Top 9 picnic spots for your Australia Day BBQ
Pack the cricket set and lay down your rug! We’ve rounded up the top nine picnic spots in the Southern Downs for your Australia Day BBQ this summer.
1. Leslie Dam, Warwick
BBQ in your bathers at Leslie Dam, one of Queensland’s most popular freshwater fishing and camping destinations. There are BBQs near the dam wall available for use. It’s also an ideal spot for swimming and watersports, so BYO kayak, tinnie or jetski and head out onto the water!
2. Girraween National Park, near Stanthorpe
Image by @the.wandering.bulls via Instagram
Throw a shrimp on the barbie before heading off on a walk at Girraween National Park. Bald Rock Creek day-use area is next to the Girraween National Park Visitor Information Centre, at the base of The Pyramid, 9km from the New England Highway. Toilets, picnic tables, electric barbecues and water are provided.
3. Queen Mary Falls, Killarney
Settle in for a BBQ lunch at the Queen Mary Falls picnic area, a shady spot nestled in fragrant eucalypt forest. Set up on one of the picnic tables or spread out a picnic rug on the lush lawn beneath the trees. With plenty of space for the kids to run around, this picnic area has modern facilities, including BBQs and superb walking adventures. After your picnic head of to explore spectacular Queen Mary Falls, with an easy stroll that takes you to the lookout point (even suitable for toddlers).
If you’ve been to Queen Mary Falls before, head to nearby Browns Falls for a new experience, with BBQs, picnic tables, play equipment and toilets all available before you head off on a walk.
4. Australiana Park, Warwick
Get patriotic at Warwick’s Australiana Park, with a new learn to ride bicycle track and cycling velodrome onsite, as well as a BMX track also available. The park has plenty of facilities for your lunchtime spread, including BBQs, picnic tables and plenty of activities for the kids. Don’t forget your bikes!
5. Quart Pot Creek, Stanthorpe
Quart Pot Creek meanders through granite country and passes through the town of Stanthorpe. There are plenty of spots along the river to picnic, with five kms of cycling and walking tracks along the creek. If you’re looking for BBQs and picnic facilities head to Lions Park or Gleeson Park.
6. Storm King Dam, Stanthorpe
Image by Zac Robinson
Storm King Dam, just outside of Stanthorpe, rests in a picturesque rural setting with many water birds (including pelicans) and is an ideal spot for your Australia Day picnic. Fishing, water sports and swimming is all available onsite.
Facilities include toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecues, drinking water, jetty, boat ramp, swimming area and playground.
7. Condamine River, Warwick
The Condamine River meanders through the city of Warwick, with plenty of spots to lay the picnic rug and throw a line in.
There aren’t any BBQs by the river, but there are plenty of waterside shady spots to open up the picnic basket. The pontoon at Federation Park is the perfect launching pad for a day of swimming and sunbaking and is popular with locals in summer.
8. Leslie Park, Warwick
Located in the centre of Warwick, Leslie Park is a perfect lunch spot, with BBQs, picnic tables and shelters all available for your Aussie Day spread. The kids will love the play equipment and walking trails alongside the many flower beds, with plenty of room to run around.
9. Mt Marlay Lookout, Stanthorpe
For a panoramic view over Stanthorpe, head to Mt Marlay lookout and picnic area. Located within Stanthorpe itself, you can drive all the way to the top of the summit. Or, get your legs pumping and take the concrete stairs path from the bottom of the mountain. Pack a picnic and settle in at the top for relaxing views over the Granite Belt.
While You’re Here
Make a weekend of it by checking out these other things to do in the area:
- If you’re travelling to Girraween from Brisbane you’ll drive right through Stanthorpe. Here’s a local’s guide on spending 24 hours there.
- Need to cool down? Here’s our top 7 must visit waterholes to check out.
- If you have the kids in tow, make sure you check out these 20 family activities in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt.
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