The City:
Best picnic spots
From barbecues with your nearest and dearest to a grassy oasis to eat your lunch to wide open spaces to catch up with your mates, there are plenty of beautiful picnic spots in The City. Recline under a tree or take over a picnic table in one of the leafy sanctuaries nestled within Brisbane’s urban jungle. BYO picnic blanket, snacks and refreshments and enjoy the Brisbane sunshine.
Anzac Square and Post Office Square
Sitting across the road from each other, both Anzac Square and Post Office Square offer green, open spaces that are perfect for a lunchtime picnic. Next to Central Station and flanking Adelaide St, these inner-city squares are easily accessible by public transport. Anzac Square offers more shade but Post Office Square is just as lovely. Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap if you sit in the glorious sunshine.
City Botanic Gardens
Located next door to QUT’s Gardens Point campus, the City Botanic Gardens is Brisbane’s original public parkland. It has so many beautiful spots for a picnic and is only a short walk across the Goodwill Bridge from the South Bank bus and train stations. The Gardens have wheelchair access, barbecues, picnic shelters and an accessible and inclusive playground so you can bring your children along and still relax. Let one of the excellent food vendors at Riverside Markets cater your next Sunday picnic as they sell their tantalising wares every Sunday from 8am to 3pm. Listen to free live music and grab snacks from food trucks at the free monthly Gigs & Picnics afternoon held on the last Saturday of the month from 12pm to 4pm, February to May.
Queens Gardens
This heritage-listed park immerses you in history while you snack on your packed treats and lounge on your picnic blankets. It was part of the convict settlement back in the 1820s and is widely thought to be the site of the first house in Brisbane. The design of the park is relatively bare to not divide the space visually so pack a hat or use this spot for morning coffees and afternoon teas. In between mouthfuls, marvel at the bronze statues of Queen Victoria and former premier TJ Ryan and the block of bluestone with a bronze plaque to commemorate the service of Australian women in war.
King Edward Park
King Edward Park is located on the border of The City and Spring Hill and features a striking, tree-lined Jacob’s ladder staircase connecting the upper and lower levels. An abundance of trees create plenty of shaded areas and there are bench chairs scattered throughout. Before packing up your picnic, walk through the gardens and admire the sculptures and public art.
Waterline Park
Great for picnicking with the kids, this recreational hub on the river’s edge will keep everyone in the family entertained. Located between 1 William St and Mangrove Walk, this park has fun active activities such as table tennis and a huge outdoor gym.