Text size
Explore
10 min readText size
Updated •
Published
Text size
Perth isn’t just known for its sunshine and great coffee. It’s also home to some incredible waterside BBQ spots, where you can flip snags while enjoying ocean breezes and riverside sunsets.
If you’re seeking a laid-back afternoon, a family feast or a sunset session with friends, there’s no shortage of places to fire up the hotplate. Here are 15 of the best waterside BBQ spots in and around Perth to bookmark for your next outdoor feast.
Few BBQ spots in Perth deliver a backdrop quite like Sir James Mitchell Park. Stretching along the Swan River directly opposite the CBD, this expansive foreshore park offers city skyline views that are particularly impressive at sunset. Wide lawns provide plenty of space for kids to run around or for groups to spread out, while multiple BBQs and shaded picnic areas make it easy to settle in for the afternoon.
It’s a popular choice for birthday celebrations, family gatherings and casual weekend catch-ups, and for good reason. You can cook, eat, stroll along the river and linger well into the evening as the city lights come on across the water.
Parking: Free street parking along Coode Street and nearby foreshore car parks.
Amenities: Toilets, drinking fountains, shaded picnic areas, playgrounds.
Accessibility: Accessible parking, toilets, and wheelchair-friendly paths.
Galup Reserve (formerly known as Lake Monger) isn’t just one of Perth’s most beloved urban wetlands, it’s also a wonderfully versatile BBQ destination right on the city’s doorstep. The reserve features public barbecue facilities, picnic tables and shaded areas scattered around its expansive lawns, which sit alongside the lake’s walking and cycling paths.
The paved circuit around the water draws locals for everything from gentle strolls to birdwatching. It’s also a family favourite thanks to nearby playgrounds and a dog-on-leash exercise area, so everyone from toddlers to four-legged companions can make a day of it.
Parking: Free parking around Lake Monger Drive and nearby side streets.
Amenities: Picnic areas, toilets, shaded seating, drinking fountains.
Accessibility: Accessible parking.
For a BBQ with a twist, ECO BBQ Boats let you take the experience directly onto the water. These self-drive electric boats cruise quietly along the canals while you cook and dine onboard, offering a completely different way to enjoy Perth’s waterways.
Ideal for celebrations, birthdays or memorable group catch-ups, the boats give you front-row views of the marina, riverside parks and passing wildlife.
Parking: Paid or timed parking near launch points.
Amenities: On-board BBQ facilities and seating; shore-based toilets nearby.
This sprawling riverside park on the eastern edge of Perth is a long-time favourite for relaxed BBQs close to the city. Its wide lawns and winding riverside paths make it easy to find a quiet patch by the water, even on busier weekends. BBQs are dotted throughout the park, sitting close to walking and cycling routes that follow the Swan River.
Its proximity to the city, combined with generous facilities and easy parking, makes Burswood Park a fuss-free choice for spontaneous BBQs or larger group gatherings.
Parking: Free parking in dedicated car parks off Great Eastern Highway.
Amenities: Picnic tables, toilets, walking and cycling paths.
Accessibility: Fully accessible, including toilet and drinking fountains.
Matilda Bay is classic Perth scenery at its best. Wide lawns roll down to the river’s edge, where cooling breezes and uninterrupted views back towards the city skyline set the tone for a relaxed afternoon. BBQs are positioned throughout the park, making it easy to claim a spot close to the water.
It’s especially popular on warm days, when boats drift past and people linger long after lunch. Pair your BBQ with a gentle riverside stroll or simply sit back and soak up the view.
Parking: Free parking along Hackett Drive.
Amenities: Picnic tables, toilets, shaded lawns.
Accessibility: Accessible parking, paved paths suitable for wheelchairs and prams.
A little over an hour south of Perth, the Mandurah Eastern Foreshore feels like a seaside holiday in its own right. BBQs line the water’s edge overlooking the estuary, where dolphins, pelicans and boats drift past. Wide open lawns provide plenty of space for families, while nearby playgrounds keep kids entertained.
It’s an ideal destination for a slow afternoon that naturally rolls into dinner, especially as the sun sets over the water and the foreshore comes alive with evening walkers.
Parking: Ample bays along Mandurah Terrace.
Amenities: Picnic tables, toilets, playground, cafes.
Accessibility: Accessible toilets, parking, and pathways; beach wheelchair and ramp access available.
If your ideal BBQ spot has ocean views and sea breeze included, Clarko Reserve hits the mark. Sitting right next to Trigg Beach, this grassy coastal park has public BBQs, shaded picnic tables, playgrounds and toilets, making it an easy go-to for an afternoon with family or friends.
The reserve’s position just inland from the sand means you can alternate between firing up the barbecue and dipping your toes in the Indian Ocean or venturing out to nearby Mettams Pool for a calmer swim.
Parking: Several parking locations close to the reserve, including road parking, Trigg Car Park and South Trigg Car Park.
Amenities: Picnic tables, toilets, shaded grass areas.
Simple, scenic and relaxed, Shelley Beach Park is a much-loved local spot along the Canning River. BBQs sit close to the water, with shaded areas and open lawns creating an easygoing setting for casual get-togethers.
The recently upgraded playground is a highlight for families, with fun climbing structures, slides and sensory play areas that keep kids entertained while you fire up the BBQ.
Parking: Free parking along Riverton Drive North.
Amenities: Picnic tables, toilets, shaded areas, playground.
Designed with families in mind, Rockingham Foreshore combines BBQ facilities with calm swimming waters, playgrounds and shaded lawns. It’s an easy all-day destination: swim or paddle in the morning, cook lunch, then wander the foreshore as the afternoon fades.
With cafés nearby and wide paths for walking or scooting, it’s a relaxed coastal option that suits all ages.
Parking: Free and metered parking along the foreshore.
Amenities: Picnic tables, toilets, drinking fountains, playgrounds, cafe, shady lawn areas.
Accessibility: Accessible toilets, parking, and beach access matting.
Set on a sweeping bend of the Swan River, Point Walter Reserve is one of Perth’s most iconic waterside locations. Calm waters, expansive lawns and uninterrupted views make it ideal for large gatherings and leisurely BBQs that stretch across the afternoon.
After eating, take a stroll along the river or wander out towards the sandbar when conditions allow, it’s one of the most distinctive river landscapes in the city.
Parking: Ample parking is available on Honour Avenue and at the end of Burke Drive.
Amenities: Picnic tables, toilets, shaded areas, walking paths, playground, cafe & kiosk.
Bardon Park is a classic riverside picnic spot that balances convenience with charm. BBQs are positioned close to the water, shaded by mature trees, and the surrounding paths make it easy to combine lunch with a riverside walk.
With cafés nearby and plenty of open space, it’s a great option for relaxed weekends when you want flexibility and easy access.
Parking: 82 bays located at Bardon Place.
Amenities: Picnic tables, toilets, playground, shaded lawns, drinking fountain.
Accessibility: Accessible parking, and wheelchair-accessible swing.
For a change of scenery, Neil Hawkins Park on Lake Joondalup offers BBQs and picnic facilities overlooking calm lake waters surrounded by walking trails and wetlands. It’s a peaceful alternative to riverside venues, perfect for an early lunch or midday gathering with nature as your backdrop
Parking: Free parking at park entrances.
Amenities: Picnic tables, toilets, playgrounds.
With manicured lawns and elevated river views, Goolugatup Heathcote Reserve feels a little more polished than many other BBQ spots. The setting lends itself well to relaxed, unhurried meals, particularly in the early evening, when the river glows at sunset.
After your BBQ, a gentle walk along the foreshore completes the experience, making it a favourite for quieter, more refined gatherings.
Parking: Free parking off Duncraig Road.
Amenities: Picnic tables shaded grass areas, toilets, playground, cafe.
Accessibility: Accessible parking, and wheelchair accessible grounds and gallery.
South Beach Park combines a relaxed coastal vibe with generous picnic facilities. Grassy areas sit just behind the sand, making it easy to alternate between swimming, lounging and cooking. The protected swimming area is especially popular with families.
As the sun sets, the beach and park take on a laid-back evening atmosphere that pairs perfectly with a casual BBQ dinner.
Parking: Ample parking bays off Ocean Drive and nearby streets.
Amenities: Picnic tables, toilets, shaded areas, cafe.
Accessibility: Accessible parking, toilets, beach wheelchair & walker available.
