Top picnic spots in the Inner West

Looking for the perfect place for a picnic in the Inner West? Discover a host of great parks and scenic spots that are ideal for an al fresco meal with family and friends. Pull out your picnic rug, pack your favourite picnic snacks and start planning a great day out in the Inner West.

Highlights

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Pioneers Memorial Park, Leichhardt

Located on Norton Street, Leichhardt’s Pioneers Memorial Park is an urban gem, offering plenty of grassy areas for you to lay out your picnic blanket and enjoy some sunshine. The park’s Bicentennial Rotunda and war memorial are both well worth exploring, and there's a colourful playground for climbing. Dogs are permitted within the park, with dedicated on and off-leash areas throughout. Close to the centre of Leichhardt, there are plenty of great eateries nearby, perfect for an impromptu picnic.

What’s the parking like? On-street parking is available on Norton Street, William Street and Derbyshire Road.

Is there shade? Yes

Are BBQ facilities available? No

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? The park is filled with grand, established trees and some beautiful historic structures.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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Scenic view of the Pioneers Memorial Park, Leichhardt

Pioneers Memorial Park, Leichhardt - Credit: Inner West Council

Ashfield Park, Ashfield

Filled with shady, mature trees, Ashfield Park is a great option for a family picnic. With plenty of space for fun and games, as well as a children’s playground, there are no shortage of great ways to spend an afternoon picnicking in the park. Several monuments are scattered throughout the park, so be sure to keep your eye out for a statue of Mary Poppins, among others. Dogs are permitted within the park when on-leash.

What’s the parking like? On-street parking available along Ormond Street, Pembroke Street and Orpington Street.

Is there shade? Yes

Are BBQ facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? Ashfield Park it is peppered with shady, mature trees and is home to an assortment of interesting monuments.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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Scenic view of Ashfield Park, Ashfield

Ashfield Park, Ashfield - Credit: Inner West Council

Rodd Park, Rodd Point

A popular spot for wedding ceremonies and photography, Rodd Park is one of the Inner West’s most scenic spots. Overlooking the Parramatta River and providing some great views of Rodd Island, the park has sheltered picnic tables and BBQ facilities, and is a great option if you’re looking for a waterside picnic spot but don’t want to travel too far from home.

What’s the parking like? 40 spaces free for the first two hours.

Is there shade? Yes

Are BBQ facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? No

What's my view? Rodd Park overlooks the Parramatta River, offering views of Rodd Island.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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Scenic view of Rodd Island, Iron Cove

Rodd Island, Iron Cove - Credit: KevinMcGrath/DCCEEW

Camperdown Park, Camperdown

Set just off Parramatta Road, the established trees of Camperdown Park offer a great, shady setting for a weekend picnic. With a choice of both sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables, as well as BBQ facilities and plenty of grassy areas, there’s plenty of space to catch up with friends and family at this Inner West park. Dogs are permitted on-leash, and basketball courts, tennis courts and other sporting facilities provide plenty to do after you’ve finished your picnic meal.

What’s the parking like? On-street parking may be available along the streets surrounding the park.

Is there shade? Yes

Are BBQ facilities available? No

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? Camperdown Park features some lovely grassy areas and plenty of shady, established trees.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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Petersham Park, Petersham

Enjoy the tranquility of this quiet part of Petersham at any time or roll out your picnic rug and catch all the action of a game of cricket on the weekend. Set midway between Petersham and Lewisham stations, Petersham Park is also home to the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre and a good children’s playground, offering plenty of great ways to spend the day. Dogs are permitted in select areas of the park.

What’s the parking like? On-street parking is available along West Street.

Is there shade? Yes

Are BBQ facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? Tucked away in the midst of the Inner West, Petersham Park features some beautiful open green spaces and a number of established trees.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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View of cricket mural at Petersham Grandstand, Petersham

Petersham Park, Petersham - Credit: Inner West Council

Mort Bay Park, Birchgrove

Once the home of Australia’s first large-scale dry dock, Mort Bay Park is now an Inner West park boasting beautiful harbour views. Offering views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a playground and lovely grassy areas to spread out your picnic blanket, it’s a great spot to while away a few hours by the water. The park features several dog friendly areas, meaning that your favourite four-legged friends need not miss out on the fun either.

What’s the parking like? On-street parking is available on the streets surrounding the park.

Is there shade? Yes

Are BBQ facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? Mort Bay Park overlooks the waters of Sydney Harbour, with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the water's edge.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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7 year old Elliott Banks is pictured fishing at Mort Bay Park, Balmain

Mort Bay Park, Balmain - Credit: James Horan

Sydney Park, St Peters

Encompassing 40 hectares of gardens, wetlands and rolling hills, Sydney Park is among the Inner West’s most popular parks. Featuring BBQ facilities and no shortage of great spots to spread out your picnic blanket, there’s also plenty to discover throughout the park, from engaging playgrounds and bike tracks to some great views towards the city. The park is also dog friendly.

What’s the parking like? There are four car parks surrounding Sydney Park. They can be found on Barwon Park Road, Sydney Park Road, Euston Road and Campbell Street.

Is there shade? Yes

Are BBQ facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? Covering a whopping 40 hectares, your view may vary from picturesque wetland to rolling hills.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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Kids enjoying the playground in Sydney Park, St Peters

Sydney Park, St Peters - Credit: Anna Kucera

Bicentennial Park, Glebe

Another park located within the Glebe Foreshore precinct, Bicentennial Park overlooks Rozelle Bay, providing some great harbour views, BBQ facilities and more. With several playgrounds located within the park, as well as off-leash dog exercise areas, all members of the family, including our furry friends, can have a fun day out with a picnic at Bicentennial Park.

What’s the parking like? Parking is available at both ends of the Glebe Foreshore precinct, including along The Crescent and Federal Road.

Is there shade? Yes

Are BBQ facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? Bicentennial Park overlooks Rozelle Bay, with views to Anzac Bridge at its eastern end.

Are public toilets located onsite? No, but some can be found at nearby Jubilee Oval.

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Blackwattle Bay Park, Glebe

Situated between Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay, Blackwattle Bay Park is part of the Glebe Foreshore precinct, overlooking Sydney Harbour and the ANZAC Bridge. Enjoy a picnic with water views before taking a stroll along the foreshore or making your way to the off-leash dog area to watch local pooches run and play.

What’s the parking like? Parking is available at both ends of the Glebe Foreshore precinct, including along The Crescent and Federal Road.

Is there shade? Yes

Are BBQ facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? The park overlooks the ANZAC Bridge, Sydney Harbour and the city skyline.

Are public toilets located onsite? No

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Foreshore walk at Blackwattle Bay Park in Glebe

Blackwattle Bay Park, Glebe

Ballast Point Park, Birchgrove

Covering 2.6 hectares, not only does Birchgrove’s Ballast Point Park boast great views of Sydney Harbour, but it is also a great spot for a picnic. Home to a fun playground for the little ones and BBQ facilities, there are plenty of perfect places to unroll your picnic blanket and catch up with friends and family. The park is also home to several interesting art installations that pay homage to the area’s history, so be sure to keep an eye out. 

What’s the parking like? Parking is available in a car park outside the park or along neighbouring streets.

Is there shade? Yes, some.

Are BBQ facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? Ballast Point Park offers great views towards Goat Island and Sydney’s city centre, and across Sydney Harbour.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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