48 perfect picnic recipes

For a successful picnic, you need to strike it lucky on two counts – good weather, and permission under your state government rules. Tick both boxes? Then take it outside. Make sure all your food is easily transportable – think savoury tarts, do-it-yourself sandwiches, and pull-aparts and focaccias. For sweet treats, we favour easy one-tray cake bakes (the pineapple and coconut number is a winner). Just don’t forget the picnic rug.

Focaccia

Focaccia

Spring green frittata

Spring green frittata

JoyBird’s chicken Scotch eggs with tarragon mayonnaise

JoyBird’s chicken Scotch eggs with tarragon mayonnaise

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chimichurri prawns with hasselback potatoes

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Ora King salmon with peach and tomato salad

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easy dinner recipes: prawn and pork noodles

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Jaclyn Koludrovic's gluten-free pistachio, lime and coconut cream cake with melon, apple and mint

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Eggplant parmigiana with basil and parmesan on top, served in a black serving dish

Autumn recipes: Our most popular recipes for the season

Chocolate-chilli lava cake oozing chocolate

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Pea and mint dip with labne and radishes

Pea and mint dip with labne and radishes

Pumpkin, taleggio and pancetta rolls

Pumpkin, taleggio and pancetta rolls

Bread rolls with pulled pork, cornichons, and cheese on a plate, with a tin of pork and a knife nearby on a blue cloth. — Photo: William Meppem

Devilled ham with cornichons and cheddar

Devilled ham with cornichons and cheddar

Artichoke and salted ricotta tart with salsa verde

Artichoke and salted ricotta tart with salsa verde

Oregano eggplant with freekeh, feta and dill

Oregano eggplant with freekeh, feta and dill

Stromboli

Stromboli

Over the top shot of a cream-coloured eggplant dip, drizzled generously with olive oil and garnished with bright-pink diced pickled turnips and coriander leaves. — Photo: Ben Dearnley

Smoky eggplant and walnut dip

Smoky eggplant and walnut dip

Rosemary focaccia with salume

Rosemary focaccia with salume

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10 recipes made to share for easy Easter entertaining

Brought to you by Tassal

37 autumn salad recipes that will change your mind about cold-weather salads

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

The ultimate curry recipe collection to soothe the soul this autumn

Best hot cross bun recipes for Easter

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Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

26 salmon recipes for easy dinners

100 best dinner ideas to dial up the flavour (but not the labour)

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

100 easy dinner recipes for busy weeknights this autumn

54 recipes by our favourite female chefs

Autumn recipes: Our most popular recipes for the season

Fall head over heels for these Valentine’s Day desserts

Chicken pie

Chicken pie

Zucchini, black olive and goat’s cheese tarts

Zucchini, black olive and goat’s cheese tarts

Caramelised onion and Gruyère scrolls

Caramelised onion and Gruyère scrolls

Pumpkin, goat’s curd and thyme tart

Pumpkin, goat’s curd and thyme tart

Roast broccoli and cheddar filo tart

Roast broccoli and cheddar filo tart

Sausage rolls

Sausage rolls

Cacio e pepe sausage rolls

Cacio e pepe sausage rolls

Herb frittata with mushrooms

Herb frittata with mushrooms

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10 recipes made to share for easy Easter entertaining

Brought to you by Tassal

37 autumn salad recipes that will change your mind about cold-weather salads

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

The ultimate curry recipe collection to soothe the soul this autumn

Best hot cross bun recipes for Easter

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

26 salmon recipes for easy dinners

100 best dinner ideas to dial up the flavour (but not the labour)

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

100 easy dinner recipes for busy weeknights this autumn

54 recipes by our favourite female chefs

Autumn recipes: Our most popular recipes for the season

Fall head over heels for these Valentine’s Day desserts

Rice salad with peas, mint, zucchini, lemon and pine nuts

Rice salad with peas, mint, zucchini, lemon and pine nuts

Broccoli tabbouleh

Broccoli tabbouleh

Pea and cucumber rice salad

Pea and cucumber rice salad

Poached chicken and millet salad with peas and mint

Poached chicken and millet salad with peas and mint

Carrot and burghul salad

Carrot and burghul salad

Charlie Carrington’s Yemenite pickled cabbage and chickpea salad

Charlie Carrington’s Yemenite pickled cabbage and chickpea salad

Grilled chicken pieces on a white cutting board with lemon wedges and spices. — Photo: William Meppem

Yoghurt roast chicken

Yoghurt roast chicken

Roast beef and potato salad rolls

Roast beef and potato salad rolls

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10 recipes made to share for easy Easter entertaining

Brought to you by Tassal

37 autumn salad recipes that will change your mind about cold-weather salads

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

The ultimate curry recipe collection to soothe the soul this autumn

Best hot cross bun recipes for Easter

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

26 salmon recipes for easy dinners

100 best dinner ideas to dial up the flavour (but not the labour)

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

100 easy dinner recipes for busy weeknights this autumn

54 recipes by our favourite female chefs

Autumn recipes: Our most popular recipes for the season

Fall head over heels for these Valentine’s Day desserts

A roast beef sandwich with arugula and sauce on a wooden board, presented in a baguette and cut into slices. — Photo: Sharyn Cairns

Rare roast beef baguettes with roast tomato and currant chutney

Rare roast beef baguettes with roast tomato and currant chutney

Jellied ham with condiments

Jellied ham with condiments

Goat’s cheese and potato salad

Goat’s cheese and potato salad

Two jars of marinated white beans with herbs and onions on a metal tray, with a spoon beside. — Photo: Sharyn Cairns

White bean salad with preserved lemon

White bean salad with preserved lemon

Scotch eggs

Scotch eggs

A bowl of cooked prawns with fennel and herbs, next to a basket of poppy seed rolls on a blue table. — Photo: Prue Ruscoe

Prawn and fennel brioche rolls

Prawn and fennel brioche rolls

Leek and cheese flamiches

Leek and cheese flamiches

A bottle and glasses with red drink, ice, and lemonade on a wooden table with mint and a vintage American flag. — Photo: William Meppem

Lemon and raspberry iced tea

Lemon and raspberry iced tea

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10 recipes made to share for easy Easter entertaining

Brought to you by Tassal

37 autumn salad recipes that will change your mind about cold-weather salads

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

The ultimate curry recipe collection to soothe the soul this autumn

Best hot cross bun recipes for Easter

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

26 salmon recipes for easy dinners

100 best dinner ideas to dial up the flavour (but not the labour)

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

100 easy dinner recipes for busy weeknights this autumn

54 recipes by our favourite female chefs

Autumn recipes: Our most popular recipes for the season

Fall head over heels for these Valentine’s Day desserts

Pineapple and coconut cake

Pineapple and coconut cake

Ginger cordial with mint, lime and cucumber

Ginger cordial with mint, lime and cucumber

Squares of frosted cake on plates with raspberries and forks on a cloth. — Photo: Prue Ruscoe

Buttermilk and vanilla cake with raspberries

Buttermilk and vanilla cake with raspberries

A moist almond cake topped with sliced peaches and syrup is served on a plate with a slice missing, surrounded by drinks. — Photo: William Meppem

Yoghurt and almond cake with orange-caramel peaches and vanilla yoghurt

Yoghurt and almond cake with orange-caramel peaches and vanilla yoghurt

Strawberry crème fraiche cheesecake — Photo: Chris Chen

Strawberry crème fraîche cheesecake

Strawberry crème fraîche cheesecake

Peach, raspberry and ricotta crumble cake

Peach, raspberry and ricotta crumble cake

Fennel and orange sugared brioche

Fennel and orange sugared brioche

Gluten-free passionfruit coconut slice

Gluten-free passionfruit coconut slice

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Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

10 recipes made to share for easy Easter entertaining

Brought to you by Tassal

37 autumn salad recipes that will change your mind about cold-weather salads

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

The ultimate curry recipe collection to soothe the soul this autumn

Best hot cross bun recipes for Easter

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

26 salmon recipes for easy dinners

100 best dinner ideas to dial up the flavour (but not the labour)

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

100 easy dinner recipes for busy weeknights this autumn

54 recipes by our favourite female chefs

Autumn recipes: Our most popular recipes for the season

Fall head over heels for these Valentine’s Day desserts

Rhubarb and raspberry brownie

Rhubarb and raspberry brownie

Hazelnut and chocolate swirl nougat

Hazelnut and chocolate swirl nougat

Tray of chocolate madeleines, with whipped cream and jam on plates, set on a picnic blanket. — Photo: William Meppem

Chocolate madeleines with mascarpone and marmalade

Chocolate madeleines with mascarpone and marmalade

Lime and coconut cake with pineapple glaze

Lime and coconut cake with pineapple glaze

A wooden box with glazed pastries and a wicker bottle on grass. — Photo: Sharyn Cairns

Sticky cinnamon finger buns

Sticky cinnamon finger buns

The Gourmet Traveller Team

Gourmet Traveller is Australia’s trusted authority on food, travel and luxury lifestyle, bringing the latest news and trends to life through quality journalism, enticing recipes and evocative photography. For more than 55 years, it has been inspiring and informing Australians with the best in cooking, dining, travelling and shopping. Our critics bring the expertise of years of critical eating, drinking and writing to the table. Plus, as the country’s leading title in the luxury sector, Gourmet Traveller works closely with Australia’s leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to give our readers exclusive access. The Gourmet Traveller legacy is one of trust, prestige and relevance.

Focaccia

Spring green frittata

JoyBird’s chicken Scotch eggs with tarragon mayonnaise

Pea and mint dip with labne and radishes

Pumpkin, taleggio and pancetta rolls

Devilled ham with cornichons and cheddar

Artichoke and salted ricotta tart with salsa verde

Oregano eggplant with freekeh, feta and dill

Stromboli

Smoky eggplant and walnut dip

Rosemary focaccia with salume

Chicken pie

Zucchini, black olive and goat’s cheese tarts

Caramelised onion and Gruyère scrolls

Pumpkin, goat’s curd and thyme tart

Roast broccoli and cheddar filo tart

Sausage rolls

Cacio e pepe sausage rolls

Herb frittata with mushrooms

Rice salad with peas, mint, zucchini, lemon and pine nuts

Broccoli tabbouleh

Pea and cucumber rice salad

Poached chicken and millet salad with peas and mint

Carrot and burghul salad

Charlie Carrington’s Yemenite pickled cabbage and chickpea salad

Yoghurt roast chicken

Roast beef and potato salad rolls

Rare roast beef baguettes with roast tomato and currant chutney

Jellied ham with condiments

Goat’s cheese and potato salad

White bean salad with preserved lemon

Scotch eggs

Prawn and fennel brioche rolls

Leek and cheese flamiches

Lemon and raspberry iced tea

Pineapple and coconut cake

Ginger cordial with mint, lime and cucumber

Buttermilk and vanilla cake with raspberries

Yoghurt and almond cake with orange-caramel peaches and vanilla yoghurt

Strawberry crème fraîche cheesecake

Peach, raspberry and ricotta crumble cake

Fennel and orange sugared brioche

Gluten-free passionfruit coconut slice

Rhubarb and raspberry brownie

Hazelnut and chocolate swirl nougat

Chocolate madeleines with mascarpone and marmalade

Lime and coconut cake with pineapple glaze

Sticky cinnamon finger buns

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