Sydney’s North Shore isn’t just a location; it’s an experience. With its winding coastline, lush secret gardens, and jaw-dropping views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, it offers the world’s most spectacular backdrop for a truly unforgettable picnic.
But a luxury picnic is more than just a picnic blanket and a picnic basket. It’s a flawless, curated event where every detail is perfected, from the gourmet food to the elegant styling. It’s an experience where you simply turn up, soak in the magic, and leave without worrying about a single thing.
As Sydney’s #1 rated luxury picnic experience on TripAdvisor and Google, we at Graze & Gaze have planned countless special moments. We know the secret spots, the perfect timing for sunset, and how to turn a simple afternoon into a core memory.
Here are our expert ideas for your perfect luxury picnic on the Sydney North Shore.
Our Top 5 North Shore Luxury Picnic Locations
Location is everything. You provide the occasion, and the North Shore provides the view. These are our most requested, breathtaking spots.
1. Cremorne Point
For the ultimate panoramic vista, it’s hard to beat Cremorne Point. This expansive, gentle, sloping reserve offers some of the most uninterrupted picnic spots with harbour views in all of Sydney. The vista is truly 180 degrees, stretching from the Taronga Zoo wharf and Mosman Bay, across the sparkling harbour, to the full city skyline, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. It’s pure, front-row magic.
We love this location because you get the perfect blend of serenity—the gentle breeze, the lapping water—with the quiet buzz of the city. Watching the ferries glide by as the sun sets and the first city lights begin to sparkle is an unforgettable experience. It’s the ideal spot for anyone seeking those iconic Sydney skyline views as their backdrop.
- Best for: Romantic anniversaries, “wow” factor proposals, or impressing visiting family.
- Graze & Gaze Expert Tip: This spot is popular, so a weekday or sunset booking is magical. Parking can be found on Cremorne Road, but be prepared for a short, beautiful walk.
2. Lavender Bay (Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden)
There is nowhere else in Sydney quite like this. A true hidden gem on the North Shore, this magical space was born from passion, transforming a disused railway yard into a whimsical, rambling garden oasis. It’s a labyrinth of hidden nooks, winding paths, fascinating sculptures, and lush, overgrown foliage, all offering an intimate, storybook setting.
A Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden picnic is one of the most unique picnic locations in Sydney. Unlike the wide-open lawns of other parks, here you’ll discover small, private clearings of grass, making you feel completely secluded. From these secret spots, you get iconic, framed glimpses of the Harbour Bridge through the lush greenery, making it feel incredibly private, artistic, and romantic.
- Best for: Intimate proposals, creative dates, and a truly unique, tranquil escape.
- Graze & Gaze Expert Tip: This is a “secret” garden, so access can be tricky. There are stairs and uneven paths, making it less suitable for guests with mobility concerns. Public transport (train to Milsons Point) is the best way to get here.
3. Blues Point Reserve
If you want to feel like you can almost reach out and touch the Harbour Bridge, this is your spot. A Blues Point Reserve picnic offers a direct, head-on, and completely unobstructed view of Sydney’s two most famous icons. From this grassy headland, you are perfectly aligned with the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, creating a dramatic, breathtaking panorama that feels incredibly close and personal.
This is a front-row seat to Sydney Harbour. You’re so close you can watch the harbour ferries zipping past and feel the city’s vibrant energy. It’s a quintessential Sydney experience and one of the most sought-after locations for Sydney photos. The view at sunset is particularly spectacular, as the bridge and opera house are bathed in golden light before the city sparkles to life.
- Best for: Milestone birthdays, New Year’s Eve, and that iconic Sydney photo.
- Graze & Gaze Expert Tip: This spot has excellent accessibility and facilities (toilets are nearby). It can get windy, but we provide beautiful, stable shade umbrellas.
4. Balls Head Reserve, Waverton
For a luxury picnic experience with a beautiful, authentic North Shore bushland feel, Balls Head Reserve is a stunning choice. This large, tranquil reserve in Waverton offers a more natural, rugged setting, feeling worlds away from the city despite being right on its edge. It’s a place rich with history, with fascinating walking tracks that wind through the bushland.
The views here are unique and spectacular. You get sweeping Sydney Harbour views from the west, looking back towards the city skyline, Harbour Bridge, and Darling Harbour. This different perspective makes it one of the absolute best sunset picnic spots in Sydney, as you can watch the sun dip down over the water, setting the sky ablaze. It’s often significantly quieter than other best picnic spots on the North Shore, making it feel like your own private lookout.
- Best for: A peaceful retreat, a group get-together, or a “just because” luxury escape from the city buzz.
- Graze & Gaze Expert Tip: This location has dedicated picnic tables and BBQs, but our luxury setup provides a much more elevated experience. It’s also one of the best spots for watching the sunset over the water.
5. Kirribilli (Mary Booth Lookout or Broughton St)
This is the classic, postcard-perfect location. A Kirribilli picnic spot, whether at Mary Booth Lookout or along the Broughton St grassy areas, gives you a grand, up-close view of the Opera House directly across the water. You are so close you can see the details on the sails. The majestic span of the Harbour Bridge towers beside you, creating a truly iconic Sydney picnic location.
This spot is energetic and quintessentially Sydney. You’ll feel the buzz of the harbour with ferries and boats cruising by, and it’s a popular spot for both locals and visitors seeking that perfect picnic with Opera House view. The atmosphere is chic and vibrant, making it an incredible backdrop for photos. It’s the ideal choice when you want your picnic to feel like it’s at the very heart of the city.
- Best for: Chic hens’ parties, baby showers, or a sunny weekend catch-up with friends.
- Graze & Gaze Expert Tip: Parking is notoriously tight in Kirribilli. We strongly recommend the ferry to Milsons Point/Kirribilli wharf or the train, which is just a short walk away.
Luxury Picnic Themes for Every Occasion
Some moments are too important for a standard celebration. A Graze & Gaze picnic is always tailored to your unique story. We are experts in bespoke picnic design, styling your entire event to perfectly match the emotion and significance of the moment.
This is where your vision comes to life. We go beyond just providing food and a blanket; we create a complete, immersive atmosphere. Whether you dream of a romantic picnic setup for a proposal, a chic boho picnic theme for a hen’s day, or a sophisticated colour palette for a milestone birthday, we handle every detail. Our styled picnics are designed to be the perfect, effortless backdrop for your special occasion.
The Ultimate Romantic Proposal
This is our specialty, and it’s a moment we feel privileged to be a part of. We are experts at planning the perfect proposal picnic in Sydney, designing a moment that is both breathtaking and deeply personal. We create a magical, intimate setting that guarantees a “yes,” complete with:
- An aisle of rose petals
- Chilled champagne on ice
- A premium grazing platter
- A “Marry Me” sign
- Your song playing softly as you arrive. We’ll even coordinate with your photographer to capture the hidden-camera “yes” moment.
We handle all the proposal planning logistics, from securing the best, most private spot at your chosen location to managing the timing perfectly with the sunset. Your only job is to ask the question.
The Chic Hens’ Day or Bridal Shower
Celebrate the bride-to-be with the ultimate stylish hens party picnic. Forget the stress of booking a crowded venue; we create an intimate, beautiful, and effortless celebration for her and her favourite people. This is one of our most popular group picnic packages on the North Shore, and for good reason.
We’ll create a stunning, long boho picnic setup where all your guests can relax and connect. Your bespoke setup includes:
- Our signature long, low-set tablescapes, perfect for group mingling and conversation.
- A lush arrangement of plush cushions, boho rugs, and throws (we can match your specific colour theme, like blush pinks and neutrals).
- Beautiful centrepieces of dried floral arrangements and elegant table runners.
- A full, elegant tableware setting for each guest, including plates, gold-look cutlery, and crystal-look glassware.
- And, of course, our abundant gourmet grazing platters that are a feast for the eyes and the palate—guaranteed to be Instagram-worthy.
This is the perfect, stress-free bridal shower solution. We can even add on a “Bubbles Bar” drinks station or fun, aesthetic lawn games (like giant Jenga or Finska). You just send the invites, and we’ll create the magic.
The Elevated Corporate Event
Move your next team-building day or end-of-quarter celebration out of the stuffy boardroom and into the fresh air. Our corporate picnic Sydney packages are a unique and sophisticated way to break down hierarchies, foster genuine connection, and spark real creativity.
This is corporate catering reimagined. Our service is guaranteed to impress important clients or serve as a memorable staff reward for a job well done. We create a relaxed, beautiful environment that feels a world away from the office, yet is completely professional.
The Milestone Birthday
Whether it’s a 21st, 30th, 40th, or 50th, a milestone birthday deserves more than just a dinner reservation. Mark the occasion with a truly stylish and memorable outdoor birthday party. Our luxury picnic party packages are designed to create that “wow” moment for the guest of honour and a relaxed, beautiful experience for all your guests.
This is one of the best milestone birthday ideas in Sydney because it’s both sophisticated and fun. We can completely customise the setup for your birthday picnic, matching it to your chosen theme or preferred colour palette—from an elegant “all-white” party to a vibrant “boho chic” celebration.
The Heart of the Picnic: Our Gourmet Grazing Platters
A luxury picnic is nothing without truly luxurious food. We are passionate about premium, local produce. Your gourmet grazing platter is prepared fresh on the day and is an abundant feast for the eyes and the palate.
Our classic platter typically includes:
- Artisan Cheeses: A curated selection of hard and soft cheeses.
- Gourmet Charcuterie: Premium cured meats, including prosciutto and salami.
- Fresh Dips & Pate: Locally made dips and pâté.
- Accompaniments: Olives, cornichons, fresh honeycomb, artisan crackers, and fresh baguettes.
- Fresh Produce: A colourful array of seasonal fruits and berries.
We happily cater to all dietary needs! We offer stunning Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Vegetarian platters that are just as abundant and delicious.
The Graze & Gaze Difference: An All-Inclusive Experience
We believe a luxury event means you don’t do any of the work. When you book our pop-up picnic Sydney service, you are booking a complete “walk-on, walk-off” experience.
Your Graze & Gaze experience includes:
- Complete Setup & Pack-Down: You just arrive at your chosen time and everything is stunningly arranged. When you’re done, you simply walk away.
- Gourmet Grazing Platters: As detailed above, with all dietary needs met.
- Premium Styling: A beautiful low-set picnic table, plush rugs, assorted cushions, fresh or dried floral arrangements, a stylish shade umbrella, and elegant tableware (no plastic!).
- The Little Luxuries: Ice buckets with chilled sparkling water, a portable Bluetooth speaker for your playlist, and ambient lighting for sunset picnics.
And to make your experience even more meaningful, for every picnic we host, we donate 10 meals to hungry Australians through our partnership with OzHarvest.
Our "Peace of Mind" Wet Weather Policy
This is Sydney, and we know the weather can be unpredictable. This shouldn’t be a source of stress. We have a simple, flexible wet weather policy. If the forecast is poor, we will contact you 24-48 hours in advance. You can either:
- Relocate: Move your picnic to a beautiful indoor or undercover location.
- Reschedule: Postpone your picnic to any available date within 12 months, free of charge.
How to Book Your North Shore Picnic (It's Easy!)
- Choose Your Package: Visit our Packages page to see our options, from intimate picnics for 2 to large group events.
- Secure Your Date: Go to our Book Now page. Select your date, time, and your chosen North Shore location.
- Add the Details: Let us know the occasion, your dietary needs, and any special requests.
- Arrive and Enjoy: We take care of everything else.
Let's Plan Your Unforgettable North Shore Picnic
Ready to create your own postcard moment? A luxury picnic on the North Shore is one of the most memorable ways to celebrate life’s special occasions.
