Pack your picnic basket with food, we’ve found the best picnic spots in Brisbane for you to enjoy this weekend!
Brisbane, it’s time to reclaim the outdoors and gather your closest friends for a picnic. Whether you want to fancy it up with a grazing platter, support a local business with takeaway or simply fill up your basket with some snacks, a picnic is our newest go-to activity to catch up with friends.
That’s why we’ve scouted out and found Brisbane’s best picnic spots to enjoy in 2023. From riverside parks to mountain views, secluded picnic spots to urban gardens and wildlife sanctuaries, we’ve found the best picnic spots in Brisbane that you must visit this weekend!
Image by Brisbane City Council via Flickr.
Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
Right in the heart of the CBD lies the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, one of the best places to have a picnic in the city. With various areas to enjoy, you can lay down a blanket anywhere in the bamboo grove, the ornamental pond or the various shady areas on the green. Despite its central location, the City Botanic Gardens are enclosed away from the bustle of the city as a surprisingly peaceful space to sit down and enjoy a picnic with friends and family.
Photographed by Pawel Papis. Image via Shutterstock.
Burleigh Heads Beach
Queensland is widely acclaimed for its beautiful beaches; and we think it’s fair to say that Burleigh Heads Beach is one reason why. Its sand and parkland offer prime spots from where you can look across the pristine ocean stretch, with the backdrop of a high-rise city line. Despite being closer to the Gold Coast than Brisbane itself, we still think that Burleigh Heads Beach is still worth the visit for a scenic picnic spot this weekend!
Photographed by Lenny K Photography. Image via Flickr.
Captain Burke Park
Kangaroo Point’s best kept secret is nestled right under the Story Bridge at Captain Burke Park. With a gorgeous view of the city, walking trails as well as plenty of Brisbane’s beautiful nature, there’s plenty of reasons to pack the basket and lay out the picnic blankets. But, the real magic is at night as the park is lit up by the towering bridge and fairy lights hanging on the surrounding trees, making it the best place to enjoy a late-night picnic in Brisbane without having to handle a flashlight in one hand.
Photographed by EQRoy. Image via Shutterstock.
Gallery of Modern Art
It may come as a surprise to most, but the Gallery of Modern Art, or GOMA, is one of the best picnic spots in Brisbane. Although it’s not a park, their lawn is open and free to use – making for a great picnic area for any weekend plans. The lawn extends close to the shoreline of the Brisbane River and provides ample space to stretch your legs and enjoy some snacks. Tucked away in the Cultural Arts Precinct, this is a go-to for a lowkey picnic away from others. So get a little cultured by pitching a picnic blanket at GOMA.
Photographed by Lenny K Photography. Image via Flickr.
J.C. Slaughter Falls
If you’re after a little bit of adventure, hike to your new favourite picnic spot at Mount Cootha’s J.C. Slaughter Falls. From the summit of Mount Cootha, you can take the four-and-a-half-kilometre scenic route to the J.C. Slaughter picnic area that provides wide open green spaces to relax and recover. A few minutes away from the city, Mount Cootha’s J.C. Slaughter Falls is a short getaway from urban life and one of the most peaceful picnic spots in Brisbane.
Image by Brisbane City Council via Flickr.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park
This list of Brisbane’s best picnic spots wouldn’t be complete without Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park. One of the most exciting parks in Brisbane, Kangaroo Point boasts one of the best views of the city and is alive with activity. From rock climbers to fitness enthusiasts and the fellow picnic-goer, this is the picnic spot to be if you’ve been missing the liveliness of the city. So, for anyone wanting to have a little adventure between sandwiches, check out Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park this weekend!
Photographed by Visual Collective. Image via Shutterstock.
New Farm Park
New Farm Park is an iconic Brisbane picnic spot for a good reason. Sprawling over 15 hectares, there’s plenty of room for BBQs and dogs to come along. One of the oldest, grandest and largest parks in Brisbane, New Farm Park welcomes thousands each week looking to make the most of the city’s breathtaking weather. In fact, it’s one of the few parks in Brisbane you can bring your own alcohol, so crack open a cold one and lay out your picnic blanket and basket at New Farm Park for a classic, no-fuss picnic spot.
Photographed by Marlon Trottmann. Image via Shutterstock.
River Quay Green South Bank
South Bank is arguably the most popular picnic spots in Brisbane. But a little further away from the general hustle lies River Quay Green. Situated along the riverside and boasting a front row view overlooking Brisbane’s skyline, this lush green space gives you the relaxing atmosphere of South Bank without too much competition for space. If you’re looking for a stunning riverside secluded picnic spot in Brisbane, look no further than Rivery Quay Green South Bank!
Image by Brisbane City Council via Flickr.
Rocks Riverside Park
If you’ve never ventured down to Brisbane’s south-west suburbs, here’s your excuse to finally do so. Tucked away in Seventeen Mile Rocks is the Rocks Riverside Park. With a picturesque view, free WiFi and a vast green space boasting a community garden, the Rocks Riverside Park is the ultimate spot to relax on your next day out. So pack some tasty snacks and brings some friends along for a relaxing picnic in the sunshine!
Photographed by VaNight Photography. Image via Shutterstock.
Roma Street Parkland
Roma Street Parkland is an inner-city oasis with 16 hectares of pristine gardens. Whether you want to feast on a cheeseboard on the Celebration Lawn or wander around the Spectacle Garden, this is one of the best places to get some fresh. However, as a major tourist attraction, this spot is no secret so be prepared for a little company. The best part though? Dogs are welcome! For a fluffy time out, bring some friends (and maybe a few dogs) for a special picnic this weekend!
Photographed by Matthew Horgan. Image via Shutterstock.
Scarborough Beach
Situated about 40-minutes away from the centre of Brisbane, Redcliffe is the spot for those missing the beach. The picturesque Scarborough Beach is the perfect place to set up your picnic and with an array of cafes nearby, you can combat the winter chills and grab some coffee and hot chips to help take in the ocean view. Get sand in between your toes and enjoy the splendour of a picnic at Scarborough Beach.
Explore the city on foot with this guide to the Best Secluded and Most Scenic Walking Tracks in Brisbane. Make the most of golden hour with this list of the Top 10 Most Stunning Sunset Viewing Spots around Brisbane.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land mentioned in our article, the people of the Yuggera Nation, and we recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
