Picnic Spots: White Cedar Park, D'aguilar National Park QLD

Right now, while looking back on photos of this picnic, I can't think of a time when I felt more excited about a picnic area.

I heard about Red and White Cedar Park a while ago, I heard that it was lovely, but I just had never made the trip. This particular Sunday day trip was, in my mind, magical.  A drive through Mt Glorious, up and over the other side, to White Cedar Park, our morning tea stop on the way to Esk. The park was deserted and we set up our treats (scones, savoury pastries, and freshly percolated coffee) on the expansive picnic table. Despite the cool late autumn air, I ran straight to the creek, kicked off my shoes and jumped into the water (it was freezing). The next ten minutes we all spent frolicking in the sun and around the creek, amazed by the beauty of it all! I cannot wait to go back. 

Facilites: Two pagolas with several covered picnic tables; woodfire BBQ plates; tank water (not drinkable); flushing toilets; long grass to frolic in; and best of all, a pretty creek! There is another park by the name of Red Cedar park slightly further along the road.

Essentials: Drinking water, unless you are boiling the tank water; wood if you want to BBQ; otherwise just yourself and always a tablecloth if you use the tables.

Season: We went in Autumn, and the grass was beautiful and luscious, with beautiful Monarch Butterflies fluttering everywhere. Summer would be lovely, to go for a little dip in the deeper parts of the creek. 

Location: On Northbrook Pathway, not located on Google Maps. Northbrook Pathway connects to Mt Glorious Road and intersects with Wivenhoe-Somerset Road. See this map.

Photos by Hannah, Megan and Jean.

Picnic Spots: Lake Samsonvale, QLD

This little picnic spot gem is a favourite place of mine, only recently rediscovered. Just on the edge of north Brisbane (in Joyner), it isn't too long a drive from Brisbane's centre, to the abundance of space to spread out and relax on a picnic rug for a few hours enjoying the cool breeze that comes across the water and whistles through the gums above.
The two picnic places I recommend on Lake Samsonvale are at Forgan Park and Bullocky Rest (these photos were taken at Forgan Park).

Essentials: Insect repellent, Food to munch on as there are no cafes close by.
Facilities: Carparking galore, Electric BBQ's, Picnic tables (including covered ones), playground and toilet block at Bullocky Rest. Plus the bonus here is the water to fish or swim in! Remember to fish you will need a permit.
Season: With our amazing South East QLD weather, this spot will be beautiful all year around! But especially good in summer so you can enjoy a dip after sleeping off your picnic bounty.
Location: Forgan Park or Bullocky Rest on Lake Samsonvale, both accessible from Forgan Road, Joyner.

Picnic Spots: Lahey's Lookout, Mount Tamborine, QLD

Lahey's Lookout is a quiet little picnic area, with a few covered picnic tables, one pagola and lots of lucious grass! This is a picnic spot purely for relaxing and enjoying the cool mountain air. According to DiscoverTamborineMountain.com.au the park once had a lookout tower, however this is no longer there

Essentials: There are not any cafes or food stops super close by, so food is a definite must for this pretty spot. 

Facilities: This spot leaves you much to your own devices, apart from the lovely shaded picnic tables provided.

Season: We think Mount Tamborine is lovely all year round, but it is a very shady place, so spots of sun in winter may be hard to come by.

Location: Laheys Lookout Road, off Tamborine Mountain Road (when driving in the direction of Canungra).

 

  

Photos by Hannah McCawley

Picnic Spots: The Knoll, Mt Tamborine, QLD

One of our favourite getaway places is Mount Tamborine, however we usually are just visiting family and spend our time roaming around their property and drinking tea on the veranda. But we thought we would get out and explore some places for you all, and the first picnic spot we have to bring you from Mount Tamborine is the Knoll. It is a picturesque picnic ground with beautiful views through to Flinders Peak and Brisbane, and has a few short walking trails to choose from to work off the picnic calories.

Essentials: Pop to the loo somewhere else before you can, as the toilets don't flush if you know what I mean. Decent walking shoes are also a super good idea so you can hike down to Cameron Falls.

Facilities: There are about 6 picnic tables, with one large covered area. They also have two push button BBQ's. The carpark is only very small, we went on a weekday so had no issue, but apparently it is popular on the weekends, so just keep that in mind.

Nearby Attractions: The walking trials from the picnic ground are definitely one of these, but if that is not really your style, Gallery Walk on Mount Tamborine has many shops to peek around.

Season: We think this place will be beautiful all year round! However it does get cold on the mountain in winter.

Location: The Knoll, Access via Main Street and The Knoll Road.

Hannah

x

 

 

  
 



Picnic Spots: Vernal Falls, CA, USA

While we put together our next lot of local picnic spots, I thought I might share with you something a little different!
Last November I traveled to the United States and spent a few days in Yosemite National Park, and it was my favourite part of my trip. We ate our picnic lunch (sandwiches and cookies from the cafeteria) on the rock plateau atop Vernal Falls, after a long hike. Yosemite is a seriously breathtaking place, so if you are ever traveling to California, it is worth a visit.

Hannah
x

the view back down the falls

an iPhone panorama of the top of the falls out to the view.

Picnic Spots: Melaleuca Park, Minnie Waters, NSW

On a recent family holiday we visited the pretty beach side town of Minnie Waters in New South Wales. This sweet, unpretentious park just stole away our heart. Just imagine dining under the low hanging branches of the Melaleucas with your picnic lunch, with the crash of the waves and chirp of birds as your soundtrack.

Essentials:  A picnic rug to lay upon the grass, or tablecloth for the tables. If you don't have time to put together a picnic lunch, there is a fish and chip shop in town.
Facilities: Mint coloured picnic tables and public loo, seeing as there will most likely be no one else around, there will be plenty of parking too!
Nearby Attractions: Yuraygir National Park, Drive slowly too as there are Emus about.
Season: Best in summer so you can go for a dip, so don't forget your bathers!
Location: Where Heath St and Beach St meet in Minnie Waters.

Hannah x

Picnic Spots: Queens Park Botanic Gardens, Toowoomba, QLD

 I love Toowoomba! Having spent my whole life visiting for holidays and day trips or living in this atmospheric gem of Australian cities. Picnic spots abound in and around this city. Queens Park Botanic Gardens is the first of many we will visit for this blog. This particular part of Queens Park is known for its spectacular flower display during the Carnival of Flowers every September. The floral display is repeated in the summer in these garden beds, a little known fact, best time to see this is February.
Facilities: Wheel Chair accessible via bitumen pathways at entry points in Lindsay and Campbell Streets.
Large clean picnic tables, manicured lawns, public toilets,water fountains. There is also a Playground to be found facing Margaret Street.
Nearby attractions: Cobb&Co Museum
Essentials: Picnic rug, insect repellant (for biting ants,best sprayed around perimeter of rug),Tablecloth, warm clothing (Toowoomba anytime of the year can turn unexpectedly chilly), Picnic hamper.
Season: Anytime of day or year really. However it is especially spectacular in Spring (flowers) through to Autumn (autumn leaves).
Facts: Queens Park covers 26.3 ha. Established 1865.
Location: Click the link in bar at the end of blog post.

Megan  x

Beware of Green Ants!

Just one of many

An Easter Saturday picnic in Queens Park with just the basics: Tea, dip and crackers. Perfect.

The flower beds are currently empty in preperation for planting for Spring

The following photographs are from September last year, during the Carnival of Flowers.