BBQ
Take a look through the following list to discover some of the best picnic spots throughout the Central Goldfields Shire. With so many fantastic picnic areas across the region, you're sure to discover the perfect destination for your next relaxing day out.
Phillips Botanical Gardens
- Location: Maryborough
- Facilities: Picnic tables, bench seating, walking track, toilets
- Things to do: Take a scenic walk, feed the resident ducks
Phillips Botanical Gardens is a beautiful little park in Maryborough, featuring an ornamental lake, scenic walking track, picnic tables, and shaded grassy lawns. A walking track circles the little lake and features educational signs at various points along the way. As you stroll around the lake you'll pass a wetland area, grassed areas, and many interesting tree species. There are ducks as well as several other bird species, and growling grass frogs can often be heard.
PICNIC POINT
- Location: Joyces Creek
- Facilities: Picnic table, undercover area, fireplaces, boat ramp
- Things to do: Swimming, fishing, boating
Bring a packed lunch and head out to Cairn Curran's Picnic Point for an afternoon of swimming, fishing and boating. A large visitors area is bordered by decorative rocks, and a partially enclosed picnic shelter contains a table and fireplaces.
Welcome Stranger Monument and Picnic Area
- Location: Moliagul
- Facilities: Picnic tables, undercover area, wood fire barbecues, walking track
- Things to do: Explore historic site, self-guided discovery walk, gold prospecting in surrounding bush (but not within the Welcome Stranger historic site/discovery walk area)
The Welcome Stranger monument and picnic area is a fascinating and educational place to go for a barbecue or a picnic lunch. There is a self-guided discovery walk through the area where the famous Welcome Stranger gold nugget was discovered in 1869. The main picnic area is well equipped and includes picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, running water (not drinkable) and an undercover area.
Settling Pond Track Picnic Area
- Location: Daisy Hill
- Facilities: Picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, walking track, toilet
- Things to do: Bushwalking, spot wildflowers during spring
Pack a picnic or barbecue lunch and spend an afternoon exploring the natural and historical features of Paddys Ranges State Park near Maryborough, beginning at this excellent picnic area along Settling Pond Track. Multiple picnic tables and wood fire barbecues are set among the trees, along with a large information display, water tank/tap, and a single toilet.
Battery Dam and Distillery
- Location: Daisy Hill
- Facilities: Picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, walking tracks
- Things to do: Explore historic site, walk to nearby Bull Gully Aboriginal Rock Wells, gold prospecting
The Battery Dam Historic Site is located just outside Maryborough in the Craigie State Forest. This site was used during the gold rush to crush and process quartz from mines in the area. After gold processing operations ceased, some of the equipment was adapted to be used for a eucalyptus distillery. Today it features a picnic area, walking tracks, gold processing and eucalyptus distillery relics, and beautifully illustrated information signs.
Goldfields Reservoir
- Location: Maryborough
- Facilities: Picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, walking track, toilets
- Things to do: Swimming, fishing, kayaking/canoeing, nature playground, scenic walk around the lake
Goldfields Reservoir is a peaceful lake on the outskirts of Maryborough which features a picnic area, nature playground, and a scenic walking track. This is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, picnicking and bushwalking. The walking track circles the entire reservoir, and is about a 1.7 km easy, pram friendly, scenic walk. The track features multiple bridges, interesting hand made wooden barriers, wetland areas and water views.
Lake Victoria
- Location: Maryborough
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecues, undercover areas, playgrounds, sports ovals, walking track, toilets
- Things to do: Swimming, fishing, playgrounds, feed the resident ducks, scenic walk around the lake
This gorgeous ornamental lake in Maryborough is celebrated for its resident swans, beautifully forested islands, scenic walking track and excellent visitor facilities. Playgrounds and picnic areas sit on either side of the lake at Princes Park and Coronation Park, where you will also find free electric barbecues, undercover areas, picnic tables, rubbish bins and toilets. A well formed gravel walking/cycling track travels in a circuit around the lake with abundant varieties of trees and water birds to see along the way. This is a great spot for feeding the ducks with children. The walk also takes you past the Maryborough Caravan Park, the outdoor swimming pool, and various sporting facilities including ball courts and an oval.
Market Reserve Recreation Area
- Location: Carisbrook
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecue, undercover area, playground, kids BMX track, toilets
- Things to do: BMX riding for kids, playground, explore the site's interesting features and information signs
Market Reserve Recreation Area is a fantastic public space in Carisbrook which features a fenced playground, undercover picnic area, BMX track, community rose garden, information signs and toilets. The fully fenced playground provides lots of interesting play equipment in a safe environment, sitting alongside the undercover picnic area which contains a free electric barbecue and large picnic table. There are plenty more picnic tables and park benches scattered throughout the park. A large peppercorn tree stands alongside the playground, great for kids to climb.
Majorca Town Hall, Playground and BBQ
- Location: Majorca
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecue, undercover area, playground, toilets
- Things to do: Playground, explore historic township
The beautifully restored Majorca Town Hall is a large bluestone building, built in the 1870s and impressively repaired after a devastating fire in the 1980s. An undercover barbecue area lies at the back of the hall and overlooks a small fenced playground and multiple picnic tables, making this an ideal spot to stop in for a picnic while exploring the fascinating historic sites around Majorca.
Gordon Gardens
- Location: Dunolly
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecue, undercover area, playground, bike pump track, skate park, tennis courts, toilets
- Things to do: Playground, play tennis, ride the pump track, explore nearby historic sites
Gordon Gardens is a fantastic, family friendly spot to spend an afternoon. Along with the fantastic playground, bike pump track and skate park, Gordon Gardens has two excellent undercover barbecue areas with free electric barbecues. One barbecue area (close to the playground) has wind blocks, picnic tables and rubbish bins. The other barbecue area, over the other side of the park, has plenty of seating and lots of space.
Pioneers Memorial Playground
- Location: Talbot
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecue, undercover area, playground, toilets, rubbish bins
- Things to do: Playground, explore historical township
Talbot's Pioneers Memorial Playground is a great spot to bring the family for a picnic and play, with an undercover barbecue area set beneath the trees alongside a playground. Situated in the town's gorgeous Scandinavian Crescent, the park is surrounded by beautifully restored historical buildings and is right near the Talbot Provedore and Eatery.
Bland Reserve
- Location: Carisbrook
- Facilities: Picnic tables, playground, walking track, toilets over the bridge in Bucknall Reserve
- Things to do: Swimming, playground, nature trail, walk to historic Log Gaol
Spend an afternoon swimming, walking and picnicking at Carisbrook's Bland Reserve, a charming park along the bank of Tullaroop Creek, known locally as Deep Creek. A playground and picnic tables are set along a grassy lawn, and several scenic walking tracks set out from here.
Bucknall Reserve
- Location: Carisbrook
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecue, walking track, playground over the bridge in Bland Reserve, toilets
- Things to do: Swimming, playground, nature trail, walk to historic Log Gaol, great spot for kids to play in leaves during Autumn
Bucknall Reserve is a pretty little picnic area beside Tullaroop Creek, which is known locally as Deep Creek. The grassy lawn is shaded by multiple huge trees, which seasonally provide a lovely carpet of autumn leaves - great for kids to play in! A small undercover barbecue sits by the parking area, along with rubbish bins and a toilet block. Take a stroll down the scenic nature trail which follows the creek, and across the foot bridge in Bland Reserve you can take a short walk up to the historic Carisbrook Log Gaol.
Paddys Ranges Campground
- Location: Adelaide Lead
- Facilities: Picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, walking track, toilets
- Things to do: Camping, bushwalking, spot wildflowers during spring
Paddys Ranges Campground is located within Paddys Ranges State Park, a beautiful Box-Ironbark forest which has over 230 species of wildflowers (including around 30 types of orchids) and over 140 native bird species. The large campground includes multiple picnic tables, fire pits and wood fire BBQs, an information shelter, and a toilet block. The area is great for bushwalking, there is a fantastic walk from the campground to the Settling Pond Track picnic area.
Mount Moliagul
- Location: Moliagul
- Facilities: None, great spot for a picnic blanket
- Things to do: Scenic lookout
The summit of Mt Moliagul offers spectacular views of the surrounding bushland and fields. Take a stroll along the rocky mountain slopes, where you'll find many great vantage points and plenty of stunning scenery. The best time to visit Mt Moliagul is from winter to early summer when the grass is green. A short way down the slope to the right of the lookout area, there is a flat patch of ground which makes a gorgeous spot to lay a picnic blanket (pictured above).
Bealiba Reservoir
- Location: Bealiba
- Facilities: Picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, toilets
- Things to do: Swimming, fishing, kayaking/canoeing, bushwalking, explore nearby Mount Bealiba
The Bealiba Reservoir Recreation area is a fantastic spot for camping, picnics, fishing, swimming, bushwalking and birdwatching. There are three picnic sites around the small reservoir, two of which are well equipped with tables, chairs and fire pits - the third is simply a firepit. The dirt tracks around the reservoir make great walking/cycling tracks, and there are several great trees for kids to climb around the picnic areas. The beautiful Mount Bealiba is located up behind the reservoir.
Orme Snowden Reserve
- Location: Bealiba
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecue, undercover area, water tap, playground, toilets
- Things to do: Playground
Orme Snowden Reserve is a great playground and barbecue area in Bealiba, featuring an undercover picnic area right alongside the playground. There's a basic fence surrounding the whole area with a safety gate, making this a fantastic place to bring children to play while you are cooking up a barbecue.
see also
Situated in the heart of the Victorian Goldfields, Maryborough is filled with grand 19th century architecture and surrounded by box-ironbark forests, gold mining history and a variety of beautiful historic townships. As well as visiting local cafes, restaurants, markets and nearby wineries, visitors can explore the region's gold rush history and pastoral roots through the area's many museums, galleries and historic sites. Check out our handy Maryborough Visitors Guide.
Looking for some great new places to go swimming around Maryborough? We've got you covered! Check out this big collection of our favourite local swimming spots, you're sure to find inspiration for your next day out.
The Maryborough region hosts a great collection of free campgrounds! Whether you're looking to explore historical sites, head out gold prospecting, or settle in for a few days fishing and swimming, the following list is sure to inspire your next weekend away!
There are so many amazing places for kids to explore throughout the Victorian Goldfields! Our own kids have had so much fun on their adventures through this beautiful region that it was hard to choose just fifty of our favourites for this list. If you're after a new outdoor adventure for your family, look no further - the following fifty locations are absolutely unmissable and are always a big hit with the kids.
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