Top local picnic spots in Sydney CBD

Grab a blanket and the esky for budget busting outdoor dining

Who says eating out has to be expensive? Forget splashing a load of cash at a fancy restaurant. There’s no better way to enjoy a bite to eat than sitting out in the sunshine with family, friends or your special someone. For a cheap and easy meal out, nothing beats these picnic spots in Sydney CBD.

Here’s 5 top picnic spots in Sydney

1. Picnic paradise

You can’t go past Centennial Parklands as one of the ultimate picnic spots in Sydney.

• Your choice of spots to enjoy a picnic is almost limitless, and if you’re planning a big gathering there’s lots of large sheltered spaces you can book if needed.
• There’s 8 different electric BBQ areas to choose from, and they’re free to use.
• Read here for a complete guide to the main picnic areas in Centennial Park.
• Bring your bikes to go exploring, visit the ducks in the duck pond, check out some of the many kids playgrounds.
• You might even like to enjoy a horse or pony ride!
• All this serenity is right on your doorstep, right between Sydney city and Bondi Junction.

2. Get away from it all

Escape the bustle of the city at Sydney Park in St Peters.

• With 40 hectares of green space, there’s no shortage of space to spread out your picnic rug, settle in and bliss out.
• Known for the iconic tall chimneys from the former brickworks, Sydney Park features wetlands with viewing decks, meandering walking paths and rolling hills.
• There’s BBQs and toilet facilities, along with four car parking areas to choose from.
• Kids will love the modern playground featuring a dry creek bed and sandpits to explore, a colourful hill slide area, climbing frames and bridges.
• There’s also bike tracks galore – including roundabouts and traffic lights!

3. Get back to nature

Picnic amongst the trees at picturesque Steel Park in Marrickville.

• This beautiful bushland setting on the banks of the Cook River makes for a serene spot. There’s a great undercover area with picnic tables, and several electric BBQs.
• If you’ve got kids who have energy to burn, they’ll love the playground, flying fox action and the fun bike tracks. There’s also several slides, a climbing frame, swings and a seesaw.
• And in the warmer months between October and March there’s eco-friendly water play fun to splash around and cool off.

4. A big backyard in the city

A picnic at Chelsea Street Playground in Redfern has all the feels of being in your own backyard.

• This charming communal space has a picnic shed and BBQ facilities alongside a vegie garden.
• The kids’ play space has creative swings, slides and climbing frames, along with a chalkboard and cubby houses.
• You can bring the dog along too, as there’s a dog lawn for your four legged friend.

5. Seaside sunshine

Shake off the last of that winter chill and celebrate spring with a picnic at the beach.

• Head to the grassy beach foreshore alongside Maroubra Beach playground.
• With lots of open green space, picnic tables and BBQ facilities, it’s a great seaside spot to relax and blow the cobwebs away.
• This is a great spot for a family picnic. Little pirates will love the large ship play structures and the climbing frame, wobbly bridge and surfboard rocker.
• There’s bike paths nearby, and bigger kids will love the nearby skate park.

So shake off the last of the winter weather! When the sun’s shining, pack a picnic to enjoy a fun, free day out with friends and family.