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Overview
T-bone steak. Pork and fennel snags. Cajun spiced corn. A platter stacked to the rim with charred meat. Bacon-edged chicken mignons. Tomato ketchup in the gallons. An Esky heaving with Australian craft beers. Enough loaves of bread to feed the cast of 300.
Sound like your kinda cook-up? Of course it does! You live in Brisbane, and we're the home of the great Australian barbecue. With just as many BBQ-friendly parks as it has days of summer, Brisbane is the ultimate spot to host your summer barbie. But of all the green parks, riverside abodes and Mt Coot-tha lookouts, which spot is best for lighting your flame? We can suggest a few.
NEW FARM PARK
Yes, it's disgracefully obvious, but when it comes to barbecue amenities New Farm Park delivers and goes beyond. There's the river view, grass as soft as panda fur, garden bed upon garden bed of flowers, that fenced-in tree begging to be climbed and, of course, grime-free barbecues. Best of all, it has a couple of gazebos plotted around, in case of scorching heat or those crazy summer storms. Only catch is, fair chance there'll be a child's birthday party taking place in them, and sometimes, the risk of wrestling a New Farm mum just isn't worth ruining a barbecue over.
Brunswick Street, New Farm
MOWBRAY PARK
Mowbray Park is easily East Brisbane's best plot of land on which to turn up the gas and sizzle away. It's got a playground for the kids, taps, barbecue, paths, power, toilets, car park and a CityCat stop if you're up for an after-lunch spin. Shaded by Moreton Bay Figs, you don't need to fear the nasty barbecue sunburn, and there's plenty of lush lawn awaiting your picnic blanket. Best of all, if you're tong-wielding BBQer makes a mess of the meal, you've only got to cross the road to find Brisbane's best sushi.
60 Lytton Road, East Brisbane
SOUTH BANK PARKLANDS
The greatness that is South Bank doesn't lie totally within its beaches, ice cream vendors and ibises — it homes great barbecue spots to boot. Whether you want a river view, something closer to the sand, or a playground within a 10 metre radius of cooking, South Bank's got it. Picnic Island (the one with the state-of-the-art playground), Riverside Green (next to Streets Beach) and Aquativity (the water play park) all have BBQ facilities, plus licensing from 10am to 8pm daily.
South Bank
PERTH ST PARK
Admittedly this isn't a park that sells itself on massive acreage like New Farm, Mowbray or South Bank, but the true beauty of Brisbane is the abundance of little green patches plonked around our 'burbs. So don't write off Camp Hill's Perth St Park because of its size — it has everything its older counterparts have, plus more. Big shady trees, gazebos, BBQ cookers, play equipment for tots and older kids, killer footpaths for scooters and skateboards, a cricket pitch, an off-the-leash dog area and a basketball hoop. It may be small, but it packs a mighty punch.
74 Perth Street, Camp Hill
MT COOT-THA
If you're the kind of griller who needs a scenic view to match their snag, then this is the spot for you. With nine BBQ locations to choose from, all ranging in how far you have to hike to get to them (yes, there are some you can simply pull up, park and unload), Mt Coot-tha doesn't let any incline stand between its visitors and a great meal. Gold Mine, Range View, Grey Gum, Brush Box, Simpson Falls, Silky Oak, Hoop Pine and JC Slaughter Falls all have BBQ facilities. And if they don't take your fancy, you've got 40,000 hectares of forests, spectacular views, creeks and waterfalls to choose a spot to set up — there's no risk of being too cosy here.
Mt Coot-tha
ROMA ST PARKLAND
Roma St Parkland is the aorta of Brisbane's BBQ, picnic and outside living scene — have you seen its water feature? It's never not pumping. Everything about it is idealistic, from its facilities to its gardens to its beautiful playing green. There are forest paths to explore, bike parks to zoom around on, good-looking Swedish backpackers to swoon over and its all walking distance from the city. On the weekend, there's even a little explorer train kids can hop on and off, no Go Card required.
1 Parkland Boulevard, Brisbane
NORTHSHORE RIVERSIDE PARK
Those who've done the 10km Bridge to Brisbane may only have traumatic memories of Riverside Park, Hamilton. It's the halfway mark that offers little relief and has most runners panting "you kidding me?". When it's not taunting runners, Riverside Park is a perfect spot for a Sunday afternoon BBQ. It's one of the few riverside spots in Brisbane where you can use the river as it was fully intended: to put feet in. It also has a children's play section, ripple lawn, barbecue and picnic area, plus a great patch of green for some cricket or footy.
297 MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton
BAYSIDE PARK
Time to get those smoky summer beach vibes going. There's no better place to do it than Bayside Park on The Esplanade. This spot is fun for both kids and adults — it has a truly next- level seaside themed playground and one of the nicer beaches in Brisbane to match. There are drinking fountains, a picnic area, electric barbecues and public toilets on site. You'll probably get to see the occasional boat party and jet-skier, but don't worry, they're definitely not having as much fun as you.
450 Esplanade, Manly
SANDGATE FORESHORES PARK
Sandgate is the Atlantic City of Queensland. You heard it first from us. It's got boardwalks aplenty, Shorncliffe Pier runs laps around Steel Pier, and what it lacks in HBO series and saltwater taffy, Sandgate makes up with barbecue and picnic facilities. Beaches, pathways, playgrounds and pools are only a small hike from each other, with the park itself a perfect crux to base a beachside adventure from — there's 2km of scenic water's edge to explore.
1 Flinders Parade, Sandgate
CAPTAIN BURKE PARK
With the number of bridges in Brisbane, you'd be hard-pressed finding a BBQ spot that doesn't at least have a view of one. So why not just give in and host your BBQ under one of Brisbane most iconic — the great Story Bridge. Captain Burke Park is connected to the riverfront walk and bike path to South Bank, and is dotted with scenic and man-made features, picnic tables, barbecues and a few shelters. It's well worth the hike, bike ride or drive to get here.
Holman Street, Kangaroo Point
If you're after something a little more local or specific, give online public BBQ finder Meat in the Park a go. Once your location is sorted all, that's left to do is stock up on snags, pack the Esky with some craft beers and prepare for a mighty chow down. Happy feasting!
