- Tentative bookings
- Confirmed bookings
- Cancellations and changes
- Ceremony bookings
- Photography bookings
- Guests
- Confetti
- Access and parking
- Permitted equipment
- Not permitted
- Other events
- Litter
- Receptions
- Public access
- Booking fee
Tentative bookings
Contact us to check your date/time is available. A bookable area needs to be selected for your booking which will be allocated exclusively for two hours. Your entire function including set up and pack up must take place within the two hours allocated.
Once you have made your booking we will send you a tax invoice and you have 10 working days to make payment.
Please note that we require 10 working days to process a booking.
Confirmed bookings
Once we receive your payment a confirmation letter will be emailed to you to receipt your payment.
Cancellations and changes
Should you decide to cancel your booking we require 30 days’ notice so a refund can be issued. You can cancel or amend your booking by emailing us at botanic@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
No refund will be available in situations of inclement weather or as a result of the closure of the Botanic Gardens which is beyond the control of the City (including in the case of emergency or direction by any authority).
We reserves the right to relocate your booking to an alternative site in the unlikely event that immediate works are required on site.
Ceremony bookings
One of the available sites must be selected for your booking which will be allocated exclusively for two hours. Your entire function including set up and pack up must take place within the two hours allocated.
Photography bookings
A booking is not required for taking special occasion photos in the gardens however if you want to take commercial photography you require a permit and information can be found on our filming in Geelong page.
Guests
The table below will help you with planning your event the best location and the number of guests to invite to your ceremony.
| Rose Garden Lawn | 50 people |
| Oak Lawn | 50 people |
| Flag Lawn | 50 people |
| The Forgotten Garden | 50 people |
| The Temperate Garden | 100 people |
| Walnut Lawn | 100 people |
| Conifer Lawn | 100 people |
| Fern Lawn | 100 people |
| Bunya Lawn | 150 people |
| 21st Century Garden | 150 people |
| Camellia Lawn* | 150 people |
| Visitor Facility* | 150 people |
*When you book either the Camellia Lawn or the Visitor Facility you have access to both areas as they are part of the one space
You may also find the Geelong Botanic Gardens Visitor Map helpful.
Confetti
We allow bubbles and fresh rose petals in all areas of the Botanic Gardens. The use of dried flowers confetti rice or glitter during your ceremony are prohibited.
Access and parking
Entry into the Botanic Gardens is via the front entrance only and only allows pedestrian access. Opening hours are 8.00am to 7.00pm during daylight savings and 8.00am to 5.00pm all other times.
Parking for guests is available in the designated parking bays near the Botanic Gardens in Eastern Park. Disabled parking is available on Eastern Park Circuit outside the Botanic Gardens. The service gates will not be opened to allow access for your event.
Permitted equipment
Seating: 20 broad based chairs.
Table/two chairs: for signing wedding documents.
Red carpet: cannot have rubber backing or black based as it can burn the grass.
Music: Only acoustic instruments or devices that are powered up. We are unable to supply power.
Not permitted
Marquees
Props/fixtures: not to be attached to trees or pegged into the ground.
Freestanding umbrellas: can be dangerous on a windy day.
Arches/arbours: can be dangerous on a windy day
Other events
The Geelong Waterfront and Eastern Park are popular for major events. These events could affect access and parking on the day of your booking.
We recommend that you check the major events calendar which is available on our website.
Litter
All litter generated by your booking is to be removed from the Botanic Gardens at the conclusion of your booking.
Receptions
Receptions and self-catered functions are not permitted under the conditions of your booking.
Public access
The Botanic Gardens is a public facility and general public access will always be maintained and specific areas must not be cordoned off.
Booking fee
Booking fee for a Wedding Elopement Ceremony Naming Ceremony and some special occasions from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 is $297 and gives you 2-hours at your chosen area within the Botanic Gardens.
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We allow the following equipment: Seating: 20 chairs. Table/two chairs: for signing wedding documents. Red carpet: cannot have rubber backing or black based as it can burn the grass. Music: only acoustic instruments or devices that are powered up. We are unable to supply power.
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We do not allow the following: marquees props/fixtures: not to be attached to trees or pegged into the ground freestanding umbrellas: can be dangerous on a windy day arches/arbours: can be dangerous on a windy day.
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The possibility of inclement weather needs to be considered when making a booking. On the day of your booking you may utilise the Visitor Centre if it is not being used for another booking. Should you decide to cancel due to inclement weather Council will not refund any fees paid. Storms or emergencies In case of major storm we may close the Botanic Gardens for safety reasons. We will notify you as soon aa possible of a closure. Booked events will not be permitted on site during closures. We will not refund any fees paid.