Perth Picnics: Hidden Gems and Iconic Havens

Ah, Perth – where long, sun-soaked days and endless blue skies make picnics a way of life.

As the sunniest global capital, our laid-back city is a treasure trove of picnic spots waiting to be explored. From lush parks to lively markets and serene riverfronts, rally the kids or round up your mates for a breath of fresh air and some seriously fab food.

We’ve handpicked a list of places in Perth’s Inner City that’ll spark your imagination and nudge you to get out into nature for your most memorable get-together yet. Forget the ordinary; these iconic spots and sneaky ‘hidden gems’ are worthy of a visit.

This isn’t just a guide to picnicking; it’s an invitation to live like a local and love like a tourist – armed with a blanket, basket, and your go-to snacks!

Kid-friendly Picnics: Where Nature Meets Play

• Theatre Gardens, Subiaco Arts Centre. Let the kids run wild in this 2.6-hectare haven. With shady green parklands, a running creek bed and a cool nature play space with natural elements like water, sand and trees. You may even spot Bille Bob, one of the Giants of Mandurah, lying among the trees. A picnic shelter, toilets and barbecue facilities make this the perfect spot for a carefree day out.
• Braithwaite Park, Scarborough Beach Road, Mt Hawthorn. A local favourite, this gem boasts a toddler playground and a cool nature play area for older kids. Make the most of the day with barbecues, drink fountains, picnic tables and public toilets. Fuel up with delicious supplies from the Mt Hawthorn cafe strip first!
• G.O Edwards Park, Victoria Park. This park has something for everyone to enjoy! An ornamental lake, fitness equipment, a fenced dog exercise park, a playground with a big red slide, and a climbing wall. Family picnics just got upgraded – and your pooch will be pumped for all the fun!
• Rayment Park, Rayment Street, Lathlain. There’s a reason locals flock here, this park has not one but three playgrounds, basketball and cable ride, cycle paths for kids’ bikes and scooters, and sheltered barbecue facilities. Tick, tick, tick!
• May Drive Parkland, Kings Park. One of the best loved family playgrounds in Perth. Known fondly as ‘The Dinosaur Playground’, it has climbable megafauna sculptures, an island fort, lots of climbing play, an interactive water misting forest, open grassed areas, barbecues and picnic seating. Get ready for roarsome fun.
• Neil McDougal Park, Como. A small wetlands lake with an island wildlife refuge – keep a lookout for the local birdlife. The short walk around the lake suits little legs or a bike or scooter ride, and there’s a playground perfect for kids of all ages with ropes play, slides, a swing, talk tubes and a flying fox. For the grown-ups, the trail features Poetry Park, a public artwork featuring the work of 12 West Australian poets.

Picnics With a View: The Perfect Backdrop

• Banks Reserve, Mt Lawley. One for the nature lovers - with pristine views of the Swan River and peaceful vibes. Relax and unwind amongst the natural beauty or roll out a yoga mat to find your zen. Banks Reserve is a stretch of parkland right on the shores of the Swan River, with Aboriginal cultural significance. Enjoy picnic shelters, pathways, barbecues, toilets and riverside seating.
• Mardalup Park, Perth. Overlooking the Swan River and steeped in history, Mardalup Park is picture perfect with winding pathways, barbeque facilities and playgrounds for a family-friendly day out – or one to impress your visiting friends and family!
• South Perth Foreshore. An iconic location day and night. Even if you’re a local, it’s hard not to be impressed by the view, especially as day transforms to night. Enjoy a picnic while the sun sets and watch the city skyline light up in glittering colours. You’ll be at ease with picnic tables, barbecues, toilets, and four children’s playgrounds.

Pimped up Picnics: Level Up!

• AmazingCo Mystery Picnic Date, Subiaco and Highgate. Add a dash of fun and mystery to your picnic romance! Explore Perth's Inner City, solving clues to collect gourmet, artisan treats along the way before sitting back and enjoying your haul in an oasis of calm. Each clue leads you closer to your final stunning picnic locale.
• Luxury Boho Picnic Hire. You don’t have to go far along the South Perth Foreshore or Kings Park’s Fraser Avenue before spotting a picnic set-up styled to perfection. If you’re looking to impress for that special occasion but don’t have the time or talent to DIY, book a picnic package! With a range of options to choose from ranging from the essentials to higher end dining, all you’ll have to worry about is what to wear on the day!

Peaceful Picnics: An Urban Oasis

• John Oldham Park, Perth. A serene escape within the city, with gardens, cascading waterfalls and lush greenery. Tranquil walking and cycling paths, park benches and barbeque facilities make it perfect for a peaceful afternoon (or a lazy lie down). Through the tall trees, you’ll catch glimpses of the city from within the wilderness of the reserve. John Oldham Park is part of the Narrows Bridge interchange parkland, accessible via Mounts Bay Road.
• Lake Jualbup, Shenton Park. A natural haven just 5km from the Perth CBD. 9 hectares of parkland with a freshwater lake, home to diverse birdlife and wildlife, including black swans and turtles! It’s an ideal family picnic spot, with a gazebo, barbecues, toilets and a playground.
• Harold Boas Gardens, Wellington Street, Perth. Discover a secret nature-lovers oasis in the heart of the city, with a cascading rock waterfall, a winding lake, hidden gardens and a bridge crossing. Large, grassed areas with ample shade make it a perfect lunchtime picnic spot.

Of course, these gems are just a taste of the picnic spots on your doorstep. There are as many places in Perth’s Inner City to throw down a picnic rug as there are things to fill a picnic basket with. So, wherever you roam, whoever you bring along, whether it’s a laid-back day or an all-out celebration, take the time to discover these amazing spots, and enjoy the unique charm of picnicking in Perth!

Have an extraordinary picnic spot we haven't covered in your neck of the woods? Don't keep it to yourself—share the love on our Destination Perth socials! Your hidden gems could be someone else's next favourite spot. There's so many discoveries waiting to be made in Perth, and we'd love to hear about yours.