Top picnic spots in the Northern Beaches

Little Manly Point, Manly

Just a 10-minute walk from Manly Wharf, Little Manly Point offers great facilities for the whole family. With grassy areas, seating, a playground and more, there are plenty of ways to spend the day in the sunshine. The stylish Ripples Little Manly cafe is set right on the edge of the sand and has a takeaway kiosk open every day, perfect for an impromptu picnic.

What’s the parking like? Some on-street parking is available, as well as pay and display parking.

Is there shade? Yes

Are barbecue facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? From Little Manly Point, you’ll enjoy great views of the city skyline.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes, you’ll find both public toilets and showers.

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Aerial shot overlooking Manly, Northern Beaches

Shelly Beach, Manly

One of Sydney’s best destinations for snorkelling and diving, Shelly Beach also happens to be a good place to spread your picnic blanket and enjoy a meal with a view. Tuck into lunch in the shaded area behind the beach before heading down onto the sand and enjoying a swim at this popular Manly Beach.

What’s the parking like? Metered parking is available.

Is there shade? Although there is little shade on Shelly Beach itself, you will find plenty of shady spots neighbouring the beach.

Are barbecue facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? No

What's my view? From Shelly Beach, you’ll enjoy views towards Manly Beach

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes. Shower facilities are also available.

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Shelly Beach, Manly

North Harbour Reserve, Balgowlah

Set along the Manly to Spit Bridge Walk, North Harbour Reserve is a great place for a weekend picnic. Meet family and friends for a barbecue with a view, enjoy a game or two of basketball by the water or let the kids run wild across the reserve’s open green spaces. Whether you’re wanting to get active or simply watch the world roll on by, there are plenty of ways to spend time at the reserve.

What’s the parking like? Free parking is available just off Condamine Street.

Is there shade? Yes

Are barbecue facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? From North Harbour Reserve, you’ll enjoy views across North Harbour, towards Manly.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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Winnererremy Bay Foreshore Reserve, Mona Vale

Perhaps best known for its playground, complete with a flying fox, climbing frames and more, Winnererremy Bay Foreshore Reserve is a great place for a fun day out with the family or a lovely waterside picnic. Overlooking Pittwater, the park boasts a variety of facilities, from shaded picnic tables to bike and scooter tracks.

What’s the parking like? A car park is located beside the playground, with on-street parking also available on nearby Mona Street.

Is there shade? Yes, the reserve’s picnic tables are also sheltered from the sun.

Are barbecue facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? Winnererremy Bay Foreshore Reserve overlooks picturesque Pittwater.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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Winnererremy Bay, Mona Vale - Credit: Northern Beaches Council

Dee Why Beach

One of the area’s most popular picnic spots, Dee Why Beach combines a large grassy picnic area with lovely waterside views. Those planning a picnic during the warmer months will enjoy the picnic area’s close proximity to Dee Why Beach, with a patrolled swimming area perfect for cooling off after a meal.

What’s the parking like? Pay and display parking is available at James Meehan Reserve. Parking is free for vehicles displaying a council parking permit.

Is there shade? Yes

Are barbecue facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? The picnic area overlooks Dee Why Beach, offering great open ocean views.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes, with shower facilities also available.

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McCarrs Creek Reserve, Church Point

Just a stone's throw from the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, not only is McCarrs Creek Reserve a great place for a barbecue or picnic lunch, but it is also perfectly positioned for swimming, fishing and a host of other outdoor activities. Rally your friends or family together and enjoy a day out in the great outdoors.

What’s the parking like? Metered parking is available.

Is there shade? Yes

Are barbecue facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? No

What's my view? The reserve overlooks the waters of McCarrs Creek.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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Clontarf Reserve, Clontarf

Sitting right behind Clontarf Beach, a trip to Clontarf Reserve is a great starting point for a fun day in the sun. Pack your swimsuit and enjoy a refreshing dip in Clontarf Beach’s enclosed swimming area before settling in for a picnic with beautiful beach views. 

What’s the parking like? A paid car park is located onsite, with free on-street parking available nearby.

Is there shade? Yes

Are barbecue facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? From Clontarf Reserve, you’ll enjoy views of the Spit Bridge and Middle Harbour.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes. Shower facilities are also available.

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Clontarf Reserve, Clontarf - Credit: Northern Beaches Council

Bilarong Reserve, North Narrabeen

Set between untouched bushland and the waters of Narrabeen Lagoon, unfolding your picnic rug at Bilarong Reserve will leave you feeling as though you’re worlds away from modern life. Kids will also love the challenge of finding the many sandstone sculptures scattered throughout the reserve, depicting everything from dragons to secret doorways. Bring your bikes to explore the trails around the lagoon after lunch.

What’s the parking like? Metered parking is available at the reserve.

Is there shade? Yes

Are barbecue facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? Bilarong Reserve overlooks Narrabeen Lagoob.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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Narrabeen Lagoon, Narrabeen - Credit: Narrabeen Lagoon

Manly Warringah War Memorial Park, Manly Vale

Although Manly Warringah War Memorial Park (also known as Manly Dam) may be better known for its hiking trails, water skiing and mountain biking, the park is also a great spot for a waterside picnic. It’s good to note that the park can be quite popular, especially when the warmer weather rolls around, so be sure to book a picnic well ahead of time. Picnic tables can be reserved by contacting Northern Beaches Council.

What’s the parking like? Pay and display parking is available.

Is there shade? Yes

Are barbecue facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes, an inclusive, all-abilities playground suitable for kids with access needs.

What's my view? The park overlooks Manly Dam.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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Manly Dam, Manly Vale

Clifton Gardens, Mosman

Home to sheltered picnic tables, barbecue facilities, a playground and more, Clifton Gardens is a little slice of seclusion set alongside Sydney Harbour. Try your hand at fishing, take a swim in the netted swimming area or let the kids run wild throughout the grassy reserve.

What’s the parking like? Parking is available in a metered car park next to the gardens or for free along Morella Road.

Is there shade? Yes, some.

Are barbecue facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? Clifton Gardens offers views across Sydney Harbour, towards Watsons Bay and Vaucluse.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes

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Rosherville Reserve, Balmoral

Located slightly further north than Balmoral Beach, Rosherville Reserve is one of Middle Harbour’s hidden gems. Quiet and relatively secluded, the reserve is a great spot to roll out your picnic rug, cook up some barbecue favourites and kick off an afternoon of swimming and fishing down by the water’s edge.

What’s the parking like? On-street and pay and display parking is available.

Is there shade? Yes

Are barbecue facilities available? Yes

Is there a playground? Yes

What's my view? Rosherville Reserve is a grassy reserve overlooking Chinamans Beach.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes. Changerooms can also be found at the reserve.

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Balmoral Beach, Mosman

West Esplanade Park, Manly

Just moments from Manly Wharf, West Esplanade Park is a great spot to stop and enjoy a bite to eat before exploring Manly’s top attractions. Watch on as the iconic Manly Ferry arrives and departs from the wharf or enjoy a lovely stroll along Manly Cove on a warm, sunny day.

What’s the parking like? On-street parking is available, with limited spaces also found in the Esplanade Carpark.

Is there shade? Yes

Are barbecue facilities available? No

Is there a playground? No

What's my view? The park overlooks Manly Cove.

Are public toilets located onsite? Yes, with change rooms available too.

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