There is nothing like a good picnic on a warm sunny day, in a scenic spot with green grass and blue sky, with good company and tasty food. Brisbane’s culture has a strong focus on the outdoors and the kind of lifestyle that goes with it. As such, the city is full of amazing parks and recreation areas that make the most of the city’s beautiful scenery, providing locals and tourists with plenty of opportunities to enjoy Brisbane’s outdoor lifestyle. If you’re on a holiday in Brisbane, there are lots of places to go and enjoy a good picnic, often within the city itself. These are some of the best picnic spots in Brisbane.
KANGAROO POINT CLIFFS PARK
You will be hard pressed to find a more perfect vantage point for a view of the city than from Kangaroo Point. This area is a high point of the city, rising above the southern bank of the Brisbane River. A beautiful park runs along the length of the river with an excellent pedestrian path, and sheer cliffs rise straight up above it, where the park provides a perfect view of the Brisbane CBD. Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park makes for a perfect picnic spot with a view of the city, and there are barbecue facilities here as well. It is particularly beautiful in the evening as the sun sets and the city lights up.
SOUTHBANK PARKLANDS
Southbank is Brisbane’s cultural precinct, located directly across the river from the CBD, and the foreshore of the area has been transformed into a beautiful tropical oasis of lush gardens and parklands. Paths and boardwalks meander through the gardens and there are some beautiful spots for a picnic, such as Rainforest Green. There is an excellent playground here for the kids and if it’s warm enough, take a dip at Streets Beach – a public pool and artificial beach.
CITY BOTANIC GARDENS
Brisbane actually has two Botanic Gardens, but the City Botanic Gardens are located right in the heart of Brisbane at Gardens Point, between Alice Street and the river. This beautiful park is a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a relaxing picnic on the green grass, surrounded by beautiful flora. Take a walk along Bunya Walk which runs right along the river, or sit and watch the boats go by.
ROMA STREET PARKLANDS
The Roma Street Parklands is a large 16 hectare greenspace just to the north-west of Brisbane’s CBD, located along Wickham Terrace. It is a beautiful park that climbs slowly up a hill and has some excellent walking paths meandering amongst the gardens. There are lots of excellent picnic spots here.
NEW FARM PARK
New Farm Park is a popular spot with locals as it sits right on the river in the inner city suburb of New Farm. The park is well known for its beautiful Jacaranda trees and wide green grass area which are perfect for kicking the footie around or playing Frisbee. Take a wander along the river, and then you can either hop on the ferry to head back to the CBD, or walk along the scenic River Walk.
MOUNT COOT-THA & BRISBANE BOTANIC GARDENS
Located in Brisbane’s west, Mount Coot-tha rises above the city providing stunning panoramic views from its summit lookout. This is a great spot for a picnic while enjoying some of the best views in Brisbane, however there are lots of other excellent picnic spots throughout the forests that cover the mountain, plus you can work off your picnic by enjoying one of the many excellent hiking trails.
At the bottom of Mount Coot-tha is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, a huge area of beautiful gardens and parklands with an array of interesting flora.
WYNNUM MANLY FORESHORE
Wynnum and Manly is the closest and most easily accessible coastal area to Brisbane, and the foreshore here is excellent for a nice long stroll or a bike ride, and there are plenty of excellent spots to stop and enjoy a picnic while overlooking the beautiful Moreton Bay. There are several nice parks to choose from with green lawn, barbecue facilities and playgrounds. Enjoy the sand at Pandanus Beach, and the kids will love the Wynnum Wading Pool and playground.
NUDGEE BEACH RESERVE
There isn’t much of a beach at Nudgee Beach, however the scenery here is beautiful, with the Nudgee Beach Reserve overlooking the calm waters of Moreton Bay. It is a large park with plenty of room for the kids and the dog, if you have one, plus playground and barbecue facilities. You can also enjoy a nice boardwalk through the mangroves.
SUTTONS BEACH PARK
There are several excellent picnic spots to choose from on the Redcliffe Peninsula, but Sutton’s Beach Park is one of the nicest. It has a nice long stretch of sand with sheltered, shallow water that is perfect for paddling. It is also Redcliffe’s only patrolled beach. The park here has excellent facilities including playgrounds, barbecues and change rooms. This is a beautiful spot to enjoy a picnic and a swim at the beach in Brisbane’s north.
ROCKS RIVERSIDE PARK
Located in Seventeen Mile Rocks in Brisbane’s western suburbs, this excellent park is sprawled along the river and seems to have been built specifically for fun, picnics and families. The facilities here are excellent, with lots of shelters, barbecues and green lawns. Plus, the playgrounds here are fantastic, even with its own flying fox, and there is a fun little splash and play waterpark to cool off in the hot summer months.
Brisbane seems to have been made to get people outdoors and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. With its excellent parks and reserves, you are sure to find the perfect picnic spot in Brisbane.
