Five Brisbane Picnic Spots with Water Views to Hit
Grab the beers and you're all set.
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The weather is glorious. Your basket is packed with homemade salads, a big stack of cheese or the finest sandwiches your local deli can make. The lawn games are at the ready. A relaxing picnic is just moments away, but you're still missing two crucial ingredients. Firstly, you need something to drink, because a refreshing beverage can turn a good feast on the grass into a great one. And secondly, you need somewhere with a glistening view. When in Rome (or rather, a river city) and all that.
With a bit of help from Gage Roads Brewing Co and in celebration of its Single Fin summer ale, that's where we come in. These purveyors of quality brews can assist with the beer side of things, while we've found the best spots with a watery vantage for your outdoor meal. Whether you're keen to recline by the snaking Brisbane River or eager to sit seaside, we've got the perfect place.
NEW FARM PARK
One of Brisbane's big four inner-city parks, New Farm's patch of greenery boasts something that South Bank, Roma Street and Alice Street's equivalents can't quite match. Iconic Aussie flick The Castle knows what we're talking about — it's all about the vibe. Even on a busy summer afternoon when picnic blankets litter the lawn as far as the eye can see, New Farm Park always feels peaceful. Nab a berth near Brisbane Powerhouse for the best views and access to a few barbecues if you'd like to add something else to your feast. And if you're a last-minute kind of picnicker, you can always grab the requisite supplies from the nearby supermarket.
HOWARD SMITH WHARVES
Brisbane's newest precinct is bustling with bars, restaurants and eateries, and it's only going to add more. The area also offers up views from underneath the Story Bridge where you can bring along some snacks for the full picnic effect. Public green space is a huge part of this freshly redeveloped area, giving Brisbanites access to a vantage that we haven't been able to enjoy in many a year. Eventually, Howard Smith Wharves will also feature a heap of multi-use outdoor spaces and stages, too. So, if you time it right, you might get a show with your picnic.
Brisbane City Council via Flickr.
WYNNUM-MANLY FORESHORE
Kilometres of coastline, a lengthy jetty and a pool by the ocean aren't the only attractions located along the Wynnum-Manly foreshore. There's also an abundance of grass, seats and tables perfect for enjoying the view over a meal, as well as a small beach for those eager to sit on the sand. If the weather is nice, expect to have more than a little company; however, this spot to the city's east has plenty of room for plenty of picnickers. You're also in the ideal place for a leisurely post-meal stroll — pick a direction, start walking and instantly soak in the delightful and calming scenery.
Brisbane City Council via Flickr.
SHERWOOD ARBORETUM
This heritage-listed gem to the CBD's west has been welcoming the public and its picnics for nearly a century. Here, you'll sit under leafy trees — more than a thousand, in fact — while looking out over your choice of man-made freshwater wetlands or the Brisbane River. Whichever you choose, you're in for both a green and glistening sight — although the plant life is as much of a drawcard as the proximity to water. As the name makes plain, Sherwood Arboretum is all about amassing different species of trees (or collecting them, in a sense), so make time during your picnic to go for a wander.
Brisbane City Council via Flickr.
SHORNCLIFFE PIER
Brisbane isn't a beach city. We're not really considered a coastal city either. Still, all you need to do is mosey in the right direction and you'll hit the sea in almost no time at all. For northsiders, or anyone keen on heading that way for their sunny summer outing, the Shorncliffe-Sandgate region has more than its fair share of picnic spots right next to the ocean — plus the largest timber pier in the city to casually stroll along. The super green Sandgate Foreshores Park is one such place and has exactly what everyone here is after: a killer vista.
Make your next summertime fling a Single Fin. The light-bodied ale is packed with plenty of hoppy flavour to keep you smiling all season.
Top image: Brisbane City Council via Flickr.
