IMAX THEATRE
Where Darling Harbour
Contact +61 2 9213 1600
www.imax.com.au
Laying claim to the world’s biggest cinema format, the 500-seat IMAX Theatre in Darling Harbour can be booked as an event venue for corporate events, speaker presentations, parties, client hospitality and private theatre bookings. KPMG recently hired the cinema for a staff family day with 1,500 guests given the choice of three screenings. Temp Team and Active Solutions invited 190 guests to a screening of Spiderman 3 with snacks and drinks on the
Mezzanine Level.
JUSTICE & POLICE MUSEUM
Where Circular Quay, CBD
Contact +61 2 8239 2288
venues.hht.net.au
The Justice & Police Museum is a popular choice for functions incorporating themes of crime, law and order. The rooms have been used for product launches, presentations, incentive events, business lunches, dinners and cocktails. Particularly popular is the authentic Barnet Court, which includes a magistrate’s bench, reporters/jury box, witness stand and prisoners’ dock, used for
mock trials by various corporations. The financial management consultancy group Parson recently held its AGM here.
PADDINGTON TOWN HALL
Where Paddington
Contact +61 2 9265 9189
www.cityofsydneyvenues.com.au
Just under 5km from the city centre, the Paddington Town Hall was finished in 1891, with further art deco touches added in 1933 when the Lord Mayor commissioned a major renovation of the Main Hall. Today it is Local venues that will suit the big occasion Heritage buildings, theatres and public parks are just a few of the options available for event planners in Sydney a popular venue for large dinners for up to 500 guests or cocktail parties for up to 750 people. Next door is the arthouse cinema Chauvel Cinema, which can be used for meetings or presentations.
CUSTOMS HOUSE
Where Circular Quay, CBD
Contact +61 2 9265 9302
www.cityofsydneyvenues.com.au
As one of the most significant colonial-era buildings in Australia, Customs House is a beautifully refurbished building whose central feature is a glass atrium that rises the full six storeys of the building and is topped by a glass roof.
It has hosted corporate events ranging from AGMs and conferences, to dinners and cocktail parties. Recent events held here include the launch of Earth Hour, a conservation initiative that encouraged Sydneysiders to turn off their lights for an hour on March 31, and the season launch for the Australian Rugby Union.
ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
Where Circular Quay, CBD
Contact +61 2 9231 8111
www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
With more than 100 lawn settings including the Palace Rose Garden, the Fernery and the
glass pyramid of the Sydney Tropical Centre, the Royal Botanical Gardens provide a lush
garden setting against the backdrop of the harbour. There are also a number of indoor
venues, such as Rathborne Lodge, a restored sandstone residence with private courtyard.
Recent events include Microsoft’s worldwide gala for 350 people in a marquee on Fleet
Steps, a media launch for Vodafone for 90 people on Bennelong Lawn and an awards
presentation for Lexus at Lion Gate Lodge for 120 guests.
STATE THEATRE
Where Market Street, CBD
Contact +61 2 9373 6853
www.statetheatre.com.au
The State Theatre is a stylish venue for live entertainment as well as product launches,
conferences and functions. The 2,000 seat heritage theatre has hosted several award
shows including the 2006 Kodak Gongs which had about 500 people from the advertising and television commercial production industries gather for the official ceremony in the theatre, followed by a cocktail party.
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Where Circular Quay, CBD
Contact +61 2 9245 2400
www.mca.com.au
Housing Australia’s most prestigious collection of contemporary art, the MCA’s harbourside location makes it popular for product launches, cocktail parties and corporate dinners. Of the three function spaces: Foundation Hall, the Southern Function Room and the Harbour Terrace,
the latter is the most popular. Located above the museum, the space opens onto a tiled
terrace and observation desk with uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour.
THE MINT
Where Macquarie Street, CBD
Contact 61 2 8239 2288
venues.hht.net.au
Constructed between 1811 and 1814 as part of Sydney Hospital, in 1854 this elegant building
became the first branch of the Royal Mint outside of Britain. Now part of the Historic Houses Trust, it has been refurbished to provide three contemporary spaces incorporating a boardroom, conference room and café for workshops, meetings, intimate dinners and cocktails. Recently, the Commonwealth Bank hired the venue for staff development workshops.
ELIZABETH BAY HOUSE
Where Elizabeth Bay
Contact +61 2 8239 2288
venues.hht.net.au
Once considered the “finest house in the colony”, Elizabeth Bay House in the harbourside suburb of Elizabeth Bay, has been decorated in authentic 19th-century furnishings. The Saloon, which features a domed ceiling and elegant cantilevered staircase, can accommodate 40 guests for a sit-down dinner or a cocktail party for 100 guests. The dining room seats up to 24 people. Outdoor advertising company Adshel recently used the venue for a corporate luncheon.
ROYAL MOTOR YACHT CLUB
Where Point Piper
Contact +61 2 9327 3441
www.zest.net.au
Located in Sydney’s most exclusive area, Point Piper, the Royal Motor Yacht Club offers two function rooms catering for corporate events and offers cooking classes for corporates which can be used as incentives. Run by Zest Catering, which was voted National Caterer of the Year by the Restaurant and Catering Association, it serves up modern Australian cuisine and Asian delicacies. Recent events include a product launch for consumer goods manufacturer Breville.
Local venues that will suit the big occasion
Heritage buildings, theatres and public parks are just a few of the options available for event planners in Sydney
