Best Picnic Spots in Sydney to Spend a Lazy Afternoon

Pack a picnic basket filled with gourmet goodies, a picnic rug and a refreshing summer punch and head to one of the best Sydney picnic spots to enjoy a relaxing afternoon, soaking up those gorgeous Sydney views.

Park Picnic

Leave the city behind and enter the tranquil Botanic Gardens in the heart of Sydney. Stretching over 30 lush hectares, this major botanic garden is the oldest in Australia has plenty of spots for you to relax the day away on your picnic rug.

While there is plenty of shade and lots of quiet spots for you to relax in we recommend nabbing a prime spot under one of the giant, shady fig trees which overlooks the Sydney Harbour and Opera House. Spend the afternoon wandering through the rose gardens, take a stroll up to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair or join one of the garden’s free walking tours.

Just a 10 minute walk from the IGA supermarket at Martin Place, you can easily pick up some last minute picnic essentials. Plus, the Botanic Garden has a great little kiosk for you to grab a fresh coffee. What could be better than lounging the day away in this idyllic garden, over a picnic lunch?

Sunset Views

Dudley Page Reserve is the ultimate New Year’s Eve firework vantage spot and one of Sydney’s top picnic spots - and it’s easy to see why. Sitting atop east Dover Heights, this top-notch picnic spot provides 360-degree views of its surrounds - the perfect combination of ocean and cityscape.

Here, you can watch as the sun sets behind some of Australia's favourite icons; the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Tower. There is a small playground for the kids to enjoy, as well as a cricket pitch and outdoor gym equipment if you’re looking to work up an appetite. However, the most enjoyable activity to partake in, is a picnic. From here, you can admire the sunset over the world's most attractive harbour while enjoying a glass of wine and cheese platter.

Sydney Harbour Views

For quintessential Sydney harbour views, Bradleys Head Amphitheatre is the spot for you. Sydney picnickers flock to this waterside spot in summer for a next level view. Enjoy panoramic vistas of the city skyline, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House - and with a sloped grass area, you’re guaranteed an uninterrupted view down to the harbour. The hardest part will be finding a spare patch of grass to lay out your blanket - this can get pretty crowded, especially at sunset.

If you’re looking to explore, you can take a gentle, scenic walk from Bradley’s Head to Chowder Bay, with stunning harbour views along the way. Be sure to also listen out for the animals of Taronga Zoo as you drive through the park.

Grab your picnic blanket, a jam-packed picnic basket and your best friends, and head down to this vantage point for one of the best picnic spots in Sydney and unbeatable harbour views!

Sydney Hidden Gem

Nestled in amongst the mansions that occupy Sydney’s affluent suburb of Vaucluse, and surrounded by bushland, lies picturesque Parsley Bay Reserve. Set up camp under the shady tree canopy in the park right behind the beach, or grab a sunny spot right on the sand. You’ll find plenty of picnic benches on this reserve, so don’t despair if you forgot your picnic blanket. 

If you feel like stretching your legs after one too many sausages, there is a lovely bushland circuit which takes you to a hidden waterfall at the head of the gully - you may even spot water dragons catching some summer rays along the way.

The bay’s protected swimming is very family-friendly, and with clean water and a gentle tide which only laps at the beach, it’s the perfect place for little ones to build sandcastles. The real feature of the park though is the hundred-year-old wooden footbridge which frames the bay. This hidden gem can be reached by a small walking track and provides sweeping views over the bay. 

Beach Picnic

Who can resist the sun, sand and surf of Bondi Beach? Head up the grassy knoll to North Bondi’s Biddigal Reserve where you can enjoy beach views without the sandy picnic blanket. This little oasis set up high on the hill away from the crowds of the beach acts as a natural amphitheatre making it the ultimate people-watching spot - with excellent beach views as well.

Affectionately known by locals as ‘grassy knoll', Biddigal Reserve is the perfect place to relax, read a book, play or simply sit and watch the world go by. Be warned though, this little spot can get pretty packed with beach-goers on a sunny Sydney day.

While this popular picnic spot may be small, it is mighty. There are picnic tables, barbecue stations and a playground for the kids to enjoy - plus it’s only a few meters from the beach. Biddigal Reserve is even home to some larger-than-life mosaic sea creatures. Keep an eye out for the colourful fish and swimming sea dragon.