Brisbane's top-five picnic spots

Brisbane has a heap of top picnic spots, most a short drive from the CBD. Whether you're after an intimate lunch for two or just want to get fractious kids out of a hot house, here are our top-five picnic picks, complete with portable food suggestions.

New Farm Park, Brunswick Street, Newfarm

Choose the shelter of the rotunda, enjoy the river breeze under the spreading fig trees or set up on the lawn close to the kids playground. There are barbecues and picnic tables as well as plenty of takeaway food options nearby. We reckon a bento box can't be beat for an easy picnic option. Mizu in nearby Newstead has a good range from sashimi to fried karaage chicken with rice, miso soup and salad. Alternatively, go traditional with a catered picnic basket from New Farm deli.

Mizu, 2 Macquarie St, Newstead, 07 3254 0488

New Farm Deli, 900 Brunswick Street, New Farm, 07 3358 2634

Roma Street Parklands, 1 Parkland Boulevard, Brisbane

One of Brisbane's best parks, Roma Street Parklands has patches of rainforest, flower gardens, bike paths and a green swathe of lawn, perfect for cricket or just lounging about on. Put together a retro picnic from Pamela's Pantry – from quiches and pies straight from the oven, to a variety of salads. Finish off with a custard cream or Monte Carlo. Just across the road at the Barracks is Stewart's wine shop in case you want to pair your bickie with a sticky.

Pamela's Pantry, 65 Caxton Street, Petrie Terrace, 07 3369 1953

Stewarts Wine Co, Petrie Barracks, 5-61 Petrie Terrace, 07 3018 9070

Orleigh Park, Hill End Terrace, West End

Catch the City Cat to Orleigh Park where there are plenty of big old trees to provide shade, cooling river breezes, barbecues, taps and a kids playground. We reckon there's no better way of paying homage to the area's immigrant history than getting your Greek on with a generous takeaway platter of meat and salad from Char Char Yiros, then finish off with syrup-drenched samali cake, or traditional baklava from Eros Greek cafe.

Char Char Yiros, 56-58 Russell Street, West End, 07 3844 7130

Eros Cafe, 76 Boundary Street, West End, 07 3844 7512

Mt Nebo via The Gap

There are some gorgeous picnic spots on Mt Nebo, most with sweeping views of the Samford Valley all the way to Morteon Bay. Try Bellbird Grove or Jolly's Lookout for an old-school picnic spot. Stop en route at Meat at Billy's in Ashgrove for some of their excellent sausages, such as smoky beef and maple syrup, pork and sage or traditional Cumberland. Next door at Golden King bakery you can pick up some soft white bread – perfect for wrapping round a snag.

Meat at Billy's, 241 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove, 07 3366 2912

Golden King Bakery, 239 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove, 07 3366 5524

Colmslie Beach Reserve, 152 Colmslie Rd, Murarrie, 07 3403 8888

"Beach" is pushing it a bit, but this is a great spot if you have kids and there is a little strip of sand on the river here. In a bush-like setting, Colmslie has an "octopus garden" playground, sandpit and bike or scooter path. There are sheltered picnic tables and barbecues, but if you want to BYO food, try the The Fish Factory for some of Brisbane's best fish and chips. Grown-ups might like the cooked cold prawns from Raptis next door.

The Fish Factory, 363 Lytton Rd, Morningside, 07 3399 9888

Raptis Fish Market, 90 Colmslie Rd, Colmslie, 07 3249 7888