Top 15 picnic spots on the Northern Beaches
On a beautiful sunny day, winter or summer, nothing beats an outdoor picnic lunch on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Put together a basket filled with local produce, pre-order a cheese hamper or simply grab a take-away from a nearby restaurant or cafe. If you’re happy to cook, most picnic areas have free barbeques, so why not grab a snag (sausage!), some rolls and salad and cook your own? Or if you want something more up market, check out the beautiful grazing boards and tables at The Grazing Grove.
Here are our favourite picnic spots on the Northern Beaches.
1. Little Manly Point/ Little Manly Beach
Little Manly is only a short walk from the iconic Manly Ferry terminal and is a great spot for the whole family. This hidden gem is home to a beautiful harbour swimming pool and on a nice sunny day, you can enjoy a dip followed by a post-swim snack by the ocean.
| What is the parking like? | There is some free on-street parking available with a 2-hour time limit.
There is also a Pay and Display parking area |
| Is there shade? | Yes |
| What’s my view? | Looking out across the water to Sydney Harbour, with city views in the distance. |
| What facilities are available? |
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2. Shelly Beach
One of the most popular spots on the Northern Beaches for a picnic, Shelly Beach is the perfect place to sit back and relax with great friends and yummy food. Do not forget to pack your snorkel and mask as it is part of the Cabbage Tree Bay underwater wonderland with a large variety of marine life in relatively shallow water. What are you waiting for? Pack an esky plus your picnic rug and make your way to Shelly Beach soon!
3. Manly Warringah Memorial Park (Manly Dam)
Located adjacent to Manly Dam, Manly Warringah Memorial Park is a beautiful picnic spot to enjoy a waterside feast. With lots of nearby outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, kayaking and water skiing, we are sure you won’t be bored. It does get busy in the warmer months so make sure you reserve your table ahead of time with Northern Beaches Council or call 1300 434 434.
| What is the parking like? | Manly Dam has Pay and Display parking available 7am-5:30pm |
| Is there any shade? | Yes, they have some shaded picnic tables and many trees that provide lots of shade. |
| What’s my view? | Overlooking Manly Dam and the bushland nearby |
| What facilities are available? |
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4. Fairlight Beach
Fairlight Beach is a unique spot to soak up the sunshine along the foreshore of Sydney Harbour. It’s the perfect spot for a daytime swim with the family or a leisurely late afternoon gathering with a bunch of mates. You can sunbake on the beach or grass, then cool off in the water for a snorkel, or swim a few laps of the adjacent harbour pool.
| What is the parking like? | Limited 2-hour street parking on neighbouring streets |
| Is there any shade? | Limited shaded areas |
| What’s my view? | Sydney Harbour entrance and both North Head and South Head |
| What facilities are available? |
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5. East/ West Esplanade
Close to Manly Wharf, East and West Esplanades are great spots to watch the incoming ferries with a scrumptious cheese board or other picnic fare. Kick off your shoes, crack open a frosty beverage and watch the sun set along Manly Cove. Later on, make sure you check out some of the local bars and pubs.
| What is the parking like? | Limited street parking with a 2-hour-free limit
3 council carparks close by that also offer 2 hours free parking. |
| Is there any shade? | Yes, there is shade underneath the Norfolk pines. |
| What’s my view? | Manly Cove, Manly Wharf and the incoming/outgoing ferries. In summer, you might catch a game of SUP ball. |
| What facilities are available? |
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6. North Harbour Reserve
North Harbour Reserve is a 40-minute walk from Manly on the Manly to Spit Walk and is a wonderful spot to bring your kids and your dog. With lots of grassy areas, a basketball court and a playground as well as a café nearby, it’s the perfect place to spend a few hours with the entire family.
| What is the parking like? | Free 2-hour street parking available on adjacent Condamine St |
| Is there any shade? | Yes, the large trees provide lots of shaded areas |
| What’s my view? | Views of Manly and Sydney Harbour National Park |
| What facilities are available? |
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7. Forty Baskets Beach
Forty Baskets is another fantastic picnic spot to stop along the Manly to Spit Walk, where you can enjoy the calm harbour-side beach. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuits and sunblock so you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the enclosed swimming area.
| What is the parking like? | Parking is available in Beatty Street, Balgowlah Heights |
| Is there any shade? | Some shade under the trees |
| What’s my view? | Manly Cove, Quarantine Station and North Head |
| What facilities are available? |
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8. Clontarf Reserve
If you’re looking for a great picnicking spot for a large gathering, try Clontarf Reserve located next to picturesque Clontarf Beach. With playgrounds, cafes, barbeques and an enclosed swimming area, this hidden gem is the best place to set up a picnic and enjoy the sunshine.
| What is the parking like? | Paid parking onsite and free on-street parking nearby |
| Is there shade? | Yes |
| What’s my view? | Spit Bridge and Middle Harbour |
| What facilities are available? |
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9. Dee Why Beach/James Meehan Reserve
Dee Why Beach and James Meehan Reserve is a great spot to hang out with a group of friends or family members. With playgrounds at both ends of the beach, there is lots of space for you to spread out and enjoy your picnic. You can even challenge your friends to a game of table tennis, with free tables for you to use, but you will need to BYO paddle and balls. There are plenty of local shops nearby where you can put together an impromptu picnic or grab a takeaway.
| What is the parking like? | Pay and Display parking on James Meehan Reserve (north end), 7am–7pm
1 hour free parking along the beachfront 3 hours free parking along Oaks Ave |
| Is there shade? | Yes, underneath the trees. |
| What’s my view? | The sun, sand and surf of Dee Why Beach |
| What facilities are available? |
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10. Collaroy Beach
There’s no better way to soak up the sunshine and fresh air than to picnic at Collaroy Beach. It is an ideal spot for everyone, with a calm, protected beach, a large enclosed all-inclusive playground, a grassy picnic area, a rock pool, beach wheelchair hire and nearby disabled parking spaces.
| What is the parking like? | Pay and Display parking |
| Is there any shade? | Yes |
| What’s my view? | Narrabeen and Collaroy beaches and ocean views |
| What facilities are available? |
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11. Bilarong Reserve
Located on Narrabeen Lagoon, Bilarong Reserve has lots of space to play a game of footy or a quick game of cricket. With a great bike and walking path around the nearby Narrabeen Lake, you will have plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs after lunch.
| What is the parking like? | Bilarong Reserve carpark has Pay and Display parking 7am-7pm |
| Is there any shade? | Yes |
| What’s my view? | Overlooks Narrabeen Lagoon |
| What facilities are available? |
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12. Winnererremy Bay
Most commonly known to locals as Flying Fox Park, Winnererremy Bay is a great spot for a good old-fashioned barbeque and an excellent place for families. Make sure you pack a big lunch because everyone will definitely build up an appetite on both the bike track and the large playground that includes a flying fox!
| What is the parking like? | A ticketed carpark is located next to the playground between 7am and 7pm
Free parking available on Mona Street
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| Is there any shade? | Yes, there are shaded areas over some of the picnic benches and sunshades over the playground |
| What’s my view? | You can enjoy the view of the pristine waters of Pittwater |
| What facilities are available? |
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13. McCarrs Creek Reserve
If you are looking for somewhere a little further afield, then McCarrs Creek is the place for you! They have a small wharf from which you can fish and a shallow swimming area to enjoy. Get your friends together and enjoy a lovely day out on the grassy banks of McCarrs Creek. You can even take your dog.
| What is the parking like? | Pay and Display carpark available 6am–9pm |
| Is there shade? | Yes |
| What’s my view? | Overlooking McCarrs Creek |
| What facilities are available? |
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14. The Basin
If you have been searching for a secluded spot to have a picnic, then The Basin is the spot for you. Getting there is half the fun – it’s a short but scenic ferry ride from Palm Beach. Don’t forget to pack the sausages and your barbeque gear and if you are lucky, you might see a wallaby or two hopping around the campground.
| How do I get there? | Hop on a Fantasea ferry from Palm Beach Wharf ($10.80/adult, $5.40/child one-way) |
| What is the cost? | Day visitors landing fee: $3 per adult. $2 per child |
| What is the parking like? | Park at the Palm Beach Wharf which has Pay and Display. |
| Is there any shade? | Yes |
| What’s my view? | Overlooks Pittwater, out towards Palm Beach and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park |
| What facilities are available? |
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15. Clareville Beach
Clareville Beach is the perfect spot for families with little ones as the small beach has no waves and tends to be quieter than other local surf beaches even in the warmer months. There are plenty of green patches to lay out your blanket and enjoy the awesome views across Pittwater.
| What is the parking like? | Pay and Display carpark
Free street parking |
| Is there any shade? | Yes |
| What’s my view? | Overlooks Pittwater and Scotland Island |
| What facilities are available? |
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