Best BBQ and picnic parks in Abbotsford
Battersea Park is the best place in Abbotsford for a BBQ with some cover, since its barbecues sit by the water under covered picnic tables and public toilets share the same area. Quarantine Reserve suits bigger groups, with a covered picnic shelter and electric BBQs. Henry Lawson Park suits a playground beside the grass, though it has no public toilets. Shelter and toilets set these parks apart.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Battersea Park pairs its barbecues and covered tables with a playground and toilets.
- Best for groups: Quarantine Reserve has a covered picnic shelter, electric BBQs and a large grass area.
- Best with a playground: Henry Lawson Park has a public BBQ, tables and a playground with two swings.
Battersea Park for covered tables by the river
- BBQs
- Covered shelter
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Playground
- Parking
Battersea Park is the pick for a BBQ with cover, because its barbecues sit by the water with covered picnic tables, and the undercover part of the picnic area gives shade on sunny days. Public toilets sit within the same barbecue and picnic facilities, which helps on a long lunch. The park also has a partially covered playground with swings, slides and a spinner, near Abbotsford wharf. Parking is on site, including a wheelchair-accessible car park, and the barbecue and picnic area can be booked through the City of Canada Bay's online booking system. Quarantine Reserve has a covered picnic shelter for groups, but no playground is listed for it.
Best for: Parents and groups who want a shaded table with toilets close by
Quarantine Reserve for group picnics under cover
- BBQs
- Covered shelter
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Parking
Quarantine Reserve is the place for a group picnic, because it has a covered picnic shelter for group gatherings and electric BBQs, with one BBQ area under cover. Picnic tables are there for seated meals, and the large grass area lets a crowd spread out beside Hen and Chicken Bay. Toilets are on site, but they may be locked at times, so factor that in. Parking spaces are limited, but off-street parking is available, so arrive early. Battersea Park has covered tables and a playground, but for a crowd the shelter here is the bigger draw.
Best for: Larger groups and anyone cooking on electric BBQs
Henry Lawson Park for a BBQ with the kids close by
- BBQs
- Picnic tables
- Playground
Henry Lawson Park suits a picnic with little ones, because its playground has two swings, a climbing structure and rubber matting under the equipment. The public BBQ sits among tables and seats spread across several seating areas, with open green grass around it. Toilets are missing from this park, so make a plan before heading out. Fishing along the Parramatta River foreshore is decent when the tide is out, and a bike path follows the water. Battersea Park has toilets and covered picnic tables, so it's the easier choice when toilets matter.
Best for: Toddler families happy to plan without toilets
How the parks compare
By area
Every BBQ and picnic park in and near Abbotsford
Here is how each park stacks up on the facilities behind a BBQ or picnic, with a dash wherever a detail is unknown.
| Park | BBQs | Shelter | Tables | Toilets | Playground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Battersea Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2.Quarantine Reserve | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| 3.Henry Lawson Park | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 4.Werrell Reserve | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Nearby, outside Abbotsford | |||||
| Cabarita Park · Cabarita | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Prince Edward Park · Cabarita | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kendall Reserve · Cabarita | – | – | – | ✗ | ✓ |
| Breakfast Point Village Green · Breakfast Point | – | – | – | ✓ | – |
How we picked
Parks were weighed on the things a BBQ or picnic depends on: BBQs, shelter and tables first, then toilets, a playground and the size of the park. A higher score means more of these are confirmed, and a park without a BBQ, shelter or tables on record can't be picked. A dash in the table means we don't know, not that a feature is missing, so check a park's own page if a detail matters to you.
FAQ
Which park in Abbotsford has BBQs?
Battersea Park, Quarantine Reserve and Henry Lawson Park all have BBQs. Quarantine's electric BBQs include one covered area, so it suits a group that wants cover. Henry Lawson's public BBQ is set beside open green grass.
Does Henry Lawson Park have toilets?
No, there are no public toilets at Henry Lawson Park, so pick Battersea or Quarantine if you need one. The park does have a public BBQ and a playground with two swings and a climbing structure.
Can you book a BBQ at Battersea Park?
Yes, you can book the barbecue and picnic area at Battersea Park online, through the council's system. Booking suits a planned group lunch rather than a quick stop.
Is there shade at Quarantine Reserve's BBQs?
Yes, one BBQ area at Quarantine Reserve is covered, and its picnic shelter for groups is covered too. Beyond the BBQs, the sandy beach is shaded by trees.