When it comes to picnicking properly, location is key. Whether you’re gathering the girls together, planning a family outing, or lining up a cute date with your latest squeeze, you’re going to want to land a spot that’s easy on the eyes (and close to tasty eateries).
With some of the prettiest parks, hiking paths and gardens around, we’ve put together our top picnic picks across Brisbane. Just don’t forget a zip-tied bike helmet for stray magpie swoops…
New Farm Park
Ah, the old faithful. This heritage-listed beauty is one of Brisbane’s go-to spots, not only for its greenery, but because of its perfectly central location. You have New Farm’s many gorgeous eateries just up the road, and the Valley, Newstead and Teneriffe just a stone’s throw away.
New Farm Deli has over 100 varieties of cheese, from brie to unpronounceable, as well as one of Brisbane’s most extensive ranges of meats and small goods. Grab some marinated olives, an ashy chèvre, and flee to the park (and don’t forget a bottle (or two) of wine from Vintage Cellars). Feeling indecisive? Let the experts at Gerard’s Bistro take care of your snack needs with Gerard’s Gift Pack of three meats, three cheeses, three dips, pickles, and lavosh for $60.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Whether you’re there to soak up the city views, do some people watching, or you’ve just finished a sweaty PT session up and down the stairs (what were you thinking?), the cliffs at Kangaroo Point are a pretty snazzy spot for a meal.
Fish and chips from One Fish Two Fish is a no-brainer. With fishy packs for one, two, and four, and a range of fancy eats on offer, supporting a local business has never tasted better! Très chic French spot C’est Bon is turning heads with its dedicated charcuterie and fromage menu, ideal for a gourmet picnic. You absolutely can’t go past their house duck prosciutto…
Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens
With some of the most sublime views of Brisbane, the dedicated picnic areas of Mt Coot-tha make for the perfect day in the sun.
Leave the goon bag at home and keep it classy by detouring through Red Hill on your way to the gardens, and be sure to stop by the fresh and tasty Botanica Real Food. With an emphasis on wholesome, nourishing salads and freshly baked cakes, Botanica will challenge all your ideas that you can’t make friends with salad. Naïm Paddington has a menu of all-day eats that will travel well, as well as a range of meal kits with plenty of dips, falafels, and olives for your Middle-Eastern fix.
Orleigh Park West End
A riverside pocket of culture, West End is also home to some of the city’s best picnic spots.
First stop on your way to Orleigh Park? The Stores, duh. With a prime selection of local and global artisan produce and smallgoods, The Stores is a one-stop shop. Supermarket bread? Baguette about it! Grab a loaf of sourdough from their bakery, and accompany it with some of their award-winning smoked meats, olives, and decadent cheeses. If you’re looking for a vibrant meal, The Garden Pantry at West Village is home to some tasty takeaway joints, with Mr Bunz, Cheeky Poke Bar and Shawarma King serving up picnic-perfect eats.
South Bank Parklands
More than just tourists, rampant ibis and Streets Beach – South Bank is also home to one of Brisbane’s best picnic spots. Stretch out on the grass next to the beautiful brown snake and treat yourself to a picnic feast from one of Fish Lane’s insanely tasty food spots.
It would be remiss to not grab a pizza from Julius—practically made to be enjoyed with a light glass of red and good company in the great outdoors. Hello Please is offering something pretty special on weekends too, with a takeaway deal designed for date night featuring two pork bao buns, two slices of prawn toast, two curries, two rotis, a tub of rice, and a bottle of wine. Boyfriends of Brisbane, you might want to write that one down.
Now we just need the weather gods to do us a solid this weekend…
