Best Picnic Spots in Brisbane

When it comes to picnic spots, Brisbane offers no shortage of stunning locations to lay out a rug, enjoy a selection of picnic palate pleasers and soak up the spring sunshine. Whether it’s a riverside escape or a garden hideaway, the Lexus LBX is the ultimate picnic companion. Compact with no compromise, it easily carries all your essentials - hampers, blankets, games, you name it - so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying the perfect picnic day with everything you need. 

So pack your basket, grab a rug and jump in the car - here are 8 of the best picnic spots in Brisbane to try out (in our humble opinion). 

A Brisbane favourite, New Farm Park offers wide open spaces, stunning rose gardens, shady trees and a vibrant riverside atmosphere. The big drawcard for kids is the maze of treehouses tucked into giant banyan trees, with a huge playground that will keep them entertained for hours.

Few places rival the drama of Kangaroo Point Cliffs, where the Brisbane River and city skyline provide a picture-perfect backdrop. No matter your style, you’ll find gazebos, picnic tables, barbecues, and plenty of grassy spots to roll out a rug. There are cafés nearby if you’d rather grab food on the go, plus rock climbing and cycleways for those chasing a bit more adventure.

Nestled in the heart of the city, Roma Street Parkland feels like a tranquil escape. Its sprawling lawns and vibrant themed gardens are perfect for a leisurely picnic. Other highlights include the artworks by Brisbane’s finest artists scattered throughout and for children, the sizeable playground along the upper reaches, and the mini train which chugs its way around through all the precincts. 

For a central escape, the City Botanic Gardens offer leafy paths, shady trees, and peaceful picnic lawns. Opened in 1855, the 45-acre landscape has long been one of Queensland’s horticultural treasures. Through floods and droughts alike, this iconic green space has thrived, showcasing a vibrant mix of native and international plants all year round, and offering the perfect picnic spot full of history and beauty. 

For northsiders or anyone up for a sunny spring escape, the Shorncliffe–Sandgate Foreshore is packed with seaside picnic spots. Think BBQ's, playgrounds, picnic tables, and plenty of grassy and beachy spots where visitors can throw out a rug and enjoy delicious bites overlooking the water.

For sweeping views of the city and serene garden strolls, Mount Coot-tha is a must. The winding drive up is made all the more enjoyable in a Lexus, where the smooth ride and quiet cabin let you take in all the scenery. With plenty of boot space for picnic supplies, you’ll be ready to enjoy a picnic in the picturesque surrounds of the Botanic Gardens. 

The beautiful, heritage-listed Sherwood Arboretum sprawls along the river, having been officially opened on March 21, 1925. Boasting 15 hectares of parkland, it's a popular spot for picnics, with plenty of grassy spaces to lay on the picnic blanket in the shade of one of the many trees and marvel at how majestically old they are. In addition to the natural wonders, there’s two substantial playgrounds for older and younger children to explore that are well-shaded.

This park is actually the grounds of Brisbane’s oldest home Newstead House (1846) but it’s a gracious and breezy riverside location for a picnic on the lawn or gathering in the old rotunda by the jetty. For children, there’s an Alice Through the Looking Glass themed play area in a hollow behind the house, with a talking tree and interactive chessboard and plenty of garden for hide’n’seek.

This spring, pack up your picnic gear, hop in your Lexus LBX, and hit up some of Brisbane’s best picnic spots. With space, comfort and clever features to make the drive a breeze, all that’s left to do is relax, soak up the sun and enjoy the perfect picnic day out. 

Lexus of Brisbane Group is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com