Your guide to the ultimate Perth picnic

As the weather warms up, I’m dreaming of lazy Saturday afternoons laying on the grass, sipping on wine! A Perth picnic is my absolute favourite way to spend a balmy, sunny day.

It’s a no-brainer: get some mates together, source a couple of cheeses, beer tins, a rug and maybe an outdoor game. Head to one of the best parks in Perth and laze about on the grass, soaking up the picturesque scenery.

A Perth picnic is such a versatile activity too. It can be affordable or luxurious, casual or celebratory, romantic or just a chill catch-up. A picnic is a great starting point for your weekend – after you can head out for a big night (to Planet Royale for example), continue a date, or head home for a quiet evening.

In this article I’ll cover the best picnic spots Perth has to offer, how to get there, parking, the best time to go, shops close by to grab your supplies and I’ll finish up with my picnic essentials!

I know, I know, it’s an obvious choice but no Perth picnic list would be complete without it! Kings Park is an iconic location and one of the best parks in Perth. Spanning over 400 hectares, Kings Park is one of the largest inner-city parks in Australia. I personally love bringing my out-of-state friends here to enjoy a Perth picnic with sweeping city views – It’s a location sure to impress!

You can make a day of a Kings Park Perth Picnic, enjoying the bushland walking trails, the Botanic Garden which is home to over 3000 species of WA native flora, journey among the treetops on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, pay respects at the State War Memorial and let the kids explore the various play areas before settling in for a well-deserved drink overlooking the city skyline and Swan River.

Best spot to set up the picnic

Kings Park is huge! There’s plenty of variety and you can’t go wrong pulling out the picnic blanket in any part of the park! However, my absolute favourite spot to set up is on the sloping hills on the East side of the park off Fraser Avenue between the Bali Memorial and State War Memorial.  

This location offers sweeping views of both Perth City and the Swan River. It’s an absolutely stunning area and will not disappoint!

Best time to visit

The impressive river and city views are best enjoyed around sunset. It’s a beautiful spot to watch the colours of the sky change to pinks and purples and the city lights slowly come on. The Park is also well lit so you can feel safe navigating back to your car after the sun goes down.

Where you can grab supplies

Mounts Bay Liquor has a good range of wine, craft beers and also snacks essential for your picnic. If you’re on foot you can get here by taking Jacob’s Ladder down to Mounts Bay Road.

There are also several Kings Park BBQ areas if you come prepared for a sausage sizzle! These locations include Fraser Avenue Pines Picnic Area, May Drive Parkland, Lotterywest Family Area and Saw Avenue Picnic Area. You can find more information and maps here.

These BBQ facilities are well maintained but can be quite busy depending on the day and time you visit. Portable BBQs are not permitted within the park.

How to get there

Kings Park is readily accessible from Perth City at Fraser Avenue, Perth WA 6005.

Kings Park is around a 10-minute drive from Perth City and there are various free parking areas throughout the park. However, keep in mind these fill up quickly on busy days. You can head here for parking maps and guidelines.

If you’re catching public transport, the 950 bus from Wellington Street (before Forrest Place) is your way to go. If you’re keen for a walk you can reach the park in 30 minutes from the city – I recommend taking the Riverside Drive route for a more scenic walk.

More facilities and accessibility

Kings Park facilities also include toilets, seating areas and water fountains scattered around the park. All toilet facilities include disabled access and water fountains are at accessible heights.

There are disability parking spots in each car park. Free wheelchairs for use in the park can be booked from the Kings Park Administration Building. Wheelchair access ramps are also available to access the main parts of the park, bushland, BBQ areas, and most buildings.

Hyde Park in Highgate is another great place for your Perth picnic. This scenic location is a popular spot for larger gatherings and celebratory picnics. It is also an Aboriginal site of significance, being part of the land and waterways used by Whajuk Noongar people before European settlement.

There is a lot to see and do in Hyde Park, which spans around 15 hectares. The park is centred around a lake divided into two segments. Here you can spot oblong turtles basking in the sun and a variety of bird species nesting on the islands. You can take a stroll along the 800m loop around the lake. The kids can enjoy the playground as well as the Hyde Park Water Playground in warmer months.

Best spot to set up the picnic

Hyde Park is one of the best parks in Perth for a picnic. You can set up the picnic rug on the grass under the big, beautiful, shady trees. On cooler mornings grab yourself a spot in the sun.

You can even book one of the 17 zones available for hire. The bookable zones include gazebos but be warned – these book out fast. You can head here to book.

Best time to visit

Personally, my favourite time to visit is on sunny weekend mornings. The shady trees also keep the park cooler on steamy summer days.

Where you can grab supplies

For a weekend morning picnic, I recommend grabbing a coffee and pastry from Chu Bakery, across the road. Be prepared to line up down the street – this little spot is popular but worth the wait!

How to get there

Hyde Park Perth is located on Vincent and William Streets, Perth WA 6000.

It’s around a 5minute drive from Perth City. There is street parking surrounding the park, but this fills up quickly during busy times.

If you’re on foot, you can expect a 25minute walk from Perth City down William Street. And You can catch the 60 bus from Wellington Street (before Forrest place) if you’d prefer public transport.

More facilities and accessibility

Hyde Park Perth has toilets, including disabled access and drinking fountain facilities.

There are many sealed pathways around the park suitable for wheelchairs. The playground is accessible with ramps and features the City of Vincent Liberty Swing, allowing children in wheelchairs to have a swing in the park.

Elizabeth Quay is another of my favourite Perth picnic spots to bring visitors to the city! It’s the picturesque spot where the city meets the Swan River. Named to honour Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee, the area is home to two of the most iconic Perth landmarks  – The Swan Bells (aka the Bell Tower) and the Spanda sculpture.

The area is buzzing with activity! Friends catching up at the many restaurants and bars, kids running through the water park, cyclists and joggers exercising along the paths and boats coming and going. There’s plenty to do and see at Elizabeth Quay!

Elizabeth Quay is also close to Barrack St Jetty, where the Rottnest Island Ferry departs. Rotness Island is not to be missed as one of Australia’s best bucket list experiences.

Best spot to set up the picnic

Choose a spot close to the water to watch the boats drift past. You may even be able to snag one of the picnic tables dotted around the area. If you’re after a grassy patch, head down a little further to Langley Park.

Best time to visit

This spot is the best for a brunch picnic in the morning when the sun gleams off the buildings, or in the evening as the sun begins to set over the river.

Where can you grab supplies?

Coffee and a pastry from Rubra on the Swan is my go-to for a brunch picnic.

How to ge there

Elizabeth Quay is right in the CBD, visitors can walk along William Street towards the river to reach it.

Elizabeth Quay Station is just next door, making this an easy picnic spot for those travelling by bus or train.

More facilities and accessibility

Facilities at Elizabeth Quay include accessible toilets as well as a Changing Places facility which can be accessed with an MLAK key.

Ramps are available throughout the area and the bridge is accessible by wheelchair.

Clarkson Reserve in Maylands is one of my favourite Perth picnic spots. This is for those seeking a more secluded picnic spot in Perth. Clarkson reserve is a fantastic Perth picnic spot. You can set up under the shady trees and pull out the ring-toss while overlooking the Swan River and its wildlife.

Best spot to set up the picnic

Any spot on the grass by the river is fantastic. There are plenty of shady areas and you are sure to have heaps of space to spread out. If you’re lucky you may even get a spot where you can watch fishermen making their catch of the day.

Best time to visit

My personal favourite time to head to Maylands for a picnic is early afternoon. Clarkson Reserve isn’t as well-lit at night as some of the other locations on this list, so I’d keep it early.

Where you can grab supplies?

Head to Commune Wine Store in Maylands to pick up a boutique natural wine. If you fancy a craft beer Liquor Barons Maylands has a great range. Finally, pick up an interesting cheese from Smoults Larder to complete the picnic.

How to get there

Clarkson Reserve is located at 48 Clarkson Road, Maylands WA 6051. It is a 15minute drive from Perth City and there is plenty of free parking.

The easiest way to get there by public transport is the 42 bus from Wellington Street (before Forrest place), but this trip will wake you around 40minutes.

More facilities and accessibility

There is a small toilet block with disabled access, drinking fountains, gazebos with picnic tables and children’s playground in the area.

There are also sealed pathways running through the reserve, suitable for wheelchairs.

Another Classic! Not only one of the best parks in Perth, but South Perth Foreshore is also a fantastic location for a Perth picnic! This sprawling green area near the Swan River is popular for celebratory picnics, romantic picnics, and larger gatherings.

Again, there’s plenty to do while you visit. You can rent a kayak or catamaran and get out onto the river. The kids can enjoy the playground, or you can take a lovely stroll along the river.

Best spot to set up the picnic

There are plenty of places to pull out the picnic rug, but I recommend a spot with city views. If you walk further along the river, you find more secluded areas for your picnic and large trees for shade.

Best time to visit

The stunning city views and well-lit facilities make South Perth Foreshore another sunset Perth picnic location! Being able to watch the city lights come on make it one of the more romantic picnic spots in Perth.

Where you can grab supplies

The Good Grocer South Perth IGA has a curated selection of groceries, you’re sure to find the perfect sliced prosciutto, delicious cheeses, and grapes. It also has an attached wine store – all you Perth picnic needs in one spot!

While a little further away, Angelo Street Market also has a gourmet range of picnic essentials.

How to get there

South Perth Foreshore is located at A Perth Esplanade, South Perth WA 6151. It’s a 15minute drive from Perth City. There are various paid parking areas around the foreshore, but these fill up quickly at busy times.

South Perth Foreshore is easily accessed by the ferry which departs from Elizabeth Quay in the city.

More facilities and accessibility

South Perth Foreshore has public toilets, including disabled access toilets and there are drinking fountains along the path.

There is a Liberty Swing and accessible playground located in the Sir James Mitchell Park

The City of South Perth also has a beach wheelchair for adults and children to use on the Sir James Mitchell Park’s beach foreshore.

The foreshore also has plenty of sealed pathways suitable for wheelchairs.

Yet another iconic spot for your Perth picnic – Cottesloe Beach! This famous WA beach features crystal clear blue waters and bright white sand. No Perth Picnic list would be complete without this beach picnic spot.

Best spot to set up the picnic

Find yourself a patch of grass near the Indiana Tearooms to lay down the picnic rug.

Best time to visit

As I’ve spent most of my life on the East Coast, a sunset over the beach takes my breath away. I still can’t get over the beauty of watching the sky change colour and the sun dip behind the ocean – so of course, I recommend a sunset picnic.

Cottesloe is also lovely in the mornings before the sea breeze picks up, when the water is still and calm.

Where you can grab supplies

There are plenty of options for drinks a few streets back from the waterfront on Stirling Highway. My pick is Lamont’s Wine Store.

How to get there

Cottesloe Beach is about a 25minute drive from Perth City. There is plenty of parking both free and paid, but these can be snapped up quickly on busy days.

It’s easily accessible by train from the city by catching the Fremantle Line to Cottesloe Station and walking down Forrest Street for 20minutes.

More facilities and accessibility

There are public toilets located in the Indiana Tearooms building and water fountains and showers along the beach, as well as playgrounds for the kids.

There are a number of disabled parking spots in various carparks around the suburb. Beach wheelchairs can be borrowed from the town of Cottesloe. And there are wheelchair accessible paths along the foreshore.

Check out my Guide to Cottesloe Beach for more great activities to do in the area.

• 4 pack of WA craft beer – Currently loving Beerfarm IPA
• Bottle of Natural Wine – a Pet Nat goes down nice in the sunshine
• Cheese – a selection of hard and soft cheeses
• Cured meats
• Dip
• Crackers
• Fruit – particularly grapes and strawberries
• Chocolate – Dark is best
• Wine glasses
• Corkscrew
• Picnic rug
• Cushions
• Outdoor games – Finska, ring toss, etc.

There you have the guide to the ultimate Perth picnic, including the top 5 best picnic spots in Perth, and some picnic essentials. Do you have a favourite picnic spot in Perth that didn’t make the list? Maybe you have more picnic essentials? Do you have a favourite outdoor game? Comment and share below!

If you’re looking for more iconic Perth activities check out the Fremantle Markets on your next Perth Weekend.