Top picnic spots in Canberra to enjoy an afternoon out

5 best picnic spots in Canberra to enjoy an afternoon out with family or friends

It’s been a hectic year and the time has come now to start reaping the rewards of all our hard work by getting back out there and enjoying nature again. There’s nothing quite like throwing a picnic blanket down in a park, enjoying the views and feasting on a relaxing lunch while connecting with friends or family. It’s a great way to get a little active, relieve some stress and get some fresh air which is also good for your mental health. Let’s face it, most of us need a boost this year.

If you live in Canberra, or you’re visiting the area during the warmer months, there are endless picnic spot gems. Need some guidance? Here are our top 5 suggestions for picnic spots near Canberra.

Enjoy the peace at Canberra Nara Peace Park

The Canberra Nara Peace Park is located at Lake Burley Griffin, within Lennox Gardens. The park itself celebrates the sister link between Canberra and Nara, Australia’s ancient capital city. It features a small Japanese garden and a gazebo if you want to set out a picnic in the shade. A major feature is the eight-metre-high pagoda that’s made from pre-rusted steel plates and is associated with Nara’s famous pagoda that was erected in 725 in Japan. You can also enjoy stunning views of Black Mountain, Lotus Bay and Mount Ainslie. There are picnic tables, or you can pull up a shady spot on the lush green grasses, underneath the cherry blossom trees. There’s plenty of seating, an electric barbecue, easy parking and a cycle path. Stop off at the nearby Wild Honey Bistro to grab yourself a coffee for the trip.

THE PARK ITSELF CELEBRATES THE SISTER LINK BETWEEN CANBERRA AND NARA, AUSTRALIA’S ANCIENT CAPITAL CITY.

Discover the rare and endangered at National Arboretum

When it comes to picnic places Canberra, it’s hard to find better than the National Arboretum, which has 94 forests filled with rare, endangered and symbolic Australian and international trees. You can explore via the walking tracks, which stretch some 20 kilometres, across 250 hectares; or take a bike and discover the outdoor sculptures and gardens.

Stop by the Village Centre café for a cold drink and enjoy a self-guided or free guided tour on the walking trails in the area. The Himalayan Cedar Forest offers one of the most scenic BBQ and picnic areas in Canberra and it’s perfect for shade in summer. To get to this popular spot, you have to take a walk down through a path of bark, but once you’re there, the views of Lake Burley Griffin are breathtaking. The National Arboretum also has a Gallery of Gardens, which is a living mosaic of unique gardens, each with a variety of trees, plants and other features. There are some great places to stock up for your picnic nearby, such as Deli Cravings at the Belconnen Markets.

Delight in the fauna at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Just 45 minutes from Canberra, the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is alive with koalas, kangaroos, birds, reptiles, and you might even catch a glimpse of a platypus or a wombat. Covered with wetland, grassland, valleys and mountains, it’s the perfect home for an array of Australian wildlife.

There’s a Nature Discovery Playground, the wheelchair accessible Koala Path, and ranger guided tours that tell you all about the local Aboriginal culture and heritage. If you want to get some exercise, you can explore some of the 22 marked walking trails that range anywhere from a 15-minute walk, through to full day hikes. Evidence has found Aboriginal heritage in the area extends back 21,000 years, with the Birrigai Rock Shelter a key site to see, having been occupied around 16,000 Before Present (BP) during the Late Pleistocene era. Stop off at Marvie & Wolfe or another local cafe on the way to grab some food, and have a picnic anywhere alone the trails, just remember to leave only footprints behind.

Head to Weston Park for adventure and fun in the sun

Weston Park is located just 10 minutes from Canberra CBD, stretching along Lake Burley Griffin. You can head to the beach on the eastern shore for some swimming or kayaking, ride your bike on the 16 kilometre cycle track, or go for a walk through the grounds.

The kids will have a blast at the adventure playground and there’s even a water play area with a wading pool that will keep the kids occupied for hours. They’ll also rejoice when they board the miniature train or hit the mini golf course at the Yarralumla Play Station. Visit the SIEV X Memorial and explore the Heritage Nursery and don’t forget to say hi to the resident chickens as well. Stay for the day and set up at the picnic tables or on a blanket and watch the kangaroos jump by or check out the views that stretch as far as Parliament House in the distance. There are some fantastic cafes along the way if you want to stock up, such as Double Shot Deakin.

Explore Pine Island for a taste of history and beauty

Pine Island Reserve is located on the Murrumbidgee River and is called an island because at peak flows of the river, it’s no longer accessible by land. The island is covered in black cypress pines and it was first explored in 1820. There’s a playground for the kids with a swing bridge, small slide, swings and more.

If you want to make a day trip out of it, stop off along the way at some of the delicious local cafes to stock up, like Cake Lovers at Bonython. There are plenty of facilities when you arrive at Pine Island for a great day out, including picnic areas, barbecues, potable water and toilets. You can head to the river for a swim, fish or kayak, do some birdwatching, or hike the Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail. The trail runs to Point Hut crossing in the south, and to Kambah Pools in the north.

And if these options aren’t enough for nice picnic spots Canberra, you can try Namadgi National Park, Cotter Dam, Corin Forest, Gibraltar Falls, Commonwealth Park and the Botanic Gardens. Do some research, or just get in the car and go. Either way, you’ll have a great time exploring the local region.