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Herb Garden & Pavilion

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Surrender to the sensory delights of the Herb Garden, relax on the lawn and take shade in the sandstone pavilion. If you’re looking for an elegant, formal setting for your picnic or garden party, this is the venue for you!

Price

$950 for the first 3 hours,
$430 additional hourly fee (maximum booking is 6 hours)

Where

Herb Garden Pavilion & Lawn
The Royal Botanic Garden
Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney

Capacity

Up to 80 guests
Pavilion capacity is 20

Contact

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

Access Info

Public transport recommended. Limited parking available.
Closest gates: Government House and Conservatorium.

Key Information

Picnic Terms & Conditions

Suitable for groups up to 80 pax. Offering rain coverage for 20 guests in the sandstone pavilion.

As the Herb Garden is a sensitive area, limited furniture is permitted on the lawn.

The Palm Grove public toilets are only 5 minutes walk away and the closest gates are the Palace Garden, Morshead Fountain and Conservatorium Gates.

For more detailed location, please visit Site Map.

 

HERB GARDEN & PAVILION

Herb Garden Pavilion: 3 hour booking

$950 

Herb Garden Pavilion: Additional Hour(s)

$430
 

Miscellaneous Charges 

Wedding Photography Permit (add-on if you book your ceremony at the Gardens) 

$250 

Wedding photography permit (if you don’t have your ceremony at the Gardens) 

$455

External Catering Surcharge 

Use of an External Caterer to provide catering services within the Garden will incur a surcharge in addition to the above rates. 

$150 

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 per amendment 

$75 

Notes:

  1. All fees are quoted GST inclusive. 
  2. ​The above rates include site hire only  
  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 
This site is a bare site hire. It includes exclusive use of your location, including set-up and pack-down time. 

No. Marquees and shade structures are not permitted at this site. The Maiden Pavilion and Vista Pavilion are great options if you’re looking for something with cover. 

  • Picnics 
  • Birthday party 
  • Corporate party 
  • Christmas party 
  • Wedding ceremony 
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
 
Bookings finish 30 minutes prior to the Garden closing times so you and your guests and suppliers are able to exit before the gates are locked.
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.
Please complete our online application form and one of our team members will be in touch. Bookings open 18 months in advance.
We accept payment for event bookings via credit card (MasterCard, Visa or Amex) and electronic funds transfer.
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is a unique and deceptively fragile environment. Your fees contribute to its upkeep and horticultural, scientific and educational programs.
A wedding photography permit is included in the venue hire price of the Herb Garden & Pavilion. Your photography permit grants you access to hold your wedding photography throughout the Garden, with the exception of spaces pre-booked for other events during your allocated timeslot.

Wedding photography doesn’t include access to our indoor venues; The Calyx, Palm House & Lion Gate Lodge.

Please refer to Site Map. for closest access pedestrian gate to your site. 

Vehicles, including bridal vehicles, are not permitted to enter the Royal Botanic Garden or the Domain. Please advise all drivers of this condition. 
All equipment must be carried or wheeled to the event location. Only one vehicle is permitted per escort. Please refer to 'fees' for details. 

If your suppliers require vehicle access to your event site, you can book a Supplier Escort into the Garden. You can make this booking at the time of booking your site, or email the Venue team at events@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au  

A maximum of two Supplier Escrots can be booked for your event. Each Supplier Escort allows access for 1 vehicle in and out of the garden for set up and pack down (total 4 trips).  

Escorted vehicles can stay on site for a maximum of 20 minutes during the escort.

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.

No, we are a bare venue so you will need to bring in furniture suitable for your event. 

  • Up to two tables 
  • Picnic blankets, carpets, runners (no rubber back on any mats), & cushions  
  • Seating for up to 60 people 
  • Cut flowers (no soil can be brought into the Gardens) 

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!
Power is not available on Alfresco lawns and generators are not permitted. 

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!).

The Calyx is the only venue within the Gardens that has an exclusive caterer that can offer catering packages. 

For your event, you will need to organise your own catering, or use one of the restaurants on-site. 

A surcharge will apply for external caterers. Please refer to 'fees'  for details. 

Yes! You can provide your own catering or use one of the restaurants on-site.

A surcharge will apply for external caterers. Please refer to 'fees'  for details. 
 
Yes! A surcharge will apply for external caterers. Please refer to 'fees' for details. 
 
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, battery-powered portable speaker or amplifier. Please position speakers towards your area to minimise impact on other visitors. Please note sound must be contained within the boundary line of your site. 
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 your site.
Recycling and general garbage bins are available at various locations. Please ensure you leave the area clean and tidy with all rubbish removed from the site. Discharge of waste matter, fluid, oil, fat, ice or dry ice is prohibited. 

If rain is a concern, consider booking a lawn with a pavilion or alternatively one of our heritage indoor venues. Shade structures and marquees are not permitted to be erected on the day of your event. 

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. 

If you need to cancel because of inclement weather, we will offer a 50% refund of the venue hire fee. Please email the team at events@botanicgarden.nsw.gov.au on the day of your event, prior to the start of your booking time.  We require all cancellations to be in writing to process the refund.
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.
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.