GET ready to pack the picnic basket, grab the kites and pop the children in the car. By holding corporate events, organisations usually aim at entertaining or rewarding their staff, launching new products, establishing partnerships, and more.
The Messenger team has been out and about to find 25 of Adelaide’s best picnic spots.
We’ve included a few well-known favourites as well as some you mightn’t know.
So, get ready as our glorious summer weather arrives to venture outside and explore!
And don’t forget to tell us below about any we’ve missed — we’d love to hear about your favourite spots!
The City — compiled by Sophie Perri Rymill Park, East Tce
IN 1958, Adelaide City Council proposed a picnic area, artificial lake and playground for Rymill Park, so this place truly was designed with fun afternoons in mind.
Also known by the Kaurna name, Mullawirraburka, or the boring name, Park 14, this gorgeous green pocket offers barbecues, a rose garden and a kiosk.
Couples can go all The Notebook and hire a row boat along the lake. Look for the Alice in Wonderland statue, inspired by the Peter Pan sculpture in London’s Kensington Park.
Pityarilla Park, South Parklands
NEAR the Marshmallow Park playground in the South Parklands is this cute picnic area that you may have visited before but just never knew its name.
Bring the dog (on a leash), roll out the rug and break out the Jatz and cheese or take advantage of the nearby barbecue.
Adelaide Himeji Garden, South Tce
CELEBRATING Adelaide’s sister city partnership with Himeji, this traditional Japanese garden is the first place that comes to mind when relaxation is on the brain.
Just keep in mind it closes at 5.30pm and is kind of like an outdoor version of a library — if you want rowdy laughter and games of cricket with your picnic, venturing further outside the parklands will be a better idea.
Botanic Gardens, North Tce
EVERYONE in Adelaide knows the Botanic Gardens but consider this your gentle reminder if you haven’t visited in a while.
Step inside this green getaway and prepare to feel a world away from the city. It’s like the trees are walls, blocking out the sound and stress of the nearby business district.
Shady picnic spots are easy to find but you can always walk further to Botanic Park for more options.
Elder Park, King William Rd
HERE it is — the typical, picture-perfect picnic setting. It has a river. It has swans. A rotunda. Paddle boats. A cool bridge.
It also has everyone, so perhaps go further up the road across from Adelaide Uni if you want to set up a picnic by the river in solitude.
This park is bliss and gets the heart fluttering at the thought of summer.
THE EAST — compiled by Eugene Boisvert
Carrick Hill, Carrick Hill Drive, Springfield
THE beautiful grounds of one of Adelaide’s grandest historic homes make a perfect place for a picnic.
If you don’t bring your own food, there’s an on-site cafe for light lunches or afternoon tea.
Lucy Keogh says her three children enjoy running around the gardens.
“There’s some wonderful, natural environments where it’s not just forest and flowers — there’s bushland, too,” Mrs Keogh says.
Entry to the grounds is free it costs $12 for adults to get into the house.
Heywood Park, Addiscombe Place, Unley Park
HEYWOOD Park is an oasis of calm in one of Adelaide’s most prestigious suburbs. Shaded by hundreds of tall gum trees, there are plenty of places for picnics.
There are barbecues, playgrounds and toilets.
It’s also not far from the gourmet shops of King William Rd if you need to grab some tasty treats before your picnic.
Tusmore Park, Stirling St, Tusmore
THE best feature of this park is a shaded wading pool which has no doubt introduced many a toddler to the joys of swimming.
There is also a playground, toilets and barbecues.
Just next to the park the Glenside Lions Club Bookmart will provide you with some reading material. Perfect for a lazy afternoon.
Thorndon Park, Hamilton Tce, Paradise
IT’D be easy not to notice this park in the backstreets of Paradise, but it has become well known since renovations in 2005 that included wetlands, a playground and shelters to make the old reservoir site a perfect place for a picnic.
Pick a spot next to the lake for the best views.
Morialta Conservation Park, Morialta Falls Rd, Woodforde
FOR the more adventurous picnickers, Morialta Conservation Park allows you to combine hiking, birdwatching and even rock-climbing with a packed lunch.
There is a picnic area as well as an extensive network of walking trails used to view three waterfalls along Fourth Creek.
The entry fee to the conservation park is $5.
SOUTH — compiled by Erin Jones
Thalassa Park, Aberfoyle Park:
WITH its swings, monkey bars, slides, see-saw, climbing net and flying fox, this playground will keep the children entertained for hours. It also offers a bush walk and storybook walk, which has artworks depicting book characters such as Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. You will need a whole day to explore its surrounds. Alex Darwin and Belinda Angus take their children to the park regularly and like it for its large open spaces, slides and cleanliness.
There are three different picnic and barbecue areas. All have shaded seating.
It is at Windbanks Rd, Aberfoyle Park.
Market Square Reserve, Old Noarlunga:
THIS is a picturesque park on the sweeping bend of the Onkaparinga River. There is a playground, electric barbecues, shade, tables and lots of open space for children to run around.
Pack the picnic or use one of the electric barbecues to cook up a feast and be sure to think of the resident ducks who love eating bread.
Dogs on a leash are allowed at the park. While you are there, check out the Princess Diana memorial fountain and rose garden. It’s a nice place to sit and enjoy a quiet moment.
Public toilets are behind the Institute Hall.
The park is on Market Crescent, Old Noarlunga.
Willunga Recreation Reserve, Willunga:
SUMMER is a wonderful time to venture south and smell the roses, literally.
There are about 700 rose bushes in this well-kept reserve in the heart of Willunga.
And while it might appear as a rose garden, it is actually designed as a maze.
Try and find your way to the centre without cheating.
When you are finished, enjoy the open space, playground, skate park and bike jump.
There are electric barbecues, shaded seating and public toilets.
It is on Aldinga Rd, Willunga.
Port Willunga Beach:
THIS beach is one of the most popular along Adelaide’s coast.
Its white sand and crystal blue water makes it a popular summer spot for tourists and locals alike. There is lots of things to do whether it is swimming, boogie boarding, or exploring the caves in the cliffs.
The more adventurous can snorkel or scuba dive to the Star of Greece ship wreck, which was driven ashore during a storm in 1888. Enjoy the sea breeze and take lunch along and use one of the many picnic spots on the Esplanade.
Jubilee Park and Adventure Playground, Port Noarlunga:
WE could not finish the best places to have a picnic without mentioning this well-known wooden playground.
It is popular among families in the south, so be sure to arrive early.
The playground is suitable for all ages and even has an area specific for toddlers.
Bigger children can use their imagination in the fort-style castle and have fun on the swings, slides, tunnels and climbing equipment. Have a wonderful corporate bonding with our best caterer in town, know us and click here.
There is plenty of grassed areas, shade and public toilets.
It is on Saltfleet St, Port Noarlunga.