Best Picnic Spots in Western Sydney
Spring’s here, daylight saving’s back and there’s no better excuse to get outside. Western Sydney has some of the best picnic spots in the city, and most of them come with free BBQs, free parking and a lot less fighting for a patch of grass than the harbour.
Whether you’re after river views in Penrith, kangaroos at the foot of the Blue Mountains or a rose garden for the group chat photos, we’ve got you. Grab a rug, build the cheese board and round up your crew. Here are the best picnic spots in Western Sydney right now.
Australian Botanic Garden – Mount Annan
If you only make one picnic trip this spring, make it this one. Rolling hills, still lakes and native gardens stretch out in every direction, and you never feel like you’re sharing it with half of Sydney. Entry is free, parking is free all day and the BBQs are free too, so the only thing you’re paying for is the food.
There’s a spot for every mood. Lakeside Lawn is the easy pick, with water views and room to spread out. For the best photo of the day, walk to the top of the Connections Garden and set up on the lawn overlooking Mount Annan and beyond. The Wattle Garden has shelters, tables and toilets nearby, so it’s handy if your group’s a bit bigger. Keep an eye on the bushland edges as the afternoon cools down. Wallabies, wallaroos and kangaroos are regulars. Want it to yourselves? Climb Sundial Hill. It’s a short uphill walk, and most people don’t bother.
Location: 362 Narellan Rd, Mount Annan
Website: botanicgardens.org.au
Parramatta Park – Parramatta
Parra’s backyard and a World Heritage site, right on the edge of the CBD. You can roll out of a café on Church Street and be on a picnic rug by the river in 15 minutes, no car needed. It’s a 10–15 minute walk from Parramatta or Westmead station. There’s plenty to do between snacks. Wander past Old Government House, follow the river path or watch the joggers do laps while you don’t. Picnic shelters and BBQs are scattered through the park, but they’re first in, best dressed, so get in early on a sunny Saturday.
The Rumsey Rose Garden holds one of the biggest collections of heritage roses in the country, and the wisteria garden is a spring must. So set up near the rose garden, then hit the wisteria while it’s flowering. Prime content for the feed.
Location: Cnr Pitt St & Macquarie St, Parramatta
Website: parrapark.com.au
Euroka Clearing – Glenbrook
This is the one people screenshot. Euroka is a wide, sunny clearing tucked into the lower Blue Mountains, ringed by tall blue gums and home to a mob of eastern grey kangaroos. You’ll be eating lunch with roos grazing a few metres away, and they couldn’t care less that you’re there. The drive in is part of the fun. You’ll wind down past Glenbrook Creek, and if you’ve got time, stop at Tunnel View Lookout for a quick clifftop view over the gorge. The name Euroka is believed to come from the Dharug word for sun, and the clearing lives up to it.
Come in the late afternoon for the best kangaroo action and softer light. Vehicle entry is $8 a day, and the gate locks at 7pm during daylight saving, so don’t get caught out. Look at the roos, but don’t feed or pat them.
Location: Blue Mountains National Park, (enter via Bruce Rd), Glenbrook
Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Tench Reserve – Penrith
Penrith’s riverfront got a serious upgrade in 2023, and Tench Reserve is the result. Think shady lawns right on the Nepean, new riverside paths, an amphitheatre that hosts events, and a wharf that’s the only public access point to the river. The Blue Mountains sit on the horizon the whole time. It’s an easy spot to make a full day of. Watch the rowers and paddleboarders glide past, take a lap of the river path, then settle back in for round two of snacks.
Walk the Yandhai Nepean Crossing first. The striking footbridge is part of the 6.4km Great River Walk loop, so you’ve officially earned the cheese board.
Location: Tench Ave, Penrith
Website: visitpenrith.com.au
Weir Reserve – Penrith
Tench Reserve’s quieter neighbour. Weir Reserve trades the crowds for open lawns, a peaceful Japanese garden and gazebo, and front row views of the Penrith Weir. It’s a favourite with local photographers for good reason. This is the spot for a slower picnic. Bring a book, a proper blanket and something nice to drink, and let the afternoon drift.
Golden hour over the weir is unbeatable. Pack a rosé and stay for sunset.
Location: Weir Reserve, Penrith (off River Rd)
Website: visitpenrith.com.au
Nurragingy Reserve – Doonside
Nurragingy feels a world away from the M7, even though it’s minutes from it. Picnic spots are tucked into the bushland, many named after native birds, which makes it easy to tell your mates where to find you. The highlight is the Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens, with an ornate gateway, a stone bridge, a pavilion and a waterfall gazebo. It’s an unexpected find in Doonside and worth a wander before or after you eat.
There are around 10 wood fired BBQs, free to use, and council even supplies the wood, so skip the sandwiches and bring snags. Nothing beats a wood fired BBQ.
Location: Knox Rd, Doonside
Website: westernsydneyparklands.au
Bungarribee Park – Bungarribee
The big open sky option. Bungarribee sits right next to Sydney Zoo, with wide lawns, sealed walking and cycling loops and plenty of free BBQs and shelters. It’s the easiest spot on this list for a large group catch up.
The Heart Crossing Loop is a nice walk to break up the afternoon, and you’ll pass toilets and picnic areas along the way. Forgot the snacks or need a coffee? Harvey’s Social is next to the dog run, and the Sydney Zoo Waffle Wagon is just behind the zoo, reachable from the park’s car park.
Bring the dog as Warrigal Run is the only off leash area in the Western Sydney Parklands, and it’s a good one.
Location: Cnr Doonside Rd & Holbeche Rd, Bungarribee
Website: westernsydneyparklands.au
Lake Parramatta Reserve – North Parramatta
The best kept secret in Parra. Lake Parramatta is a bushland lake just two kilometres from the CBD, and it feels nothing like the city. You get calm water, gum trees and walking tracks, with lawns right on the edge of the lake for your rug. It’s the ideal mid week reset or a low key weekend hang when you can’t be bothered driving far. Do the lake loop walk first, then reward yourself with lunch by the water.
Location: 28 Bourke St, North Parramatta
Website: atparramatta.com
Auburn Botanic Gardens – Auburn
A Western Sydney staple that’s small but seriously pretty. Auburn Botanic Gardens is best known for its Ryoan-ji style Japanese garden, but there’s also a sunken rose garden, a fauna reserve and an aviary to explore. The community picnic area has room to lay out your rug, plus BBQs if you’re cooking. It’s peak spring photo territory, so expect a few people with tripods. Spring is when it shines. Go on a weekday to beat the crowds and get the Japanese garden shots without strangers in the frame.
Location: Cnr Chisholm Rd & Chiswick Rd, Auburn
Website: cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Georges River National Park – Revesby Heights
The river picnic for people who like a bit of action. Morgans Creek sits right on the Georges River, with picnic shelters, BBQs and plenty of tree cover for shade. Out on the water, you’ll see boats, kayaks, jet skis and waterskiers cruising past while you eat. Want something quieter? Keep driving to the end of the road to Burrawang Reach picnic area. It’s on the sandy shores of the river, with tall shady trees, birdlife and flat, easy access. After lunch, walk the Ridge track to Cattle Duffers Flat.
Further along the river at Picnic Point, Fitzpatrick Park has a big flat lawn for frisbee or a kick of the footy, plus the Yeramba Lagoon loop track nearby. The park comes alive in spring with wildflowers, so now’s the time to go. Park entry fees apply. Pay at the coin machines at the gate or on the Park’nPay app. The Morgans Creek and Fitzpatrick Park precincts lock their gates in the evening, so check closing times before you settle in for sunset. The river is unsafe for swimming, so keep it to paddling
Location: Morgans Creek picnic area, Burrawang Reach Rd (off Henry Lawson Dr, opposite The River Rd), Revesby Heights.
Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
