Best BBQ and picnic parks in Annandale
Federal Park is the Annandale pick for a BBQ in the shade, with barbecues among shaded groves of native trees and open lawns to spread out on. Cohen Park, Hinsby Park, Bicentennial Park and Douglas Grant Memorial Park each suit a different kind of picnic, from shaded tables with a playground to a foreshore spot on Rozelle Bay.
Quick picks
- Shade: Federal Park's barbecues sit among shaded groves of native trees.
- Shade by the play area: Cohen Park's tables sit in the shade with its leisure playground.
- Foreshore: Bicentennial Park's barbecue and picnic areas sit on the Rozelle Bay shore.
- Quick stop: Douglas Grant Memorial Park has a BBQ and a picnic table in a small pocket park.
Federal Park for a shady BBQ on the lawns
- BBQs
- Toilets
- Playground
- Parking
Federal Park has barbecues in picnic areas among shaded groves of native trees, and that shade is what sets it apart for a BBQ. Its lawns are large, so a group has room to spread out, and the park is free to use. Parking runs along Chapman Road for free, but the kerbside spaces fill quickly, so arriving early helps. A large adventure playground and a skate park are in the same park. The foreshore path runs to Rozelle Bay, and the Tramsheds and Glebe viaduct are listed as nearby.
Best for: Cooks who want a barbecue in the shade and open lawns nearby
Cohen Park for a shaded picnic with a playground
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Playground
- Parking
Cohen Park has picnic tables, seating and shaded areas with its leisure playground, so a casual picnic can sit in the shade within reach of the play equipment. Casual use needs no booking, and the park can be used from 7am to 9pm. Parking is inside the park. Most of the grounds are for sport, with two junior soccer grounds, a cricket ground and two multi-purpose courts, so picnickers share the park with organised games. Whites Creek Valley Park is listed as nearby, and the Whites Creek Walk bike path runs through this park, so a ride can end at the tables.
Best for: Families who want a casual picnic in the shade with a playground at hand
Hinsby Park for BBQs, tables and a playground
- BBQs
- Picnic tables
- Playground
- Parking
Hinsby Park has BBQ facilities and picnic tables, and a playground with modern equipment, so a cook-up can include the kids. The park has no public toilets, so plan ahead. Drivers can park on the surrounding streets for free. Bookings for 30 to 250 people go through the council's online system, and smaller groups need none. Weekday afternoons are busier around school pick-up time, when parents gather. The locally heritage-listed Annandale War Memorial stands at the entrance.
Best for: Families cooking a meal who want a playground in the same park
Bicentennial Park for a BBQ on the Rozelle Bay foreshore
- BBQs
- Playground
- Parking
Bicentennial Park has barbecue areas and picnic areas on the Rozelle Bay foreshore, with views across the water towards the Anzac Bridge. The picnic areas suit a packed lunch, and Cafe at Waterview nearby sells snacks. Drivers can use the P5a car park. Anyone without a car can ride the light rail, which stops about seven minutes' walk away, or catch a bus. A walk can end at the barbecue, since bushwalks and cycling tracks run through the grounds.
Best for: Families who want to cook and eat by the water, and can come by light rail or bus
Douglas Grant Memorial Park for a BBQ with a playground
- BBQs
- Picnic tables
- Playground
Douglas Grant Memorial Park is a small pocket park on Chester Street, with a BBQ you can cook on and a picnic table to eat at. Its namesake was an Aboriginal Australian who served in WWI, and the park honours that service. A playground is the main draw for children, and a basketball court is in the same park. Because it's small, a picnic here suits a short stop. A group wanting to book should check the terms before the day.
Best for: Small groups who want a BBQ and a playground in one pocket park
How the parks compare
By area
Every BBQ and picnic park in and near Annandale
Each park in Annandale that has a BBQ or picnic spot appears below, with the picks first and the rest in the same order of fit.
| Park | BBQs | Tables | Toilets | Playground |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Federal Park | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2.Cohen Park | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3.Hinsby Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 4.Bicentennial Park | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| 5.Douglas Grant Memorial Park | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| 6.Whites Creek Valley Park | – | – | – | ✓ |
| 7.Badu Park | ✓ | – | – | ✗ |
| 8.Gray Street Reserve | – | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Nearby, outside Annandale | ||||
| Easton Park · Rozelle | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| War Memorial Park · Leichhardt | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rozelle Parklands · Lilyfield | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Evan Jones Playground · Leichhardt | – | – | – | ✓ |
How we picked
We scored each park on the BBQs, shelters, picnic tables, toilets, play equipment and parking a picnic needs, with an extra point for ground of at least one hectare. Parks with the most known details were picked first, and a dash in the table means the detail isn't known, which never costs a park its place.
FAQ
Which parks in Annandale have BBQs?
Federal Park, Hinsby Park, Bicentennial Park and Douglas Grant Memorial Park all have barbecues in Annandale. Federal Park is free to use, and its barbecues sit under shaded native trees.
Is there a shady place to picnic in Annandale?
Federal Park's picnic areas are under shaded native trees, with barbecues among them. Cohen Park's picnic tables are shaded and sit with its leisure playground.
Can I picnic at Cohen Park without booking?
Yes, you can picnic at Cohen Park without booking, because bookings are only for the sporting grounds. Parking is inside the park, which makes the tables easy to reach.
Is there free parking near Hinsby Park?
Yes, free street parking surrounds Hinsby Park, so driving there for a BBQ or picnic is simple. Its picnic tables and BBQ facilities are listed with the playground, so the whole outing is in one place.