The 10 Best Picnic Spots in Melbourne to Visit All Year Around

The 10 Best Picnic Spots in Melbourne to Visit All Year Around

There are numerous picturesque locations in Melbourne where families can enjoy a picnic. There are multiple opportunities to bring a picnic blanket, utensils, and provisions despite the unpredictability of the weather. With bushland, beaches, and parks as settings, there is an aesthetically pleasing and entertaining location for everyone to appreciate. It has become this year's spring or summer bucket list event to pass the time while sharing cheese platters in the park. 

best picnic spots in melbourne

Setting up a blanket at one of Melbourne's most picturesque picnic areas is ideal for families, couples, acquaintances, and all. This page lists the ten best picnic spots in Melbourne, along with a list of the necessary picnic essentials. Additionally, it is advisable to bring along a Jackery Portable Power Station, which boasts portability, numerous output connections, and enhanced capacities to ensure that outdoor electronics have consistent and reliable power while on picnics. 

Key Takeaways:

  • One of summer's greatest pleasures is bringing a large picnic hamper into the vast outdoors. However, considerable preparation must be completed before settling into a shaded location, including the picnic food, drinks, blanket, basket, games, and more.

  • We've curated a list of the best ten picnic spots in Melbourne, such as Carlton Gardens, Yarra Bend Park, Royal Park, Darebin Parklands, Herring Island, Albert Park Lake, Emerald Lake Park, Maroondah Reservoir Park, Brimbank Park, and Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

  • Except for comfortableness, electricity is critical when venturing outdoors. We highly recommend Jackery Explorer 300 Plus or 240 with its compact size and lightweight to charge your electronics outdoors.

  • When planning a successful picnic, you should notice the food safety first, then take a cooler, pick a nice place, set a menu, and make a packing list.


What to Bring to A Picnic in Melbourne? 

One of summer's greatest pleasures is bringing a large picnic hamper into the vast outdoors. However, considerable preparation must be completed before settling into a shaded location to eat sandwiches and scotch eggs. By bringing a picnic, an ordinary lunch is elevated inexpensively. It is an excellent method to enjoy the summer without spending money on theme park admission or concert tickets. Even with a limited budget, it is still possible to have a satisfactory summer.


There is not much required to enjoy a meal outdoors; sitting on the ground and consuming is perfectly acceptable. However, certain products can assist in achieving optimal comfort and enhancing the overall experience. Before exploring the best picnic spots in Melbourne, knowing what to bring to a picnic is crucial. The following is a comprehensive checklist of essential items that are vital for guaranteeing the triumph of your picnic.

Picnic Essentials

Picnic Blanket

Picnic Basket

Picnic Chairs

Tablecloth

Portable Picnic Table

Plates

Foods

Drinks

Glasses

Utensils

Napkins

Wipes

Sanitizer

Cooler

Ice

Water

Flowers

Suncream

Sunglasses

Entertainment Items

Portable Power Station

Preparing for a picnic begins with the determination of the number of attendees. Having up to two or three of you will facilitate the situation. When planning an event for a larger group, such as an entire family, it is essential to account for the number of adults and children in attendance to ensure that some activities and meals appeal to all.


Except for comfortableness, electricity is critical when venturing outdoors, particularly when visiting remote national parks. Jackery Portable Power Stations have garnered acclaim for their enhanced capacities, portability, and usability. By using a Jackery Portable Power Station during picnics, individuals can supply sufficient power to operate a portable refrigerator, speaker, fan, and barbeque appliances and charge small electronic devices such as smartphones, cameras, and drones. Please keep reading to learn more about Jackery and find the best picnic spot in Melbourne.


Best Picnic Spots in Melbourne: Top 10 Picnic Spots 

The green state has something for everyone, from verdant suburban lakeside jewels and dense forests to lush urban parks and hidden jungles. Pack a picnic rug and a delectable snack and venture outdoors to one of the finest picnic areas Melbourne offers when the weather is nice.


Victoria and Melbourne offer an abundance of picturesque picnic areas near one another. Outermost parklands, pristine coastlines, and suburban lakeshores comprise ten of Melbourne's best picnic spots. Therefore, gather your loved ones and prepare a picnic blanket and basket for a day at the park.

best 10 picnic spots in melbourne

1. Carlton Gardens

Location: 1-111 Carlton St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Phone: (03) 9658 9658
Parking: Need parking fee
Facilities: Picnic tables, public toilets, seats, playground, drinking fountains, basketball court
Activities: Picnicking, walking, visiting museums, kids playing, events, cycling

The historic Carlton Gardens provide an exquisite setting for elegant outings. Explore the flower gardens, duck-filled ponds, and ornate fountains from the 19th century. Then, position your picnic rug beneath an ancient canopy for shade. Carlton Gardens, a picnic location that is a certified beauty, features lush green grass, numerous trees for shade, a couple of fountains, and the vicinity of some of the most magnificent structures in the city.

Gain additional points by purchasing refreshments from Gertrude Street, conveniently located nearby. Possum spotting, visiting the Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery at the Melbourne Museum, riding the IMAX, and perusing the collection of Moreton Bay fig trees—a location where indigenous Australians have historically congregated—are among the additional activities available.

2. Yarra Bend Park 

Location: Yarra Bend Rd, Fairfield VIC 3078, Australia

Phone: 13 19 63

Website: Yarra Bend Park

Parking: There are two designated disabled car parks

Facilities: Picnic areas, dog-friendly, BBQ, car parking, playground, toilets

Activities: Picnicking, hiking, dog walking, golfing, paddling, wildlife watching


Yarra Bend Park is the largest natural bushland park in Melbourne. While strolling or biking along its numerous pathways, one can appreciate the verdant surroundings and lush fauna. Play golf, step with your companion, or pause for a picnic. There are multiple picnic areas in Yarra Bend Park, each with its amenities, including rotundas, barbeques, shelters, tables, and restrooms. Loop Picnic Area (which features barbeques, ceiling and tables, toilets, a car park, and a playground), Studley Park Boathouse and Picnic Area (which includes a cafe, canoe access, and picnic shelters), Bellbird Picnic Area (which includes picnic shelters, car parks, and toilets), and Westfield Reserve are the primary areas.


The park offers various activities, such as strolling along the Main Yarra Trail and utilizing circuit tracks ranging in length from 850m to 6.6km to reach popular sites, renting boats from the Studley Park Boathouse (rowing boats, canoes, and kayaks), observing birds, and locating the thousands of grey-headed flying-foxes that nest in the trees along the Yarra River, which serves as the best picnic area in Melbourne.

3. Royal Park

Location: 1042 Brunswick St, New Farm QLD 4005, Australia
Phone: (07) 3403 8888
Website: Royal Park
Parking: On and off-street car parking is available
Facilities: Electric BBQ, basketball facility, soccer oval, cafe, wheelchair, dog park
Activities: Picnicking, tennis, tai chi qigong, walking, cycling, playing sports

Did you know that Royal Park contains wetland areas? All Australian natives comprise the city's most significant green space, which spans 170 hectares. The frequently overlooked sibling to Edinburgh Gardens and Princes Park, Royal Park is only a few kilometers from the city center. Still, its feral native fauna will make you feel you're much further from the center of town. While this location offers barbeques and other amenities, it is most suitable for lounging among the gum trees with the BYO basket you have meticulously prepared for the day. Royal Park is teeming with native White skinks; watch out for one of them.

4. Darebin Parklands

Location: Darebin Parklands, Australia
Phone: (03) 9499 3486
Parking: Parking permits for people with disability
Facilities: Picnic spots, drinking water, seats, dog-friendly, public toilets, natural trail
Activities: Picnicking, hiking, walking, biking, sightseeing, kids playing

Despite its proximity to the metropolis, Darebin Creek is a mere five kilometers to the northeast. Alphington and Ivanhoe are now shared by the tranquil parkland that encircles the area. The local community labored diligently for half a century to restore and regenerate the grassy meadows, waterways, bushland, and wildlife habitats of this expansive green space, which was once a garbage dump like many of Melbourne's immense green spaces. You may picnic next to The Nest, a remarkable sculpture by Gary Tippett and David Bell, or enjoy undercover barbeques for hot lunches or stormy days. Off-leash and on-leash dog access is granted.

5. Herring Island 

Location: South Yarra, Naarm, 4kms from the city center, Australia

Phone: (03) 9629 7233

Website: Herring Island

Parking: Car parking is available on Alexandra Ave

Facilities: Electric BBQs, picnic tables, toilets

Activities: Picnicking, hiking, National Gallery of Victoria, biking, bird watching, camping


Herring Island is a miniature artificial island spanning 3.2 hectares, situated at South Yarra in the Yarra River near Melbourne's city center. This challenging-to-reach island in the center of the Yarra River offers an abundance of seclusion. The Parks Victoria punt boat departs from Como Landing on weekends and public holidays from January to April. Otherwise, you must rent a kayak or bring your vessel. Comprising an environmental sculpture park and a nature reserve, the largely undiscovered island features art, walking paths, and revegetated native vegetation. A limited number of shelters provide complimentary flowing water and barbeques. You will be required to transport all trash back to your residence.

jackery portable power station for picnic

6. Albert Park Lake 

Location: 3 km south of the Melbourne central business district, Australia

Phone: 1300 794 970

Website: Albert Park Lake

Parking: Parking is available within the park

Facilities: Toilets, BBQs, playground, shade, cafe, restaurant, picnic area

Activities: Picnicking, walking, kids playing, sightseeing, biking, playing soccer, wildlife watching


This park is an icon in Melbourne. Albert Park accommodates an extensive network of bicycle and pedestrian paths, nine distinct picnic areas, and the esteemed Australian Grand Prix. Furthermore, Albert Park Lake offers some of the most breathtaking panoramas of the Melbourne metropolitan area. Progress through the nine primary picnic areas of Albert Park, which include the Swan Picnic Area, Coot Picnic Area, and Cormorant Picnic Area, among others. We recommend taking an evening stroll along the lake after observing the sunset to capture a glimpse of the city lights reflecting on the water; it would be so romantic! You will also discover the allure of this extraordinary picnic spot in Melbourne.

7. Emerald Lake Park

Location: Emerald Lake Rd, Emerald VIC 3782, Australia

Phone: 1300 131 683

Website: Emerald Lake Park

Parking: There are two car parks, both accessed via Emerald Park Lake Road

Facilities: Picnic shelter,s, cafe, tea room, BBQs, playground, wading pool

Activities: Picnicking, walking, hiking, swimming, fishing, paddling


Suburbanites will find the town of Emerald, situated at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, within an hour's journey to the south-east. Emerald Lake Park is an ideal location for picnicking, as it features not one but two lakes, expansive verdant areas, ample barbeque areas, and even two-seater paddle boats, should you be interested in wooing that special someone. As one approaches the park, one will behold the principal lake, a tourist magnet. Therefore, pull over and make a beeline east toward Lake Nobelius, a secondary lake. While traversing the slightly muddy path, a few minutes of trekking will be well worth it for the likely solitude you will encounter.

8. Maroondah Reservoir Park

Location: Maroondah Hwy, Healesville VIC 3777, Australia
Phone: 13 19 63
Parking: The central car park is close to most of the picnic facilities
Facilities: BBQs, picnic tables, toilets, water taps, shelters
Activities: Picnicking, hiking, walking, dog walking, BBQ, lookout, wildlife watching

The park features expansive picnic areas equipped with amenities, vibrant gardens brimming with native vegetation and exotic trees, a scenic overlook offering breathtaking vistas, meandering paths, historic valve houses, the "Rose Stairway," and a reservoir spillway that, contingent upon the season, overflows in the spring. The walks encompass the following: the Lookout Track, which traverses the dam wall; the Maroondah Forest Track, which offers a pleasant forest stroll connecting the Lookout to Henderson's Picnic Area; the Scenic Views Track, which ascends Henderson's Hill via a winding path adorned with large exotic trees and offers breathtaking views of the dam wall; and the Scenic Views Track, which winds through grassed areas adorned with magnificent views.

9. Brimbank Park

Location: 9. Brimbank Park, Australia

Phone: 13 19 63

Website: Brimbank Park

Parking: There are A, B, and C car parks

Facilities: Picnic tables, dog-friendly, shelters, BBQs, water taps, toilets

Activities: Picnicking, walking, playing, city walking, summer celebrations, cinema sessions


Brimbank Park is one of the kid's most like picnic spots in Melbourne. It is an expansive park featuring three distinct picnic areas, each equipped with a playground, designated unimaginatively as Carpark A, Carpark B, and Carpark C. The optimal area is near Carpark A, which houses a visitor center, a café featuring indoor and outdoor seating, and a delightful play area for younger children.


Walking and cycling are among the activities available in the park. A network of cycling and walking paths can be found, including the Brimbank Loop Walk, a 3.5-kilometer, 1.5-hour trek that ascends an escarpment away from the river and provides:

- Panoramic views of the vicinity.

- A vantage point with breathtaking views of the surrounding suburbs.

- A permanent orienteering course.

10. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Location: Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia

Phone: (03) 9252 2300

Website: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Parking: Street-metered car parking for up to four hours

Facilities: Shade, toilets, cafes, visitor center, kiosk

Activities: Picnicking, walking, sightseeing, touring, bird watching, cruising


Spanning an area of 36 hectares, the Gardens feature lakes, lawns, garden beds, and nearly 50,000 individual plants, representing 8,500 distinct species. There are numerous areas where one may shade their picnic under a tree or on the verdant grass.


The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden offers activities such as play, exploration, climbing, splashing in the water play area, hiding, and digging. Oak Lawn during autumn, when the vibrant leaves cover the ground, Princes Lawn features a pleasant slope for children to roll down, and Picnic Point, offering a vantage point to observe punt boats glide across the Ornamental Lake, are all noteworthy destinations. This location is the most frequented picnic spot in Melbourne.


Jackery Portable Power Stations for Picnics in Melbourne

Following our discussion of the best picnic spots in Melbourne, we advise you to bring a portable power station to the picnics so that you can use this "magic box" to charge your phones, cameras, and tablets. The energy stored in a portable power station is sufficient to power various small appliances and electronic devices used on an excursion.

 
Jackery Portable Power Stations utilize lithium batteries to supply a consistent and reliable power source for picnic devices. The Jackery Solar Generator optimizes solar energy utilization by integrating Jackery Solar Panels into a portable power station. Recharging a portable power station is possible through a variety of processes. Connecting and wiring power stations and solar panels is an instance of harnessing solar energy. An AC adaptor or carport may also recharge the power station.

Explorer 300 Plus

Explorer 240

Capacity

288Wh (12.8V/22.5Ah)

240Wh (14.4V/16.8Ah)

Dimension

16.7x15.5x23cm

19.99x13.31x23cm

Battery Cell

LiFePO4 battery

LiFePO4 battery

Life Cycle

3000 cycles to 80%+ capacity

1000 cycles to 80%+ capacity

Recharging Methods

Solar Charging: 6.3H

Wall Charging: 2H

Car Charging: 5.5H

USB: 4H

Solar Charging: 5H

Wall Charging: 5.5H

Car Charging: 6H

Output Ports

1*AC Output: 230V, 50Hz, 300W Rated, 600W Surge Peak; 2*USB-C: 100W Max, 5V⎓3A (5V, 9V, 15V, 12V, 20V up to 5A); 1*Carport: 12V⎓10A

1*AC Output: 230V, 200W (peak 400W); 2*USB-A: 5V⎓2.4A; 1*Carport: 12V⎓10A

The Jackery 300 Plus is suitable for outdoor charging due to its 288Wh capacity, 300W power output, two PD ports with a maximum output of 100W each, rapid charging for multiple devices simultaneously, and multiple charging options. It can, for instance, supply 1.6 hours of power to a 150W camera and 4 hours to a 60W portable speaker. With a light weight of 3.75 kilograms, the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station fits effortlessly in a picnic basket.

The Jackery 300 Plus, powered by a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery and featuring a 10-year longevity, ensures the security of all your electrical equipment by delivering a constant voltage and pure sine wave. Additionally, equipment damage is prevented by the revolutionary ChargeShield technology and continuous power supply. Our improved charging technology guarantees extended battery life and quicker charging periods. Remain charged and connected while traveling or at home. Smooth charging solutions allow you to rely on the 300 Plus to power your picnics in Brisbane!
jackery explorer 300 plus portable power station for picnic
Guests of yours who are accompanying you on an outdoor picnic are required to keep their cameras on the entire outing. Unfortunately, this location has no power; therefore, these cameras cannot operate appropriately without a power source. They should always carry a Jackery Explorer 240 to charge small devices.

The Jackery Explorer 240 Portable Power Station is a suitable power supply for compact electronic devices. The Explorer 240 power station is conveniently portable for a picnic in Melbourne, weighing only 3 kilograms. Its superior safety features and streamlined and fashionable appearance make it the product of choice among outdoor enthusiasts. The lithium-ion battery pack in the Jackery Explorer 240 Portable Power Station provides 240Wh of power. By utilizing the multifunctional outputs - 1* AC receptacle, 1* DC vehicle port, 2* USB-A ports, and a pure sine wave inverter - it is possible to charge multiple devices simultaneously.
jackery explorer 240 portable power station for picnic


How to Have The Best Picnic in Brisbane?

Picnics provide an ideal opportunity to appreciate the natural environment without incurring excessive expenses or traveling great distances. Picnics are adaptable to nearly any budget and can be as straightforward or ornate as desired. Some of the best picnics in Melbourne happen on the spur of the moment and only need a little planning.

Notice Food Safety: Ensure food safety is a top priority when preparing your picnic. Pack a chiller if your absence from departure to mealtime will exceed two hours. Food-poisoning-causing microbes proliferate rapidly after two hours at room temperature (or one hour if temperatures approach 90 degrees Fahrenheit).

Take A Cooler: If you anticipate organizing frequent picnics throughout the summer, consider purchasing cooler-on-wheels to enhance portability. Before packaging, chill foods in the refrigerator to maintain their temperature, and store them in a cooler until service.

Pick A Nice Place: Remember your destination when organizing your sustenance selections. Even a visit to the park will assist you in preparing by requiring you to contemplate the environment. Avoid anything that becomes limp, drippy, or feeble in humid weather in humid weather.

Set A Menu: A fix-yourself sandwich bar would constitute a straightforward menu. Assort pre-sliced sandwich components into plastic containers, including lettuce, tomatoes, cheeses, bell peppers, meats, olives, mushrooms, spinach, and onions. Dish up condiments and crusty rolls, substantial bread, or tortilla wraps.

Make A Packing List: Develop a standardized packing list for impromptu excursions and ensure that your larder is replete with picnic-appropriate foods if you intend to engage in frequent picnics this summer. Additionally, remember to bring along a Jackery Portable Power Station, which is both compact and lightweight, to provide power to all of your essentials.


Final Thoughts

Are you interested in alfresco dining? Or for an isolated location? Incorporate a picnic with a view by the shore or elsewhere romantic into your outdoor gatherings by visiting Melbourne's finest picnic spots, accessible throughout the year. The best picnic spots in Melbourne and packing essentials are detailed on this page, emphasizing the Jackery Portable Power Station, which can charge electronic devices while on a picnic. 

Best-selling Jackery Solar Generator

Sale Off
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
$4,199.00$3,359.00
Sale Off
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus
$2,399.00$2,159.00
Sale Off
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro
$2,199.00$1,269.00

PAGE CONTENTS

Hurry up! Sale ends once the timer hits zero

00Days
00Hrs
00Mins
00Secs

New Arrival