The best picnic spots in Melbourne

If there’s anywhere you can escape the madness of the city CBD without actually leaving it, the Royal Botanic Gardens is the place. The expansive lawns have so many spots for picnicking, whether you're looking to do so in full sun or under a tree. One of our favourite spots is at Dog Flat, which overlooks the Ornamental Lake. If you can't be bothered to pack your lunch, you can also grab food from the Terrace Café.

Park perks: There are SO MANY spaces to roll out a rug in the gardens, including many that feel completely secret. 

You can feel the weight of the past as soon as you step into the grounds and look up to the gothic spires of the Abbotsford Convent. The complex began as a convent in the late 1800s and was also a commercial laundry, orphanage and aged care facility. These days, it’s a hub for artists, makers, community radio broadcasters and teachers – as well as a beautiful place to relax with a park picnic.

Park perks: If you forgot your food, pop into the Convent Bakery for loaded sandwiches, pies and pastries.

This is the Downton Abbey of picnic spots. The enclosed grounds are heritage listed, and there’s a huge mansion in the middle as well as stables and a lake with a boathouse. Rippon Lea even rents out croquet sets for proper high-falutin’ revelry. Entry to the grounds costs $9 for kids and $15 for big kids. You can’t barbecue or booze on, but this is one of the best-looking patches of grass Melbourne has.

Park perks: Aristocratic good times and regular theatre performances in summer.

Love picnicking next to a lake? Queens Park in Moonee Ponds is a gorgeous green spot in Melbourne's northwest, with a large lake featuring an overwater gazebo and fountains. There are tables scattered across the park, plus lots of large shady trees – keep in mind many of the trees simply have dirt or patchy grass underneath, so a picnic rug is a must if you choose one of these spots. There's also a 50-metre swimming pool for cooling off in summer.

Park perks: Queens Park has a number of beautiful gardens to explore.

This park is second only to the Fitzroy Pool for the number of hipsters crazily Instagramming their vintage picnic rugs. It’s a magical wonderland of trees, crosshatched by bike paths with public toilets, a free skate park and free table tennis (BYO bats and balls). There’s also a rotunda, which is handy if you’re crap at giving directions on where to meet.

Park perks: The North Fitzroy Bowls Club is in one corner if the mood for barefoot bowls strikes.

Fun fact: Footscray Park is the most intact example of an Edwardian-era public garden in the whole of Victoria. First designed in 1911, the park was constructed between 1916 and 1964 and has plentiful garden beds plus barbecues, a fitness circuit, outdoor stage, playground and off-leash dog area. It sits right on the Maribyrnong River and has views of the city skyline and Flemington Racecourse. 

Park perks: For an after-lunch walk, follow the Maribyrnong River Trail towards Footscray Community Arts Centre.

Victoria Gardens covers two hectares and has maintained some of its original Victorian character elements. Located in a residential area, the charming park is a great getaway from the bustling surrounding streets and is perfect for a picnic when the weather permits.

Park perks: If you don't feel like packing a picnic, don't stress: you'll be just across the road from cafés and eateries, making it easy to grab a bite. 

Head to the scenic Treasury Gardens amidst Melbourne’s busy cityscape to kick back metropolis style. You’ll be sandwiched beside Spring Street, the tranquil Fitzroy Gardens and even Parliament Station, which is great location wise, and there are plenty of green patches to spread out on no matter the size of your group. Do be careful if your day picnic slides into night territory, however, as Treasury Gardens is notorious for its large colony of brushtail possums.

Park perks: Location, location, location, mate.

This leafy inner-city park was Melbourne's first public garden, established in the 1860s. Once upon a time, it offered views of Port Phillip Bay; these days, the former pioneer burial site is a lovely spot to share the sunset with the possums and feathery friends that call the garden home. 

Park perks: If you run low on snacks, the Queen Victoria Market is just a stone's throw from this park.  

"There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats," once said World’s Best Picnicker, Ratty, from Wind in the Willows. We agree. Don a straw boater, commandeer a river-faring vessel from Studley Park Boathouse ($42) and paddle down the Yarra River. Once you return to the city's oldest public boathouse (which recently underwent a $5.8 million facelift), there are plenty of spots to sit back and relax. Our tip? Take your picnic game to the next level by grabbing a pizza or ice cream.

Park perks: The serenity/opportunity to dress like a dandy.

For those out Williamstown way, Jawbone Reserve is a gorgeous mix of wetlands and parkland. There's a playground for the kids, and plenty of flat lawn to lounge about on. The area is known for its birdlife, so it's a great picnic spot for twitchers (just don't feed the birds), and if you want a post-picnic walk, Williamstown Beach is just a hop, skip and jump away. When it comes to picking a spot, just follow the bay trail until you find somewhere to your liking.

Park perks: Waterfront views of Melbourne that aren't St Kilda (we love you St Kilda, but it's nice to have a change). 

Large swathes of green lawn, public toilets, a playground and picnic tables make Yarraville Gardens a serene location for a family picnic in the inner west. The park is also a great option if your family includes a canine companion, with a large off-leash dog area. The park is accessible without a car too, being just a ten-minute walk from Yarraville Station.

Park perks: If travelling from the station, stop in Yarraville's Ballarat Street shopping district to grab snacks. Maybe even a pizza from Pizza d'Asporto?

Giant chess! If that’s not enough of a reason to hit up St Kilda’s 150-year-old beauty mark, perhaps we can interest you in the conservatory, grey-headed flying foxes or the acres and acres in which to run, arms outstretched, like a toddler or agitated swan? You can bring your dog if you’ve got one, and should the weather be looking ominously Melburnian, there are plenty of shelters.

Park perks: You're not far from Acland Street, so why not top off your picnic with something from one of the strip's famous cake stores?

Malvern East’s verdant jewel boasts epic views back over Melbourne, an excellent swing set and the chance to do some champion wedding photo bombing (not that you’re a jerk, but hey). A long boulevard of trees runs through the middle, and there are Japanese gardens in which to find a nook and/or quiet cranny if you like to pretend you’re at the picnic at the end of the universe.

Park perks: Fans swear it’s Melbourne’s most beautiful park.

Located in South Yarra, this massive park was designed in 1875 and remains largely unchanged to this day. It features recreational areas for everything from cricket and softball to rugby and tennis, as well as walking trails weaving through the manicured lawns. 

Park perks: The sheer size of this park means you'll have plenty of space to spread out, while still having a wide berth between other picnickers and parkgoers.