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Palm House

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Indoor Functions Booking Form
Step 1 - Contact Details

Built in 1876, The Palm House is the oldest glasshouse in New South Wales. Flooded with natural light, the Palm House sits in a beautiful garden setting and is the perfect environment in which to create a memorable and unique function.

Price

$1,705 8am - 12pm
$1,815 1pm - 5pm
$2,100 8am - 5pm
$2,500 8am - midnight (full day)

Where

Palm House & Lawn
The Royal Botanic Garden
Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney
View sitemap
View floor plan

Capacity

Up to 120 guests inside

Covid Safe Capacity
2 sqm capacity = 65 inside
4 sqm capacity = 32 inside

Contact

For more information please contact
events@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au

Access Info

Public transport recommended. Limited parking available

 

For more detailed location, please visit Site Map and for the layout within the Palm House, please visit Venue Layout.

The Palm House is hired dry (empty venue with no furniture). This means that you are responsible for providing all event services and infrastructure required to run your event, such as marquees, staging, audio, lighting, catering, security, fencing, toilets, décor etc

To arrange a site inspection, gain further information or obtain a quote, please contact the Venue Services team on events@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au
Ph: 02 9231 8111
Duration Cost
8 am - 12 pm $1,705
1 pm - 5 pm $1,815
8am - 5pm $2.100
8 am - Midnight $2,500
Additional time - access to venue outside the hire period - first hour  $120
Additional time - access to venue outside the hire period subsequent hours per hour      $310
 
Miscellaneous Charges Rate
Bond $1,000
Parking Permit per day (Mrs Macquaries Road only) $86
Ranger escort through Garden (vehicle access suppliers only). Fee per vehicle (inc. entry and exit). $85
Static ranger, per hour (4 hour minimum) $65
Mobile ranger, per hour (4 hour minimum)  $70
Ranger, public holidays, per hour (4 hour minimum) $95
Administration Fee $80

Notes:

  1. All fees are quoted GST inclusive.
  2. The above rates include site hire only – Marquee, furniture and equipment to be arranged by the Hirer.
  3. Duration of function hire includes set up and pack up of the event.
  4. Bookings outside of the Garden opening times will incur an additional security fee.
  5. Additional miscellaneous charges may apply.
  6. Fees valid 1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023
  • Exclusive use of your indoor venue for your booking period, including set-up and pack-down time
  • Rubbish and recycling bins
  • 2 x ranger escorts
  • Wedding photography permit
  • Option to add marquee for catering (up to 3m x 3m - on approval)

The Palm House is bare hire (empty venue with no furniture). This means that you will need to hire all event services and infrastructure required to run your event (such as staging, audio, lighting, catering, fencing, décor etc.).

Up to 120 guests.
 
Section Style Recommended Capacity
Indoor & Outdoor Cocktail up to 150
Indoor Only Cocktail 120
Indoor Only Banquet 80
  • Cocktail Functions
  • Product & Media Launches
  • Wedding Ceremonies & Receptions
  • Seated Lunch or Dinner
  • Christmas & Birthday Parties
  • Wakes

Indoor
The Palm House only (the small building at the rear is not available for hire)

Outdoor
The lawn area directly in front of the Palm House is included in your booking.

  • 8am – 12pm
  • 1pm - 5pm
  • 6pm – midnight
  • 8am – midnight (full day)
Opening times vary seasonally.   
     
Month / Days Open Close
     
October 7.00 am  7.30 pm 
November to February  7.00 am  8.00 pm 
March  7.00 am  6.30 pm 
April and September 7.00 am  6.00 pm
May and August 7.00 am  5.30 pm
June and July 7.00 am  5.00 pm
The Palm House is a great choice, but if you’re still undecided here is an overview of our Premium sites available

 

PREMIUM SITES 

Booking Times available 

Capacity 

Approx. distance to amenities 

Closest guest pedestrian gate 

Venue Info 

The Calyx 
  • 7am – 10am 
  • 4pm – midnight 
  • Full day 

400 

Amenities within venue 

Morshead Fountain Gate 

  • All-inclusive space 

  • Exclusive caterer 

  • Private toilet facilities 

  • Indoor and outdoor spaces available 

 

Lion Gate Lodge 
  • 8am – midnight 
  • 8am – 4pm 
  • 5pm - midnight 

160 

Amenities within venue 

Lion Gate Lodge Gate (at venue) 

  • Private toilet facilities 

  • Catering facilities 

  • Option to add marquee 

  • Multi-day event hire available 

  • Wedding photography permit

Palm House 
  • 8am – 12pm
  • 1pm - 5pm
  • 6pm - midnight
  • 8am - midnight

120 

20m – Rathborne Lodge 

Woolloomooloo Gate 

  • Beautiful sandstone building  

  • Easy guest access 

  • Multi-day event hire available 

  • ​Wedding photography permit

Rose Garden  

 
  • 3 hours + 

 

  • Full day & multi day options available  

200 

Amenities within venue 

Palace Gates 

  • Private toilet facilities 

  • Catering facilities 

  • Option to add marquee 

  • Multi-day event hire available 

  • Wedding photography permit

Harbour View Lawn 
  • 3 hours + 

 

  • Additional hours available to add on 

150  

50m – Yurong 

Yurong Gate 

  • Exceptional harbour views 

  • Close amenities 

  • Easy guest access 

  • Wedding photography permit

Eucalypt Lawn 
  • 3 hours + 

 

  • Additional hours available to add on 

150 

20m – Mare & Foal  

Henry Lawson Gate 

  • Exceptional harbour views 

  • Close amenities 

  • Easy guest access 

  • Wedding photography permit

Herb Garden & Pavilion 
  • 3 hours + 

 

  • Additional hours available to add on 

80  

50m – The Visitor Centre 

Government House Gate 

  • Harbour views 

  • Manicured lawn 

  • Pavilion cover 

  • Wedding Photography permit

Tarpeian Lawn 
  • 3 hours + 

 

  • Full day & multi day options available  

300 

500m – The Visitor Centre 

Tarpeian Way 

  • Exceptional harbour views 

  • Easy guest access 

  • Option to add marquee 

  • Multi-day event hire available 

  • Wedding Photography permit

Bennelong Lawn 
  • 3 hours + 

 

  • Full day & multi day options available  

200 

500m – The Visitor Centre 

Tarpeian Way or Opera House Gate 

  • Exceptional harbour views 

  • Easy guest access 

  • Option to add marquee 

  • Multi-day event hire available 

  • Wedding photography permit
Yes, the Garden is a public space and other events may occur at the same time. However, your chosen event location will be reserved for your exclusive use. Should you encounter any problems on the day including occupation of your reserved site, please contact the Rangers on 0419 270 279.

You can submit your application on our website. Bookings open 18 months in advance.

We accept payment for event bookings via credit card (MasterCard or Visa) and electronic funds transfer.

All bookings at the Palm House will need to pay a bond of $1,000

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is a unique and deceptively fragile environment. Your fees contribute to its upkeep and horticultural, scientific and educational programs.

All indoor events will need to pay a bond of $1,000 to cover any potential damage to the venue. The bond will be processed as a pre-authorisation on your chosen credit or debit card. The amount withheld will be released once an inspection has been undertaken to confirm no damages were made during your booking.

Absolutely! All bookings at the Palm House also include a photography permit to take wedding photos in any other area of the Royal Botanic Garden and the Domain during your booking times, pending availability.

Wedding photography doesn’t include access to our other indoor venues; The Calyx and Lion Gate Lodge.

Vehicle access is via Access Road off Mrs Macquaries Road.

Vehicles entering the Gardens for event deliveries must be under escort by Rangers and have pre-approval by your Events and Venue Officer. Only one vehicle is permitted to enter at any one time and can stay on site for a maximum of 20 minutes.

Two ranger escorts are included in each booking at the Palm House. Each ranger escort allows access for 1 vehicle in and out of the garden for set up and pack down (total 6 trips). Additional ranger escorts can be booked for an additional fee.

Confirm your requirements with your Events and Venues Officer via events@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au

Closest guest access is via Woolloomooloo Gate which is also wheelchair accessable on Mrs Macquaries Road. Refer to Site Map for further information.

Metered parking is available along Mrs Macquaries Road, Art Gallery Road and Macquarie Street. Secure undercover parking is available at The Domain Car Park.

Vehicle access to the event site is only available for suppliers and must be under Ranger escort.

We do not permit ranger escorts for bridal vehicles.

Rangers will open and close the venue for you as required. Prior to the event date, a schedule of your access requirements will need to be provided to your Events & Venues Officer.

A security guard can be provided for the duration of your event. Security is optional while the Garden is open, but mandatory once closed. Please refer to 'fees'.

The Trust will clean your site immediately prior to your event. The site must be left clean and tidy with all furniture, equipment and rubbish removed. It is your responsibility to tidy and remove any waste from site, including bottle tops and cigarette butts.

There is no furniture at the Palm House, so you will be able to provide furniture that suit your event needs.

Furniture placed on the lawn is limited to:

  • 2 tables and seating for 60 people or 10 tables and seating for 30 people.
  • Picnic blankets, carpets, runners, cushions
  • Cut flowers and foliage (no soil can be brought into the Gardens)
  • A bridal arch, chuppah, mandap or similar ceremony cover. Structures must be weighted (not pegged) and the maximum size is 3m x 3m

All event decorations need to be planned and installed as free-standing items. No decorations can be attached to trees, buildings or other structures. No pegs or spikes in the lawn – all items must be weighted.

No stages, balloons, party streamers, sparklers, fireworks (any form), fires (including kerosene lamps) and bamboo torches.

Games are a great inclusion for events. You are able to have the following games:

  • Connect 4
  • Giant Jenga
  • Giant Noughts and Crosses

No bat and ball games or games that involve anything to be thrown.

Petals are permitted and must be collected afterwards. The throwing of confetti and rice is not permitted. Blowing bubbles is a great alternative as well.

Fire and/or flames are not permitted. Battery operated candles are a great alternative!

With written approval from your Events & Venues Officer, a small contained flame may be permitted for cultural exceptions.

You are able to bring in a marquee for caterering. The maximum marquee size that can fit behind the Palm House is 3m x 3m. Discuss your requirements with your Events and Function Officer. Additional fees apply.
Marquees for shade protection aren't permitted.

The installation of any marquee or temporary structure must be approved in advance with your Events and Venues Officer. All temporary structures must abide by our terms and conditions.

Power points available are marked on the floor plan. External power is available.
All extension leads and electrical appliances brought on site should be tagged and tested.

For larger events, you can bring in a generator to supply additional power if required. All extension leads and cables need to be securely covered with cable trays or mats.

Indoor: LED lighting with control switched at either end of the Palm House.

Outdoor: Bollard lighting around the pathways.

There are no kitchen facilities at the Palm House. You have the option of erecting a small 3m x 3m marquee at the back of the venue for caterering. If your caterer is providing cooking services a fire extinguisher is required to be on hand.

You sure can!

The Trust operates under an On Premises Licence which means alcohol is permitted at your event. We do ask you assist with the responsible service of alcohol (RSA) to your guests by:

  • Not serving alcohol to minors
  • Not serving intoxicated persons
  • Ensuring food and water is available
  • Ensuring the quiet and good order of your Party
  • If using an external catering company to cater your event, provision of alcohol must be overseen by an RSA qualified person.

The Rangers will ensure RSA requirements are adhered to and will remove any intoxicated persons (so behave!).

Yes! You can provide your own catering or use one of the restaurants on-site.
Yes! All caterers must comply with statutory health and WH&S (Work, Health and Safety) requirements. Food must be cooked off-site, barbeques are not permitted. The caterer’s equipment is included in the furniture allowance. No food or drink can be sold.
Yes, you can use a low-volume speaker or amplifier. Please position speakers towards your area to minimise impact on other visitors. Sound must be contained within the boundary line of the Palm House.
Yes, you may have a live acoustic ensemble of up to four people or low-volume pre-recorded music. Bagpipes, drums, pianos or other amplification systems (such as electric guitars or keyboards) are not permitted. Please note sound must be contained within the boundary line of the Palm House.
If you are using the catering facility, please ensure rubbish is placed in the garbage and recycling bins provided with the catering facility. Please ensure you leave the area clean and tidy with all rubbish removed from the site or placed in the bins provided. Please recycle your containers. Discharge of waste matter, fluid, oil, fat, ice or dry ice is prohibited.
Yes! The Palm House is an indoor venue. 

Please note; if you proceed with booking two venues and there is no rain on the day of your booking, you would not be eligible for a refund for your undercover venue and have paid for two venues. 
Cancellations received more than one month prior to your booking will be given a 50% refund of the total fee received. Cancellations received less than one month prior to your booking will not be given a refund.
No animals, including dogs, are permitted inside the Garden except for an assistance animal that is in harness.
There is strictly no smoking inside the venue. All cigarette butts must be placed in the receptacles outside.
You will be required to sign a licence agreement to secure your event date. 14 days prior to your event, you will need to send the following information through to your Events and Venues Officer:
  • Site and / or Venue Plan
    • Indicating the placement of marquees, external catering facilities, furniture, and other associated structures.
  • Production schedule
    • Complete timetable and order of events and vehicle movements from bump in, during and bump out of the Event. •
  • Alcohol Licence (caterers only)
    • The Trust’s On Premises Licence for private functions. •
  • Public Liability Insurance (PLI)
    • Public Liability Insurance certificate of currency to the value of A$20 million
The Trust reserves the right to cancel a booking and will refund any payments received in full. No further compensation will be payable. Any subsequent letter or email from the Trust notifying you of approved or prohibited items, will form part of your agreement with these conditions. All requests by Rangers and other Trust staff must be followed with regard to the set up and pack down of equipment. Any incidents or accidents must be reported immediately to the Ranger on duty. All regulations under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980 governing the use of the Garden and the Domain must be observed.

You can stay up to date with the evolving rules and restrictions via the NSW Government COVID-19 Rules webpage.

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