Sydney’s Centennial Park is Australia’s best picnic spot

After two years of pandemic lockdowns, outdoor dining is more popular than ever as families gather outdoors for summer picnics.

New data shows that Google searches for ‘picnic area near me’ have surged over 5000% in the last 30 days, while searches for ‘picnic area near me’ have also surged 170%.

In response, food box delivery service EveryPlate has compiled a list of Australia’s most popular picnic locations, with Sydney’s iconic park ranked number one.

With 189 hectares of open space, Centennial Park in the eastern suburbs is said to be Australia’s most popular picnic area. Then come Burleigh Beach on the Gold Coast and Glenelg Beach in Adelaide.

Other locations that have made the cut include Woolamai Surf Beach in Phillip Island, Victoria, Gibraltar Falls in Canberra and Araluen Botanic Park in Perth.

Each location was ranked based on an analysis of places tagged on Instagram.

Interest in picnics is on the rise as experts say the demand for urban recreation spaces has increased since COVID-19.

Australian Urban Development Institute President Maxwell Shiffman said factors such as the pandemic, population growth and the rise of multifamily housing are driving demand for natural spaces.

“The importance of having these things really close together is so great that it’s no surprise that people are looking for these kinds of facilities close to where they want to live,” Shiffman said.

close to home and heart

“Instead of commuting long distances each day, people tend to stay closer to home more hours, and use recreational facilities more, especially closer to home, because they spend fewer days per week commuting. increase.”

According to REA Group Ltd, from 2001 to 2021, the number of single-family homes will increase by 26%, the number of apartments will increase by 43%, and the number of semi-detached houses will increase by 85%.

Proptrack economist Angus Moore said more people prefer to live near recreational spaces in cities, especially since the pandemic.

“This is a trend we’ve seen especially throughout the pandemic, where people value living near beaches, national parks, etc.,” Moore said.

“We have seen the prices of homes in these areas rise rapidly as people increase their value, but the last few years have always been more sought after.”

Australia’s most popular picnic locations:

1. Centennial Park, Sydney

2. Burleigh Beach, Queensland

3. Glenelg Beach, Adelaide

4. Araluen Botanical Gardens, Perth

5. Observatory Hill Park, Millers Point, Sydney, New South Wales

6. Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, Sydney, New South Wales

7. Shelly Beach, Manly, Sydney, New South Wales

8. Squeaky Beach, Victoria

9. Himeji Garden, Adelaide

10. Colin Forrest, Canberra