Picnicking has always been one of the most popular recreation activities in Cornwall Park. European settlers brought the tradition to Aotearoa New Zealand and it quickly became a beloved pastime. Travel through time and enjoy a picnic in the park inspired by history!

Picnic like it's 1909

Step back in time to the early 20th century with your finest long skirts, tailored blazers, and elegant hats. Pack your picnic basket with cold roast meats, salad sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and maybe even a few dainty cakes. Don’t forget the china plates and silver spoons! Spend the afternoon enjoying classic games like egg and spoon races, sack races, or simply relaxing with good company. Picnics in 1909 were grand, communal events, often captured in detailed reports in the local newspaper.

Picnic like it's 1929

Jive into the roaring twenties with your finest deco dresses, cloche hats, and pinstriped suits. Pack your picnic basket with fancy finger sandwiches, fresh fruits and a thermos of hot tea. Enjoy a lively game of croquet or a round of charades. Picnics in the 1920s were chic affairs, often accompanied by the sounds of a portable gramophone playing the latest jazz hits.

Picnic like it's 1949

Embrace post-war elegance with your best tea dresses, fitted blazers, and fedoras. Fill your picnic basket with hearty sandwiches, cold cuts, and homemade baking. Pass the time with a game of cricket or relax on a blanket with a good book. In the late 1940s, picnics were all about simple pleasures and time spent with friends and whānau.

Picnic like it's 1969

Groove into the late '60s with your vibrant tie-dye shirts, bell-bottom pants and flower crowns. Pack your basket with sandwiches, fresh fruit, and maybe even a flask of herbal tea. Enjoy a game of frisbee or sit back and strum a guitar, singing along to the hits of the decade. Picnics in the '60s and '70s were laid-back and emphasised connecting to nature and time spent together.

Picnic like it's 1989

Step into the bold and bright '80s with neon windbreakers, leg warmers, and oversized sunglasses. Pack your picnic basket with snack foods like LeSnak, Roll-ups, and chips like CCs and Twisties or even a cheese hedgehog. Lively games with hacky sacks, elastics, or skipping ropes were a great way to get active. Picnics in the 1980s were fun, casual affairs, perfect for showing off your latest cassette or mixtape on a boombox

Picnic like it's 2009

Reflect the relaxed vibe of the 2000s with casual jeans, graphic tees, and comfortable sneakers. Picnic easy and fill your basket with a mix of store-bought goodies, like wraps, chips, baby carrots, dips and cupcakes. Bring along a portable speaker for music or enjoy a game of frisbee. Picnics in 2009 were all about blending tradition with convenience and capturing the moment on a digital camera or smartphone.

Picnic like it's 2029....Travel into the future and imagine what park picnics will be like in five, ten or fifty years!

VINTAGE PICNIC AT HERITAGE DAY: RECREATION

Break out your picnic baskets, teapots, and best vintage outfits to join us for a vintage picnic at our Heritage Day. More fun activities and displays for the whole whanau will be held on the day!

Saturday 28th September from 11am-2pm. For more information about this event click here