Discover the best picnic spots in Brisbane! From lush parks to scenic riverbanks, our guide will help you plan the perfect outdoor feast. Pack your basket and embark on a culinary adventure in the heart of Brisbane’s natural beauty. When you have picked your destination, don’t forget to make sure you have everything sorted for your picnic with these easy tips to style your perfect picnic.
How to pick the perfect Brisbane picnic spot
- Start by thinking about who is going on the picnic. If there are children, you will need space for them to run around and a short walk to keep them busy. You want to take tired, happy children home from your picnic.
- Is it dog-friendly? Many National Parks are not dog-friendly, but most Brisbane parks are. It’s best to check ahead and always take your dog on a leash. Don’t forget they will need a drink and you’ll have to pick up after them too!
- How far should you travel? While it is great to explore somewhere new, those “When are we getting there?” voices can get annoying. Pick a distance that will suit your crew.
Jolly’s Lookout, Mt Glorious. Photo: Kerry Heaney
10 Best Picnic Spots in Brisbane
1. D’AGUILAR NATIONAL PARK
From Waterworks Road in The Gap, follow the twisting gum tree flanked Mount Nebo Road until it reaches the rainforest. Northwest of Brisbane city, the D’Aguilar Range is where you will find Mt Glorious and Mt Nebo. Along the way, consider stopping at Enoggera Dam, Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre, the walking tracks in Bellbird Grove, McAfee’s Lookout, or Jolly’s Lookout. These are all excellent Brisbane picnic spots. At Mount Nebo and Mount Glorious, there are walks through the rainforest where you’ll see huge trees and palms and plenty of birdlife. There are many cafes in the area where you can stop and relax with a great view.
Good for – lookouts, rainforest bushwalks, children – no dogs in National Parks.
How far? Brisbane GPO to Mt Glorious is 39 km/50 minute drive
Watching hang gliders at Mount Tamborine. Photo: Kerry Heaney
2. MOUNT TAMBORINE, SCENIC RIM
Just a day trip from Brisbane, the cooler climes of Mount Tamborine are a great getaway. Add in local produce to browse (there always seems to be avocados for sale here) and views that stretch beyond the horizon, and you’ve got a perfect picnic spot.
Good for – A day trip with plenty of cafes/restaurants, wineries, shops, and breweries to visit. There are National Park walks through the rainforest. Great for couples and groups of friends. For dog-friendly spots check this list.
How far? – It’s around 70 km/ 1 hour’s drive from Brisbane GPO.
Brisbane River from the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Photo Kerry Heaney
3. KANGAROO POINT CLIFFS, BRISBANE
So close to the city centre, these cliffs offer an excellent viewpoint over the city and benefit from cooling river breezes. You can also picnic below the cliffs beside the river or in the park right under the Story Brisbane. There’s even a river beach here where people sometimes sunbathe!
Good for – A very handy to the city spot with a wide range of options. Perfect for easy family picnics, and children love the playground near the Story Bridge. Dog friendly too. Check this list of things to do in Kangaroo Point and South Bank for more ideas.
How far? – From the Brisbane GPI is it just 3km or a 5-minute drive.
Roma Street Parklands. Photo Kerry Heaney
4. ROMA STREET PARKLANDS, BRISBANE CBD
One of the city’s best-kept secrets, this massive park has everything from walking trails to large grassed areas for throwing out the picnic rug. There’s an oversized pond in the centre and botanic gardens with sculptures dotted throughout the hill. It gets my vote for the easiest to access Brisbane picnic spot with plenty for all the family. There is room to throw a frisbee and kick a ball, plus, it is dog friendly.
Good for – This is a highly accessible park with graded paths suitable for many abilities. The gardens are usually full of colour, and the water features have a cooling effect. Public barbecues are a great asset. Good for family picnics with children and dogs.
How far? Only 2 km or a six-minute drive from Brisbane GPO.
Redcliffe Jetty. Photo: Kerry Heaney
5. DAISY HILL CONSERVATION PARK
Enjoy a picnic in the surrounding open eucalypt regional park around the Daisy Hill Koala Centre, just south of Brisbane at Daisy Hill. There is a large outdoor koala enclosure at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre. The walkways are suitable for wheelchairs, and children will enjoy the educational program and displays about koalas. The park is open from 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday except for Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Also in the area, the Buddhist temple is an interesting place to visit.
Good for – This is an easy bush picnic on Brisbane’s southside with the extra attraction of koalas. Admission is free, and dogs are permitted on a leash. There are walking tracks and barbecues. Take the whole family here.
How far? – It’s a 26 km/40-minute drive from the Brisbane GPO.
6. SOMERSET DAM
Looking for a Brisbane picnic spot with grassy slopes and water views? Northwest of Brisbane, Somerset Dam near Kilcoy offers camping and boating. There are plenty of picnic areas around the dam, which is one of Queensland’s five top fishing spots.
Good for – This is the perfect spot for boaties and those who love watching water action. There are swimming areas, barbecues and camping grounds. Take the family and your dog on a leash in designated areas.
How far? It’s a 90 km/ 1hr 20 minute drive to Somerset Dam from Brisbane GPO.
7. REDCLIFFE PENINSULA FORESHORE
The Redcliffe foreshore makes a great day out with multiple activity options and plenty of Brisbane picnic spots. Head north of the Brisbane River to find the suburbs of Redcliffe, Margate and Sandgate. Here you will find beaches suitable for swimming with gentle waves, long stretches of sand and an extensive network of accessible beachfront boardwalks. The Hornibrook Pier is a popular fishing spot, and the Moreton Bay Cycleway runs from here to Woody Point Jetty. Suttons Beach and Settlement Cove Lagoon are popular spots. You can also spot whales from the beach during the annual migration. Whale watching cruises leave from Redcliffe Jetty.
Good for – All the family but particularly those with small children. Quiet paths are available for those sensitive to crowds and loud noises. Dogs on a lead are allowed.
How far? – It is a 40 km/40-minute drive to Redcliffe from Brisbane GPO.
8. WYNNUM MANLY FORESHORE
Head south of the river and the Wynnum Manly foreshore offers the same but different. Poke around the shoreline and find hidden picnic areas and plentiful parks. Popular spots to throw down a picnic blanket include Breakwater Park, Coreen Street Park, Elanora Park, Moreton Bay Lions Park, and Wynnum Wading Pool Park. Keep an eye out for fresh local seafood, either from shops or direct from the trawler.
Good for – Families with accessible and wheelchair access, dogs on leads.
How far? – It is a 20 km/30-minute drive from Brisbane GPO to Wynnum foreshore.
9. BRIBIE ISLAND
It’s the only Moreton Bay island you can drive to, making it a great picnic destination from Brisbane! Head up the Bruce Highway to Bribie Island, where you will find both calm and surf beaches. From the calm eastern side of the island, there are captivating views of the Pumicestone Passage with the Glass House Mountains in the distance. Bongaree Beach, with swimming options and barbecues is a favourite spot. If you don’t want to cook there are several great cafes and fish and chip shops too!
Good for – Families and group gatherings.
How far? It’s an 86 km / one and a half-hour drive from Brisbane GPO to Bribie Island.
10. SPRINGBROOK MOUNTAIN
The top of an ancient volcano that erupted some 23 million years ago, Springbrook Mountain in the Gold Coast Hinterland. It is a great place to explore with cool creeks, swimming holes, waterfalls, and some of Australia’s oldest Antarctic Beech trees. It’s very accessible with easy walking trails, including some stroller and wheelchair friendly. If you love this area, you might want to stay at Binna Burra.
Good for – Nature lovers and bushwalkers will love the peaceful surrounds of Springbrook National Park. National Parks are not dog friendly and fines can be issued.
How far? – Springbrook is a little further to travel but worth the effort. It takes about one hour and 30 minutes to travel the 120 km from Brisbane GPO to Springbrook.
More Brisbane inspiration
- Check out this list of best Brisbane walks for more outdoor inspiration.
- Take an art trail around Paddington.