Sean Nairn

Extensive reserve along the coast at Brighton Beach. Acting as a buffer between the road and the beach itself, it provides space for parking, picnics and has public toilets. Views over Port Phillip Bay are awesome and a great spot to watch the sunset. There are limited safe places to cross Beach Rd / Esplanade, your best bet is to use the lights at the South Rd intersection near Brighton Beach station.

Great views over the Yarra and the buildings located on the South side of the Yarra. Also a perfect place to watch the nightly Gas Brigades fireballs at Crown Casino, definitely worth viewing if you’re in the area after dark. They go off hourly on the hour.

Peaceful grassy spot located just above the Opera House and next to the Botanic Gardens, offering views over the harbour and Harbour Bridge while being away from the crowds. Plenty of food options nearby in Circular Quay so grab a picnic and spend a couple of hours watching the harbour from here.

One of the many expanses of grass in the Gardens, this space offers a panoramic view of the harbour and Farm Cove. Plenty of room to picnic, for kids to run around or just to stop and smell the flowers. Gets sun for the full day so is popular. You can grab a bite to eat in the nearby Gardens restaurant or get something at Circular Quay and walk past to the Opera House to this site.