Wanting to have a BBQ in Sydney but not sure where? From beaches to national parks, there’s a lot to choose from. We’ve got the best Sydney Harbour BBQ spots covered here!
It’s an Aussie favourite; spending the day unwinding outside with your friends and loved ones with a proper Aussie BBQ. Sydney Harbour has countless options be if for a BBQ Brekkie, lunch or dinner.
Here’s the most scenic public BBQ’s in and around Sydney Harbour.
Clifton Gardens
One of the well-kept secrets by locals, Mosman’s Clifton Gardens is an amazing and secluded place to set up a BBQ. Located next to Sydney Harbour National Park, this place is surrounded by beaches, bushland, shaded trees, and a large grassy area.
The parklands feature two double frontier BBQ’s by Grillex. Overlooking the water, the BBQ’s are ideally placed, allowing parents to keep an eye on their kids playing. The BBQ is easy and free to access, with child safety features.
Set up the chairs, open the chips and dips, marinate, toss spices, and have a great time cooking with a view. Afterwards, you can take the walking trail to Bradley’s Head that offers spectacular Harbour views. On the weekends, parking costs $20 all day. Parking facilities fill up fast on the weekends and holidays, so try to get there by 10:00 am. You can also park up the top of the hill for free and walk down.
Key Information:
- Facilities: Showers, changing rooms, netted harbour pool, children’s playground, basketball courts, skateboard/scooter track, walking tracks, and an off-leash dog exercise area.
- Opening hours: All year round
- Cost: Free
Location Information:
Location: Clifton Gardens, Mosman, NSW
How to reach: Click here.
Getting there: Clifton Gardens is merely a 5-minute drive away from Taronga Zoo, heading northeast. Entry to the beach and car parking is via Morella Road, Mosman. You can reach there by bus, which stops near the entrance.
Blackwattle Bay Park
Blackwattle Bay Park is one of the best Sydney Harbour BBQ spots. You will find a wide range of BBQ;s parkside, paired with many historic structures and picnic areas and a playground. With panoramic views of the Rozelle Bay and the Anzac Bridge while barbecuing, it’s a nice reminder that there is more than the bridge to marvel at in Sydney Harbour.
Blackwattle Bay Park is a dog-friendly park, and you can even find little nooks where you canine can jump or wander into the water. A shared walking, running and biking track caters to every activity preference.
Syndey’s famous fish market offering the freshest seafood lies just on the other side of the Blackwattle Bay. You will find a number of bars, restaurants, and cafes surrounding the Blackwattle Bay Park and it’s a perfect place to visit after your time at the park.
Key Information:
- Facilities: Public toilets, picnic areas, park bench, playground
- Opening hours: Opens 24 hours
- Cost: Free
A Recent Review:
” If you have the time take a stroll through the back streets over to forest lodge or down to Blackwattle bay and you’ll get a glimpse of the pride residents take in looking after their suburb. Filled with well maintained terrace houses and beautiful flowering gardens, you would be forgiven for thinking that Glebe is full of rich snobs.”
Location Information:
Location: Blackwattle Bay Park, 53 Leichhardt St, Glebe, NSW
How to reach: Click here.
Getting there: Glebe’s Blackwattle Bay Park can be reached by bus and rail.
Clontarf Reserve
Clontarf Reserve is one of the best Sydney Harbour BBQ spots perfect for a family day out. This fabulous reserve sits next to Clontarf Beach, a calm beach with amazing views of the Spit Bridge. This is an ultimate place boasting a barbecue facility with four double electric and two single-electric BBQ’s.
Located right on the foreshore of Middle Harbour, Clontarf Reserve is a picturesque park that features a large nautical-themed playground ideal for toddlers and children. There is also a biking path and a sandy play area. It is an idyllic picnic place for families and big groups who love to cook their meals on the BBQ while watching the yachts and boats glide past.
There is a paid metered car parking facility. Paid parking costs $10 per hour to a maximum of $40 for the day. Residents with designated car permits can park for free. Two spaces have been allocated for disabled parking. Unrestricted street parking is also available around Clontarf Reserve.
You can bring along your dogs on a leash in the main area. Clontarf also has a designated dog beach a short walk down the road.
Key Information:
- Facilities: Sheltered picnic tables, toilet, change room, outdoor shower, shaded playground, cafe/kiosk, harbour swimming pool
- Opening hours: 8:00am to 6:00pm
- Cost: Depends on activity/event
A Recent Review:
“We came here for a friend’s birthday party and found this beach area to be extremely pleasant, relaxing and filled with activities for kids and adults. There’s a number of kids play area to keep them entertained, while the adults can enjoy coffees and/or snacks from the kiosk.
During the warmer months, the enclosed pool area is great to cool down in and let the kids splash around, while the BBQ area is awesome for family & friends gatherings, and have a drink or two. There is a fee to park your car though, but if you don’t mind a short walk (around 5 mins), then there are free parking around the corner as well. Very pleasant and safe park/beach to spend a couple of hours in, especially on the weekends.”
Location Information:
Location: Clontarf Reserve, Sandy Bay Rd, Clontarf
How to reach: Click here.
Getting there: Take a bus or taxi to Sandy Bay Road and wind down the road until you see a spacious car park area beyond a municipal gate. That is the entrance to Clontarf Reserve.
Little Manly Point
Originally known as Manly Gasworks, Little Manly Point is one of the best spots for public BBQ’s if you’re from the Manly area in Sydney Harbour. There are several free electric barbecues that are free and easy to access.
Little Manly Point is a very clean and beautiful park with million dollar views of Sydney Harbour. This picnic point has everything needed for an awesome day out with your dear ones. You can swim at Little Manly Beach, enjoy a BBQ, and go fishing off the point. There are a large grassy area and a great fully-equipped playground for all age groups.
The small car park at Little Manly Point can get busy during weekend and holidays. There is also street parking available. Car parking is free at Little Manly Point, which is unusual in the Manly area.
Key Information:
- Facilities: Public toilets, shaded playground, picnic tables with seating, tree shade, disabled access via boom gate
- Opening hours: Opens 24 hours
- Cost: Free
A Recent Review:
” This pretty park area is just up from Little Manly Beach and is surrounded by water. It is on an elevated piece of land which looks out to the harbour. The park has lots of shaded areas where you can sit and have a picnic. There is a children’s playground, some car parking and drinking fountains. Public toilets are at the nearby beach which is just a short walk away. There is a path that runs along the park and connects up to Collins Flat Beach.”
Location Information:
Location: Little Manly Point, Stuart St., Manly, NSW
How to reach: Click here.
Getting there: Catch the Manly ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf. Then, walk to Little Manly Point, which will take around 10 minutes. You can reach Little Manly Point by buses available from the city or other areas on the Northern Beaches that get off at Manly Wharf.
Pirrama Park in Pyrmont
Situated at the end of Pirrama Road, Pyrmont Point Park offers lovely views of the Anzac Bridge and water views. Pirrama Park offers free electric barbecues for public access. There are two barbecue areas, each having four barbecues.
The covered seating areas around the barbecues offer perfect setups for a picnic. The electric barbecues automatically turn off after 10 minutes; so make sure you bend down and switch it on every now and then. The Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture awarded this park for its stunning design and amenities it offers.
Pirrama Park boasts an abundance of space to do whatever you want. This inner city park is great for activities such as tai chi, yoga, fishing and playing touch football. There is a great bike riding trail and is a fantastic spot for enjoying picnic meals, especially on the weekend.
There is ample space for car parking, but parking is metered and paid. So, make sure you buy your ticket to avoid getting fined.
Key Information:
- Facilities: Public toilets, playground, cafes, covered picnic areas
- Opening hours: Opens 24 hours
- Cost: Free
A Recent Review:
“Next to the waters. Ample of parking space and BBQ pits. Toilets nearby. Great playground for kids. Coffee shop close by if require food and beverage.”
Location Information:
Location: Pirrama Park, Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont, NSW
How to reach: Click here.
Getting there: To reach Pirrama Park by public transport, catch a bus from the city that will drop you at or near the entrance of the park. Pirrama Park sits at the end of Harris Street.
Cabarita Park
Cabarita Park is a great warm weather park with a gorgeous location. It boasts an excellent combo of a fantastic shaded playground, a swimming pool for toddlers, a kiosk, swimmable river beach, BBQ’s and much more. Cabarita Park is one of the best public BBQ’s in Sydney Harbour. The BBQ facility is available with undercover seating, making the park an ideal place for a picnic even on a rainy day.
There are two playgrounds within the park – an old, small fenced playground with natural shade and a large, newer one behind public toilets, near the entrances.
Cabarita Park has five metered car parking areas. The first parking exists just after entering the park near the playground. The second parking area is close to the main picnic and BBQ area and the swimming centre. Take your left turn at the roundabout and drive down towards the wharf and beach. Alternatively, go straight at the roundabout and park on the street to or at the marina.
Key Information:
- Facilities: Public toilets, swimming centre, playground, grassed areas, scooters for kids
- Opening hours: 6:00am to 7:00pm
- Cost: Free
A Recent Review:
“Great picnic ground along Parramatta creek/river. Lush green park with abundant trees, benches, canopies and paid parking places. The scene of small colourful yachts, fast boats and a regular marina enhance the beauty. Luxury apartments and villas line the creek and provide a dream view.”
Contact:
Location: Cabarita Rd, Cabarita NSW 2137
How to reach: Click here.
Getting there: Cabarita Park sits at the end of Cabarita Road, nearly 17km east of Parramatta. The ferry wharf exists at the bottom, western end of the park. You can reach by bus that drops you near the entrance of the park.