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Get Away with Dre – Australia Day Outdoor BBQ Spots

With Australia Day around the corner, another long weekend is within reach and what better way to spend the long weekend than being outdoors with your mates or family! We’ve listed some spots where you can get the crew together for barbie or picnic.

Image: cockatooisland.gov.au
Creator: Kali Lewis
Copyright: © Ardent Soul Photography 2023

Northern Apron Park, Cockatoo Island

Hop on the ferry, water taxi or private boat and have BBQ on Cockatoo Island. Did you know Cockatoo Island is a UNESCO World Heritage listed Convict Site? It was a convict jail from 1839-69. Not weird at all to host a bbq with your mates by an old jail.

It’s a beautiful island and worth the visit – so why not grab a bbq spot and sit back and enjoy it. For big groups of people you can book a bbq spot at their campground kitchen which also has a microwave.

Why not stay on the island overnight? They have a pretty cool waterfront campground, holiday houses, and apartments, then book in to do a guided or self-guided tour. Why not make an entire holiday out of.

Image: busycitykids.com.au

Berry Island Reserve in Wollstonecraft

Berry Island Reserve has views over the Sydney Harbour, equipped with bbq, picnic and playground facilities. Great to bring your family and friends, and their dogs because it’s on-leash pooch certified.

It’s such a beautiful park, why would you want to leave? But this place makes you want to explore the area and you don’t have to travel far to do so. This foreshore park is boarded by other beautiful connecting parks all linked by walking trails. The Badangi Reserve nearby takes you to Waverton, and the Gore Cove Reserve guides you into Greenwich.

Image: City of Sydney

Pirrama Park, Pyrmont

Thinking about the children, Pirrama Park is a pretty good pick. The big playground will keep them entertained and if it’s hot, there’s a small sectioned-off baths area off the wharf that’s away from all the boats so it’s safe to go for a swim.

It’s a big park with several bbq facilities, but because of its location – it gets busy so head in early to get a spot – you won’t regret it.

Image: Broadsheet

Sirius Cove Reserve, Mosman

This also has views of Sydney Harbour and a calm beach waterfront so great to bring the floaties, kayak or SUP. It has electric bbq facilities, a kids playground even though the beach itself is basically a playground, and an off-leash dog area as well.

I would suggest you do the seafront bush walks that lead you to Taronga Zoo while you’re there.

Shark Island Sydney Harbour National Park

Image: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Shark Island (Boo-wam-bill-lee), Sydney Harbour National Park

This will make your Aussie bbq feel like you’re on a holiday – away from civilisation – Shark Island is 1.5 hectares of green space. It has picnic shelters, gazebos and grottos that line the foreshore and they were all hand built back in the 1900s.

You have a full frontal view of the Harbour Bridge and harbour views – all with just a $7 landing fee per person which is nothing considering the million-dollar views.

You can get there via the weekend ferry service, ferry taxi or arrange a private vessel for a drop off and pick up – OR – if you’re fit and the weather deems it safe to do so – you can hire a kayak from Rose Bay or Point Piper and you can paddle there and back.

Other outdoor options: