Lane Cove picnic areas
Lane Cove National Park
Book your next birthday party or family barbecue at one of the picnic areas in Lane Cove National Park. Tucked away in a valley beside a river, you can immerse yourself in this beautiful natural setting.
- Venue is suitable for
- Arts and cultural events, corporate and business events, private party or function, wedding ceremonies and wedding reception
- Capacity
-
Maximum people: 100
There are 6 picnic areas available to book. Each picnic area holds a maximum of 100 people. - Facilities
- Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, cafe/kiosk, carpark, drinking water, toilets
- Fees
-
Venue hire ranges from $121 to $191 per day.
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
- Availability
- Available for hire daily from 9am to 5pm (6pm during daylight savings), except for Christmas Day.
- Bookings
- Book online or call 02 8448 0406.
Host your next group lunch, corporate treasure hunt, or wedding reception in a relaxed and natural setting at Lane Cove National Park. You’ll feel a million miles away while enjoying this beautiful pocket of bushland on the edges of Chatswood and East Ryde.
You can book any of the 6 picnic areas dotted along Lane Cove River.
Choose from venues like Haynes Flat and Cottonwood Glen, located right on the river. Carter Creek is positioned under tall gum trees and Casuarina Point is nestled against the serene riverbank. Tunks Hill has skyline views of Chatswood. And kids will love Commandment Rock beside a wide, grassy area perfect for party games.
Some picnic areas have barbecues included in your booking. Others have shared-barbecue facilities nearby. You can also choose from picnic areas with or without shelter.
Your guests can get active after lunch and enjoy walking tracks or go for a bike ride. And if you're feeling adventurous you could hire a canoe or a kayak and spot water dragons by the river's edge.
Lane Cove National Park café offers event catering and snacks, while Boat House Kiosk is a great place to get an ice-cream.
Picnic areas you can book:
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/venues/lane-cove-picnic-areas/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Lane Cove National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Lane Cove National Park is open 9am to 7pm during daylight savings (until 6pm at other times). The park may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. Day passes are available from on-park pay machines that accept coins and credit cards, and you can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.
Bus: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day). Prior payment may be required, please phone the Lane Cove National Park Office for more information.
Group bookings:
Under the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2009, prior written approval is required for organised groups of 30 or more people planning to visit the park. Contact the park office prior to your visit.
Buy annual pass
Venue info
All the practical information you need to know about the Lane Cove picnic areas.
Getting there and parking
From Sydney, take the Pacific Highway to Chatswood and turn left into Fullers Road:
- Turn right into Lady Game Drive just before crossing the bridge
- Take the first left into Max Allen Drive for the northern side of the river, or
- Cross Fullers Bridge and then turn right into Riverside Drive. This will take you to the southern side of the river
From Ryde, take Lane Cove Road and turn right into Riverside Drive, just past Eden Gardens.
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at all picnic areas. This is a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Long vehicle access is limited. If you're bringing a coach, bus, or towing trailers or caravans, please contact Lane Cove office before your arrival to get instructions on parking and turning bays.
By public transport
Lane Cove National Park is accessible from North Ryde station and by bus from Chatswood station. For information about public transport options, visit the NSW transport info website.
Facilities
Power is not available at any picnic areas in Lane Cove National Park.
Toilets
- Flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
Carter Creek and Casuarina Point picnic areas have gas/electric barbecues that form part of your booking for exclusive use.
Tunks Hill picnic area and all other gas/electric barbecues in the park are shared.
Haynes Flat, Cottonwood Glen, and Commandment Rock picnic areas all have wood barbecues. Please bring your own firewood.
You may also bring your own barbecue, including heat bead barbecues. However, if a total fire ban or park fire ban is declared, only NPWS provided gas/electric barbecues can be used.
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
- Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)
Cafe/kiosk
There are two places you can buy food and drinks: Boat Shed kiosk, and Lane Cove National Park café.
Carpark
Drinking water
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Tunks Hill picnic area is wheelchair accessible. It has parking available next to the area, accessible toilets nearby, and wide and relatively flat pathways.
Medium access presents some minor difficulties, such as a grassy surface. You may require a little assistance to get around in some areas.
Permitted
Food and drink
- You may bring your own food.
- You may bring portable gas barbeques fitted with drip trays for cooking, however, please note that these are prohibited during a total fire ban.
- Commercial catering is permitted and must be detailed on the application form. Some forms of catering may be restricted during a total fire ban.
- Responsible consumption of alcohol is permitted.
- We encourage plastic-free events. Where possible, please use biodegradable plates, cups and cutlery (paper, corn starch, bamboo).
Structures, staging, furniture and amusements
- Weighted free-standing decorative items.
- Free-standing tents and marquees are permitted but they must be weighted, not pegged. Please detail these on the application form.
Cycling
Fishing
Prohibited
Amplified or loud music and public address systems
Balloons, plant materials and open flames are not permitted, including:
- Water balloons and paintball equipment
- Decorations consisting of flowers, vines or other exotic plant materials
- Rice, confetti, petals or similar decorative items are not permitted
- Candles or other open flames
Please do not put up signage or cordon off structures or areas at Lane Cove picnic areas.
Camping
Gathering firewood
Generators
Horses
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Lane Cove National Park Picnic Booking Line
- 02 8448 0406
- lanecove.bookings@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Lane Cove National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Lane Cove National Park is open 9am to 7pm during daylight savings (until 6pm at other times). The park may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. Day passes are available from on-park pay machines that accept coins and credit cards, and you can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.
Bus: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day). Prior payment may be required, please phone the Lane Cove National Park Office for more information.
Group bookings:
Under the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2009, prior written approval is required for organised groups of 30 or more people planning to visit the park. Contact the park office prior to your visit.
Buy annual pass
What's nearby:
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