Looking for a gorgeous picnic spot around Sydney’s North Shore? There are plenty to choose from, so we’ve narrowed it down to ten of our favourite picnic spots by the water. Roll out the picnic blanket, pack your swimmers and enjoy a leisurely day in the sun with friends and family!
Ready to get outdoors and enjoy the Summer sun? Here are 10 fabulous picnic spots around Sydney’s North Shore for you to roll out the picnic rug and enjoy a relaxing, fun-filled day by the water.
- Apple Tree Picnic Area, Bobbin Head
- Berry Island Reserve, Wollstonecraft
- Clontarf Park & Beach
- Clifton Gardens, Mosman
- Cremorne Point
- Northbridge Baths, Northbridge
- Crosslands Reserve, Hornsby Heights
- Fagan Park, Galston
- Tambourine Park, Riverview
- Manly Dam, Manly
Picnic spots on the Lower North Shore
1. Berry Island Reserve, Wollstonecraft
Beautiful bushland to explore
One of North Sydney’s most delightful and significant areas of harbourside bushland. There are excellent views of the harbour and city from this picturesque reserve. The best part, there’s even a playground for the kids which is suited to all ages. If you’re feeling up to it, take off on the Gadyan Track, which is a 20-minute bushwalk that looks at Berry Island’s Aboriginal history. Leashed dogs are also welcome.
- Address: 10 Shirley Rd, Wollstonecraft
- Parking: 10-minute walk from Wollstonecraft railway station. Limited on-street parking is available in Shirley Road.
- Facilities: public toilets, BBQs, picnic areas, seats, a small beach and an adventurous, custom-designed playground.
- More information: North Sydney Council
2. Tambourine Bay Park, Riverview
Tambourine Park
This is a foreshore park on the edge of Tambourine Bay with a gentle sloping grassed area on the waterfront in Lane Cove. There are picnic tables and benches ready for use, or just pull up a picnic blanket on the grass. There’s even a playground to keep the kids busy, along with BBQ facilities. You can take bushwalks through Warraroon Reserve start at Tambourine Bay Park.
- Address: Tambourine Bay Rd, Riverview
- Parking: On-street parking available via Tambourine Bay Road and Kallaroo Road.
- Facilities: public toilets, BBQs, picnic areas, playground.
- More information: Lane Cove Council
3. Clifton Gardens, Mosman
Clifton Gardens Beach and Baths, Mosman
Clifton Gardens is a spectacular picnic spot in Mosman, on Sydney’s lower North Shore. The picturesque spot offers a large and green reserve area with gorgeous trees for shade, picnic tables, plus a playground and a beach set against a stretch of golden sand. If you forget any essentials, the Bacino Beach Kiosk is there for supplies, and there are toilets on site too. Read our Clifton Gardens review.
- Location: Clifton Gardens, Morella Road, Mosman
- Parking: $5-8 per hour (depending on season) up to $28 for the whole day.
- Facilities: Toilets, disabled access, tables, BBQ, play equipment, basketball hoops, parking
- More information: Mosman Council
4. Cremorne Reserve, Cremorne
Cremorne Point is a spectacular spot for a picnic
Cremorne Reserve on Sydney’s Lower North Shore is a pretty picnic spot offering spectacular waterfront views. Home to a playground and other handy amenities ideal for a family day out, from Cremorne Reserve you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city skyline.
- Location: Cremorne Reserve
- Parking: Limited street parking
- Facilities: Playground, Public Toilets, Nearby Cafe + Ferry Stop
- More information: Mosman Council
5. Northbridge Baths, Northbridge
Set up your picnic feast beside the Northbridge Baths
Northbridge Baths is set amongst the bushland of Sailors Bay, west of Spit Bridge. These glorious tidal baths are set within the stunning Sydney Harbour foreshore. The popular baths boast a sandy beach surrounding and are set within the native bushland of Middle Harbour. The Baths are equipped with a BBQ, picnic area, change rooms, toilets, hot showers and parking.
Looking for more great spots to spend the day splashing around with the kids? Check out our list of Harbour beaches & swimming enclosures around Sydney’s North Shore.
- Location: Widgiewa Road, Northbridge
- Parking: Approx. 50 free 4-hour parks
- Facilities: BBQ, picnic area, change rooms, toilets, hot showers, parking
- More information: Willoughby Council
Picnic spots on the Upper North Shore
6. Apple Tree Picnic Area, Bobbin Head
This fabulous spot marks the beginning of the Berowra walking track, so you can plan a day checking out the tracks and waterways, before stopping for a picnic with this gorgeous outlook. You can buy food and drinks at the local cafe and make use of the shaded picnic tables and barbecues. There’s plenty of grassy space to spread a picnic mat out on, with the water just in front of you.
- Address: Bobbin Head (enter via Mount Colah or North Turramurra)
- Parking: $12 per vehicle per day
- Facilities: seats, beach
- More information: Ku-ring-gai
7. Crosslands Reserve, Hornsby Heights
Crosslands Reserve, Hornsby Heights
Crosslands Reserve is the scene of many happy memories for North Shore families! Bring a picnic or fire up one of the electric barbecues on site, or for an occasion you can hire the 12-seat picnic shelters. Tackle the Great North Walk or let the kids run riot on the playground. Public toilets are another plus!
- Location: Somerville Rd, Hornsby Heights
- Parking: Free parking. Sealed road access from Hornsby Heights is available from 8am to 5.30pm.
- Facilities: BBQ area, toilets, parking, picnic shelters
- More information: Hornsby Council
8. Fagan Park, Galston
Fagan Park, Galston, is a huge expanse of green parklands with a lake at the centre
Fagan Park is a sprawling green site where families can spend hours enjoying picnics or barbecues, with a number of shelters and electric barbecues scattered throughout the grounds. it’s one of the best picnic spots on the North Shore Sydney to spend the day. There’s a weekend coffee cart for caffeine hits & ice creams, but the biggest drawcard has to be the colourful and varied gardens for the kids to play in while you relax. They can explore the Gardens of Many Nations, which covers 10 hectares and has 11 themed gardens, including Japanese, Dutch, Chinese and Mediterranean, or let them loose at the two large playgrounds.
For more details, read our Fagan Park review.
- Location: 38-48 Arcadia Road, Galston
- Parking: There are two car parks at Fagan Park. One is off Arcadia Road and the other off Carrs Road. It is $6 to park all day and they both have plenty of car spaces so you never have to worry about not finding a spot.
- Facilities: BBQ, accessible, toilets, two large playgrounds, picnic shelters, parking
- More information: Hornsby Shire Council
Picnic spots on the Northern Beaches North Shore
9. Clontarf Reserve
- Address: Sandy Bay Road, Clontarf
- Parking: Metered parking at Clontarf Reserve ($10 per hour to a maximum of $40 for the day). Unrestricted parking on nearby streets (try Holmes Ave or Peronne Ave).
- Facilities: BBQ, playground, toilets, beach
- More information: Northern Beaches Council
10. Manly Dam, Manly
Manly Dam is a beautiful spot for a picnic by the water! With a wonderful diversity of flora and fauna, it’s known for mountain biking, canoeing, water skiing and Manly Dam’s network of bush tracks are great for exploring. You can settle on the grass or the sand and take in the gorgeous water views.
If you’re after more fabulous places you can explore the bushland with kids in tow, check out these 15 child-friendly bushwalks on the North Shore.
- Location: Sir Roden Cutler Memorial Drive, Manly
- Facilities: BBQ, picnic area, change rooms, toilets, hot showers, parking
- More information: Northern Beaches Council
