Whether your heart flutters at the thought of a simple sando and coffee or you’re ready to go fancy, there are picnic spots in Adelaide that are a perfect fit.
A hidden gem in one of Adelaide’s most prestigious suburbs, Heywood Park is picture-perfect with a river, rotunda, playground and shady picnic spots. Just a short walk from the city centre, this garden feels like another world.
Glenelg Beach
The Adelaide coastline is blessed with beautiful beaches and lush parks that are perfect for picnicking. From manicured gardens to coastal caves, there’s a picnic spot in Adelaide for every type of nature lover. And with the weather in Australia’s southern state being so warm and sunny, now is a great time to pack up a lunch, grab a blanket, and head out into nature for an afternoon of relaxation and fun.
One of the most popular picnic spots in Adelaide is Glenelg Beach. This is the largest metropolitan beach and a hub for locals with its easy access, vast sandscape, bustling coastal mall, and beautiful sunsets. You can easily get there by bus, train or (if you’re feeling energetic) bike. And when you’re hungry, there are plenty of quality cafes and restaurants to choose from.
The sandy shores of Glenelg Beach are also a popular spot for swimming, walking and other beach activities. It’s a popular spot for families as well with its playgrounds, shady areas and public toilets. The beach is also home to a variety of water sports and activities, as well as many different jettys for boats and other water vessels.
A short walk from Glenelg Beach is Holdfast Bay Reserve, the site of South Australia’s first colony. Here you can see the site where the ‘Buffalo’ and four other ships brought the first settlers from Britain to Australia in 1836. This historic spot has a large grassed reserve, a barbecue area and a children’s playground.
Located a short drive from Adelaide, Morialta Conservation Park is a popular spot for hikers and picnickers. This protected national park is filled with natural bushland and a number of attractions and activities that include the Mukanthi playground, five walking trails, barbeque areas, and public toilets.
The Adelaide Botanic Garden is a nature wonderland that is a treat for the whole family. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed garden is home to over 50,000 plants and flowers from all over the globe, and it’s free to enter! This luscious park is also home to a variety of bird species and other Australian wildlife, making it the perfect place to spend a day with loved ones.
Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens
With a west facing outlook that provides spectacular sunsets, this lovely park in the east of Adelaide is the perfect place to relax with a picnic and watch the sun go down. The grounds are filled with plants from all over the world and feature 150-year-old giant figs, three stunning glasshouses – the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion (inspired by the leaf structure of an Amazon waterlily); the Palm House (a Victorian pre-fabricated glasshouse built between 1875 and 1877 – one of the last of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere); and the Bicentennial Conservatory, which features a rainforest theme and the largest single-span glasshouse in the country. The park also includes a wetland, a garden full of Australian natives and a cactus and succulent garden.
Just a 25-minute drive from the city centre, this park feels like a whole new world. Located in one of South Australia’s oldest national parks, it’s popular with bushwalkers and mountain bikers but you can also enjoy a family picnic with a view amongst the trees. There are many trails to explore and you’re guaranteed to see kangaroos and koalas in the wild here as well.
You can bring your own picnic or buy food from a local cafe, but if you prefer to relax in style, the park has barbecues and picnic tables with a picturesque view and plenty of open space to spread out. There are even a few playgrounds for the kids to have some fun on, and a carpark is right next door.
You could also visit the nearby Belair National Park to experience its natural beauty, or head a little further out to the Blue Lake in Mount Gambier for an amazing picnic spot surrounded by towering cliffs and a turquoise lake that used to be a volcano! A number of walking trails can be explored here and it’s a great place to look for wildlife, with koalas, kangaroos and small colonies of Southern brown bandicoots spotted in the area.
Carrick Hill
Pristine wilderness, heavenly vineyards and traces of Australia’s ancient Aboriginal past beckon tourists from across the world to come and discover South Australia. Amidst these incredible natural vistas, there’s a lot to enjoy, including a plethora of picnic spots to tuck into a tasty spread with friends. Grab a blanket, some baskets and your best wide-brimmed hat for the ultimate picnic adventure!
Located just 11km from Adelaide, Morialta Conservation Park is a popular destination for hikers, families and nature lovers. This expansive national park is dotted with picnic areas, barbeque facilities and even an adventure playground. Whether you’re planning a romantic date, a casual catchup with the crew or a birthday party with the kids, this picturesque bushland reserve is sure to impress.
The enchanting Adelaide Botanic Garden has everything you need for the perfect picnic, from lush green lawns to scenic walking trails. This UNESCO World Heritage site is also home to greenhouses, ponds and tranquil spots for a relaxing break away from the hustle and bustle. You can bring your own picnic hamper to the designated areas or purchase a pre-ordered gourmet platter in a box at the onsite cafe. If you’re looking for something a little more fancy, you can also dine in the restaurant for an unforgettable experience.
Neatly tucked away within Adelaide’s Southern Park Lands, Himeji Gardens is like a tranquil oasis in the city. This ‘pocket of Japan’ is the result of a collaboration between Adelaide and its sister city, Himeji, and features beautiful botanicals and calming ponds in both the senzui (lake and mountain garden) and the kare senzui (dry garden).
The St Kilda Adventure Playground is worth a 45-minute drive from the city for an epic family picnic spot on the beachfront. There’s a massive playground complete with flying foxes, basketball courts and a maze for the kiddies to explore as well as picnic tables and a scenic barbecue area for the grown-ups. With a sweeping view of the ocean and rolling lush green lawns, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect spot for your picnic.
Rymill Park
If the sun is shining, fill a basket with snacks, roll out a blanket and enjoy one of Adelaide’s best picnic spots. From coastal caves to manicured gardens, we’ve gathered some of the city’s most worthy picnic settings that will have your heart fluttering.
ABOUT:
A hidden oasis in one of Adelaide’s most prestigious suburbs, Heywood Park is the perfect spot to enjoy a family picnic. Its picture-perfect setting is like a green getaway; the trees act as walls that block out noise and stress, while shady picnic spots are easy to find. It is also home to a river, rotunda, paddle boats and a playground, so it’s the perfect spot for a family outing.
ABOUT:
The first park on our list is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon with the whole family. It has everything you could want from a picnic spot – from a playground, to barbecues and a rose garden. It is also where the Adelaide Botanic Garden’s popular Carols by Candlelight and Symphony Under the Stars events are held.
ABOUT:
You can’t really call yourself an Adelaide local if you’ve never picnicked at this stunning coastal spot. The views from here are enough to make you swoon. The beach is clean, pristine and the water is calm. There are plenty of picnic spots, and public toilets are nearby. Plus, it’s just a short drive from Port Elliot Bakery, where you can pick up some baked treats for your picnic. The beach is a great spot for snorkelling and diving, too. It’s the perfect day out for families, couples and friends alike.