Picnic in Bicentennial Park

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Bicentennial Park is a huge patch of pristine greenery in Sydney Olympic Park . It was created by the state and federal governments during the 1980s, to celebrate the country's Bicentenary in 1988. Open to the public all year round, it's an ideal spot for a picnic or BBQ on a sunny weekend.

The 100-hectare natural heritage site is a beautiful expanse of green in the concrete jungle that is Sydney's West. Even at its busiest, Bicentennial Park still has room for you stretch out on your very own patch of grass. You can spread out a blanket and tuck into a packed lunch, or if you're a meat lover, there's no shortage of free electric BBQs on offer to let you cook up a feast.

If you've got a large group together, there are 13 sites for hire all year long. These can include covered pavilions, structures with seating, shade sails and lots of beautiful open space. It's not uncommon to see big family gatherings or even wedding ceremonies taking place in the grounds.

The centrepiece of the park is Lake Belvedere, offering a peaceful outlook for stressed-out city folk. A jetty juts out into the lake and you'll often see plenty of bird life out on the water.

Once you've had your fair share of relaxation time, there's plenty of ways you can burn off whatever you ate for lunch. The wide open spaces mean you can easily set up a game of cricket or kick a footy, or those after something more sedate can take a stroll along the many pathways. More than 35km of bicycle tracks wind their way through the park, and it's a pretty common sight to see Mum, Dad and a couple of kids out for a casual ride.

Two kids' playgrounds are sure to keep energetic youngsters amused, while other options such as outdoor chess and a boules court can entertain young and old. Access to the nearby mangroves is well signposted, so you can continue your wanderings along the boardwalk. Bird watchers are catered for with a specially built bird hide. There's also a lookout offering views of Sydney Olympic Park and in towards the city.

There's even a cafe and restaurant in the park if you want someone else to do the cooking, but the best way to experience this western Sydney gem is to get outdoors. And when even the parking is free, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better (or cheaper) way to spend a day out.

By road, Sydney Olympic Park is just one minute from the M4, or you could also catch the train or the ferry. If you own a bike and feel like burning a few calories, download the bike map to find out how to get to Olympic Park using pedal power.

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