Best places to have a picnic on Australia Day

PADDLE with your pooch, take part in a dunny race or just roll out a picnic blanket — we have a chilled out Australia Day all wrapped up. Here are 13 of the best spots to celebrate.

Raymond Hardcastle with his niece Zoey Jennings swimming at Lake Parramatta. Picture: Dylan Robinson

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FOR those that want to relax and enjoy Australia Day away from the crowds in the city there are plenty of places to chill out with family and friends. Here are some of the best:

Nielsen Park,Vaucluse serves up great views. Picture: Bob Barker.

1. Nielsen Park, Sydney Harbour National Park

Watch the Australia Day Regatta from Shark Island, Clark Island or Shark Point at Nielsen Park.

Sydney serves up some of its best outdoor offerings at Nielsen Park, one of Sydney’s favourite year-round recreation areas, located at Vaucluse in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. It is great for a picnic, with three sheltered picnic areas and plenty of shade if you prefer to roll your picnic blanket out on the grass. After lunch stroll along the scenic foreshore walking track or explore the area by kayak.

Where: Coolong Rd, Vaucluse

Elke von Wallbrunn with her dog Alfie on a paddle board at Watson's Bay. Picture: John Appleyard

2. Watson’s Bay

Watson’s Bay is a great spot to chill out this Australia Day. You can grab a spot on the grass and watch the Every Man and His Dog stand up paddle board event or grab your pooch and join in the fun from 7.30am to midday. There will be different courses located within Watson's Bay as well as a more challenging long distance race for the more elite paddlers. Registrations: everymanandhisdog.com.au

Where: 1 Military Rd, Watson's Bay

Isabele Ryan-Baistow cooling off at Lake Parramatta. Picture: Justin Lloyd

3. Lake Parramatta

Grab your swimmers and head out to Lake Parramatta Reserve, a 73ha bushland and parkland reserve located within 2km of the Parramatta central business district, that offers a feast of water activities. The reserve is popular for picnicking, aquatic activities and bushwalking, with a visitors kiosk open on weekends.

Where: 28 Bourke St, North Parramatta

David Doran and his family, wife Huong and children Ashleigh, Bethany and Thomas enjoy a picnic in Centennial Park.

4. Centennial Park

Centennial Park is a grand park in the European tradition. Covering 189ha it features formal gardens, ponds, grand avenues, statues, heritage buildings and sporting fields. It is used by walkers, joggers, rollerbladers and cyclists and it offers horse riding facilities. The park contains three playgrounds, barbecue area and plenty of shade for you to spread out your picnic lunch.

Where: Grand Dr, Centennial Park

Khodi McNamara on rope at Tench Reserve.

5. Tench Reserve, Nepean River

Tench Reserve on the Nepean River is a hub of activity and has everything you need to have a great picnic experience is right here. There is a great view of the Nepean River, lots of open space and two playgrounds, public toilets and free barbecue facilities. The action on the river includes kayaking, boating, fishing and jet skiing.

Where: Tench Avenue, Jamisontown

Dancers Jessica Lindon and Ellen Sutyon from the stage show Dream Lover at Shelley Beach. Picture: Richard Dobson

6. Shelly Beach, Manly

Shelly Beach is located in Manly and forms part of Cabbage Tree Bay, a protected marine reserve which lies adjacent to North Head and Fairy Bower. Shelly Beach has a kiosk along with two free electric barbecues, perfect for that family picnic. For a more formal dining option there is a restaurant on the beach. It is also a popular area for scuba divers and snorkellers with a large variety of marine life which can viewed in relatively shallow water.

Where: Bower St, Manly

Row Boats in Lane Cove National Park.

7. Lane Cove National Park

With wooded hiking paths, boat rides on a quiet river and plenty of picnic areas Lane Cove National Park is the perfect spot to relax on Australia Day. The picnic areas include: Riverside Koonjeree, that is great for bushwalking and birdwatching; Moola, a great area for a barbecue and to paddle or row along the river; Riverside Bakers offers picnicking, cycling and paddling, near Chatswood and; Casuarina Point which is great for canoeing, bushwalking, catch and release fishing and mountain biking

Where: Lady Game Dr, Chatswood West

Amelie Shelley, 8, and Matilda Baxter savouring the deliciously cool waves Dee Why.

8. Dee Why Beach

Dee Why Beach is one of northern beaches most popular picnic areas. It boasts a large grassy area with picnic tables and a promenade. The facilities include two enclosed and sheltered playgrounds, free barbecues and a ping pong table.

Where: The Strand, Dee Why

Family playing at Plough and Harrow in the Western Sydney Parklands.

9. Plough and Harrow, Cecil Hills

Get back to nature at the Plough and Harrow that is set among the natural bushland of Cumberland Plain species. The entrance is at the intersection of Elizabeth Dr and Windsor Rd, Cecil Hills. There are electric barbecues, picnic shelters, a cafe, tree top climbing adventures and a playground, which includes a shaded water play area. Details: westernsydneyparklands.com.au

Where: intersection of Elizabeth Dr and Windsor Rd, Cecil Hills.

Ari Wilson, 5, of Castle Hill, takes his bike for a spin in Fagan Park, Galston.

10. Fagan Park, Galston

On Australia Day The Friends of Fagan Park will hold an open day from 9am-4pm with blacksmith demonstrations, hot air and stationary engine displays, kids activities, talks, homestead and museum visits and historic trucks and tractors displays. Tea, coffee and cakes will be available for purchase or BYO picnic to enjoy in the shade of the trees.

Where: Fagan Park, 38-48 Arcadia Rd.

Take a step back in time and witness Australian history. Picture: Belinda Burns

11. Wilberforce, Hawkesbury

The highlights at the Australian Pioneer Village include the 18th Battalion re-enacting different events from the era throughout the day and the dunny race (the village will supply the materials for you to make your own entry). Other entertainment includes rides on the miniature train, carriage, hay wagon and ponies, the penny arcade and animal nursery which cost $5 each. Details: [e-mail] or 4575 1777

Where: Rose St, Wilberforce

A kayaker on Wentworth Falls Lake.

12. Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains

Wentworth Falls picnic area offers birdwatching and bushwalking in the Blue Mountains National Park. For scenic views head to Weeping Rock and Fletchers lookout tracks. Wentworth Falls picnic area is a great base to explore the world of rainforests and waterfalls along a range of walking tracks to suit all the family. It is also ideal area for birdwatching, you might hear riotous flocks of sulphur-crested cockatoos or glimpse a rare peregrine falcon.

Where: Sir H Burrell Drive, Blue Mountains National Park

Children cool off at the Werrington Lakes Reserve splash pad.

13. Werrington Lakes Reserve, Werrington

Werrington Lakes is a sprawling reserve that is home to a lake, cycle tracks, walking paths, and outdoor gym equipment — it is the perfect spot for your next picnic. There is also a great covered playground which includes a fort, swings, things to climb up on, a fireman’s pole and other obstacles to test out your kids balance and co-ordination. In the summer months the kids will enjoy cooling off in the playground’s splash pad water feature.

Where: Burton Street, Werrington