As Australians, we naturally love the great outdoors. Spring has sprung and it’s got us itching to grab the picnic blanket and fill the cooler bag with all our favourite treats. 

Our classic Free Range Chicken Liver Pâté, topped with a port & madeira jelly is a hit with adults and kids alike. Of course, if you want your family and friends to know you really care about them, it’s just got to be our Free Range Chicken Liver & Truffle Pâté, infused with fresh Australian Black Truffles.

Which City Larder terrine are you going to choose? You can go classic with our Free Range Pork & Pistachio, wow your guests with Duck & Prune Terrine or select perennial spring favourite Free Range Chicken, Leek and Truffle Terrine.

Don’t forget a jar of the indulgent Free Range Pork Rillettes. Pork shoulder slow-cooked with aromatics then gently pulled apart and jarred with its own cooking juices. If you’ve not tried rillettes before, this is your lucky day.

Something Pickled

Pickles and preserves are the natural accent charcuterie needs. From pickled onions and cornichons to fire-roasted peppers and naturally fermented olives (our choice for the most flavour), choose your favourites for a flawlessly composed board. Naturally, we like to always include City Larder Traditional Pickled Onions, with their malt vinegar backbone bringing the perfect punch to a charcuterie plate.

Something To Spread

Our chunky, spicy Apple, Currant and Stout Chutney is the best place to start. Add some hard cheese and you’re most of the way to a Ploughman’s Lunch.  A really good mustard is also a must-have. You’re looking for that balance of flavours - sharp, sweet, spicy and a bit creamy – to pair back with the terrines, pâté and rillettes.

Something To Spread Onto

Char-grilling some bread (dry pan, light brush of oil on your bread & keep an eye on it while it colours up) is a simple way to add your touch to the spread. The slight bitterness of the char is the ideal companion to pretty much all charcuterie. Add some crunchy Pita Crackers to bring it all together.

Don’t eat meat?

We’ve got you covered. Try our crowd-pleasing Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Terrine. The combination of Smoked Salmon, cream cheese, salt, and lemon zest makes it a winner in our books. And here’s a little pro tip, serve it with some finely sliced cucumber, a squeeze of fresh lemon, and a smear of horseradish cream to amp things up a notch.

Some of our favourite spots for picnics and play.

• Royal Botanic Gardens on Melbourne’s fringe calls to picnickers far and wide with its expansive lawns, secluded shady spots and Guilfoyle's Volcano a folly and reservoir from 1876 situated at the park’s highest point
• Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy North is cheek-by-jowl with vintage picnic rugs on any given weekend in warmer weather. Meet up at the old band rotunda then head over to the skate park and watch the pros perform gnarly kickflips. With a choice of two playgrounds, an off-leash dog area, sports facilities, and importantly toilets, make this one a star on your map this Spring.
• Feeling like some waterside picnicking? Head to Queens Park in Moonee Ponds for a picnic by the lake replete with over-water gazebo and fountains.
• Melbourne's largest natural bushland park at Yarra Bend goes one step further offering canoe hire at the historic Studley Park Boathouse. As the famed philosopher Ratty (Wind of the Willows) once said ‘There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.’
• Ringwood Lake Park, Ringwood. Surely one of the area’s best kept secrets, this playground features a network of play trails including rope courses, balance platforms, cubbies, and even sand and water areas.
• Located in Kew East, Hays Paddock playground is a popular gated all-abilities play space with two climbing forts, a sandpit and a bunch of swings for kids of all ages and stages.

Fancy a short drive out of town?

• Seawinds Gardens, Arthurs Seat. This 34-hectare reserve offers breath-taking views over Port Phillip Bay.
• Maroondah Reservoir Park, Healesville features acres upon acres of landscaped gardens and eucalyptus woodland to explore. Don’t skip the short hike to the top of the 41-metre-high dam where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the reservoir and mountains beyond.
• SkyHigh Mount Dandenong offers stunning views of Melbourne’ skyline (even better at night) and south to Geelong, English Garden walk, and a maze to keep the young ones occupied/temporarily lost. While in the area, visit Puffing Billy or the more active 1000 Steps trail. More info at Parks Victoria