As the days get longer and summer kicks in, more and more people are looking to wine and dine outdoors. Whether you are hosting a picnic bash or jumping onto the latest trend and cooking up a storm with a pizza oven, summer is the season to do it all. With a 49% increase in Google searches in Australia over the last year, pizza ovens are becoming the new outdoor cooking staple.
But where in Australia is the best spot to secure that picture-perfect, sunshine-guaranteed, outdoor cooking experience for the summer holidays?
To answer this, we analysed weather-related data across 40 of Australia's most populated locations by looking at their average temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours, daylight hours, and air quality in the summer months of December, January and February.
Helping you feel even more prepared for a summer of hosting, experts at Gozney have also shared some tips on outdoor cooking and maximising the use of your equipment this summer.
The 20 best locations for outdoor cooking in Australia
1. Wagga Wagga
While Sydney and Melbourne may not have claimed this particular spot, it's worth noting that both cities performed well, with Sydney ranking 14th and Melbourne close behind in 15th. In fact, only two capital cities (Perth and Adelaide) made the top 10.
Some may expect the top spot to be located on the coast but taking the lead for the best outdoor cooking spot is the inland city of Wagga Wagga, in New South Wales. With over 13 hours of daylight in the summer months, the highest of all the locations, you can cook and enjoy anything from breakfast to dinner outdoors in this sun-filled city.
With an average temperature of 24°C, Wagga Wagga weather ranks second in temperature alone in the top 20 locations. Even if you need a break from the heat but still wish to cook outside, Wagga Beach offers sheltered areas to safely enjoy the sun whilst cooking with barbecues already set up and ready to be used. So, as you bring in the new year or celebrate Australia Day, you can celebrate over a cookout and entertain your friends and family.
However, certain parks only allow specific types of barbecues, depending on the fuel source. Be sure to also check the NSW Rural Fire Service Site before you head out to be aware of any Total Fire Bans that may affect your plans.
2. Perth
Coming in second place is the widely known sunny city of Perth. In fact, Perth unsurprisingly tops the list for optimal temperatures, where you can expect an average of 24.2°C throughout summer. Better yet, it only rains on average once in total between December and February so an outdoor cooking setup is perfect for Perth.
If you are looking for an outdoor cooking spot in this capital city, Perth’s Hyde Park is an excellent option to soak in the sun, and is only a five minute drive from the city centre. As the public barbecues can get snapped up quickly in the warm months, it’s the perfect opportunity to trade in the sausage sizzles for some pizza with friends using a portable pizza oven and impress them with your cooking skills.
According to Western Australian Government’s guidelines, “Stoves, barbecues and other appliances powered by liquid or gas fuel can be used at any time” unless there is a total fire ban. Solid fuels such as wood have more regulation in certain areas so be sure to check what fuel your cooking equipment takes before venturing out.
3. Shepparton
In third place is the northern Victoria city of Shepparton. Outdoor chefs can expect an average temperature of 22.9°C as they cook throughout December to February with an average of just 3 rainy days, making it an easy spot to schedule in a summer cookout. Shepparton offers nearly full days of outdoor cooking opportunities in the sun too, with an average of 13.7 daylight hours to choose from, 11.8 of which are sunshine.
If you don't have access to space for a backyard barbie, Victoria Park Lake is a brilliant option to still enjoy the sun and cook with a group of friends. With plenty of playground equipment and green space, it is also a great spot for the family to enjoy a kick-to-kick as you cook up a storm.
4. Rockingham and Albury
In joint fourth place is Rockingham and Albury. Whilst Rockingham will be boasting an average temperature of 23.2°C and only one day of rain on average during the summer months, the people of Albury can expect averages of 23°C and four rainy days.
If you want to venture out into Rockingham for your cookout, then Churchill Park is a great spot. With free-to-use barbecues, playground facilities for the kids, and the tranquil view of Rockingham Beach, Churchill Park offers the perfect backdrop for your snags on the barbie.
In Albury, try Hovell Tree Park where you can use their public wood-fired oven every second Sunday for free community use. From October to March, the oven is open for baking from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and there is even an expert Oven Coordinator around to help if needed. All you need to do is bring the dough and topping ingredients, and equipment for cutting and dishing out your food.
5. Mandurah
Finishing off our top five is the Western city of Mandurah. The city joins Rockingham and Perth as having the lowest average rainy days on the list with only one rainy day to fear disrupting your summer barbecues. With just over 11 hours worth of sunshine a day, you are set up for some perfect cooking weather no matter the time of day.
If you fancy taking your barbecue or picnic plans elsewhere, The Mandurah Eastern Foreshore is the perfect spot to enjoy your barbie and even spot some dolphins over Mandjar Bay if you are lucky. In December, you can also enjoy a variety of Christmas decorations set up around and over the water to create the perfect outdoor cooking experience.
Top tips for cooking outdoors
1. Pick the right space
Whether you are hosting a huge cookout or having an intimate, evening dinner party, it can often be tricky to pick an outdoor cooking space that works for you. If you have the garden space for equipment and to host those you’re cooking for, then that’s a great location to do it.
However, for those who don’t have access to a garden or one big enough, there are plenty of outdoor spaces, like barbecue parks, where you can host your outdoor cooking session. Just ensure it’s allowed and you follow the local rules.
2. Preparation is key
From the dough to the toppings, it is always best to prepare when hosting an outdoor pizza party.
Make the dough the day before and then take it out the fridge at least a couple of hours before to give it enough time to rest and loosen up. If you’re short on time or hosting for lots of guests, you can also order ready-made dough balls online that conveniently get delivered straight to your door.
Also, don’t forget the toppings! It’s best to prep these before your guests arrive. Pepperoni, olives, mozzarella… Prep, chop and place them in little bowls to make it easier for your guests and to get that outdoor aesthetic just right.
It’s just as important to have a variety of base sauce options available for everyone to make their own unique pizza. Check out our cookbook for some inspiration.
Last but not least, don’t forget insect repellent so you can enjoy your outdoor cooking without the unwanted guests of creepy crawlies.
3. Have the right tools
You can’t cook outside without the right equipment, and it’s not as difficult as you might think. Whether you’re looking to whip up a feast with a top-tier pizza oven or impress guests with a barbecue, having the right equipment can make a big difference to your enjoyment when serving food outside.
When using a pizza oven, tools like a placement peel and a turning peel are key to help you safely launch your pizza into the oven and turn it to ensure an even bake. Plus, a pizza server and a pizza cutter will make serving up your creation convenient and safe when you’re out in the garden with limited resources.
4. Keep an eye on the weather
Despite all our research into the best spots to cook outdoors this summer, the weather can still be unpredictable. It's worth keeping an eye on it to avoid getting caught in the rain in the midst of an extreme heatwave or planning a huge cookout only to find it is too hot for you and your guests to enjoy themselves.
It can be easy to forget about the effects of the sun and heat, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and ensure there is some shade for guests to rest under. Remember to slip, slop and slap and don't forget the hat when you are cooking outdoors.
Make sure to check whether a Total Fire Ban is in place during the hot months as this will impact whether outdoor cooking appliances such as barbecues and pizza ovens are permitted and which fuels are allowed during a ban.
5. Make sure your equipment is clean and protected
Everything you cook with needs to be cleaned, whether that is inside or outside. Equipment that is left outside or in outside areas needs to be protected and maintained from weather effects. Rain, damp, cold and heat, plus creepy crawlies from the outside world, can pose a threat to the longevity of your equipment.
Make sure you clean your equipment regularly, and consider buying a cover for your pizza oven or barbecue to protect it from the elements when not in use.
Sources and methodology
1 To find out which location in Australia is the best for outdoor cooking, we put together a seedlist of 40 Australian locations. We then ranked these locations based on the following metrics:
- Avg. temperature in December, January, and February - Climatedata.org
- Avg. number of rainfall days in December, January, and February - Climatedata.org
- Avg. number of sunshine hours in December, January, and February- Climatedata.org
- Avg. number of daylight hours in December, January, and February- Weather Atlas
