Enjoy a picnic in Lake Macquarie! We’ve put together a guide to the best Lake Macquarie picnic spots including those with barbecues, playgrounds and amenities. If there are any other picnic spots in Lake Macquarie you can recommend, let us know and we’ll add them to the list.
Speers Point Park
Head for a picnic at Speers Point Park, one of the region’s largest playgrounds. While the kids play, you can relax at one of the many covered picnic shelters. If you feel like cooking, grab one that has barbecue facilities. Choose a spot at the back of the park if you want more peace and quiet.
Rathmines Park
Enjoy some history with a picnic. Rathmines Park was home to the RAAF Catalina Flying Boat Base with 14 Catalinas and almost 3000 officers at its peak making it the largest flying boat base in Australia. As a result, there’s lots of plane themed play equipment.
It’s a top spot for a picnic with amazing views of Lake Macquarie. If you feel like cooking, there’s also a covered seating area behind the park with a BBQ. There’s plenty of grass to kick around a ball and the wide paths are perfect for scooters and bikes.
Croudace Bay Park
Another area with great lake views and a great playground is Thomas H Halton Park (also known as Croudace Bay Park). There are so many things to rave about at this playground but we love the lakeside location of the playground (super scenic), the fact that it’s fully-fenced and that pirate ship! It also has two covered picnic areas with barbecues located within the playground. Bring some sausages and cook them up on the barbecues while the kids play.
Warners Bay Foreshore
Enjoy a picnic at Warners Bay foreshore along the Esplanade and enjoy the lake views. You’ll find barbecues and sheltered picnic tables. Either bring food with you or grab some takeaway from the cafes across the street.
Once you’ve finished your picnic, go for a wander and check out the sculptures dotted along the lakeshore.
Warner Park
For those with young kids, a fenced playground brings peace of mind. Choose Warner Park across the street from Warners Bay Foreshore for a picnic. There you’ll find covered picnic shelters and a large playground to keep kids happy. From here, you can still enjoy views of the lake.
Webb Park
Organise a meetup at Webb Park in Redhead. As well as a fantastic beach-themed playground, there’s close proximity to Redhead Beach and the Redhead Pump Track.
Nearby is the barbecue so you can cook up some lunch or dinner while keeping an eye on kids. Also, there is plenty of grass for kids to run around or kick a ball.
After your meal, head for a walk along the Ken & Audrey Owens Walkway which starts from the playground. It’s a pleasant stroll through the trees to Redhead beach.
Pelican Foreshore
With a fenced playground, Pelican Foreshore Park is a lovely spot for a picnic. It features barbecues, picnic tables and a lot of space for kids to run around.
On a warm day, take a dip at the gentle lakeside beach and spot the pelicans.
Bennett Park
Head to Valentine for a picnic. Located lakeside, Bennett Park is a top spot for a catch up with friends or family. As well as a playground, there is a barbecue and picnic table.
We love a playground with lake views and Bennett Park in Valentine delivers. You can push your kids on the swings and enjoy the views. The playground includes swings and a climbing structure and more.
There are plenty of mature trees to provide shade as well.
Green Point
You’re spoiled for choice at Green Point Foreshore in between Belmont and Valentine.
As well as lots of different spots to stop and have a picnic along the lake, there is also Sea Eagle Park. This is a large grassy picnic area with views of the lake. There are covered picnic shelters, barbecues and toilets and plenty of room for kids to run around.
If you want a more secluded spot, take the side track to the right to Sea Eagle Lookout by following the Lookout sign.
This lookout offers sensational views across Lake Macquarie and is a great place to enjoy a picnic.
Caves Beach
Meet up with friends at Caves Beach. The area near the SLSC has picnic tables, barbecue facilities and amenities plus an amazing view of the beach.
Plus, you can explore the sea caves during low tide.
Swansea Heads
Head to Reids Reserve at Swansea Heads for a grassy space that is great for picnics. There are picnic benches spaced out as well as a small playground. The best part is the view of the Swansea Channel and beyond.
If you’re visiting in low tide, check out the rock shelf. As well as a gorgeous little secluded beach, you’ll find remnants of a petrified forest from a volcano eruption 250 million years ago on the rock shelf. This is the Petrified Forest at Swansea Heads.
Toronto Foreshore
For a picnic spot with lake views on the western side of Lake Macquarie, head to Toronto Foreshore. Bring a picnic or some snags to cook as there’s a BBQ within the park.
There is also a fenced playground for the kids to enjoy with amenities located just outside the fence.
You might also like:
The Best 20 Lake Macquarie Walks You Must Do With Kids
40 Fun Outdoor Activities to Do With Kids