Cheers to COVID-Safe picnics

Although it's not possible to get out to your favourite restaurant or watering hole at the moment, the city's beautiful parks are the perfect place to meet up with up family and friends for a COVID-Safe picnic, provided you're fully vaccinated.

Under the current NSW Government guidelines, if you are fully vaccinated, you can attend an outdoor gathering in a public place of up to five people for exercise or outdoor recreation. So, if you've had two COVID-19 vaccinations, it's time to pull your picnic blanket and basket out of hiding and pack your favourite food and drinks to make the most of the Spring weather. If you head to one Newcastle's parks between 8am and 8pm (excluding skate parks), it's even okay to consume an alcoholic beverage.

If you're picnicking at one of the City's parks, please use the bins provided or take your rubbish with you and adhere to COVID-19 rules at all times.

If you're not fully vaccinated, you can still get outside and enjoy your local park for exercise and recreation with one other person that you do not live with, or your nominated "singles bubbles" visitor.

During the stay at home orders which have been in place since early-August, Newcastle's parks and open spaces have been more important than ever, with locals making the most of public spaces in their own backyard. Don't forget that you can only visit parks in your Local Government Area, or within 5 kilometres from your home.

For a full list of Newcastle's parks and to find one near you visit our Playgrounds and Park page.