• BBQ spots

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BBQ spots

Enjoy nature with family and friends by finding the ideal spot to have a barbecue. Many of our parks have free barbecue facilities with picnic tables and open grass areas to spread out, relax and play games. Chances are, there's a park near you that's perfect for a barbecue! Organising a barbecue in a park with friends or family is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon or evening. 

In some parks, bringing your own barbecue is permitted. Make sure to check which parks have the barbecue facilities to suit you, on the individual park pages. 

Need inspiration? Why not try one of these great spots.


A group of adults and a child enjoy a barbecue at Toororrong Reservoir ParkParks in Melbourne with BBQ facilities

A fantastic destination for a barbecue is the historic Studley Park Boathouse at Yarra Bend Park. Close to the historic building are multiple electric barbecues, picnic tables and a picnic shelter. There’s also plenty of space to play games or relax on the grass.

For a barbecue with a view head to RJ Hamer Arboretum. There are barbecue and toilet facilities, plenty of space to spread out a picnic blanket and incredible views. 
Another great option with spectacular views is Seawinds Gardens in Arthurs Seat State Park. On a good day, views stretch to the city skyline. Picnic facilities include barbecues, picnic tables and toilets. 

For a unique barbecue spot, try Herring Island on the Yarra River. Catch the punt across from Como Landing (weekends and public holidays only) and enjoy a day on the island. The Herring Island picnic area has free barbecues and picnic areas. 

Lysterfield Park and Karkarook Park are great spots for adventure lovers. Both have lakes where you can canoe or kayak and plenty of great tracks for walking, running and cycling. After working up an appetite, choose from one of the picnic areas with free barbecues. 

For a barbecue with the whole family, including the dog, Jells Park and Brimbank Park are great options. The parks feature free electric barbecues, with lots of open space and walking trails. Plus, both have incredible playscapes, specifically designed for children of all abilities. 


A family enjoys a barbecue at Buchan Caves Reserve. In the background, a park ranger speaks to a couple at another table. Parks in Regional Victoria with BBQ facilities

You’ll be spoiled for choice of barbecue spot at You Yangs Regional Park. Choose from several picnic grounds set amongst natural bushland. Most have a gas barbecue, picnic tables and toilets. For adventure-lovers, there are opportunities for mountain biking, horse riding, rock climbing and hiking.

Take a day trip to Kinglake National Park. There are ample options for a barbecue, with multiple picnic areas to choose from. Leave time to check out the cascading waterfalls of Mason Falls or Wombelano Falls. 

Buchan Caves is a great place for a family day out. There are plenty of tables and shelters around the reserve, with electric and woodfired barbecues. Kids will love the playground and while you’re there, why not join one of the cave tours. 

Have a barbecue lakeside at Lake Eildon National Park. Herb Fitzroy and Forsyth Flat Day Visitor Areas have free gas barbecues and access to the water. Or cool off with a swim at St Georges Lake Picnic Area in Creswick Regional Park. This popular summer spot has free gas barbecues and toilets

Places with BBQ spots

 
Four friends walk alongside the Yarra River through Yarra Bend Park.

Yarra Bend Park

Yarra Bend Park is Melbourne’s largest natural bushland park. Enjoy the leafy grounds and abundant wildlife while strolling or biking its many trails. Stop for a picnic, walk your dog or play a round of golf.
A couple look out over the water from the beach at Lysterfield Lake.

Lysterfield Park

Rising from the southern foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, Lysterfield Park is the perfect place to explore nature with friends with a huge variety of recreational activities.
A family share a picnic while a father and son play with a model aircraft in the background.

Jells Park

Jells Park is nestled in the Dandenong Creek Valley, Wheelers Hill, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The park attracts over 900,000 visitors a year, with over nine kilometres of paths and trails, 127 hectares of wide open spaces and enough picnic areas for everyone to enjoy.

Need to know

BBQ spots

BBQ ettiquette

Some parks have restrictions in place for BYO barbecues. Be sure to check beforehand if you are permitted to bring one. Electric BBQs are for communal use. Please clean up after yourself.

When using barbecue facilities, please be respectful and clean the hotplate after use.

One thing to always remember though when having a BBQ is to take your rubbish home with you. Bins not only attract feral pests to food scraps but can also overflow with litter, causing rubbish to end up impacting on the environment and causing serious harm to wildlife.

Feeding wildlife can make animals sick, interfere with natural food chains and damage delicately balanced ecosystems.

So, whilst having a BBQ to admire nature and the outdoors is welcome in parks, do the right thing and help keep these places special by disposing of your waste when you get home.

Related activities

 
Three friends enjoy a picnic on the grass in front of the historic Wallace Hut.

Picnics

Head outdoors for lunch in the warmer months and enjoy a picnic in some of nature's most relaxing and inspiring settings.
Two women follow the path through scrub up Mt Bogong with mountain views in the distance.

Walking

Whether you’re after a gentle stroll or something long-distance, there are walking trails to suit all levels of fitness and ability.
A three year old boy leads his mum and younger brother through the forest near Grants Picnic Ground.

Family activities

Stash some supplies into a back pack and take the family out for a day trip and in only a short drive from Melbourne you can be surrounded by nature.
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