The Best Picnic spots in Melbourne

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

The Best Picnic spots in Melbourne

Whether they are held in your backyard, at a park or indoors on a rainy day, picnics are literally one of the loveliest ways to spend an afternoon.

A picnic is a practical way of bringing together family and friends, unconstrained by the size of dwellings.

Picnics and other Australian eating customs were long seen to be foreign, unattractive, and uninteresting. 

However, sharing food and dining outside has a long and tumultuous history, one that has been extremely political.

Even First Nations people came together across great distances to share food for Bunya Gatherings: not just places for consuming food, but also for ceremonies and stories.

Melbourne has some great spots for families to picnic. There are usually plenty of opportunities to pack up the blanket, utensils and provisions and head off for a picnic.

Locations range from bushland, beaches and parks and there is a beautiful and fun place for everyone to enjoy.

When the weather is right call your mates pick up some ice, pack your esky and fill your basket with some of Melbourne’s best picnic snacks.

Then head to one of these awesome spots and roll out the rug.

1. Edinburgh Gardens, Fitzroy North

Alfred Cres, Fitzroy North VIC 3068, Australia

Hours: Open 24 hours · 

Phone: +61 3 9205 5555

Features: Public toilets, Fenced playgrounds (dogs are prohibited within playgrounds at any time), Barbeques, Picnic tables (can’t reserve), Drinking fountains, Table-tennis table, Tennis courts, Basketball half-court, Skate facility, Rotunda, Pavilions, 2x football/cricket grounds.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Edinburgh Gardens is a large park located in the inner Melbourne suburb of North Fitzroy.

It is bounded by Brunswick Street and St Georges Road to the west, the curve of Alfred Crescent to the north and east, and Freeman Street to the south.

Edinburgh Gardens is easily accessible by public transport, close to Rushall Station and Brunswick Street trams.

Its proximity to the Capital City Trail makes it easy to get there on foot or by bike.

The communal backyard of the inner north is one of the city’s most popular green spaces.

Even at a sprawling 60 acres, its proximity to grocers and shops makes it perfect for spontaneous picnicking. 

Roughly half of the park is designated dog off-leash, making it easy for our 4 legged friends to catch up with their mates.

You’ll be a big fan of Edinburgh Gardens if you enjoy some atmosphere because on a sunny day you’re likely to find (at least) half of Melbourne there! 

2. Queen Victoria Gardens

St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +61 3 9658 9658

Image by James Riess from Pixabay

The Queen Victoria Gardens are part of the Domain Parklands, taking up a peaceful triangle of land just across St Kilda Road from the Arts Centre Melbourne.

Its most famous feature is the Floral Clock, but venture further and you’ll find ornamental ponds, monuments to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, the Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda and numerous flower beds and sculptures.

The lawns are perfect for picnics – whether romantic or familial – and people can often be seen playing soccer or football in nice weather.

Queen Victoria Gardens is close to the city, full of little nooks and crannies, and rich in history.

It’s often unfavourably compared to the Royal Botanic Gardens, but don’t believe the hype.

3. Princes Park – Carlton

Royal Pde Carlton North Victoria 3054 Australia

Hours: Open 24 Hrs

Phone: (03) 9658 9658

Features:  playgrounds, barbecues, picnic facilities and toilets. It also features significant large trees, including avenues of elms and Moreton Bay fig trees.  

Image by Pixaline from Pixabay

Princes Park is one of Glen Eira’s most popular parks. Multiple sports grounds, vast open spaces and significant play spaces all provide opportunities for play, exercise and relaxation.

In 1923 part of the local area became known as Shilabeer’s Paddock, which acted as a sandpit and refuse disposal area.

It was later developed into around 10 hectares of parkland – the origins of what we now call Princes Park.

There are three picnic shelters located at Princes Park:

Maple Street rotunda – located off Maple Street, close to the bowls club. This rotunda has one picnic table with BBQ facilities located next to the rotunda.

Birch Street rotunda – located off Birch Street, a large rotunda with two picnic tables. There are no BBQ facilities next to this rotunda.

Beech Street rotunda – located closest to the car park off Beech Street and basketball ring. There is one picnic table with BBQ facilities located next to the rotunda.

To book or find more information visit our Picnic Shelter and Outdoor Events Booking page.

4. Fitzroy Gardens – East Melbourne 

Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002, Australia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +61 3 9658 9658

Image by Tirin from Wikimedia

With a rich history, Fitzroy Gardens has a diverse landscape with extensive lawns, pathways lined with trees and floral displays.

The park has a number of fountains and statues, making it great for families to explore. It’s also home to Cook’s Cottage.

The central location might not be great for everyone, but it’s a beautiful spot to meet if you’ve got friends or family meeting up from across Melbourne!  

Enjoy fresh air among avenues of elm trees and quirky fountains. Then head to the park’s southern section to nab a picnic spot by the gurgling stream.

Always a good place to host an outdoors activity, and plenty of space to not be on top of all other people.

5. Women’s Peace Garden – Kensington

Kensington VIC 3031, Australia

Hours: Open 24 hours

The Women’s Peace Garden tucked away in the heart of Kensington, is one of those idyllic suburban settings that beckons you to spread out a picnic mat and relax for a couple of hours.

This wonderful openair place is about as calm as they come, filled with peace symbolism ranging from rosemary and olive trees to the globally recognized shape formed by its shelters and paths.

It may not be the biggest park in the neighborhood, but its lushgreen lawns get plenty of sun. Furthermore, furry companions are warmly welcomed.

If you’re in need of supplies, stop into local groceries for takeout coffees, toasties, and some delectable sweets.

6. Yarra Bend Park 

Yarra Bend Rd, Fairfield VIC 3078, Australia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +61 131963

Facilities: BBQs, shelters, tables, toilets, the cafe at Studley Park Boathouse, public Yarra Bend Golf Course (18 holes) including a mini golf course and Studley Park Golf Course (9 holes)

Image by Mat Connolley (Matnkat) from Wikimedia

It is the biggest natural bushland area in inner Melbourne, spanning over 260 hectares. 

It follows the Yarra’s tree-lined swoops and loops, so there are plenty of nooks and crannies for laying your picnic blanket 

Any area along the river east of Yarra Boulevard, as well as the large, green grounds near DightFalls, are picturesque and tranquil.

There are plenty of grassy places tempting you to relax with a cheese platter, a wine bucket, and some nice company. 

Both the Fairfield Boathouse and the Studley Park Boathouse are located in the park, where you may rent a boat.

7. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne  (Central Melbourne)

Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia

Hours:   7:30 am to 7:30 pm 

Phone: +61 3 9252 2300

Facilities: Shaded and unshaded lawn areas set in beautiful gardens, toilets, cafes, and visitor centre.

Image by Neil Parley from Wikimedia

The Gardens cover 36 hectares and feature trees, flower beds, lakes, and lawns, with about 50,000 unique plants representing 8,500 distinct species.

There are several locations where you may have a picnic on the beautiful green lawns or under a shady tree.

Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden (where children can play, explore, climb, splash in the water play area, hide, and dig), Oak Lawn, Princes Lawn (has a nice hill for kids to roll down) and Picnic Point are some of the special places to visit (where you can watch punt boats glide across the Ornamental Lake).

Attracting over 1.4 million visitors annually, the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne has stunning vistas, tranquil lakes and diverse plant collections.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is home to both amazing and diverse plant collections such as camellias, rainforest flora, succulents and cacti, roses, Californian species, herbs, perennials, cycads and plants from Southern China.

The Gardens also provide a natural sanctuary for native wildlife such as the black swans, eels, bellbirds, cockatoos and kookaburras.

8. St. Vincent Gardens

Albert Park VIC 3206, Australia

Hours: 8:00 am to 5:30pm

Phone: +61 3 9209 6777

Image by andrasgs from Pixabay

St Vincent Gardens is a haven for picnicking. sitting nicely in the midst of Albert Park yet nice and distanced from the suburb’s more famous namesake green area.

This small oasis of flowers and greenery has everything you need for a pleasant park session: leafy trees, colourful garden beds, and a decent proportion of sun-drenched turf.

It’s also heritage-listed, so you know it’s stylish. With South Melbourne’s main strip just a few streets north, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to eating.

Bring in your basket of delicacies and a number of friends while away in bliss.

9. Albert Park Lake (Albert Park)

Lakeside Drive, Albert Park

Hours: Open 24/7

Facilities: Shelters, BBQs, picnic tables, water taps, toilets, sports clubs

Image by Jerod from Pixabay

Albert Park, 226 hectares in size, covers a huge area of parkland with a 4.7-kilometre walking track around the lake.

There are three main picnic areas – Swan, Cormorant and Coot Picnic Areas which each have shelters, tables and barbeques.

Albert Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Bunurong people.

Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Bunurong Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters.

Jog, cycle or walk with your dog around Albert Park Lake – just 3km from the centre of Melbourne.

Catch your breath and take a moment to enjoy the magnificent views of the city skyline.

10. Wattle Park  (Burwood)

1012 Riversdale Road, Burwood

Hours: Open 24/7

Facilities: Picnic tables, BBQs, tennis courts, playground, public nine-hole golf course

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Wattle Park, which is after Australia’s proposed national floral emblem, the Golden Wattle, officially opened in 1917.

It is the only known remaining Australian example of a pleasure park initially established, owned and operated by a transport authority with the dual purpose of promoting transport services and providing a recreational facility at the termini of its lines for the public.

As well as picnic facilities including BBQs, the 55-hectare Wattle Park features historical buildings, soaring gum trees, wattles (of course), seasonal wildflowers, ponds, a playground with two trams, walking and cycling tracks, tennis courts and public 9-hole golf course.

Melbourne is full of places you can get takeaway meals from if cooking isn’t your thing, from pastries and fresh deli supplies to rich antipasto ingredients.

If you’re after an affordable option, Aldi is offering cheese for as little as $5 bucks, so you don’t have to break the bank for some brie.

If you’re after something with more of a bite, you can search your local delicatessen online for a high-end selection.

You can even put your cooking skills to the test (just a little bit) with a finish-at-home meal from Providoor.