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Perfect picnic spots in Melbourne to enjoy with family

From historical gardens to tranquil parks, explore the top picnic spots in Melbourne for a memorable family day out.

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Perfect picnic spots in Melbourne to enjoy with family

Melbourne is one of the best cities in the world for picnicking mostly because it has mild weather year-round, lovely parks and beaches, and picturesque outdoor settings. Discover some of the best spots to unwind, enjoy delicious food, immerse yourself in nature and create unforgettable memories. Picnics offer thrifty, comforting and fun family outings in memorable settings.  So fill the cooler bag with your favourite snacks and food on the go and explore Melbourne's perfect picnic spots with your family, easily reachable by tram, car or bus.  

Royal Botanic Gardens

Some of the best picnic grounds in Melbourne are within the floral borders of the Royal Botanic Gardens. You'll love its stunning vistas, tranquil lakes and diverse plant collections including succulents and cycads, roses and camellias, and indigenous plants and Californian botanicas. Enjoy a guided Aboriginal Heritage Walk, go punting on the ornamental lake, visit the Children's Garden or take a joyride on the Explorer Electric Bus before settling down for a relaxing picnic. Throughout summer, the lawns come alive with music concerts, theatre productions and outdoor movie screenings.

Best picnic spot: The Royal Botanic Garden’s green manicured lawns offer plenty of sunny and shady spots to roll out your blanket including Dog Flat which overlooks the ornamental lake.

How to get there: You can access the gardens from any of the ten entrance / exit gates. To get to Dog Flat, use Gate H on Alexandra Avenue. 

Albert Park

Explore five hundred and sixty acres of inner city lakeside parkland. Ride your bikes or walk along Albert Park’s five kilometre lakeside track past green pastures and playing fields. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the lake with your family.

Best picnic spot:
The Swan picnic area located on the northern edge of Albert Park with its shady canopy of trees, expanse of lawn and scenic view of the boating lake is the perfect spot for relaxing on a sunny afternoon. The picnic area offers sheltered gazebo’s, picnic tables and electric barbecues in case you pack meats or vegetables to grill. Nearby you will find a fort-style playground for small kids with swings, slides and tunnels. 

How to get there:
Trams are the easiest way to get to Albert Park. All trams that stop along St. Kilda Road are within easy walking distance of the park. 

Fitzroy Gardens

The heritage-listed Fitzroy Gardens on the edge of the city are filled with sprawling lawns, and pathways lined with towering elm trees. The park is a hidden gem within the city as it mostly underused and as such offers a secluded quiet spot, especially on the weekends. Heritage highlights include Captain Cook’s Cottage, the model Tudor village and the Spanish conservatory. You''ll love the quaint, carved Fairies Tree and whimsical fountains and statues set within the beautiful Victorian landscaped gardens. 

Best picnic spot:
Head to the park’s southern section to grab a picnic spot by the stream under the trees. Little explorers will enjoy climbing on the dragon slide and giraffe swing. 

How to get there:
From Flinders Street Station take the Line 75 Tram directly to Fitzroy Gardens. 

Yarra Bend Park

Yarra Bend Park stretches over two hundred and sixty hectares of natural bushland in the inner west side of Melbourne. This serene oasis really comes to life in the summer with lots to see and do, from woodland and wildlife nature bike and walking trails, to hiring a canoe at Studley Park Boathouse and paddling upstream in search of flying foxes to playing a round of golf at the public course. The Park offers a myriad of charming picnic spots along the treelined curves of the river on the east of Yarra Boulevard. Or you can opt for more expansive picnic grounds near Dights Falls. 

Best picnic spot: A great barbecue picnic spot within Yarra Bend Park is located at the historic Studley Park Boathouse. Here you will find electric barbecues, picnic tables and sheltered picnic benches.

How to get there: Buses, including 200, 202 and 207 stop on Studley Park Road. From there it’s a short walk to the Studley picnic area. 

Princes Park

Stretching over thirty eight hectares, Princes Park in the Carlton North neighbourhood is ideal for picnics, especially in spring and summer by the ornamental lake on the north side of the park. With its wide open lawns, surrounded by ancient elm and fig trees, and sport and recreation grounds, it’s a perfect choice for families. Home to the Carlton Football Club, the park also offers tennis courts and lawn bowls. You’ll often see kids playing soccer and cricket on Saturday mornings and you can join the Park Run, also on Saturdays, along the designated jogging track around the parks boundary. 

Best picnic spot:
The playground on Princes Park Drive on the eastern side of the park provides picnic tables, benches, and barbecues. Playground facilities feature a toddlers section with sandpits under cubbies, slides and swings. There is a climbing unit, basket swing and spinning carousel for older children. 

How to get there:
Enter through the eastern gate. Parking is available on Anderson Street

St Kilda Beach

A popular destination for family get-togethers on summer weekends. St Kilda Beach has a nostalgic vibe – a sweet reminder of childhood sandy adventures. The sand squeaks when you walk barefoot on it, you can watch penguins swim across the water to explore the rocks and kitesurfers soaring across the water. The promenade is filled with speed walkers, joggers and families picnicking. In summer the beach is crammed with people sunbathing, so a late afternoon picnic is highly recommended. Dusk is when the beach crowds begin to subside as they head for the lively cafes and bars on Acland street. 

Best picnic spot:
Find a secluded spot on the grassy verge of the promenade with a view of the St Kilda Pier. As you’re in St Kilda which is lined with restaurants, pizzerias and fast food joints, you don’t need to bring food from home. Swing by Flour Child for pizza’s or Sandwich Society for superior picnic food. Post-picnic head to the St Kilda Adventure Playground which offers a host of  fun rides for kids of all ages and summer-flavoured ice-cream cones from the vans at the entrance.   

How to get there:
Located just a short tram ride (route 96) from the CBD or a twenty minute car ride. 

Edinburgh Gardens

If you’re looking for a quiet, outdoor space to relax, throw a frisbee or enjoy a leisurely lunchtime picnic during the week then Edinburgh Gardens in North Fitzroy is an idyllic spot for families. On the weekend the park is bustling with families, friends, cyclists and dog walkers. This tree lined, expansive grassland is crisscrossed with cycle tracks and offers numerous walking paths. You will also find an outdoor skate bowl, a basketball halfcourt, children’s playground, lawn bowls, volleyball and tennis courts. On the weekends, get there early to secure your spot at the picnic and barbecue area close to Reid Street on Alfred Crescent.

Best picnic spot: Choose a shady spot underneath the tall elm trees overlooking the tranquil gardens. Pick up picnic supplies from Piedmont supermarket on Best Street beforehand.

How to get there: Edinburgh Gardens is close to Rushall train station and Brunswick Street trams. Parking is available at the northern end of the park off Alfred Crescent.

    Merri Creek Trail

    Spend a day in nature along the indigenous bushland Merri Creek Trail (21 kilometres one way) which flows through Melbourne from Dights Falls to the Western Ring Road, winding its way to the Yarra River. Merri Creek is a popular trail for off-road cyclists, walkers, runners and picnickers and is a great place to spot collared sparrowhawks and eastern rosellas. There are several shady spots along the route for you to roll out your blanket and snack on healthy salads and wraps from the organic cafe at the CERES Community Environment Education Centre and Park.

    Sumner Park on Alister Street in Brunswick East is a great picnic spot. Your kids can laze on the grass and catnap under the trees before carrying on with their adventure. Quarries Park, linked by paths across Clifton Hill and connected to the Merri Creek trail, offers picnic and barbecue facilities and cricket practice nets. Coburg Lake Reserve to the north of Pentridge offers three playgrounds situated around the lake and picnic and barbecue facilities. Older kids will enjoy the flying fox and maze at De Chene.

    Best picnic spot: The small Merri Creek Labyrinth in Clifton Hill is a tranquil, community picnic spot. There’s a wishing tree and bench seats by the creek.

    How to get there: The labyrinth is a ten minute walk down Ramsden Street from the Clifton Hill Station to the Merri Creek bike path. 

    Where to stay in Melbourne

    Picnics are one of life’s simple pleasures and they are often cheaper and more flexible for kids than eating in a restaurant. Plan in advance, and pack a lunch or cool bag filled with homemade baguette sandwiches or your favourite supermarket ready-made dishes. Picnics offer a happy break from the indoors and allows your family to interact with nature, and run around freely.

    If you are planning a long weekend in Melbourne with your family, consider staying at one of our family friendly Novotel Hotels. Whether a quick layover or a longer stay, Novotel Melbourne Airport is a great choice for families with roomy accommodation and kid friendly dining options.

    Novotel Melbourne Central, located in the CBD offers quick access to St Kilda Beach via a short tram ride. The spacious Family Rooms and Junior Suites feature modern amenities and free WiFi.

    Novotel Melbourne on Collins is ideally situated close to the Royal Botanic Gardens. The hotel’s family rooms accommodate up to four people and the range of dining and nearby sightseeing opportunities make this the perfect weekend base.

    Novotel Melbourne South Wharf is a family friendly hotel within walking distance of Flinders Street Railway Station and just a tram ride away from Fitzroy Gardens. Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley is the gateway hotel to the Yarra Valley wine region and Dandenong Ranges. Take a day trip away from the city and enjoy country views, vineyards and other scenic picnic spots. 

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