Enjoy a picnic in the Cessnock area! We’ve put together a guide to the best picnic spots in the Cessnock area, including those with barbecues, playgrounds and amenities. Know a great picnic spot we’ve missed? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list.
Boarding House Dam Picnic Area, Watagans National Park
Enjoy a family picnic at the beautiful Boarding House Dam picnic area in Watagans National Park. You’ll find picnic tables and barbecues as well as toilet amenities. Go on a short bushwalk, where you’ll cross a beautiful wooden bridge to find an amazing 120m green moss wall. The wall overlooks, and leads back to, the other side of Boarding House Creek. The entire circuit is only 700m, making it a perfect nature walk for all ages, particularly little ones. Boarding House Dam picnic area and walk is in he north-eastern section of Watagans National Park. Read more about the Moss Wall at Boarding House Dam. Please note: There is a current safety alert that Watagan Road/Heaton Road is closed due to landslips.
Bridges Hill Park, Cessnock
Enjoy a relaxing picnic at one of the Hunter’s largest playgrounds. While the kids play, you can settle in at a covered picnic shelters. Grab a shelter with barbecue facilities if you feel like cooking. For more peace and quiet, head to the back of the park, or simply spread out a picnic blanket on one of the many grassed areas. Read more about Bridges Hill Playground.
Hunter Valley Gardens Picnic Area
Just outside Hunter Valley Gardens near the Shopping Village, you’ll find a dedicated picnic area area. It features sheltered picnic tables and barbeques. This is located at the Village Playground so kids can have a play before or after eating.
Poppethead Park, Kitchener
Enjoy some history with your picnic at Poppethead Park. Look for the poppethead used in the Aberdare Central Colliery. This historical site is now a recreational area with a playground, picnic areas and a walking trail. Read more about Poppethead Park.
Maybury Peace Park, Weston
There is plenty of space for a picnic at Maybury Peace Park and Chinaman’s Hollow in Weston. These are actually two different sites connected by a 2.5km shared pathway. Head to Maybury Peace Park for a picnic followed by a play at the playground.
The Pines Picnic Area, Olney State Forest, Watagans
Get back to nature and enjoy a picnic at the The Pines Picnic Area in Olney State Forest. With picnic tables and wood-fired barbecues scattered throughout, this area features pine trees planted in the 1920s and 1930s. Before or after your picnic, head out for a short 1.1km loop walk along Pines Walking Track. The track follows Dora Creek and you can see pockets of moist eucalypt forests, rainforest and a lovely rock pool. Dogs are allowed in NSW State Forests. For more information, visit the Forestry Corporation website.
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