Once spring arrives, the days get warmer and longer and there is no better time to have some quality time with your loved ones outdoors. It's been proven that spring has a positive effect on our mood and mental health. It’s so important to get out there to get your vitamin D and endorphins.
After living in Sydney and exploring different parts of the city over the past few years, we have created this list of the best picnic spots in Sydney. Most of the places we included in the list are easily accessible by public transport except for the very last spot.
We highly advise you to use trains, ferries, buses and Sydney’s new metro to get around. Not only is it better for the planet, but also for your pocket as fuel and parking spots in Sydney aren’t cheap.
Sydney is one of the most picturesque cities in the world and it’s packed with beautiful beaches, parks, and grassy areas with spectacular views. That makes Sydney one of the best cities for having a nice picnic. We hope that once you visit a few of the spots we recommend below, you will agree with us!
Picnic with a view over Sydney Harbour
Cremorne Point
This is one of the best picnic areas in Sydney. You will have a beautiful view over Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, and the city skyline.
We especially like this picnic place on warmer days as you can jump straight into a refreshing saltwater pool, Maccallum Seawater Pool. The pool has an amazing history, being built in 1920 by a local for their community.
The pool is open to the public and is free. As a bonus, you have the best view of Sydney Harbour while floating in the pool.
How to get there: The easiest and nicest way to get there is by ferry from Circular Quay to Cremorne Point Wharf. The ferry costs $7 AUD at the time of writing.
Tip: Bring your swimsuit.
Royal Botanical Gardens
These botanical gardens are like one huge picnic area. While you can picnic anywhere you want to, we think these are the absolute best picnic grounds.
On Harbour View Lawn 33, the view overlooking the Sydney Opera House on one side and the CBD on the other will not disappoint. Bring a blanket, a book and something refreshing to drink and spend a few hours relaxing with one of the best Sydney views. In summer, you can also see a film at the outdoor cinema just nearby.
Near Governor Phillip Fountain gives off some European vibes and has easy access from the city.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair has been rated as one of the best spots for watching sunset over the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It's definitely one of the best places for a picnic. There are some grassy areas around, but get ready to expect lots of crowds, tourists, and bloggers. If you are looking for a peaceful place, maybe look at one of the other options from our list.
How to get there: The Royal Botanical Gardens are big, so you can get there from many different entrances in many different ways. However, if you want to have harbour views, we recommend going to Circular Quay and then walking towards the Sydney Opera House until you reach the entrance to the Gardens. From there, just walk along the waterfront until you see a view that satisfies you.
You can also drive there. For cheaper parking, book a spot online here: https://www.wilsonparking.com.au/parking-locations/new-south-wales/sydney-cbd/sydney-opera-house-car-park-2A-macquarie-st-sydney/
Tip: Bring the mosquito spray if you are planning to stay till dusk.
Shark Island
This island has Sydney’s best views for a picnic. Located just 1 km from Rose Bay Beach, it is very easy to access by renting a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard. The island is quite small, but it feels like you are in a national park.
There are some pine trees, a beautiful little white sand beach, and some grassy areas to relax. They even have a barbecue set up. If you go there during the week, you are most likely to have the island all to yourself.
Make sure to bring your swimsuit to go for a swim. Don’t forget to leave the island without any trace of your visit. There are some bins, but I would recommend taking your rubbish with you as you leave if that's possible.
How to get there: Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak in Double Bay to paddle there. Don’t forget to pay the landing fee of $7 per person. Book and pay online or call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757.
You can also take a water taxi or Captain Cruise ferry. https://www.captaincook.com.au/ferry/shark-island-ferry/
Tips: You'll need to bring everything you need for the day. Check out the weather report, especially the ocean and wind to plan your journey if you are going to paddle board or kayak there.
Clark Island
Unlike Shark Island, Clark Island doesn’t have a beach. But it does have a grassy park area with beautiful pine trees overlooking Sydney Harbour.
You can take a walk around the island to admire nature. There’s also an interesting rock formation at the back of the island along the coastline.
How to get there: Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak in Double Bay to paddle there. All visitors need to pay a landing fee of $7 per person. Book and pay online or call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757. An alternative is to get there by water taxi.
Tips: You'll need to bring everything you need for the day. There is tap water and picnic tables are also available. Check out the weather report, especially the ocean and wind to plan your journey if you are going to paddle board or kayak there.
Milk Beach
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sydney and is just made for picnics. It has spectacular views of Sydney Harbour.
You won’t believe your eyes because this beach looks nothing like a city beach. It has white sand and crystal blue water. You will find a lot of grass around to sit on.
Make sure you pay a visit to Strickland House, the 19th century heritage estate. While you can’t go inside, it looks quite picturesque from the outside. This area is also great for snorkelling.
Tip: Bring your swimsuit. I guarantee you will love to jump in the crystal clear water!
How to get there: From the city, you can catch a local bus which takes you to a nearby road where you can walk down to the beach. If you’re up for it, you can also take a ferry to Double Bay from the city and walk there. The walk is mostly along the cost and will take you about one and a half hours, depending on how often you stop to enjoy the views.
You can also do this eco-friendly walking tour before or after your picnic.
Berry's Lookout
This is an amazing place to start the day with a coffee and something sweet. Or grab some wine and watch the sunset over Sydney Harbour.
Janna often goes there to photograph couples for her Airbnb experience. They always leave impressed by the view and surprised how beautiful it is and yet not well known at all.
This is the best picnic spot in Sydney in our opinion. We’ve been there for both sunrise and sunset, and both are stunning. I love watching the city lights sparkle as it gets dark.
How to get there: The best way to get here is by car, and you can park on the street for free. You can also catch a train to Waverton. If you do, make sure you wear some comfortable shoes as this area is very hilly and it's a 9-minute walk from the train station.
Tip: Definitely bring something warm with you as the wind there can get quite strong.
Captain Henry Waterhouse Reserve
Looking for date ideas in Sydney? This little waterfront area is ideal for a romantic picnic. You can even organise a picnic as a surprise.
The view from there is unbeatable. But the real reason why we think this is one of the best Sydney date ideas is because if you stroll up a bit, you will find a little platform surrounded by water that looks like a movie scene.
Just imagine watching the sun going down behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge and listening to crashing waves while sipping on some wine. Isn’t it an idyllic atmosphere?
How to get there: Catch a ferry to Milsons Point from Circular Quay, or go by train to Milsons Point from Town Hall or Central station in the city.
Tips: Most days this spot is empty, but on the weekend you should arrive early to make sure it’s not taken. Check out the ocean swell, as it gets smashed by waves when it’s stormy, so plan ahead to avoid disappointment. Bring some pillows, as you will be sitting on a stony ground which can get quite cold and uncomfortable.
Balls Head Reserve
For a perfect romantic date idea in Sydney, hike to find a spot for just the two of you. In this reserve there are plenty of places for a good city view while you are still surrounded by nature.
This is another favourite place of ours, especially if you’re looking for secluded picnic spots near Sydney. Because it's a more remote location and covers a big area, you can find the perfect spot all to yourself.
How to get there: Catch a train from the city to Waverton. It's a fifteen-minute walk from there.
Mary Booth Lookout Reserve in Kirribilli
This is one of the most accessible and most spectacular places for a picnic. Located just a short walk from Milsons Point Wharf by ferry or Milsons Point Station by train, it attracts a lot of people and can get quite busy during the weekends in the afternoon and around sunset time.
You will have a close view over Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Isn’t it a dream?
How to get there: Catch a ferry to Milsons Point from Circular Quay, or go by train to Milsons Point from Town Hall or Central station in the city.
Tips: Make sure to come early to take the best spot. If you’re looking for food to take away, we recommend you try Thai Fusion. We dined there a few times while we were living in the area and the food was very tasty. All their stir-fries, noodles, and curries can be ordered as vegan options.
Picnic with a city skyline
Watsons Bay
You can stay in Watsons Bay and watch the sun going down beyond the boats or go for a little hike toward Hornby Lighthouse. After you pass Camp Cove Beach, continue going up the hill until you see the beautiful view of Sydney’s skyline. This is another great picnic spot Sydney has to offer!
How to get there: By ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay Wharf or by bus. Parking is available on Robertson Road, Military Road, and Clovelly Street. Also there is a small car park on Cliff Street. Traffic in this area can be very congested, especially on sunny weekends, so parking can be a problem. So I would recommend sticking to the ferry or bus.
Tip: The closest place for take-away would be The Trail Cafe in Vaucluse, which has an amazing vegan bowl. Or try Washoku Vaucluse, a Japanese restaurant with some vegan and vegetarian options to choose from.
Bicentennial Park and Blackwattle Bay Park along Rozelle Bay
There is a lovely grassed park area suitable for picnics. While you will still be able to see the city skyline, you will also have Anzac Bridge in the foreground.
The park has undercover picnic areas. You can walk along the waterfront and take a ferry back to the city.
We honestly discovered this place after living in Sydney for over a year. It's definitely more local than most of the picnic spots we’ve already mentioned, so if you’re looking for something different, we definitely recommend this place.
How to get there: There are bus, light rail and ferry options from the city centre.
Tips: It’s really close to Glebe Markets, so you can go to the market first and then go to the park.
Glebe also has a huge amount of cafes and restaurants for take-away. Our absolute favourite is Oh My Days vegan cafe. You won’t believe that all their croissants and pastries are vegan. Bring your own cups for take-away coffee and you have the perfect setup for a picnic.
Blues Point
Henry Lawson Reserve is another quiet place that is totally underrated. It has a great view over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House
It’s definitely a less popular picnic spot that makes it less crowded. We love it because of its convenient location just next to McMahons Point Wharf.
How to get there: A ferry from Circular Quay will take you to McMahons Point in just seven minutes.
Dudley Page Reserve
This is another great park for picnics. It has a huge grassy area and open view over the CBD and Sydney Harbour. It’s a very popular place for sunset lovers and people with dogs, so be prepared to share it with some furry friends!
How to get there: The easiest way to get here is by bus routes 380 and 387. You can also make a stop there if you are doing the Bondi to Hornby Lighthouse walk.
Tip: You can pick up some vegan food from Bondi. Find our favourite vegan places here.
Picnic with ocean views
Athol Beach
This is our personal favourite for a picnic at the beach. It really ticks a lot of boxes. It’s a beautiful white sand beach that is quite secluded and will make you feel like you are in Thailand.
Until you turn around and see the most beautiful view of Sydney Harbour. You will have the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city skyline all on hand. I recommend
How to get there: The best way is to catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo. From there, it’s just an eight minute walk to the beach.
Balmoral Beach
This is a very nice and long beach with a lot of restaurants and options for take-away. The water at Balmoral Beach is as calm as a pool, which makes it ideal for swiming and other watersports like paddleboarding and kayaking.
You can easily spend a whole day here. You can choose from sitting at the beach or on a grassy area. My favourite place is
How to get there: You can drive there. The parking in Balmoral Beach starts at $9 per hour and $35 for the day. In winter, the rate is much cheaper.
By public transport you can take a ferry from Circular Quay to Mosman Wharf and then catch a connecting bus that stops right in front of the beach. The total time of the trip is around 30 minutes.
Coogee
During the pandemic, the hill next to Coogee Beach became the most popular spot to hang out. This habit created by locals has become a tradition.
If you walk up the hill from Coogee Pavilion, you will see why this picnic location became so popular. You will be facing the whole beach on one side and the open ocean on the other. If you sit high enough you will have a perfect view of both places.
Watching the sky turning pink during sunset while drinking some rose is never a bad idea. You can get take-away vegan treats from quite a few places from the main road or even from the famous Coogee Pavilion, or just order some vegan burgers from Soul Burgers.
How to get there: By bus or driving. There is a parking lot right next to the beach but it can get very busy. You can park your car off the street but be prepared to do a few circles before finding a free spot.
Bronte
Bronte is the most picturesque place for a picnic in Sydney. It’s a picnic place for everyone. Choose from a huge grassy area with a barbecue and covered shelter.
Or find something more private on top of the cave. This place is a bit more of a hidden picnic spot and requires a little bit of climbing but you will be rewarded with the most amazing view from there.
How to get there: The best way to get to Bronte is by bus or just walk from Bondi.
La Perouse
This is a very unique picnic location that you will not expect to see in Sydney. Get ready to be amazed by Bare Island Fort from the 18th century.
It has some of the best views and is ideal for watching sunsets. This is the only place in Sydney where you can see the sun going down on the horizon. As the cherry on top, you will also see the planes landing right in front of you as the airport is only a few kilometres away.
I can help you to capture some candid moments of your experience at La Perouse with my camera.
Explore one of Sydney’s best beaches, Congwong Beach right next to it, as well as The Barrack Tower. If you are bold and want to do something more unique, head to the nudist Little Congwong Beach to watch the sun going down surrounded by nature and a sense of freedom. Because we only live once, right?
How to get there: The best way to get to La Perouse is by bus from the city.
Little Bay
Away from the city's hustle and bustle, you will find the most beautiful beach in Sydney - Little Bay Beach. It’s sheltered from the wind and waves which makes it the number one snorkelling spot. It’s a bit more remote and not very well known compared to other beaches along Sydney Harbour.
If you go there in winter or spring, you will find it very chilly and empty. You can picnic right on the beach or on the grassy area near the golf course. Little Bay Beach is located between Malabar National Park and the most beautiful golf course which makes it extra calm.
How to get there: You can take light rail and change to a bus about half-way, or take two buses from the city.
Bald Hill Lookout
This picnic location is technically outside of Sydney, but it's really accessible and one of the best lookouts within a reasonable drive.You won't miss it, as it's right off the highway.
If you have an adventurous soul, it's also a place where you can try paragliding. We can’t imagine a better place for it than here. This of course means it can be very windy there, but on a calm day the spot is unbeatable.
How to get there: It’s only a one-hour drive from Sydney and so worth it!
Castle Rock
This is a nice secluded beach where you can stop for a picnic if you are doing the Spit Bridge to Manly walk that you can learn more about on our blog post. You can also surprise your partner with a romantic picnic set up by the beach. It's most likely you will have this hidden gem all to yourself.
How to get there: You can get to Castle Rock Beach by bus or by driving and parking at one of the streets nearby. My favourite way to get there is by paddle board. You can rent a stand-up paddleboard or a kayak at Spit Bridge.
Palm Beach Lighthouse
There are dozens of places on this small track to the lighthouse where you can organise a picnic. The track is short and most of it easy, but you may have to get off the track and climb a few rocks to get to your ideal picnic spot.
How to get there: The easiest way to get to Palm Beach is by car, but the parking is very expensive, so be prepared. You can also get there by bus, but it’s a little bit of a journey.
Tips: Wear sturdy and comfortable shoes. We would recommend bringing food and drink with you.
Picnic in a beautiful park
Arthur McElhone Reserve
This is one of the best hidden picnic spots in Sydney. Located just a stroll from Potts Point in the beautiful suburb of Elizabeth Bay, it’s a real local gem.
Go there in spring time to sit under blooming magnolia trees and pet koi fish. It’s quite small, which makes it even more special and intimate.
How to get there: Catch a train to Kings Cross train station, and it's a pleasant 15-minute walk from there to the park.
Milson Park, Kirribilli
This park is famous for its tall palm trees and McDougall Street, which is covered with jacaranda trees in spring. You can find more places with jacaranda trees in Sydney in this post. Milsons Point also faces the waterfront with boats, which adds to the atmosphere.
If your picnic wasn't enough, you can have some food from The Flying Bear. We personally haven't been there yet, but they do have a few vegan options on the menu.
How to get there: Catch a ferry or train to Milsons Point, and then it's a seven-minute walk to the park.
Wendy’s Secret Garden
This is my personal favourite of all the secluded picnic spots that Sydney has to offer. It has a unique kind of magical vibe to it. You can get lost in the labyrinths of different plants, discover some interesting sculptures, and admire the beauty of native trees.
The gardens will make you feel that you are the only person who knows about this place. There are a few places with chairs and tables where you can have the most romantic picnic. You will most likely meet some bush turkeys and other birds on your way.
How to get there: Take a ferry to Milsons Point, then walk for 10 minutes along the coast past the famous Luna Park and through one of Sydney's most picturesque suburbs, Lavender Bay.
Tip: Bring mosquito repellant.
Muston Park
Muston Park is a small park on the north shore of Sydney. While it doesn't have any spectacular views of the city or the ocean, it’s famous for its wisteria bloom during the month of September.
If you are lucky to witness the wisteria bloom, you will be amazed how beautiful it is. Pictures can't justify the feeling and smells of this purple-flowered tree that has taken over the park.
You will find a Greek P-shaped tunnel that’s overgrown by purple and white variations of wisteria. It also has a kids playground. So if you’re visiting with your kids, it’s a perfect place to both reconnect with nature and keep your kids busy.
How to get there: Catch a bus from the city, and then it's a five-minute or fifteen-walk to the park depending on which stop you arrive at.
Royal National Park
This park is packed with great tracks from just a day's walks to three-day itineraries. Pack your food with you for the best picnic experience.
Our favourite place is Eagle Rock, where you will find waterfalls dropping right into the ocean. Another great option for a picnic that doesn't require any hiking is Wattamolla Beach. Honestly, this place is surreal and is just a few hundred metres from the parking lot.
How to get there: The best way to get to the Royal National Park is by driving. The entrance and parking are free. If you decide to go there by public transport, you can catch a train to Loftus Station and then walk to the park.
Tip: Due to floods, a lot of roads are sometimes closed. Please see their website for any warnings or updates to avoid being disappointed.
