George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens

Function areas

There are several areas you can reserve for a function at the gardens.

The function areas below are numbered and match the numbers on the George Brown Botanic Gardens map PDF (4.8 MB) .

You can also get a printable copy of the areas by emailing events@botanicgardenscatering.com.au or calling 0475 673 736.

Read more about how to hold a function at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.

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Visitor and event centre - includes mini amphitheatre

The centre is an air conditioned space with verandas and grassed terraces.

It is suitable for a variety of events including:

  • corporate functions
  • exhibitions
  • presentations
  • music and theatre productions
  • weddings
  • parties.

Photo taken at night of the Visitor and Event Centre with people walking around

Visitor and event centre
Area use All size events
Capacity 240 people inside. Up to 500 people banquet style in the event space and decking areas. Larger numbers can be accommodated using full centre and surrounds
Up to 500 in mini amphitheatre
Facilities Cool room and food preparation area available with limited catering equipment
Delivery area and ramps available
Electricity Power available for most functions - contact the events coordinator to discuss your needs
Lighting Throughout the centre
Toilets Ladies, gents, unisex accessible including baby change table
Water Various points throughout the centre
Site fees Contact the events coordinator to discuss
Access Only authorised vehicles can access via Gardens Road. Do not drive or park on the grass.
Car parking Gardens Road car park and overflow parking at Geranium Street or Mindil Beach
Special instructions Contact the events coordinator for all requests and questions

Holtze Lawn

This area features a flat grassed lawn surrounded by a border of evergreen shrubs, ground covers and palms.

Holtze lawn area

  Holtze Lawn
Area use Small to medium size events
Capacity Up to 200 people
Electricity Yes - 10x15 amp
Lighting Partial - you may need to organise extra lighting
Toilets Located behind the Holtze lawn
Water two bubblers nearby
Site fees Contact the events coordinator to discuss
Access Only authorised vehicles can access via Geranium Street entrance off the Stuart Highway. Do not drive or park on the grass.
Car parking Via Geranium Street entrance off of the Stuart Highway
Special instructions Contact the events coordinator if you need equipment or want to inspect the site - no stakes or star pickets may be used

Secret Moonlight Garden

Secret moonlight garden

Secret Moonlight Garden

Area use Small events
Capacity 150 people standing
Electricity Available on Holtze lawn nearby
Lighting Minimal street lighting only from dusk till dawn.
Floodlight option for area – you may need to organise additional lighting
Toilets Adjacent to Holtze lawn
Water Bubbler
Site fees Contact the events coordinator to discuss
Access Only authorised vehicles can access via Geranium Street. Do not drive or park on the grass.
Car parking Geranium Street car park
Special instructions Contact the events coordinator if you need equipment or want to inspect the site - no stakes or star pickets may be used

Heritage Lawn

This is a large grass area surrounded by a creek bed, gardens and a boab tree.

This area suits large functions and has catered for corporate events and wedding receptions.

Heritage lawn area

Heritage Lawn
Area use Small to large events
Capacity 700 to 800 people
Electricity Yes - a large power box is in the middle garden bed - 6 x 10 amp
Lighting Limited
Toilets Next to the event centre
Water - not drinking water Non potable only.
There is also water at the event centre
Site fees Contact the events coordinator to discuss
Access Only authorised vehicles can access via Geranium Street. Do not drive or park on the grass.
Car parking Either Geranium Street or Gardens Road car parks
Discuss this with the events coordinator
Special instructions Contact the events coordinator if you need equipment or want to inspect the site - no stakes or star pickets may be used

Shade Garden

This secluded and peaceful area is at the north side between the rainforest and the open woodlands.

A large stand of tropical trees provides a cool shady atmosphere. The entrance to this area is via a bridge and boardwalk.

This site provides an ideal venue for small wedding ceremonies, small plays and poetry reading.

Shade Garden

  Shade Garden
Area use Small to medium events
Capacity 50 people standing
Electricity No
Lighting No
Toilets At the event centre
Water None onsite
Site fees Contact the events coordinator 
AccessOnly authorised vehicles can access via Geranium Street or Gardens Road entrance. Do not drive or park on the grass.
Car parking Via either Geranium Street or Gardens Road entrances.
Discuss with the events coordinator
Special instructions Contact the events coordinator if you need equipment or want to inspect the site. No stakes or star pickets may be used.

Borassus Lawn

Borassus Lawn

Borassus Lawn 

Area use Small to large events
Capacity 500 people depending on the area you use
Electricity 1 x 3 phase and 1 x 10 amp
Lighting Minimal street lighting only from dusk till dawn – you will need to organise additional lighting
Toilets Behind Eva's Cafe - former Wesleyan Church
Water None onsite
Site fees Contact the events coordinator
Access Only authorised vehicles can access via Gardens Road. Do not drive or park on the grass.
Car parking Gardens Road car park
Special instructions Contact the events coordinator if you need equipment or want to inspect the site. No stakes or star pickets may be used.

Fountain area

The fountain is a popular area in the gardens. It has a manicured lawn and paved area and is surrounded by trees and palms.

There is a bridge at each end of the pond which is ideal to take photos on.

The fountain can be loud so consider holding your ceremony when the fountain is off - times are below.

Fountain area

  Fountain area
Area use Small to medium events
Capacity Up to 100 people, standing room only
Electricity Available from the pump shed. 1 x 3 phase and 3 x 15 amp
Lighting Yes, minimal street lighting only from dusk till dawn
Toilets Behind Eva's Cafe or at the Visitor and Event Centre
Water - not drinking water Near Eva’s Cafe - former Wesleyan Church
At the barbecue area, you will need a tap key
Site fees Contact the events coordinator to discuss
Access Only authorised vehicles can access via Gardens Road. Do not drive or park on the grass.
Car parking Gardens Road car parks
Special instructions If you need equipment or want to inspect the site, contact the events coordinator - where possible no stakes or star pickets may be used
Fountain times

The fountain runs from 7:30am to 7pm on a 30 minute cycle and can't be changed.

  • 7:30 - 8am
  • 8:30 - 9am
  • 9:30 - 10am
  • 10:30 - 11am
  • 11:30 - 12 noon
  • 12:30 - 1pm
  • 1:30 - 2pm
  • 2:30 - 3pm
  • 3:30 - 4pm
  • 4:30 - 5pm
  • 5:30 - 6pm
  • 6:30 - 7pm

Coconut Grove

This large, sunny, level lawn area is on the left side of the Gardens Road entrance and the central car park.

This site is ideal for large gatherings and corporate balls or functions.

Coconut Grove

  Coconut Grove
Area use Large events
Capacity 500 to 1000 people banquet style
Electricity Yes 9 x 15 amp and 5 x 10 amp general power outlets on light poles
3 x 3 phase power is available, a C-form plug is available
Lighting Yes, minimal street lighting and lights on ground only from dusk until dawn
Toilets Behind Eva's Cafe - former Wesleyan Church
Water Opposite Eva's Cafe 
Site fees Contact the events coordinator to discuss
Access Only authorised vehicles can access via Gardens Road. Do not drive or park on the grass.
Car parking Via Gardens Road car park
Special instructions Contact the events coordinator if you need equipment or want to inspect the site. No stakes or star pickets may be used

Central Green - car park

This area is for the light-hearted and fun-seeking and is popular for weddings and parties. It is partially covered by rain trees and is extremely open, so privacy is not assured.

Central Green

  Central Green - car park
Area use Small to medium events
Capacity 80 people+
Electricity Yes, 3 x 15 amp general power outlets
Lighting Yes, minimal street lighting only from dusk till dawn
Toilets Behind Eva's Cafè 
Water  Opposite Eva’s Cafè
Site fees Contact the events coordinator to discuss
AccessOnly authorised vehicles can access via Gardens Road. Do not drive or park on the grass.
Car parking Gardens Road car park
Special instructions Contact the events coordinator if you need equipment or want to inspect the site. No stakes or star pickets may be used

Eva's Café

Eva's Café is in the former Wesleyan church near the west entrance to the gardens. It was heritage listed and is now available for private functions such as wedding receptions, birthdays and corporate functions. The café can provide catering for events.

To make a booking at Eva's Café, email functions@botanicgardenscafe.com.au.

Evas Cafe - interior

  Eva's Cafe
Area use Medium to large events
Capacity 50 to 250 people for a standing event
Approximate maximum 80 people seated for dinner on the decking, depending on table layouts
Electricity On the decking, interior and side lawn
Lighting Yes
Toilets Next to the venue
Water Yes
Site fees Different minimum spends apply for weekdays and weekends
See menus and contact details
Also available for hire without catering and staff
Opening hours Monday to Sunday 7am to 3pm
Saturday and Sunday 7am to 3pm
Wet Season Monday to Friday 8am to 2pm

Saturday and Sunday 7am to 3pm
Private functions are available outside these hours
Access Via Gardens Road
Car parking Gardens Road car park
Special instructions You must ensure dance floors, marquees and extra lighting are compliant - discuss this with Eva’s Cafe’s function manager by emailing functions@botanicgardenscafe.com.au
A liquor licence also requires special permission

Cycad Garden

The garden has a complete collection of NT cycads in small and large private shaded areas.

It is easily accessible and is different to other function areas if you want to create a unique event.

Cycad Garden

Cycad Garden
Area use Small to large events
Capacity Up to 500 people depending on the area
Electricity Yes – 2 x 10 amp general power outlets
1 x 3 phase power
Lighting Minimal street lighting only from dusk till dawn – you will need to organise additional lighting
Toilets Adjacent to the Holtze lawn
Water  None available
Site fees Contact the events coordinator to discuss
Access Only authorised vehicles can access via Geranium Street entrance off the Stuart Highway
Car parking Geranium Street car park off the Stuart Highway
Special instructions Contact the events coordinator if you need equipment or want to inspect the site - no stakes or star pickets may be used

Other function areas

There are other sites in the gardens that may be used for functions. Most of these don’t have ready access to power or water.

Ask the events coordinator if one of these or any other area or venue may suit your event.

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Last updated: 12 May 2023

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