Your event, in the Gardens
The Observatory sits inside the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, beside the historic Melbourne Observatory. Floor-to-ceiling glass, a tree-lined atrium and a courtyard under our yellow umbrellas make it a setting your guests will remember.
Book a single space or take over the whole venue, for a long lunch or a late-night celebration. Our events team takes care of the menu, drinks and styling, so you can be with your guests.
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Weddings, celebrations and corporate events
Weddings
A reception framed by the Royal Botanic Gardens. Choose seated long tables or a cocktail party, with menus, drinks and styling built around the two of you.
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Celebrations
Birthdays, engagements, christenings and milestone lunches. Long tables in the dining room or a party in the courtyard, with a menu and drinks package to suit your group.
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Corporate Events
Team lunches, client dinners, product launches and end-of-year functions, seated or standing, just minutes from the CBD.
Enquire nowOur event spaces
The Dining Room
Floor-to-ceiling glass, a tree-lined atrium and our gold-lit bar. Set it with long tables for a seated lunch or dinner, or open it up for canapés and drinks.
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The Courtyard
Yellow umbrellas, garden beds and the Royal Botanic Gardens on every side. Made for cocktail parties, daytime celebrations and long summer afternoons.
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Exclusive Venue Hire
Up to 180 seated or 500 standing
Take over the whole of The Observatory, dining room and courtyard together, for weddings, milestone celebrations and large corporate events.
Enquire nowPlanned with you, start to finish
Tell us your date, guest numbers and the kind of event you have in mind. Our events team will come back with available spaces, menus and drinks packages, and can show you through the venue before you book.
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Planning your event: FAQs
How many guests can The Observatory host?
Up to 180 seated or 500 standing when you book the whole venue. The dining room and courtyard can also be booked on their own for smaller groups.
Where is The Observatory?
100 Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne VIC 3004. We are inside the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, beside the Gardens Visitor Centre and Observatory Gate, about two kilometres from the CBD.
Is there parking nearby?
Yes. Metered street parking of up to four hours is available along Birdwood Avenue and the surrounding streets, with accessible parking bays on Birdwood Avenue close to Observatory Gate.
How do guests get there by public transport?
Trams 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 stop at Shrine of Remembrance (Stop 19) on St Kilda Road, around a 650 metre walk away. Anzac Station on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines is close by, and bus route 605 stops on Birdwood Avenue.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes. The Observatory has step-free entry through wide automatic doors and plenty of room inside for wheelchairs and prams. There are accessible parking bays on Birdwood Avenue and a Changing Places facility out front (MLAK key access). Let us know about your guests’ needs when you enquire and we will plan around them.
Can we hire the whole venue?
Yes. Exclusive venue hire gives you the dining room and courtyard together, for up to 180 seated or 500 standing.
What food and drink do you offer for events?
Seasonal Melbourne-European menus for seated lunches and dinners, canapés, grazing tables and food stations, along with drinks packages and a wine list of Australian and European producers. Our events team will put together a menu and package to suit your group.
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes. Our kitchen caters for most dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan and low gluten. Share them with us when you confirm your numbers.
What kinds of events do you host?
Wedding receptions, birthdays, engagements, christenings, long lunches, Christmas and end-of-year functions, corporate lunches and dinners, product launches and brand activations.
How do I make an enquiry?
Fill in the enquiry form below with your date, guest numbers and the kind of event you are planning, and our events team will be in touch.
Enquire about your event
Share your date, guest numbers and the kind of event you are planning, and our events team will be in touch with availability, spaces and packages.
