Parties & Functions

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Organise the best function and party venue ever!

Host Your Next Function at the National Zoo & Aquarium

Looking for a truly unforgettable venue? The National Zoo & Aquarium offers Canberra’s most unique spaces for weddings, birthdays, corporate events and everything in between.

Surrounded by incredible animals and beautifully landscaped gardens, our range of indoor and outdoor venues provide a one-of-a-kind setting for gatherings of 20 to 350 guests. Whether you’re planning an intimate cocktail evening, a company celebration or a wild wedding, we’ll help make it an experience to remember.

    • One of the foremost zoos in Australia

    • Offers unique venues for functions and events

    • Most of our cabana and function spaces overlook native and/or exotic animals and are set amongst extensive landscaped gardens.

    We cater for:

    • Picnics

    • Functions

    • Smaller weddings in 2026

    • Corporate get-togethers

    • Parties

    • Events

    • Kids birthdays

    Options:

    • With or without animal encounters/tours

    • Gardens, terrace, cabana or inside

    • Marriage service venues - maybe with the giraffes or zebras as witnesses?

    • Partly, fully or self-catered

    • Casual or formal

    EVENTS CAN BE *small* *medium* *BIG*

    2 People to 300 People (depending on the function).

A Venue Like No Other

A landscape view of the National Zoo's 'Rhino Bistro' surrounded by lush greenery, trees, and a pond, with a pathway leading to the entrance.

With 10 distinctive event spaces, including our brand-new indoor Function Centre, the zoo offers flexibility for both daytime celebrations and exclusive after-hours events. Each space has its own unique charm - from lush outdoor cabanas overlooking cheetahs and rhinos, to an elegant enclosed space, perfect for formal occasions or winter functions.

Explore our event spaces

Children’s Birthday Parties

People riding a tractor through the zoo during as part of a birthday party package

Calling All Party Animals!

Celebrate your child’s birthday with a wild adventure they’ll never forget! The National Zoo & Aquarium offers unique birthday party packages where kids can party alongside some of the world’s most fascinating animals.

Each package includes general admission for 10 children and 2 supervising adults, with exciting add-ons available for catering, cakes and activities — everything you need to create the ultimate wildlife celebration.

Please note: Schedules and inclusions may vary slightly depending on the day.

Learn More - Click here

Functions, Events And Venue Hire General Information

Outdoor gathering at dusk with people socialising near a pavilion decorated with string lights, surrounded by trees and a grassy area.

Unique venues surrounded by animals and gardens - great for casual birthdays, Christmas get-togethers and other functions - small or large!

Casual outdoor venues available. Select a BBQ, picnic or lunch venue. Please note that alcohol is not permitted in the zoo during opening hours (before 5pm).

  • You can book for:

    • 2 to 300 people

    • Self-catered - bring your own food and drinks

    • Catered - select a food package from the attached or discuss a menu

    • A variety of venues throughout the zoo

    • Animal tours and Encounters are available

    • Playground use and hayrides

  • Upper Area – near Rhino Bistro

    VIEWING PARK CABANAS

    ·      4 covered Cabanas for hire separately or together.

    ·      1, 2 and 3 table Cabanas and a 4 table pavilion are available

    ·      All surrounded by grassed and/or garden areas.

    ·      There is a large, shared BBQ for the Cabanas plus another BBQ at the Pavillion that are free to use.

    ·      Surrounded by a number of animal enclosures including rhinos, cheetahs, llamas, antelope, monkeys and more.

    ·      The adjoining playground is rated by many as the ‘best ever!*

    ·      Free parking (“at-the-door” for night functions and for day-time functions at the Viewing Park – subject to numbers).

    A tranquil waterfall, stream, ponds, landscaped gardens and trees make this a wonderful area to hold your family picnic or a larger event, while having close access to the Rhino Bistro. This area is suitable for lunchtime events, evening functions and for corporate or family days, suitable for a small group or easily accommodating up to 300 or more guests.

    Lower Section of Zoo - BBQ Areas

    Any number of these can be combined:

    MEERKAT CABANA

    ·      Small, covered BBQ area with two large picnic tables

    ·      Adjoins the meerkat enclosure, as well as the Meerkat Snack Shack

    ·      Tree Kangaroos and koalas are close by, as is a grassed play area.

    ·      Suit a small group with guests numbering around 10–20.

    SUN BEAR CABANA

    ·      Small, quiet spot nestled amongst beautiful gardens with a small grassed area

    ·      3 large picnic tables and two separate electric BBQ’s.

    ·      Nearby are the meerkat, koala and sun bear exhibits.

    ·      Would suit a small group with guests numbering around 20 – 50.

    AFRICAN PLAINS CABANA

    ·      Large grassed area that is situated centrally in the zoo.

    ·      3 large picnic tables and two separate BBQ’s.

    ·      Close to giraffe, cheetahs, four monkey species, an aviary and the Native Animal Walk-through enclosure with koalas, Tasmanian Devils and wallabies.

    Capable of holding larger groups with guests numbering approximately 30 – 60, and many more if you utilise the adjoining grassed area for picnickers. It also makes a good central venue for corporate or family days, easily fitting up to 100 guests.

Important Information - Day-time Hire:

Please see the National Zoo & Aquarium’s venue hire terms and conditions before booking. A site inspection is advised for larger function bookings.

There are discounted zoo entry rates for groups of over 20 guests for daytime functions. Payments and bookings for all attendees and the cabana/s must be made prior to the function.

The Viewing Park area and the zoo must be vacated by 5 pm. Any equipment must be removed by then or by other arrangement.

Alcohol is not permitted to be consumed during zoo opening hours (daytime functions).

As the venue is a working zoo with endangered and dangerous animals, hirers should be aware that any inappropriate behaviour by guests may result in their removal from the zoo or, in some cases, the event being closed down. See details in the venue hire terms. 

Evening Functions

Casual indoor and outdoor as well as more formal indoor venues available.

  • You can book for:

    • 2 people to 300 people

    • Self catered – bring your own food and drinks

    • Catered – select a food package from the attached or discuss a menu

    • A variety of venues at the Viewing Park and Rhino Bistro 

    • Animal Tours and Encounters available

    • Playground use and hayrides

  • VIEWING PARK CABANAS

    • Have the top end of zoo to yourselves

    • 4 covered Cabanas for visitor use.

    • 1, 2 and 3 table Cabanas and a 4 table Pavillion are available

    • All surrounded by grassed and/or garden areas.

    • There is a large, shared BBQ for the Cabanas plus another BBQ at the Pavillion that are free to use.

    • Surrounded by a number of animal enclosures including rhinos, cheetahs, llamas, antelope, monkeys and more.

    • The adjoining playground is rated by many as the ‘best ever!*

    • Free parking “at-the-door” for night functions at the Viewing Park

    A tranquil waterfall, stream, ponds, landscaped gardens and trees make this a wonderful area to hold your family picnic or a larger event, while having close access to the Rhino Bistro. This area is suitable for evening functions, suitable for a small group or easily accommodating up to 200 or more guests.

    For after-hours use of our Outdoor Viewing Park area:

    • The minimum venue hire is $2,100 for after-hours use which covers up to 30 people.

    • Each additional person costs $70 (under 3yo’s are free).

    • These costs are inclusive of zoo entry and venue hire from 6pm to 9pm

    • Food and drink not included

    • Event can be catered by the zoo or self catered

    • Earlier access for setting up is available. 

    • Indoor weddings and Rhino Bistro after-hours hire will be available during 2026

    • For details regarding a more formal function, contact 0262 878 400.

  • Only the Viewing Park area and the Rhino Bistro are available for after-hours hire.

    Please see the National Zoo & Aquariums venue hire terms and conditions before booking. A site inspection is advised for larger function bookings.

    The Viewing Park area and the Zoo must be vacated by 9pm. Any equipment must be removed by 9:30pm or by other arrangement.

    Evening guests have access to the broad area of the open range zoo until dinner is served. After dinner, they will only have access to the Viewing Park.

    Alcohol is only permitted to be consumed after-hours (6pm onwards). All consumption of alcohol is strictly in line with the Responsible Service of Alcohol guidelines and outdoor guests must stay in the Viewing Park area whilst drinking alcohol.

    As the venue is a working zoo with endangered and dangerous animals, hirers need to be aware that any inappropriate behaviour by guests may result in them being removed from the zoo, or possibly result in the event being closed down. See details in the Venue Hire Terms.

For all inquires, please contact us

Please note that alcohol is allowed in the zoo grounds for after-hours functions but not during zoo opening hours.