane
Right on the Brisbane River at Fig Tree Pocket, the grounds around Lone Pine are ideal for a relaxed afternoon. Bring lunch and eat on the riverbank before heading into the sanctuary, or stay outside for a proper picnic on the grass.
Mooloolaba Esplanade, Sunshine Coast
The stretch of parkland running along the Mooloolaba foreshore is one of the Sunshine Coast's most popular picnic areas — well maintained, good shade, beachfront. The morning markets nearby make it easy to stock up before you settle in.
Tamborine Mountain, Gold Coast Hinterland
Up in the hinterland behind the Gold Coast, Tamborine Mountain offers rainforest picnic areas, waterfall lookouts, and cool temperatures even in summer. Witches Falls Conservation Park has shaded spots right in the rainforest — a great contrast to a beach day.
Noosa National Park
The Noosa National Park headland is one of Queensland's most scenic stretches of coastline. The picnic areas near Tea Tree Bay and Granite Bay give you front-row views of the point breaks and the kind of scenery that belongs on a postcard. Koalas are a regular sighting in the eucalypts above.
Victoria
Hanging Rock, Macedon Ranges
Iconic for obvious reasons, but the picnic grounds at Hanging Rock are genuinely excellent — wide open lawns, good shade, and that looming volcanic rock formation as your backdrop. Sunday markets often run nearby, making it an easy full-day trip from Melbourne.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
The RBG in Melbourne is one of the finest botanic gardens in the southern hemisphere, and the picnic lawns are extensive. The Tan running track curves around the perimeter if you need to work up an appetite first. Central city location, free entry, and impeccably maintained.
Mornington Peninsula — Point Nepean National Park
The very tip of the Mornington Peninsula is accessible only on foot or by shuttle bus, which keeps the crowds manageable. The picnic areas near the old Quarantine Station have sweeping views across the Heads to the ocean — one of the most dramatic picnic settings in Victoria.
South Australia
Belair National Park, Adelaide Hills
Just 20 minutes from the Adelaide CBD, Belair is a proper national park with shaded picnic areas, walking trails, and native wildlife. The Old Government House grounds are particularly beautiful in autumn. Underrated for how close it is to the city.
Willunga Farmers Market → McLaren Vale
A Willunga Saturday morning ritual: hit the Willunga Farmers Market for local produce, then drive five minutes into the McLaren Vale wine region and find a quiet spot among the vines for a picnic lunch. One of South Australia's great simple pleasures.
Western Australia
John Forrest National Park, Perth Hills
Western Australia's oldest national park sits 35 kilometres east of Perth and offers classic WA bushland picnic areas alongside natural rock pools and heritage-listed buildings. Wildflower season (August–October) makes it particularly spectacular.
Cottesloe Beach, Perth
One of Australia's most loved urban beaches, Cottesloe has well-maintained grassed areas behind the beach and good shade under the Norfolk Island pines. Sunset picnics here — with views over the Indian Ocean — are hard to beat.
What to Bring to Any Picnic
A great location deserves a great setup. A few essentials that make the difference:
- A proper picnic blanket — one that actually repels sand and grass and can handle a full day of use. The XO Beach Blanket works equally well on grass as it does on sand.
- A beach umbrella — for spots without natural shade, sun protection is essential in the Australian summer
- A good esky — Australian heat means food safety matters; a quality cooler keeps everything fresh
- Reusable containers — leave no trace at parks and reserves
The XO Beach Blanket is available at xanto.com.au — sand-free and just as at home on a grassy hillside as on the beach.
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