The Top 8 Perth Picnic Spots for Every Occasion

Perth’s best picnic spots aren’t simply patches of grass with a bench nearby. They come with Indian ocean views and heaps of atmosphere. So depending on what kind of picnic you’ve got planned, here are some of the Perth spots that are particularly good for enjoying a shared meal outdoors.

Perth Is Made for Picnics

Gone are the days when a picnic simply meant a few sandwiches on a blanket. Today, picnics have become a beautiful way to celebrate life’s biggest moments. From surprise proposals and engagement celebrations to baby showers, birthdays and long-overdue catch-ups, there’s something undeniably special about gathering outdoors with the people you love.

Perth is made for moments like these. Fringed by stunning beaches, dotted with lush parks and gardens, and home to some of Australia’s most beautiful riverside settings, the city offers no shortage of spectacular places to celebrate. Add in excellent picnic facilities, scenic walking trails and breathtaking views, and it’s easy to see why so many people are choosing the outdoors for their next special occasion.

If you’re planning your next celebration, these are the Perth picnic spots that deserve a place at the top of your list.

Our Top 8 Perth Picnic Spots

1. Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Start with a Perth classic: Kings Park. Giving you plenty of picnic options, this is a place where you can spread a blanket under the trees or use the shaded tables and BBQs near the playgrounds. But for the best view, head towards the elevated lawns around Fraser Avenue, where the Perth skyline and Swan River sit below you. Synergy Parkland is also a great spot, especially for families, while the Botanic Garden has quieter locations among the native plants and bushland.

2. Matilda Bay Reserve

Few things beat a picnic beside the water, and Matilda Bay has the setting sorted! Huge trees shade the grassy reserve, while the Swan River rolls past with black swans bobbing around the bay. Bring a rug and stay for a long lunch amongst nature.

3. Araluen Botanic Park

Araluen is the one to pick when you want your picnic to come with a serious flower show. The gardens are super spectacular in spring, when the tulips are in bloom, with lawns, shady trees and landscaped gardens giving you plenty of pretty places to spread out your rug and nibbles. Pack lunch, find a spot among the blooms and make an afternoon of it!

4. South Perth Foreshore

When it comes to South Perth Foreshore, just bring dinner and let the skyline provide the backdrop. This spacious and leisurely location has one of the best views back towards the city, with the river right between the grass and the skyscrapers. Pick up takeaway nearby, or spend the morning cooking up a storm, then find a spot along the water and hang around until sunset when the lights of Perth start turning on.

5. Whiteman Park

With playgrounds, wildlife, bush trails, a vintage train and enough BBQ facilities to keep a family occupied all day, Whiteman Park has considerably more going on than picnics. Pia’s Place gives younger kids a huge nature-play space, while the Children’s Forest has 18 stages of trails to explore. Add Caversham Wildlife Park and the Motor Museum and you could easily spend the whole day here, with the picnic acting as a fantastic pit stop.

6. Cottesloe Beach

The famous Cottesloe has been doing the Perth picnic thing long before it became a content opportunity! The beach is backed by broad lawns and Norfolk Island pines, so there’s a whole lot of space to eat lunch or dinner with a view of the Indian Ocean before wandering down for a swim. Grab fish and chips, or bring your own spread, then stay put until the sun starts dropping over the Indian Ocean. It’s a classic for a reason!

7. John Oldham Park

Right beside the CBD, John Oldham Park has waterfalls, lakes, bridges and lush gardens, so it feels really removed from the city around it. The park forms part of the 24-hectare Narrows Interchange parkland, created in 1959 during construction of the Narrows Bridge, and today has BBQs, a playground, walking paths and plenty of spots for a picnic near the water. The bridge through the park is even a replica of the original 1973 structure, rebuilt using recycled timber.

8. Lake Monger Reserve

This is a picnic for the bird-watchers among us. Black swans are the stars of Lake Monger, with plenty gliding across the water while you eat. The 3.5km loop around the lake gives you a front-row view of the birdlife, with ducks, pelicans and other waterbirds along the shoreline. The lake is also an important wetland for Perth, with the surrounding reserve providing habitat for a wide range of native wildlife.