One of the best parts about living in this city is the amazing amount of sunny days we get to enjoy each year. Why sit at a boring old table in an artificially lit room when you could enjoy your meal in the sun, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Perth and its surrounds!
Having a relaxing picnic in a scenic location makes for the perfect date night and it’s one of our all time favourite things to do in Perth. Over the years that we’ve called this city home, we’ve slowly built up a list of our top picnic spots in Perth.
There are so many amazing spots to pull up a mat and stuff your face with cheese and wine around this city, so break out the basket, chill the wine and start ticking these spots off one by one. We can personally guarantee that it’s a great way to spend an afternoon!
The makings of a perfect picnic
Table of Contents
The Top 10 Picnic Spots in Perth
Kings Park
Enjoying a spectacular sunset from Kings Park
Kings Park is full of shady little corners, perfect for a quiet picnic
I know it isn’t a revelation but you really can’t make a list of Perth’s best picnic spots without including Kings Park. This huge park has so many amazing places to have a picnic that you can come back time and again and find somewhere new.
A nice way to do it is to pick one of the walks and go for a ramble before setting up and relaxing with your picnic. There is a café near the main car park if you want a fresh coffee with your meal.
Some of our favourite spots in Kings Park include: near the war memorial with great views of the city, around the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Fountain and the Saw Avenue picnic area.
Cottesloe Beach
A well-known destination but nevertheless one of Perth’s best picnic spots. The benefit of Cottesloe over the other beaches in Perth is that it has large areas of grass with great views of the ocean, meaning no sand in your food.
This is an iconic Perth destination and easily accessible from most parts of the city. Just be wary of the sneaky seagulls who’ll try to nab your expensive French Brie and probably have very little appreciation for the taste.
If you don’t want to pack a picnic then you can grab some quality fish and chips at one of the shops along the main road. If the seagulls steal all your food then you can also head to the Ocean Beach Hotel, where you can get a cold beverage and enjoy the sun setting over the ocean.
Millbrook Winery
A lovely setting for the perfect picnic in Perth
Millbrook Winery was once a hidden gem on the outskirts of Perth but has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the quality of the wine and the beauty of the grounds.
They are more than happy for people to set up a picnic around the grounds if you purchase a bottle of wine and trust me you will want to. I have never tried a better SB than what they produce here and they have many other top quality selections.
You can even order pre-made picnic baskets online with all sorts of good stuff in them. All that’s left then is to choose an amazing spot to sit. Be aware that weekends can get busy and in summer there will often be events/weddings.
John Forrest National Park
This is one of my favourite day trips from Perth, after a short drive out of the city you can feel completely immersed in nature. John Forrest is one of the most popular national parks in Perth and the oldest park in Western Australia.
There are plenty of spots all over the park to throw down a blanket; you can sit near the waterfall if it’s flowing, climb up to the ‘eagles nest’ viewpoint or make use of the barbecue facilities under the beautiful big trees near the carpark.
There’s the opportunity to spot a plethora of native birds as well as the odd kangaroo. The park has recently been upgraded with new picnic tables and there are toilets on site if needed. If you’re feeling a little lazy and want the picnic vibes without the effort, then the John Forrest Tavern on site has a variety of tasty meals and cold drinks.
Hyde Park
Relaxing under the shady fig trees of Hyde Park
Situated in Mt Lawley with easy access to the city and plenty of street parking if coming from further afield, this park is a gem in the inner city. The beautiful lakes surrounded by big leafy fig trees provide a tranquil escape from the nearby rush of city life.
There is plenty of room to find your own spot under a tree and then all you have to do is sit back and watch the world go by while you enjoy some delicious picnic snacks.
On one edge of the park you can find the Chu Bakery where you can pick up some delicious fresh bread rolls for your lunch or some sweet pastries to add to what you have brought yourself.
South Perth Foreshore
Sometimes you will get lucky and catch an epic sunset like this!
The beautiful foreshore of South Perth is one of our most frequented picnic spots in Perth. It’s so convenient and offers amazing views of the Perth skyline over the Swan River. The great thing is that there’s so much space you can always find a nice spot to have to yourself.
Take our advice and have a sunset cheese platter here, the rich warm light reflecting off the buildings is very romantic. The parking lots at the ends of Coode St and S. Perth Esplanade give access to the best spots for views.
If you don’t want to pack a picnic then there are a whole host of food shops and a supermarket on Mends St in South Perth so you can stock up then walk down to the river. In summer there are also food trucks set up every day near the Coode St carpark to get some tasty treats.
Applecross Jetty
Not a large park but you shouldn’t have a problem finding a spot in the evening. There are great views of the city with the river in the foreground and depending on the time of year the sun sets over or near the river on the opposite side leading to some beautiful light reflecting from the water.
If you park a little further along the river in either direction then you can take a beautiful and relaxing walk right along the waterfront to work up an appetite. A little cheeky tip is to forget packing food and just grab a delicious pizza from nearby Gucce Pizzeria e Cucina Italiana, probably the best pizza I’ve had in Perth.
Matilda Bay Reserve
Located on the north side of the river on the edge of the UWA campus, this park spans a good stretch of the river and is well maintained with nice shady trees and facilities like toilets, BBQs and playground equipment.
There are beautiful views of both river and city and it’s a brilliant spot to catch a sunset. People often get married in this park so that speaks volumes to the pleasantness of the surrounds.
While you’re here you can take a quick stroll upriver to the nearby Blue Boat House which has become ever so popular with photographers and others wanting that perfect Instagram snap.
Serpentine Falls
A peaceful picnic spot surrounded by kangaroos!
Serpentine Falls
Located about an hour south of the Perth CBD in Serpentine National Park, this beautiful waterfall is a favourite local swimming spot as well as having some great Perth hikes nearby. The waterfall flows for most of the year but in the height of summer water volume may be significantly reduced.
Near to the carpark is a large grassy area with picnic tables and BBQs. The area is well shaded by large trees and you will often find yourself surrounded by kangaroos and cockatoos.
While you cannot see the waterfall from the picnic area, it is only a short walk away. This spot is a great place to have some lunch after completing one of the nearby hikes and cooling off in the natural pool.
Whiteman Park
Tie in your picnic at Whiteman Park with a visit to Caversham to feed the kangaroos (and ducks)
This huge park is located only 30 minutes from Perth CBD and is also the home of Caversham Wildlife Park. Whiteman Park has many things to do such as a miniature train line, several small museums and multiple themed playgrounds for kids.
The whole of Whiteman Park is a conservation reserve and you can spot all sorts of native flora and fauna on the many walking trails. If you want a really fantastic experience with native wildlife then make sure you visit Caversham Wildlife Park whilst there.
There are picnic tables and BBQs located all over the park and there is even a small shopping village with a café and kiosk if you want to purchase food. This is a great picnic spot for larger family gatherings, getting together with groups of friends or even just a nice day out with the family.
Find More Fun Things to do In Perth
- 8 Amazing National Parks in Perth
- 17 Best Beaches in Perth
- Where to Stay in Perth – A Local’s Guide
- How to Spend 5 Awesome Days in Perth
- Escape to Rottnest Island on a Day Trip from Perth
- Top 12 Things to do in Fremantle
- 6 Amazing Weekend Getaways from Perth
- 10 Must-See Natural Landmarks of WA
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Geez… by looking at the contents of your picnic hamper you two have perfected this past time!
Yepp I guess you could say we are professional picnickers at this point😂