Best Picnic Spots in Lake Macquarie to Meet Up With Friends

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 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. More information about Speers Point Park

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. More information about Rathmines Park

Croudace Bay Park

Another area with great lake views is Croudace Bay Park. The park boasts some great picnic opportunities, with wide open grassed spaces and plenty of sheltered picnic tables and barbecue facilities. Kids can burn off energy at the playground, wooden play area or climb a tree. There are also wide paths where they can cycle and scoot. More information about Croudace Bay Park

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. More information about Lake Macquarie Sculpture Walk

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. More information about Warner Park

Webb Park

Organise a meetup at Webb Park in Redhead. As well as a fantastic beach-themed playground, there’s plenty of space to social distance.

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. More information about Webb Park.

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. More information about Pelican Foreshore Park.

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 new 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. More information about Bennett Park

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. More information about Green Point Foreshore

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. More information about Caves Beach.

Swansea Heads

Head to Reids Reserve at Swansea Heads for a grassy space that is great for picnics. There are picnic bences 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. More information about Reids Reserve and 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.

More information about Toronto Foreshore Park.

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