Best BBQ and picnic parks in Hornsby
James Park is the Hornsby spot for a full BBQ day, with BBQs beside sheltered tables, toilets, drinking water and shade. The other parks are smaller or lighter on facilities, so the choice comes down to free BBQs, cover from the weather, toilets and how easy it is to park.
Quick picks
- A big family BBQ: James Park has BBQs beside sheltered tables, plus toilets and drinking water.
- Free electric BBQs: Hornsby Park needs no booking and has shade from mature trees.
- Toilets and shade: Willow Park has on-site toilets and shaded seating, though BBQs are first come, first served.
- A short train walk: Beatrice Thompson Park pairs a BBQ with sheltered tables about 750 metres from Hornsby station.
James Park for a full BBQ day with shelter and toilets
- BBQs
- Covered shelter
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Playground
- Parking
James Park is where Hornsby groups head when they want the lot. BBQs sit alongside sheltered picnic tables that keep diners protected from the weather, and shaded areas next to them add comfort on warm days. Toilets and drinking water stations are on site, which most Hornsby parks lack. A science-themed playground keeps children busy while you cook. For a large family BBQ, the council advises booking ahead. The park has its own parking, but spaces can be limited because the nearby hospital draws traffic, so arrive early on weekends. Collingridge Reserve is 0.1 km away if you need a second set of BBQs.
Best for: Birthdays and large family gatherings
Hornsby Park for free electric BBQs and quarry views
- BBQs
- Covered shelter
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Playground
- Parking
Hornsby Park has free electric barbecues that need no booking, with sheltered picnic tables throughout the grounds. Large shaded areas and mature trees keep tables comfortable on sunny days, and public restrooms are close by. The Crusher Plant Precinct adds more picnic shelters and BBQs, looking over the former quarry and the surrounding bushland. Free parking is available there, with the gates open from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and the walk from the station is about 280 metres. Arrive early on weekends to secure a table in the shade. The playground is fenced for young children, so it also suits a family lunch.
Best for: Cost-free group picnics with a view
Willow Park for shaded tables inside a fenced park
- BBQs
- Covered shelter
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Playground
- Parking
Willow Park suits a picnic with little ones, because the whole park is fenced and its playground covers toddlers through older kids. Sheltered picnic tables and shaded seating are spread around, BBQs are open for public use, and drinking water and toilets are on site. Expect basic toilets without a baby-change table, which matters if you've got an infant. The BBQs go to whoever gets there first, so a group should turn up early. On-site parking is limited. Westfield Hornsby gives three hours free to non-members, and Waitara Train Station is about 550 metres away. Holman Park is 0.6 km from here.
Best for: Toddlers with a BBQ and shade nearby
Holman Park for BBQs beside a fenced playground
- BBQs
- Covered shelter
- Picnic tables
- Playground
- Parking
Holman Park keeps things simple: BBQs, picnic tables, seats and a single covered table for wet weather. The playground is fully fenced, and a flat concrete path rings it, so scooters and bikes can loop while you cook. Shade over the play equipment is limited in summer, so bring sun protection. Toilets aren't provided, and you'll park on Northcote Road or Sherbrook Road. Check with the council whether a booking is needed if you're bringing a bigger group. Choose it for a small party, and choose James Park if you need toilets.
Best for: A small party where kids ride while adults cook
Beatrice Thompson Park for a BBQ near the train
- BBQs
- Covered shelter
- Picnic tables
- Playground
Beatrice Thompson Park puts a BBQ on a raised area behind its fully fenced playground, so you can cook a little apart from the play zone. Covered tables stand in and around the play area, so carers can eat in the dry. The park is about 750 metres from Hornsby train station, which helps, because it has no car park and street spaces nearby are limited. No public toilets are provided either, so use the town centre amenities before you walk over. It's open 24 hours, and the open grass has a basketball hoop for a casual shoot-around. Holman Park is 0.4 km away.
Best for: A casual train-and-BBQ catch-up
How the parks compare
By area
Every BBQ and picnic park in and near Hornsby
Further down, the table sets out what's known about each BBQ and picnic park in Hornsby, free BBQs and playgrounds included, then lists neighbours just past the suburb's edge.
| Park | BBQs | Shelter | Tables | Toilets | Playground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.James Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2.Hornsby Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3.Willow Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4.Holman Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 5.Beatrice Thompson Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 6.Ginger Meggs Park | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 7.Reddy Park | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 8.Collingridge Reserve | ✓ | – | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Nearby, outside Hornsby | |||||
| Lessing Park · Asquith | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Waitara Park · Waitara | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Orara Park · Waitara | – | – | – | ✗ | ✓ |
| Waitara Jaycee Park · Wahroonga | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
How we picked
We compared BBQs, covered shelters, picnic tables, toilets, a playground and the size of each park. Parks with the most known details earned a section, while the ones with fewer sit in the table only. Where we don't know something, the table shows a dash, which never counts against a park.
FAQ
Which park in Hornsby has free BBQs?
Hornsby Park has free electric barbecues for public use, and they need no booking. The Crusher Plant Precinct there adds more BBQs and picnic shelters.
Which Hornsby BBQ parks have toilets?
James Park, Hornsby Park and Willow Park all have toilets on site. Holman Park, Beatrice Thompson Park, Reddy Park and Ginger Meggs Park have none, so plan ahead if you pick one of those.
Can I book a BBQ at James Park?
Yes, James Park is the one to book for a big group, and the council advises asking ahead. Its BBQs stand next to sheltered tables, so everyone can eat under cover.
Is there a Hornsby picnic park without BBQs?
Ginger Meggs Park has sheltered picnic tables and a drinking water bubbler, but no BBQs. It also has no toilets, so it suits a short picnic of food you've packed.
Which Hornsby BBQ park is easiest to reach by train?
Hornsby Park is the closest, about 280 metres from Hornsby Train Station. Beatrice Thompson Park is about 750 metres from the station and has no car park, so most people arrive on foot.