Best BBQ and picnic parks in Glenbrook
Glenbrook Park is the best place in Glenbrook for a barbecue, with BBQ facilities and picnic tables close to a fully fenced playground. Whitton Park suits a bigger get-together under its large gazebo, and Bluff Reserve is the one for a picnic with a view over the gorge. What sets these three apart is the setting, how much shelter they give, and whether there's a toilet on site.
Quick picks
- A barbecue with the kids: Glenbrook Park, with BBQ facilities beside a fully fenced playground.
- A big get-together: Whitton Park, with a large gazebo and tables for groups.
- A picnic with a view: Bluff Reserve, with a shelter on the trail and a view of the gorge.
Glenbrook Park for a barbecue beside the playground
- BBQs
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Playground
- Parking
Glenbrook Park is the choice when you want to cook while the little ones play nearby. Its BBQ facilities sit alongside picnic tables and seats, and families can eat under the trees, close to a fully fenced playground for ages 3 to 9. Public toilets are on site and there's ample parking, which covers the practical side of a family lunch. Booking the barbecue area ahead on weekends is wise, as families crowd in for picnics. It's the only pick here with a barbecue listed, so it's the one to choose if cooking matters most.
Best for: Best for a family barbecue with a playground close by
Whitton Park for a big get-together
- Covered shelter
- Picnic tables
- Playground
- Parking
Whitton Park is the choice for a big get-together. Its large gazebo gives a covered space for groups, and seating, tables and covered areas sit across the reserve. Kids can run on the open grass and in the athletics-style area, while the playground is very small, so it suits a short visit with younger children. Cars can wait on the street beside the dog park, off Moore Street.
Best for: Best for a big group under cover
Bluff Reserve for a picnic with a view
- Covered shelter
- Picnic tables
- Parking
Bluff Reserve is the choice for a picnic with a view. A covered table sits by the car park, and a picnic shelter stands further along the trail, and a bench with a view on the trail looks out over Glenbrook Gorge. The car park is at the end of Emu Road, so the table is a short walk from where you park. The paths are not wheel-friendly, so it suits walkers rather than families with prams.
Best for: Best for a picnic with a view after a walk
How the parks compare
By area
Every BBQ and picnic park in and near Glenbrook
The table below sets each park's barbecues, shelter, tables, toilets and play equipment side by side, with a dash for anything unconfirmed.
| Park | BBQs | Shelter | Tables | Toilets | Playground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Glenbrook Park | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2.Whitton Park | – | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| 3.Bluff Reserve | – | ✓ | ✓ | – | – |
| 4.Douglas Smith Memorial Park | – | – | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Nearby, outside Glenbrook | |||||
| Knapsack Reserve · Blaxland | – | – | – | ✓ | – |
How we picked
We looked at barbecues, covered shelters, picnic tables, toilets, a playground for kids and how big the park is. A park with a barbecue or tables that are shaded or covered scores higher. Glenbrook Park covers the most of these, and Douglas Smith Memorial Park appears in the table for its shaded tables by the playground. A dash in the table marks a detail we couldn't confirm, so it doesn't count toward a park's score.
FAQ
Which park in Glenbrook has free BBQs?
Glenbrook Park has BBQ facilities for cooking outdoors. Our information doesn't say whether they're free, so check before you go. The picnic tables and seats beside them are a good base for the meal.
Can you book the BBQ area at Glenbrook Park?
Glenbrook Park's BBQ area is worth booking early on weekends, because the park is a popular spot for families. Booking ahead keeps a weekend lunch from being a gamble.
Can you sit under cover at Bluff Reserve?
Yes, you can sit under cover at Bluff Reserve, both at a table by the car park and in a shelter further along the trail. The full return loop takes about an hour, so save your lunch for the end.
Does Whitton Park have a gazebo for groups?
Yes, Whitton Park's large gazebo suits small family get-togethers, with tables and covered areas around the reserve. Kerbside spots near the dog park are the option for drivers.