Bendigo Best Picnic Places
The Bendigo area has a range of lovely picnic spots. These are some of best places for a family picnic, including some with playgrounds.
ROSALIND PARK & CASCADES
Gaol Road, Bendigo
Rosalind Park boasts one of the best centrally located vantage-points in Bendigo. This sheltered enclave features both exotic and native trees. Why not venture up the 124 steps of the Poppet Head lookout tower for a panoramic view of the Bendigo and beyond. Or see the magnificent cascades, a vision brought back from Italy by the 'quartz king' George Lansell and designed by architect William Vahland. The playground is part of the Camp Hill Primary School and only open to the public on weekends, public and school holidays.
Facilities: parking, toilets, playground, shelter, water tap, accessible, rubbish bins, dogs on leash allowed.
BENDIGO BOTANIC GARDENS
559 Napier Street, White Hills
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These gardens are Bendigo's first public gardens and were included on the Victorian Heritage Register in 2001 due to their historical, architectural, scientific, botanical, aesthetic and social significance. The garden is a popular picnic spot with recreational facilities, including a small menagerie with wildlife and walk-through aviaries.
Facilities: parking, BBQs, tables, toilets, playground, shelter, water tap, accessible, rubbish bins
LAKE WEEROONA
Corner of Nolan and Napier Streets, Bendigo
This man-made lake and reserve combine the ornamental and picturesque. This popular leisure retreat was brought to life in 1869 when the lake was filled with water and opened to the public. Walk along the boardwalk enjoy a BBQ or watch the kids in the adventure playground, all only minutes from the CBD.
Facilities: parking, BBQs, tables, toilets, restaurant/cafe, coffee van, playground, shelter, water tap, accessible, rubbish bins, dogs on leash allowed.
STRATHDALE PARK
Crook Street, Strathdale
This park is a popular destination for family gatherings and picnics all year round. The site features a children's playground and lush green lawns. Some interesting features of the park are the Waterwise Demonstration Garden, Wellington Garden and the Sandakan Memorial Statue.
Facilities: parking, BBQs, tables, toilets, playground, shelter, water tap, accessible, rubbish bins, dogs on leash allowed.
KENNINGTON RESERVOIR
Reservoir Road, Kennington
Wildlife sanctuary and bird-watching are tucked away at the south end. Pathways around the reservoir and adjacent bushland.
Facilities: parking, BBQs, tables, toilets, shelter, water tap, accessible, rubbish bins, dogs on leash allowed.
ONE TREE HILL
Edwards Road, Spring Gully
Venture up the poppet head observation tower for a panoramic view of Bendigo and Mandurang Valley. During spring, wildflowers such as Bendigo wax daisies, orchids and wattles appear in the surrounding bushland.
Facilities: parking, BBQs, tables, toilets, shelter, accessible, rubbish bins
GREATER BENDIGO NATIONAL PARK
8km North of Bendigo, Whipstick
Famous for abundant spring wildflower displays and the brilliantly flowering whirrakee wattle, the Whipstick is the ideal location for a leisurely picnic. Originally the park was commissioned to preserve some of the features that are a product of intensive use over the past 150 years, such as gold mining, land selection, forestry and eucalyptus oil production.
Each of the three picnic areas - Notleys, Shadbolts and Loesers - are located on the sites of former eucalyptus distilleries. Shadbolt and Notley areas have toilets. Visitors are reminded to bring their own firewood and drinking water.
Facilities: parking, BBQs, tables, toilets
CANTERBURY GARDENS
3 High Street, Eaglehawk
Canterbury Park is complemented by Lake Neangar, Lake Tom Thumb and many sporting facilities. Experience the magnificent display of dahlias when they are in season.
Facilities: parking, BBQs, tables, toilets, playground, shelter, water tap, accessible, rubbish bins, dogs on leash allowed.
EAGLEHAWK PLAYSPACE
Napier Street, Eaglehawk
Shaped like a giant eagle hawk, the new play space caters to children of all ages. It features play equipment inspired by the Banjo Patterson poem Mulga Bill's Bicycle which starts with the line "Twas Mulga Bill from Eaglehawk". A butterfly themed junior play area called Where Angels Play celebrates the life of baby Zayden Veal-Whitting. Facilities all within walking distance.
Facilities: parking, BBQs, tables, toilets, playground, shelter, water tap, accessible, rubbish bins, dogs on leash allowed.
COOINDA PARK PLAYSPACE
183 Mackenzie St West, Golden Square
Popular for its hill with four large slides and extensive play equipment. There is also a large grassed area perfect for ball games.
Facilities: parking, BBQs, tables, toilets, playground, water tap, accessible, rubbish bins, dogs on leash allowed.
CRUSOE RESERVOIR & NO. 7 PARK
Caruso Road, Kangaroo Flat
Situated at the foot hills of Big Hill surrounded by Greater Bendigo National Park, this unique park provides an abundance of inviting natural, cultural heritage and recreational features.
The park covers 210 hectares including both reservoirs; the larger Crusoe Reservoir caters for water activities such as swimming, fishing, and non-powered boating, whilst the No. 7 Reservoir can be enjoyed as part of a historic journey through Bendigo's first successful domestic water storage and purification system all set amongst the region's box-ironbark forest.
Facilities: parking, tables, toilets, water tap, accessible
