Nothing says Spring more than a picnic with family and friends – spread out a blanket under the shade of a tree, open a bottle of your favourite wine and devour picnic basket treats to celebrate the change of season in style.
Whether it is in your own backyard, at the beach or local winery where you can pick up a gourmet hamper and head into the vines for a lunch to remember, there is never a better way to enjoy the outdoors.
Here are five venues where food, friends and sunshine combine:
Gourmet Picnic Hampers Crafted for You
Nestled in an historic stone settler’s cottage built in 1851, visit award-winning winery restaurant Skillogalee on Trevarrick Road in Sevenhill for fare with flair. This charming dining destination offers guests a chance to sample Skillogalee wines in the way they were intended to be enjoyed – with food in the heart of the beautiful Clare Valley.
Make your day at this picturesque estate truly special with a gourmet picnic hamper crafted just for you, brimming with premium delights to ensure an unforgettable experience; pick up your hamper from the cellar door and devour delicious treats such as duck parfait, farmhouse terrine, seasonal salad, aged fennel cacciatore and house-pickled vegetables, best enjoyed with a bottle of wine from the estate range.
Graze the Day Away with a Pallet Picnic
Located within an historic 1842 homestead, Gracie’s Restaurant on Broadford-Flowerdale Road in Strath Creek is an idyllic location for an intimate meal or family celebration. Nestled within function venue Flowerdale Estate, this restaurant boasts an outdoor deck for sipping a wine on balmy days overlooking picturesque scenery and gardens, while indoors is warm and inviting as guests enjoy everything from high teas to romantic dinners.
Graze the day away with a whimsical pallet picnic to bring a little magic to your next event, gathering or family celebration. Set privately among the rolling hills of the picturesque gardens, enjoy a perfectly curated grazing menu while sipping away on a beverage of your choice. Expect white linen napkins and a Bluetooth speaker so you can enjoy your own playlist along with a dedicated staff member for seamless picnicking.
Tasty Takeaway Picnic Options
Fusing Southeast Asian influences with incredible Tasmanian produce, head to Small Grain on Charles Street in Launceston for punchy flavours and recipes handed down through family generations. This compact eatery blends exposed brick with blond wood and potted greenery to create a chilled-out vibe for checking out a seasonal menu inspired by traditional Japanese food, made with love.
Grab a fresh and tasty poké bowl such as karaage chicken with kimchi, pickled carrot, honey soy, lettuce, cucumber, edamame, lotus chips, furikake, coriander, chilli and mayo, on a bed of warm rice and head to the banks of the river for a picnic; or perhaps fresh sushi such as baked salmon and cucumber hits the mark, enjoyed with an orange, mango and apple organic juice.
Grab Some Takeaway for a Barossa Picnic
Drawing inspiration from time-honoured family recipes, head to Barossa Pho on Murray Street in Angaston for a traditional Vietnamese dining experience to savour. Housed in a quaint cottage-style venue with a spacious paved alfresco courtyard under the shade of trees, this restaurant exudes charm with polished timber, French doors and potted greenery setting the scene for memorable meals with family and friends.
Take in all the Barossa Valley has to offer by picking up some takeaway and heading off for a Spring picnic with delicious pork and vegetable spring rolls, or chicken wings with nuoc cham sauce; perhaps grab a prawn and mango salad with Vietnamese herbs or pan-fried duck breast, citrus salad, orange and ginger sauce, best enjoyed at your favourite outdoor spot.
Picnic in the Family-friendly Garden
Sitting on the banks of the Goulburn River for more than half a century, Jamieson Brewery & Grill on Eldon-Jamieson Road in Jamieson is one of the first microbreweries in Victoria. With a reputation for high-quality ales and hospitable country charm, this child-friendly venue has play equipment in the gardens and a dedicated kids’ zone in the restaurant making it the perfect destination for a memorable family meal.
Order a pizza such as the Brewery Special – Napoli sauce, ham, salami, onion, capsicum, mushroom, olives, prawns and cheese – and head to the garden or deck for a picnic; perhaps a Brewery three-cheese burger hits the mark with American, brie and Mersey Valley cheese, pickle burger sauce and tomato chutney, on a brioche bun with a side of chips.
