Don’t get me wrong, Australia is one of the most ideal places to live in either of the hemispheres. We have 11/10 beaches, six months of daylight savings and if you love cracking open a cider, drinking lattes out of a boot or eating fries out of an antique urn, phwoar boy – you bet we have those too.
But what’s the point of having all of this extra light and glorious weather if we can’t lounge about in nature with animals chirping as they help us crack open a cider? Like a full-blown Disney movie where the main character’s sidekick is a bottle opener.
Not to fret though, as while a lot of places in Oz do forbid a cheeky drop while you frolick in the park, we’ve scoped out a few gardens that’ll let you enjoy summer for all its worth. We’re responsible adults, after all.
Barangaroo Reserve, Sydney
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpHOPfljuKb/?taken-at=1004798225
Why hit up a bar situated smack dab in the middle of a tourist trap when you can simply stock your picnic basket full of snacks and ciders, lay out in the sun and gaze at the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Seems like a genuine no-brainer to me.
If it’s a particularly hot day, we suggest you also stash a singular icy pole in the cooler so you can watch as everyone dies a little inside when you whip it out and eat the entire thing to yourself.
Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoHC76yBVbN/?taken-at=1915426262058848
While Melbourne‘s Parliament Gardens does have that fountain where you can recreate the iconic Friends intro, Fitzroy Gardens truly is a spectacular park – almost every photo you take is worthy of putting in a three-hour sideshow for your wildly disinterested mates.
The only downside is that the park is located in East Melbourne, so you risk the chance of getting hit in the face by a bio-degradable, GMO-free, vegan-friendly frisbee.
New Farm Park, Brisbane
There are a couple of parks tucked away in Brisbane where you can enjoy a cold one with your plethora of cheese and water crackers, but only at the New Farm Park are you free to set up camp wherever you want.
Plus, not only do you have a bangin’ view of the city skyline, on the other side is a large body of water which name escapes me, so we’re gonna take a stab and assume it’s called the Brisbane Waterplace. (In the ballpark? No? Jolly good.)
Botanic Gardens – Adelaide
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcO-YoyBeQe/?tagged=botanicgardensadelaide
Okay, so it’s a tad pointless picking any given park in Adelaide considering the entire city is essentially one giant garden, but you can’t go wrong with the ol’ Botanic Gardens. Look, it’s even sorted its own, natural roof for you to hide your pasty ass skin from the sun.
Adelaide, you thoughtful bugger.
If you need a new drop for your park adventures (side note: keep an eye out in Adelaide for ‘Dry Zone’ signs, as you can’t actually drink there), hit up BWS, Dan Murphy’s, Liquorland, First Choice Liquor or Vintage Cellars and try an Orchard Thieves apple cider.
It’s kinda like normal apple cider but better because you don’t get sick of it after a few sips so it’s basically destined for the outdoors.
Also, parks usually have bins scattered throughout and if they don’t just take your empty cans and rubbish with ya – no one likes a litterbug.
For more cunning ideas to get the best out of your summer, get involved here.
