The 10 Best Picnic Spots in Sydney with a View

Sydney is made for picnics - the weather, the views, the picnic food on offer... Sydney is simply picnic heaven and there are so many picnic spots in Sydney to choose from! Some of Sydney's best picnic spots include the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kirribilli, Lavender Bay, Centennial Park, Blues Point, Blackwattle Bay and Observatory Hill — the most difficult decision you'll ever make is not what picnic food to pack but which spot to throw your picnic set & rug down first! 

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable afternoon with friends, family or a loved one with our 10 best picnic spots in Sydney:

1. Royal Botanic Gardens

2. The Domain

3. Blackwattle Bay Park

4. Centennial Park

5. Blues Point

6. Observatory Hill

7. Wendy's Secret Garden

8. Mary Booth Lookout Reserve

9. Lane Cove National Park

10. Shelley Beach, Manly

The Royal Botanic Gardens is the oldest garden in Australia, and an absolute must-visit picnic spot in Sydney. The beautiful greenery stretches more than 27 hectares along the shores of Sydney Harbour, so as you can imagine - it is completely stunning. If you're into plants as well as the views...the garden has about 5,000 kinds of plants with a big emphasis on native species.

The best way to picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens is to do it like royalty! They don't bring along their picnic food, the perfect picnic is organised for them. If you want to make your picnic extraordinary without the hassles, pick up this delicious picnic box featuring Botanic House favourites, specially curated by celebrity Chef, Luke Nguyen. 

This picnic pack marries south east asian flavours, Australian produce and native ingredients with a fresh and modern twist. Think edamame & avocado salsa, sesame rice crackers, mushroom, cabbage & corn spring rolls, honey pork charcoal bao with pickled vegetable & Sriracha mayo, cream caramel pudding, coconut sponge cake and so much more! You also have the option of adding a bottle of bubbles or drink of choice to your hamper too.

If you prefer a taste of the Mediterranean while picnicking, just a short walk from The Royal Botanic Gardens is The Domain. It's equally luscious and picturesque but there's a bit more space for a game of soccer or cricket, so grab your friends, book an Italian picnic food box (pick up is from Terrace on the Domain located within easy walking distance of The Domain) and head on down to the park.

Indulge your taste buds through a variety of popular Italian favourites including sopressa, mortadella, homemade pickles, olives, house-made focaccia, Australian cheeses as well as a pulled chicken wrap, chocolate brownies and more. You can also add a bottle of wine or two in your picnic hamper to enjoy during your picnic. Then it's time to burn off lunch with a friendly game of soccer!

This peaceful and picturesque Inner West park is known for its dramatic views of the Anzac Bridge and Rozelle Bay, making it a great spot for a picnic in Sydney, and as it's more on the fringe of the CBD, it's not quite as busy as our first two picnic spots.

If you need one more reason why this park is on our 'best spots to picnic' list, here it is.... Don't be surprised if you find some cute dogs walking up to you for a friendly pat, who are permitted off-leash here *crowd goes wild*.

Blackwattle Bay Park is the perfect spot for a low-key snag on the barbie and picnic with friends. The park is part of the Glebe Foreshore Walk which is also well worth a stroll.

The Inner West is also known for its craft beer scene. If that's your thing, why not follow up your picnic with a behind the scenes craft beer tour of the most popular craft beer breweries in the area, like Young Henry's, Grifter and Batch Brewing.

Treat yourself to a beer tasting session, complete with flavourful and creative brews - some that can't even be sourced from your local bottle shop! Satisfy all your senses as you learn about every part of the brewing process from your guide. You never know, you could become a future brewer yourself! Sounds like a pretty amazing day if you ask us!

If you haven't been to Centennial Park, you are crazy. There we said it. It is the ultimate long, lazy picnic spot in Sydney and has everything you need. Centennial Park is a grand stretch of greenery designed in a distinctly European style. The park truly has the best of everything, with ponds, sprawling gardens, statues and heritage buildings. With wide avenues and gates, it's not unusual to see horse riders — so you could be mistaken for thinking you travelled back in time. 

The park is enormous, which means you can always find a secluded spot and have your own slice of scenery. Centennial Park really offers the best open spaces in Sydney and is perfect for a picnic all year round with family and friends.

If you're looking to up your picnic game, or you have a very special celebration coming up, book a private boutique picnic experience and leave the picnic set, the picnic food and even the picnic spot to the experts!

The boutique picnic includes full picnic set up with luxury cushions around a picnic table, rugs, grazing boards, prosecco, champagne flutes and water glasses, decorations, plates, cutlery, napkins & table throw and they even provide a bluetooth speaker for your tunes!

This picnic experience can be booked at a number of stunning picnic locations such as Mrs Macquarie's Point, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kirribilli, Lavender Bay, Blues Point, Observatory Hill or Centennial Park.

Overlooking the western views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, this quiet reserve at McMahons Point is just metres from the ferry wharf or a short 15-minute walk from North Sydney Train Station. It's one of Sydney's top (and quieter!) places for a picnic paired with world-class views.

Popular with wedding ceremonies, Observatory Hill is probably one of the most romantic spots in Sydney, so it goes without saying that its also a super romantic picnic spot! As it's set high on a hill, it has stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the surrounding historic area of The Rocks and Walsh Bay.

The other reason Observatory Hill gets a big tick from us is that if you book a private picnic experience, it has great wet weather options! Picnic in a rotunda anyone?

Looking to up the ante even more? What about a scenic helicopter ride over one of the most stunning harbours in existence? Your SO will be beside themselves with joy!

The idea of a secret garden is usually reserved for Disney classics but did you know Sydney has its own secret oasis? Wendy's Secret Garden is a wonderful place to escape the city and soak in the magic of this pocket paradise.

Wendy Whitely transformed what was a lifeless area into a thriving, luscious garden to honour her late husband, who was the famous artist, Brett Whitely. When you set foot here, you'll never want to leave this intimate and magical place. Simply pack a picnic lunch & your picnic set and find a shady spot to sit and soak up some lovely views of the harbour. 

The garden may be quite popular during the summer months, but there's plenty of space to find a private area of your own.

If you are looking to book an organised luxe picnic, you can set up in the nearby Lavender Bay Park and wander through Wendy Whitely's garden on your way there.

In a secluded area overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House is Mary Booth Reserve. As busy as Sydney is, this place is Sydney’s best-kept secret. Here, you can enjoy a peaceful and quiet afternoon picnic with million-dollar views. It's also super easy to get to with trains & buses stopping close by, and generally plenty of parking (though perhaps less so on Kirribilli Market days!).

Lane Cove National Park is a nature haven in the heart of north west Sydney and has over 25 individual picnic areas to choose!

Whether you're bringing your group of friends, the whole extended family, or just your special someone, Lane Cove National Park is a great picnic spot in Sydney and makes you feel like you're a million miles away - aka the perfect weekend activity.

Ahh Shelly Beach - the perfect spot for a picnic on the beach. Can it get busy on a hot summer's day? Yes! It sit still worth it? A million times yes!

You can either set up your picnic on the beach or on the grassed area just behind the beach. There's also an epic cafe here (The Boatshed) that also does takeaway so don't sweat it if you forgot all your picnic food...

The beach is famous for its snorkelling and diving too, so why not take a quick dip to explore the underwater world and then enjoy your picnic food and a quick kip in the afternoon sun.

Now that we've let you in on the best picnic spots in Sydney, all you have to do is choose! Will it be the epic and iconic views from the Royal Botanic Gardens, the more secluded, adventurous picnic spots in Lane Cove National Park or perhaps the picnic on the beach was right up your alley? Either way, we know you'll have an epic day out! See you out there picnickers!

Make sure to use the code 'LOVENSWKLOOK' when you book to get an extra 10% - score!