Lane Cove picnic areas

Lane Cove National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Book now

Overview

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.
Book now

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.

For directions, safety and practical information, see venue info

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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

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 (//pass.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/).
See more info on the venue

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

Safety messages

Boating safety

If you're out on your boat fishing, waterskiing or just cruising the waterways, read these paddling and boating safety tips.

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

Paddling safety

To make your paddling or kayaking adventure safer and more enjoyable, check out these paddling safety tips.

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Water activities

Beaches, rivers and lakes in NSW national parks offer lots of opportunities for water activities. Please take care in the water and find out how to help your family and friends stay safe around water.

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.