Best picnic baskets, hampers and bags to buy in 2023
We’ve rounded up the best baskets, bags and hampers to take with you on your next picnic adventure.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
Not only are picnics a great excuse to eat delicious food out in the sunshine, they’re a great way to catch up with family and friends in a casual setting.
To help you pack for your picnic, we’ve rounded up the best picnic baskets, bags and hampers that will help keep all your food, cutlery and other essentials organised.
BEST PICNIC BASKETS
Toque 4 Person Picnic Basket Baskets Set, $69.57
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The key to everyone enjoying the day is having the right kit with everything you need without having to haul bags of gear from home only to find you don’t have any forks.
When shopping for a picnic basket, we recommend keeping an eye out for one with different food and storage compartments. Bonus points if it comes with cutlery and plates. It should also be easy to hold and carry around as there’s usually a bit of walking involved to find the perfect picnic spot.
If you’re going on a picnic adventure, this basket from Toque is exactly what you need. Not only does the honey-coloured willow look adorable, but it comes with all your picnic necessities – including plates, mugs, cutlery sets and salt and pepper shakers. There’s also plenty of space inside for your food and drinks.
Alfresco from MyPlaza 6-Person Picnic Basket, $137.95
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
If you’re looking for a bigger picnic basket that can serve a group of people, we recommend this six-person basket from Myer. Not only do we love the faux leather straps and accents, but we love how functional it is.
There’s a built-in thermally-insulated cooler bag to keep your drinks cold, a stainless steel shaker set, cheeseboard, corkscrew and a comfy blanket. You also get all the cutlery, plates and cups you need for six people.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:
One five-star reviewer says: “Absolutely beautiful basket, love the cold zone zip bag inside, great for entertaining with the six person set.”
rubi Picnic Basket Set, $111.99 (down from $159.99)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
This handcrafted picnic basket comes with four plates, wine goblets, cutlery sets and a corkscrew so you’re truly set for a delightful afternoon in the sun. The basket is 46cm x 31cm so it’s definitely big enough for all of goodies too.
Rurality Wicker Picnic Basket, $69.50
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
With an average rating of 4.7 out of five stars, the Rurality Wicker Picnic Basket is a great affordable option. It looks just like a traditional picnic basket and I absolutely adore it – especially the gingham lining.
It’s a convenient design, so you can open two separate lids to reveal all your picnic food and essentials.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:
With over 527 ratings, this is a basket that is well loved. From comments like “This is the perfect size for a family picnic, nice and sturdy” to “Looks JUST like the photo, great basket on a budget!”, we can tell this is one purchase you won’t regret.
BEST PICNIC BAGS AND BACKPACKS
Nature Gear Picnic Backpack, $249.91
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Backpack picnic baskets are ideal if you like to combine a walk or bike ride with your picnic or need to keep your hands free to look after children. This one from Amazon comes equipped with four sets of dinnerware, a wine cooler, a waterproof blanket and an insulated lining to keep your food tasting fresh.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:
It has racked up an average rating of 4.7 out of five, from over 600 reviews on Amazon. One reviewer said, “stop looking and get this one”.
Hap Tim Waterproof Picnic Backpack, $119.99 (down from 139.99)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Another great find from Amazon is this waterproof picnic backpack. There’s a cutlery set for four people, as well as a cooler compartment, detachable bottle holder and fleece blanket.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:
With almost 300 reviews on Amazon, one reviewer described it as being “compact with all the features I want”.
Corkcicle Mills 8 Cooler Bag, $235
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
If you’re open to spending a bit more cash – and need something a little more functional – I recommend going with this cooler bag from THE ICONIC. It’s great for picnics, but can also be used on any kind of outdoor adventure you choose to go on.
The bag is insulated so it keeps all your food and drinks cold and fresh. There are also multiple straps, including a top handle and crossbody for easy transportation.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:
This five-star review is one of the most convincing sales pitches I’ve ever read: “I love my cooler! It is beautiful, sturdy NEVER LEAKS, I love the pretty teal and black combo and it cleans great. I bought it for our jetski and it fits in there perfectly. It keeps our drinks very cold in the hot FL weather. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a small cooler.” And while it may talk about Florida weather but it’s probably a good comparison for the Australian sun too.
Urban Originals Carry All Bag, $50
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Another great multifunctional pick is this carry bag from Urban Originals. It’s made from polypropylene – so it’s waterproof and cleans easy – and it also offers two internal pockets and plenty of storage space.
Take it to your next picnic, beach trip or shopping day. There’s also a wide variety of colours to choose from.
On the hunt for a cute dress to match your basket on your next picnic date? Luckily, we’ve rounded up the best picnic outfits – and they’re all perfect for the warmer weather.
And if you’re trying to score yourself a bargain, head on over to the news.com.au Coupons page to save at your favourite online retailers.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:
Another one with not many reviews online yet but one five-star reviewer does say, “Love love love these bags – I now have two and have bought them for family and friends. My husband even asks where is that good bag to throw everything in.”
Willow Weave Wicker Picnic Basket for 2 with Detachable Table, $287.40
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
The roof of this innovative picnic basket doubles as a small table to place all of your treats. Featuring cutouts for wine glasses and sturdy poles to support the table, this is a basket you won’t want to leave behind. It also comes with two durable wine glasses as well as an attached leather strap for your wine bottle so it doesn’t fall over and spill.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:
71 of reviewers gave this basket five-stars, with one saying “Very practical and complete. The utensils inside are of good quality and the crockery too. The groundsheet is a good size.”
On the hunt for a cute dress to match your basket on your next picnic date? Luckily, we’ve rounded up the best picnic outfits – and they’re all perfect for the warmer weather.
And if you’re trying to score yourself a bargain, head on over to the news.com.au Coupons page to save at your favourite online retailers.
Top eskies for summer including one 7.8k shoppers rate
From picnics to hikes and camping trips, one affordable cooler bag is making shoppers “really happy”.
‘Brilliant’ sand-free towel 2700 recommend
Sick of carrying the beach home with you? These towels will solve one of the few downsides of a day at the beach.
Genius inflatable tent solves camping hassle
I tried an inflatable camping tent, and I’ll never go back to the way I used to camp.
Top picnic blanket with secret compartment
Picnics are a perfect, casual way to catch up with family and friends, so it might be time to grab a few key essentials for your next outing.