Best BBQ and picnic parks in Wollstonecraft
Berry Island Reserve is the top pick for a BBQ in Wollstonecraft, with electric BBQs, picnic tables, public toilets and a fenced playground in one place. Smoothey Park is the one to pick if you're coming on foot from Wollstonecraft station. Brennan Park stands out for shade, since its picnic tables sit under fig trees, while Berry Island has a large lawn and beach.
Quick picks
- Best all-round: Berry Island Reserve has a fenced playground, a large lawn and a sandy beach area.
- Best for shade: Brennan Park's lawns sit beneath fig trees, and its playground is shaded too.
- Best near the station: Smoothey Park is a short walk from Wollstonecraft station, with BBQs and a playground along the way.
Berry Island Reserve for electric BBQs and a fenced playground
- BBQs
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Playground
- Parking
Berry Island Reserve has the most on offer for a BBQ day. Electric BBQs are on hand, and the playground is fenced. The reserve also has a large lawn, picnic areas with tables and toilets. Free street parking runs along Shirley Road, though spaces are limited. A sandy beach area runs along the Parramatta River, with small beaches in Gore Cove, so you can eat near the water. Smoothey Park has BBQs and a playground too, but its picnic areas aren't confirmed to have tables.
Best for: Families who want a full day out with a BBQ and a playground
Smoothey Park for a BBQ close to the playground
- BBQs
- Toilets
- Playground
- Parking
Smoothey Park has BBQ facilities that sit alongside its picnic areas and playground, so cooking, eating and play can all happen in one part of the park. It has public toilets and drinking water too, and parking is listed as one of its features. The walk from Wollstonecraft station through the park takes about 5 minutes, which makes it the easiest stop on foot. Paths also link to the Gore Cove bush walking track for anyone who wants a longer outing. Berry Island Reserve has more on offer, including electric BBQs and a fenced playground, but it's about a 10-minute walk from the station.
Best for: Anyone walking from Wollstonecraft station with kids
Brennan Park for picnics under the fig trees
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Playground
- Parking
Brennan Park is the pick for shade, since its picnic tables and benches sit close to the play area under fig trees. The playground is positioned in shade beneath a fig tree, but it isn't fenced, so keep an eye on young children. The park has toilets, including accessible ones and automatic washrooms, plus a water fountain and a water tap. Parking is free and close by, and a handful of kerbside spots frees up at weekends. The park gets busier at weekends, so weekdays are quieter. No BBQ is listed for Brennan Park, so as far as we know it's a picnic-only choice.
Best for: Picnickers who want shade and a quieter weekday
How the parks compare
By area
Every BBQ and picnic park in and near Wollstonecraft
Each park's BBQs, shelter, tables, toilets and playground are laid out below, with a dash wherever a detail is unknown.
| Park | BBQs | Tables | Toilets | Playground |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Berry Island Reserve | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2.Smoothey Park | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3.Brennan Park | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4.Badangi Reserve | ✓ | – | ✓ | – |
| 5.Harry Howard Reserve | – | – | – | – |
| Nearby, outside Wollstonecraft | ||||
| Watt Park · Lavender Bay | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cahill Playground · Crows Nest | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Ronald Park · Greenwich | – | – | – | – |
| Miklouho-Maclay Park · Birchgrove | – | – | – | – |
How we picked
The ranking weighs BBQs, shelter and tables most, then toilets, a playground and the size of the reserve. To be picked, a park must have at least one of BBQs, a covered shelter or picnic tables confirmed. Gaps are shown as dashes, and a dash is never read as a missing feature.
FAQ
Which park in Wollstonecraft has BBQs?
Berry Island Reserve, Smoothey Park and Badangi Reserve all list BBQs. Berry Island has electric BBQs and a large lawn. Smoothey Park's BBQ facilities are by its picnic areas and playground, while Badangi Reserve's sit next to its picnic sites.
Is there shade at Brennan Park?
Yes, Brennan Park's lawns are shaded by fig trees, and its playground sits in the shade of one. The fig-shaded lawns are a good place to eat outdoors.
Are there toilets at Berry Island Reserve?
Yes, Berry Island Reserve has public toilets. If you'd rather not drive, the walk from Wollstonecraft station takes about 10 minutes.