About Meat in a Park

Australia's Most Comprehensive Public BBQ Directory Since 2009

Our Story

Meat in a Park began its journey in 2009 as an innovative entry to a government hackathon in Canberra. Using open data provided by the ACT Government about BBQ facilities in the nation's capital, we created the first digital directory dedicated to helping people find public barbecues. This project demonstrated the power of government open data initiatives and their potential to create meaningful community resources. What started as a local project for Canberra quickly captured the imagination of BBQ enthusiasts across the country.

Recognizing the universal appeal of a good barbie and the need for this information nationwide, we rapidly expanded our coverage by accessing publicly available open data from federal, state, territory, and local government sources. Using data portals maintained by agencies across all levels of government, we built Australia's most comprehensive resource for locating public BBQ facilities from Bondi Beach to Broome, from Darwin to Hobart.

Our Journey

2009

The Beginning: Launched as a hackathon entry using publicly available data from the ACT Government, creating the first dedicated directory for public BBQ locations.

2010-2011

National Expansion: Extended coverage beyond Canberra to include BBQ locations across all Australian states and territories, becoming a truly national resource.

Today

Continuing Growth: Constantly updating our database, creating new content, and helping thousands of Australians find their perfect BBQ spot every month.

Our Mission

We're dedicated to preserving and promoting Australia's unique public BBQ culture. Our mission is to ensure that everyone – locals and visitors alike – can easily find and enjoy these fantastic free community facilities. We believe that public BBQs bring people together, create lasting memories, and are an essential part of the Australian lifestyle.

What We Offer

Video Content

Our YouTube channel features location reviews, how-to guides, and entertaining BBQ adventures, bringing the locations to life before you visit.

Detailed Information

Each location includes interactive maps, street views, photos, facility details, and community reviews to help you choose the perfect spot.

Community Driven

Users contribute new locations, photos, reviews, and updates, keeping our database current and comprehensive for everyone's benefit.

Comprehensive Database

Over 6,000 meticulously catalogued public BBQ locations across Australia, from beachfront spots to suburban parks and everything in between.

By the Numbers

2009
Founded
6000+
BBQ Locations
100%
Free to Use
All States
Coverage

Watch Us on YouTube

Since 2021, we've been creating engaging video content to complement our website. Our YouTube channel features:

  • Location Reviews: In-depth looks at BBQ spots, showing you exactly what to expect
  • How-To Guides: Practical tips for using public BBQs, from lighting techniques to cleaning
  • BBQ Adventures: Fun content celebrating Australia's BBQ culture and the community around it

Subscribe to our channel to discover new locations and get the most out of your public BBQ experiences.

Behind the Scenes

Meat in a Park is proudly owned and maintained by WebbyAppy, a boutique web development agency passionate about creating useful digital resources for the Australian community. We combine technical expertise with a genuine love for Australia's outdoor lifestyle to deliver a service that makes a real difference in people's lives.

Our team is committed to continuous improvement, regularly updating the site with new features, locations, and content based on user feedback and technological advances. We're always exploring new ways to make finding and enjoying public BBQs even easier.

Why Public BBQs Matter

Public BBQs are more than just cooking facilities – they're an integral part of Australian culture and community life:

  • They provide free, accessible gathering spaces for all members of the community
  • Families celebrate milestones and create lasting memories
  • Communities come together for events and casual gatherings
  • Travelers can enjoy a home-cooked meal while exploring Australia
  • They promote outdoor activities and healthy lifestyles
  • They're environmentally friendly, shared resources that reduce individual equipment needs

Get in Touch

We love hearing from our community! Whether you've discovered a new BBQ location, have suggestions for improvements, or just want to share your BBQ story, we're all ears.

Data Sources & Acknowledgments

Meat in a Park exists thanks to publicly available open data provided by government agencies across Australia. We acknowledge and thank all levels of government for their commitment to transparency and for maintaining these valuable public BBQ facilities for the community.

Federal Government

data.gov.au - Australian Government's Open Data Portal

Local Councils

Data about BBQ facilities in local government areas comes from publicly available sources including council websites, open data portals, and community contributions. We acknowledge the hundreds of local councils across Australia who maintain these public BBQ facilities for their communities.

Our Community

Most importantly, we thank our amazing community of users who contribute new locations, photos, reviews, and updates to keep this resource current and comprehensive. Your contributions ensure that everyone can discover and enjoy Australia's fantastic public BBQ facilities.

Supporting Open Data: This project demonstrates the community value of government open data initiatives. We encourage all levels of government to continue making public facility data freely available to support innovation and community services.