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Baskets, Blankets, Bliss Best Picnic Spots in Adelaide

Baskets, Blankets, Bliss: Best Picnic Spots in Adelaide

Adelaide is a picnicker’s paradise, whether you’re looking for a zen time with a dash of sunlight and scenery or craving an outdoor meal with fancy chow and fresh brews.

Our city has lush gardens, sun-soaked beaches, and idyllic estates. If that piqued your interest, prep your cheese boards, ready your picnic blankets, and check the weather for an unforgettable outing. 

We’ll make things easier for you by listing Adelaide’s top picnic spots, their locations, opening hours, and more!

In Adelaide

Address: North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000

Contact Details: (08) 8222 9311

Operating Hours: Daily – 7:15 am to 8 pm

Website

Adelaide Botanic Gardens has it all—rose gardens, 150-year-old fig trees, wetlands, two glasshouses, and even an area brimming with cacti.

Great coffee joints are just a stone’s throw away, too, making it the perfect oasis to caffeinate before or after your leafy picnic. Those who forgot their basket can also hit up the oak-shaded Gardens Kiosk for their picnic platter.

Tip:
Don’t forget to check the regulations for a smooth picnic experience. A few crucial things to keep in mind are their no-booze and no-dog policies.

Address: East Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000

Contact Details: (08) 8203 7203

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hrs

Website

Spare yourself from travel exhaustion by heading to Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka—a clean, green, and peaceful park that’s just a 5-minute drive from the CBD.

Families flock here because of its quiet lakeside location, cute ducks, and the all-inclusive Quentin Kenihan Inclusive Playground with a wheelchair trampoline, sensory gardens, and a water play area to splash away the heat.

The park also doesn’t lack BBQ spots, shade, and even pet-friendly zones.

Tip:
Some of this spot’s notable kiosks have closed, so our team suggests prepping home-cooked nibbles before you drive, cycle, or walk to get here.

Address: Cnr South Terrace & Glen Osmond Rd, Adelaide SA 5000

Contact Details: (08) 8203 7203

Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to 5:30 pm

The Adelaide Himeji Garden is a slice of Japan right in the southern section of Adelaide. It’s not as big as the other picnic spots on this list, but it’s a standout due to its Japanese gardens, crystalline waters, and features made for contemplation and meditation.

You can have a zen time or a quiet stroll through the senzui (lake and mountain garden) or karesanzui (dry garden with stone formations and fine sand). Those who love wildlife should ease their minds by the tiny lake—home to a bunch of turtles and fish.

Don’t forget to look for the garden’s other mind-soothing features, like the clacking deer-scarers and black pines. You should also swing by the teahouse at the garden’s rear, a symbol of the friendship between Adelaide and Himeji.

Tip:
Visit during weekdays or early mornings on weekends to secure a serene spot for your picnic.

Near Adelaide

How to Get There

Contact Details: (08) 8339 2444

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 Hours

Distance from the CBD: 10.7 km

Website

A green world buzzing with wildlife is what awaits picnickers at the 992-hectare, gum tree-lined Cleland Conservation Park. While taking a breather here, you might spot wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, koalas, and waterbirds.

Tables are scattered throughout the area, so you won’t run out of a picnic spot unless it’s a holiday or a weekend when visitors flock here. Cooking also won’t be an issue, as there are gas barbies amid stunning bushland.

You can also explore the Discovery Walk—a breezy 40-minute stroll over a kilometer that goes up the Mt Lofty summit lookout. There are seats along the way, so you can catch your breath anytime you want!

Tip:
Extend your adventure by staying overnight. Accommodation at Cleland Conservation Park is available at $180 per night, and you have to settle fees before entering the park.

Address: 16 Lampert Rd, Crafers, SA 5152

Contact Details: (08) 8370 8370

Operating Hours: 

  • Mon to Fri – 8:30 am to 4 pm
  • Sat to Mon – 8:30 am to 7 pm

Distance from the CBD: 18.4 km

Website

The 72-hectare Mount Lofty Botanic Garden doesn’t lack picnic spots, whether you want a morning of lakeside relaxation or a lazy afternoon amid ferns and flowers. Animals are also abundant here, from Adelaide rosellas to rainbow lorikeets.

Visiting during the spring bloom is a no-brainer, especially if you want to see the vibrant hues of the Rhododendron Gully or the Dawn Conifer Lawn. 

Once you’re game for a stretch, take a scenic stroll through Fern Gully to find the country’s largest fern collection.

For refreshments, beeline to Bracegirlde’s for their brews, particularly their iconic teas. But if you want a site with panoramic views of the garden, go up the Noel Lothian Viewing Platform and unwind on your picnic rug while soaking up the rays and vistas.

Tip:
Check the seasonal bloom calendar to witness the garden’s diverse flora at its peak.

Address: The Strand, Port Elliot, SA 5212

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 Hours

Distance from the CBD: 81.9 km

Website

What we love about the family-friendly Port Elliot’s Continental Park is its harmonious blend of ocean panoramas and greenery. It’s also a primo spot for picnickers who want to see the sea without getting sand on their sarnies or shoes.

In terms of essential facilities, you’ll find shelters, tables, PWD-friendly toilets, and a grill here. There are also charging stations for those not in the mood for a digital detox, but you have to make a request to the caretakers to access them.

The icing on the cake is the famed goodies from Port Elliot Bakery that are within arm’s reach. Moreover, food trucks rev up for business here, so you have plenty of options if preparing and packing snacks are too much of a hassle.

Tip:
Don’t forget your swimwear. This park is very close to the beach.

Address: Upper Sturt Rd, Belair, SA 5052

Contact Details (08) 8278 5477

Operating Hours: Daily – 8 pm to 9 pm

Distance from the CBD: 12.2 km

Website

Those looking for a break from the bustling CBD but not keen on driving for hours should put Belair National Park on top of their list. 

This is South Australia’s oldest national park, and it’s packed with trees, flowers, wildlife, picnic spots with BBQs, and trails.

Resting on the Belair National Park State Flora is a favorite among picnickers. Koalas and emus roam in this area, and lovely South Australian wildflowers bloom here.

Tip:
For those looking to get physical before or after picnicking, you can have a tennis showdown among the gum trees on one of the 43 courts available for hire

Kiddos can also unleash their wild side at the shady playground with tunnels and a wooden fort.

Address: Morialta Falls Rd, Woodforde, SA 5072

Contact Details: (08) 8336 0901

Operating Hours: Daily –  6:30 am to 9 pm

Distance from the CBD: 12.7 km

Website

The waterfalls are definitely the stars of the show at Morialta Conservation Park, particularly during spring or winter when their glory is on full display. Designated picnic areas also surround the park, but most picnickers prefer the creekside setting.

While cooling off, keep your peepers peeled for the sweet tweets of honeyeaters and thornbills relaxing in the woodlands. For koala lovers, set your picnic blanket on the path leading to the First Falls, where these cuddly creatures laze out.

If you’re stamina and legs can handle it, top your visit with a trek to the Deep View Lookout and have a sky-high picnic while taking snaps of jaw-dropping, park-spanning vistas.

Tip:
Don’t forget your dogs; they are welcome on a leash in the recreation zone of the park, spanning from the Stradbroke Rd car park to the First Falls Carpark, which also includes the picnic area.

How to Get There

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 Hours

Distance from the CBD: 45.5 km

Website

If there’s an award for the most widely-snapped picnic spot, the caves at Port Willunga Beach could very well claim the title, given its stunning coastal views, captivating rock formations, and idyllic picnic setting best for shady siestas.

Here, you have access to a beachside BBQ setup, undercover picnic tables, and even a play area for the little ones, all with parking spots nearby, with the Port Willunga Esplanade as the closest.

Tip:
The beach’s cliffs are terrific for daredevil picnickers. But if you’re not a thrill seeker, simply take a dip in the crystal-clear waters or enjoy the sunset with a snack.

Address: 3 Edgeware Rd, Aldgate, SA 5154

Contact Details: (08) 8202 9200

Operating Hours: Sun only – 10 am to 2 pm

Distance from the CBD: 18.8 km

Website

When in Adelaide Hills, you can’t miss chillaxing in the historic and majestic Stangate House and Garden—a colorful outdoor venue with just the right amount of quirkiness, elegance, and tranquility.

From the legendary oak tree that’s seen more picnics than you can count to the seasonal flowers painting the garden with radiant hues, this picnic spot landscaped by the artistic Elsie Cornish is a must-see.

Tip:
Before you set those picnic plans in stone, though, make sure to check the National Trust website for the lowdown on when this place is open and the latest ticket prices, as the deets often change.

Address: 46 Carrick Hill Dr, Springfield, SA 5062

Contact Details: (08) 7424 7900

Operating Hours

  • Mon to Tue – Closed
  • Wed to Sun – 10 am to 4:30 pm

Distance from the CBD: 7.9 km

Website

There’s a myriad of reasons why you should have a picnic at the century-old Carrick Hill: its well-manicured rose gardens, the fairy-tale-themed Storybook Trail, the garden museum, the posh mansion serving as an Insta-worthy backdrop, and more.

This area also has specially designated picnic spots like the stable lawns, the bushland, and the mentioned Storybook Trail. You can even grab a cold one from their on-site café and enjoy it in the licensed areas.

Tip:
Guests looking to avoid picnic-packing stress should order Carrick Hill’s platter in a box for the ultimate alfresco dining experience. The platter consists of cheeses, bread, Middle-Eastern fried chicken, cured meat, and fruits.

Address: Stirling St, Tusmore, SA 5065

Contact Details: (02) 8366 4200

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 Hours

Distance from the CBD: 5.8 km

Website

Regardless of whether you’re aim is fun under the sun or a still time underneath trees, Tusmore Park has you covered (pun intended).

This picnic post has tennis courts beckoning for a friendly match or two, plus the adorable cobblestone bridges crisscrossing over the First Creek are Insta-worthy picnic backgrounds.

There’s also a wading pool where kiddos splash around like there’s no tomorrow during scorching days. Picnickers psyched for a bit of cooking galore can also sizzle up a storm with the free BBQs scattered throughout this suburban gem.

Tip:
The nearest parking is available on Kennaway St. Additionally, street parking can be found on Stirling St and Rivington Rd.

Address: 301 Foggo Rd, McLaren Flat, SA 5171

Contact Details: (08) 8323 0010

Operating Hours:

  • Mon – 10:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Tue to Thu – Closed
  • Fri to Sun – 10:30 am to 4:30 pm

Distance from the CBD: 42.9 km

Website

If you’re into wine or vineyard views, Hastwell & Lightfoot Cellar Door’s picnic package will be a treat for you.

For a cool $99, you’ll bask in a four-hour extravaganza with a boho-chic theme, lounging next to the vineyards, sipping on their selection of H&L wines, and indulging in their acclaimed platter.

They even have lawn games to keep the fun going and a nearby shop for those looking to score a bottle or two. And if you’re feeling extra, you can deck your picnic setup with additional items like couches for an added fee.

Tip:
Consider the Oak Room function space for your next event, whether it’s a lively night of dancing for over 90 guests or a daytime birthday celebration.
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