Favourite picnic spots in Sydney - Part 2

Morning tea 'picnic' organised by Mytinerary in Wendy Whiteley's 'secret garden' in Lavender Bay.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post around some of my absolute favourite picnic spots in Sydney for the summer.

Since then, I've received so many interesting tips from readers and friends that I thought I'd update my initial post with another round-up of locals' favourite picnic spots - with an updated Google map (see end of this post).

One of the places I love taking friends and clients to is Wendy Whitely's 'secret garden' in Lavender Bay near Milsons Point - a gem known only to a handful of streetwise Sydneysiders. Created by Wendy Whiteley after the death of her husband, famous Sydney artist Brett, in 1992, the once derelict green space has been transformed into a spectacularly lush garden and prime picnic spot. 

Fabulous views of the city and Harbour Bridge from Wendy Whiteley's garden, which you can either access by ferry (to Luna Park), water taxi (Lavender Bay wharf) or by train (a 5-10 mn walk from Milsons Point station)

Other tips I've received from friends and readers include:

- Mrs Macquarie's Chair - for its unbeatable views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House

- Redleaf Pool, just below the Woollahra Council building, in Double Bay

- Milk Beach in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, with its fantastic views of the city skyline and Harbour Bridge

- Clontarf Reserve near the Spit Bridge

- Reef Beach, on the beautiful Manly to Spit coastal walk

- Cremorne Point, especially at sunset (this is also one of my favourite spots to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks)

In Wendy Whiteley's 'secret garden' - where the passionate Wendy herself is seen gardening almost every day (clockwise, 2nd image). 

- McMahons Point, just near Lavender Bay

- Parsley Bay Reserve in Vaucluse, with its family-friendly enclosed swimming area, picnic tables and play equipment

- Bayview Marina and Reserve on the North Shore, with its fantastic views of Pittwater and the Pittwater Basin

- Bungan Beach on the Northern Beaches, between Mona Vale and Newport

- Rosherville Reserve in Mosman

- the grounds of the beautiful 1850s harbourside villa Strickland House in Vaucluse, with superb views across the harbour to the city, Bridge and Opera House. This hidden gem is practically unknown beyond a few in-the-know Sydneysiders.

So tell me guys, anything else I should add to the list?

View Favourite picnics spots in Sydney, Australia in a larger map

Comments

[Sally]

Great list Myriam!
Thanks for sharing!

[Zagundo]

One of our favourite Sydney Picnic adventure is taking a 20' Arvor half cabin cruiser from Rose Bay (seaside of Pier restaurant) you can book it without a boating licence as they are not high-powered and for either 4 or 8 hours. We take 8 hours as that allows for a lovely swim at Camp Cove, followed by a leisurely trip into the Fish Markets for lunch then the afternoon anchored off one of the Sun-drenched beaches on the north of the harbour. These vessels accommodate 8 persons; or as we find 6 very comfortable adults and costs around $100/person for the day. http://www.sydneyharbourescapes.com.au/boat.asp?bID=54

[twitter.com/hollingsworth]

Nielsen Park in Vaucluse, with views across Sydney Harbour.

Centennial Park in Sydney's east. Take the road behind Centennial Park Cafe and find a spot amongst the beautiful gardens. Rabbits come out in the late afternoon!

North Bondi: opposite Speedo's Cafe on Ramsgate Avenue. Beautiful view across the bay. Great coffee at Speedos!

Botanical Gardens, city.

Lady Macquarie's Chair, city.

[Myriam]

Thank you Sally, my dear ;-)

[Myriam]

Wow, thank you for the tip Simon! I didn't know you could rent one of these without a boat permit, this is awesome... I have close friends visiting us form France for Xmas, I'm definitely putting your day-trip on our to-do list, I'm sure they'll love it ;-)

[Myriam]

Thanks Tony, if anyone knows of good picnic spots in Sydney, it's you!

Of course, how could I forget Centennial Park... Classic picnic destination in Sydney. And yes, I love that spot in North Bondi near Speedo's Cafe, that's a really good one too ;-)

[Craig]

Good to hear Centennial Park wasn't forgotten!!

Regards,

Craig @ Centennial Park.
www.centennialparklands.com.au

[Hotel Charles de Gaulle]

Sydney is a great place to visit. I like Australia as a whole, thanks for sharing this wonderful pictures with us. Regards from Hilton Hotel Charles de Gaulle

[Anna Johnston]

Its ages since I've been picnicing in Sydney but I hope to spend time there in January, some of your tips are a great place to start, so thanks heaps ;) Would love to see Wendy Whitelys secret garden, some awesome with those views.

[Heidi - Apples Under My Bed]

This is wonderful, Myriam! What a great list. When I am up in Sydney next I will definitely look for one of these and have a nice little picnic :)
Heidi xo

[Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella]

I adore picnics! My favourite way to spend a weekend :) And Lavender Bay is gorgeous-that's where we got married!

[holy land tours]

The world is your oyster, you just need the right shell cracker. I don't know if i can survive a 20 hours flight from Utah to Sydney, but these pictures look awesome and make me want to go.

[Christie @ Fig and Cherry]

Excellent post Myriam! Now that I have a little one, we are always on the look out for nice places for a picnic :)

[budget hotels in Paris]

I bet you guys truly had an excellent picnic with all those foods, street walks, garden sights and many more stuffs you had bee through. Your photos showed that you all out spent the day at Sydney worth it!