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Venue HireSouth Australian Museum

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We have many unique and engaging spaces to choose from. Use our South Australian Biodiversity Gallery to showcase South Australia’s exceptional wildlife or one of our minerals or fossils galleries to impress your guests with nature’s brilliance and beauty. Your guests can dine amongst specimens in the World Mammals Gallery or be transported to another time and place within our Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery or Pacific Cultures Gallery.

We also have stylish and historic outdoor spaces to share with you. Our Armoury Courtyard and Lawns offer a rare private garden setting right in the heart of the CBD; perfect for weddings or corporate events. There is also the natural amphitheatre of our front lawn, where the historic building façades can be used as a stunning backdrop for your product or company.

Welcome

Thank you for considering the South Australian Museum for your special event. We care for over four million objects and each one of them tells an intriguing and essential story. Museums exist to connect people with those stories and we are committed to sharing them in an interactive and fun environment. By choosing one of our event spaces you help us to connect people with these stories and give your guests a memorable experience.

Hosting an event at the Museum means that you are giving your guests an exclusive and extraordinary experience as well as supporting our work. The South Australian Museum is a not-for-profit organisation and all money raised helps to maintain our collections and fund our crucial research programs. Not only are you giving your guests a fantastic adventure, you are also supporting the vital educational, preservation and research role we play in the community.

Take a tour of our event spaces and discover how we can help create an exciting, original and memorable event for you. We know you will enjoy the experience.

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Whether your event needs a modern or traditional feel, an indoor or outdoor location or something completely unique, the South Australian Museum can help create the perfect experience for you and your guests.

Museum’s collections and exhibitions whilst enjoying cocktails, canapés or dinner. They can also enjoy the memorable experience of seeing the Museum at night– a distinctive and stimulating experience for even the most seasoned museum visitor or corporate guest.

We can provide a full catering service for your function, whether it is a cocktail and canapé style event or a seated dinner. Our caterers only use the freshest produce, which is sourced locally and prepared on-site on the day.

Entertainment to complement and enhance your event’s ambience can also be arranged, ranging from live bands and DJs to performance artists.

Whether you are aiming to entertain, inspire, influence, connect or thrill your guests, the South Australian Museum can help bring your vision to life.

Discover Adelaide’s best kept secret. The South Australian Museum – a place to celebrate.

A Place to CelebrateLocated right in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD, the Museum is one of Adelaide’s most prestigious landmarks and an exclusive and imaginative setting for your next function. We have stunning architecture, a perfect blend of state-of-the-art and historical spaces and a matchless backdrop of world-class collections and exhibitions.

Our experienced events management team will work closely with you to understand your vision. Our specialty is in tailoring our spaces to make your ideas come to life and our flexible and transformative approach is only limited by your imagination.

There is a diverse range of stunning spaces to choose from, including our spectacular Main Foyer, historic Armoury Lawns, surprising South Australian Biodiversity Gallery or one of our smaller galleries for a more intimate event.

As soon as your guests step onto the Museum’s grounds they will know they are beginning a remarkable experience. Depending on the space selected, your guests can have exclusive access to the

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A classy cocktail party Light up our historical sandstone facades to create a striking first impression for your guests as they stroll down our walkway. After they are welcomed by flame throwers, drummers or live music they move through a stunning entrance marquee, complete with a cloak room and lounge area, and into our Main Foyer. Theme your event in contemporary or period style and include a dance floor and live music to keep your guests entertained. Consider opening a special gallery to provide a private viewing.

A deluxe dinnerHost an elegant banquet dinner under the striking lantern ceiling in our Pacific Cultures Gallery. Set the scene right from the start, with guests entering via our spectacular grand staircase. You can use the gallery’s traditional layout or transform the space into a draped venue, complete with big screens and staging for presentations.

The gallery is versatile enough to hold pre-dinner cocktails at one end before dinner is served at the other on beautifully decorated tables, surrounded by elegant covered chairs and our heritage-listed display cases. Guests can be entertained throughout the evening with a jazz band or string quartet.

Events at the MuseumWhether it is an intimate gathering for 10 people or a grand event for 1500, our professional events management team will work with you to make your vision come to life and create a truly memorable experience for your guests.

Here are some ideas for creating an event that your guests will talk about for many years to come.

The perfect weddingTransform our outside spaces into a spectacular venue for your wedding. Hold the ceremony in front of the Armoury Gallery – you can enter through the Museum, walk down the Armoury staircase or surprise your guests with an unexpected arrival through one of the Armoury passageways. Guests can enjoy post-ceremony champagne amongst lounges and cocktail tables on the front Armoury Lawn while your photos are taken on the grand staircase within the Museum or in our galleries. Meanwhile, your guests can move through to the reception venue – a stunning lined pavilion, complete with chandeliers, on the back Armoury Lawns.

With a Romeo and Juliet balcony, white carpet for the bridal party, magnificent floral displays, verandas and staircases lined with fairy lights and birdcages and an outdoor dance floor, we have everything you need to create your perfect wedding day.

The best birthday partyFor a completely original and educational children’s birthday party hold it at the Museum Café. Kids can have party food along with themed hats, plates and cups, while the adults can chat over coffee and cake. Kids can even enjoy an interactive tour of the Museum, including songs and stories from our entertainer.

A motivating meetingKeep your audience motivated and inspired by holding a meeting, workshop or training day in our Armoury Gallery – an original and boutique space. The stunning architecture and natural light of this heritage-listed building perfectly blends a sense of history with all the comforts needed for a modern-day meeting. Welcome your guests with the smell of freshly-brewed coffee and keep them satisfied throughout the day with a sumptuous morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided by our catering team.

Transport your guests to another world with an event at the South Australian Museum – it promises to be an experience they will never forget.

The South Australian Museum has been hosting distinctive and stunning events for more than 10 years. We specialise in transforming our unique spaces into a memorable setting for your wedding, cocktail party, product launch or any other function.

Venue Hire Spaces

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28.6m

5.8m

Main FoyerThe 13-metre high, floor to ceiling windows in our spacious Main Foyer provide stunning panoramic views of neighbouring historic buildings and Adelaide’s cultural boulevard, North Terrace. The Museum’s forecourt, garden and building façades can be lit to complement and enhance the ambience of your special event.

Capacity

250 Cocktail style, Main Foyer only 400 with other ground floor galleries100 Banquet dinner

Floor Plan

Front Lawn on North TerraceCapture the attention of the city with an event on the Museum’s Front Lawn – a natural amphitheatre right in the heart of Adelaide’s cultural precinct. This dramatic and versatile space is perfect for everything from car and fashion shows to product launches, networking events, media launches and wedding ceremonies.

Capacity

500 Cocktail style

Plan

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World Mammals GalleryTake your guests on journey around the world with a truly extraordinary experience; an event in the World Mammals Gallery. Enjoy canapés and drinks or an intimate banquet dinner with mammals from all regions of the world, including lions, bears, monkeys and our resident elephant Miss Siam. We almost expect them to come to life!

Capacity

80 Cocktail style 30 Banquet style

Floor Plan

Australian Aboriginal Cultures GalleryAs you step into the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery you walk through the gateway to Aboriginal Australia. Local and international guests alike will be inspired by the largest display of Australian Aboriginal cultural material in the world. Spread over two levels and containing more than 3000 objects, it is an inspiring and engaging setting for a cocktail function.

Capacity

200 Cocktail style, Ground floor only400 Ground floor and Level 1

Floor Plan

Principal Sponsor: Newmont Asia Pacific

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Principal Sponsor: BHP Billiton

Coastal Wetland

Pacific Cultures GalleryTransport your guests to another world and time with the striking lantern ceiling and heritage-listed display cases in our Pacific Cultures Gallery – a beautiful and traditional contrast to our more modern galleries. Your guests can wander amongst more than 4000 artefacts from all over the Pacific region, including spears, utensils and ritual objects.

Capacity

300 Cocktail style 160 Banquet style200 Lecture

Floor Plan

South Australian Biodiversity GalleryThe South Australian Biodiversity Gallery is our newest gallery. Opened in 2010, it tells the story of South Australia’s unique and exceptional wildlife through specimens, state-of–the-art models, interactive multimedia and real-life sounds. Glass of wine in hand, your guests can mingle with giant squid, kangaroos, snakes, jelly fish, birds of prey and many others.

Capacity

70 Cocktail style 50 Banquet style

Floor Plan

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Galleries of exploration and discovery Located on the Museum’s third floor, the Minerals and Meteorites gallery will astound guests with a mesmerising display of nature’s mineral brilliance – it is quite literally the jewel in our crown.

There is also the Opal Fossils of South Australia gallery, displaying huge fossils of ancient marine creatures from the outback opal fields as well as stunning opalised fossils.

Our understanding of evolution was changed by the discovery of the earliest known forms of animal life in South Australia – your guests can wander amongst these in our Ediacaran Fossils gallery.

Looking to inspire your guests? In the Footsteps of Douglas Mawson celebrates the vision and dedication of a modern-day hero. Get up close with Mawson, see many of his personal belongings and imagine how you would handle life as an Antarctic or outback explorer. Expert speakers are available to bring the exploration experience to life.

Capacity

70 Cocktail style, single gallery 140 Combined galleries

Floor Plan

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The Armoury Adelaide’s best kept secret is out – the heritage-listed Armoury Gallery just behind the Museum boasts natural light, stunning architecture and inspiring artworks. It is perfect for meetings, corporate dinners and small weddings.

Capacity

70 Cocktail style 50 Banquet dinner 50 Meeting

Floor Plan

Armoury Courtyard and LawnsLooking for a private garden venue in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD? The stylish Armoury Courtyard and Lawns, nestled right behind the South Australian Museum, are perfect for weddings or corporate functions. A private indoor space is also available for the wedding party to refresh before the reception – a rare option with garden venues.

Capacity

250 Cocktail style 200 Banquet style

Plan

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Special Exhibitions GalleryWe often host touring exhibitions which may be available for exclusive events. In this ever-changing space your guests will enjoy a private viewing of major exhibitions including the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize, the Australian Geographic ANZANG Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition or visiting exhibitions from around the world.

Capacity

Cocktail style. Guest numbers vary depending on the exhibition.

Royal Society RoomThe book-lined Royal Society Room is steeped in history and offers an inspiring backdrop for your seminar or workshop. Located at the Science Centre and opening onto a paved courtyard area, room hire includes a white board and screen.

Capacity

30–50 Seminar or workshop

The Museum CaféOur café is a perfect venue for a small cocktail function, lunch or dinner event. Guests can either dine inside with the backdrop of the whale skeletons or outside amongst the alfresco ambience of Adelaide’s cultural precinct. Popular for children’s parties as well – kids can even be entertained by a singing palaeontologist!

Capacity

30 Cocktail style20 Banquet style

Talk to our events management team about the many ways we can add a unique touch to your event. We can arrange for:

• access to special exhibitions or special collection items

• the Museum’s Director, Chair or one of our scientists to speak at your event

• gift bags for your guests from the Museum’s shop.

Need entertainment? We can help you with just about anything, from DJs and bands to belly dancers and jugglers. Or you can even provide your own entertainment, with prior approval from us. We can arrange and support audio visual equipment for everything from a simple presentation to a complex light show or projection of your company’s logo onto the building’s façade. Our venues can also be transformed with curtains or screens to create dramatic backdrops and intriguing spaces.

Experienced tour guides can be on hand to answer your guest’s questions and provide an in-depth perspective on our galleries and exhibitions. We can also arrange expert and engaging speakers for seminars, workshops and dinners.

Your guests will be thrilled with an unexpected and unforgettable experience.

Event Services

We specialise in creating events to make your vision a reality. We will work with you to transform and showcase our spaces to create the perfect ambience for your function.

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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhere is the South Australian Museum located?

The South Australian Museum is located on Adelaide’s beautiful North Terrace, within walking distance of many CBD hotels, car parking and public transport.

Will my event be the only event held at the Museum?

Your event will have a dedicated space within the Museum. The Armoury Lawns at the rear of the Museum may be used at the same time as an indoor event, but will not interfere with indoor events.

Why do you have specific service providers and vendors for my event?

To make sure your event is successful we have partnered with exclusive caterers as well as audio-visual and decor providers aware of the special features of our unique heritage buildings. Each partner is completely invested in creating the best event for you.

Can I bring my own entertainment to my event?

Yes, with prior approval from South Australian Museum, as long as the nature of any entertainment offered is consistent with Museum policy. The name and type of entertainment must be provided to the Manager of Special Events three weeks in advance of the event.

Can I use more than one space?

Yes. You can book a combination of several indoor spaces or indoor as well as outdoor space.

Can I decorate the space how I choose?

We specialise in working closely with you to transform our spaces to suit your vision. We will take the time to listen to your ideas and understand the ambience you want to create for you guests. We are extremely flexible and have many strategies and approaches that can help you achieve the right look and feel for your event.

What time can my event begin?

The South Australian Museum is open to the public from 10am until 5pm every day (except for Christmas Day and Good Friday). Depending on the space and type of event we may be able to commence your event as early as 5.30pm.

Marquees may be erected one working day prior to the event and dismantled the next working day after the event. Should extra time be required then an additional fee may be charged. We also have two meeting rooms available from 8.30am.

What type of event can I hold?

The South Australian Museum hosts all types of events, including but not restricted to, dinners, cocktail functions, wedding ceremonies and receptions, galas, performances, breakfasts, award ceremonies, exhibition openings and private tours. We are committed to a flexible approach and open to new ideas.

Can you also cater for meetings or seminars?

We can provide menu options for drinks, lunch, morning or afternoon teas for your meeting or seminar.

Is the Museum ‘green’?

Yes. The Museum is committed to continually improving energy efficiency. We are reducing our energy consumption by using timers on our lights, electrical circuitry and audio visual devices, with lights and other devices only operating during opening hours.

We also have a highly successful recycling program in place throughout the Museum to capture all recyclable and biodegradable materials.

Where does the money from my event go?

The South Australian Museum is the custodian of over four million objects and is a not-for-profit organisation. The money raised through event hire contributes to maintaining our collections and helps fund our world-leading research programs.

Holding an event at the Museum means you are helping support the South Australian Museum’s internationally-renowned collections as well as our educational programs and research capabilities.

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Testimonials To ensure the success of your event, the Museum has partnered with exclusive event providers. Our partners are all invested in creating successful events in the Museum:

Audio Visual & Theming

Pro Show Productions

Catering

EPICURE

Flowers & Wedding Specialists

The Wedding and Flower Room

Marquees, Pavilions and Infrastructure

Renniks Events

Wedding Photographer

Luke Simon Photography

Entertainer

Heaps Good Productions

“Fantastic service by the South Australian Museum! The services we have received were exceptional and professional, impressive venue, and the staff made it effortless for us to plan. Overall, another successful corporate event held, well done to the team at the Museum!” Vanessa Leone, Boart Longyear Australia Pty Ltd

“The Armoury Gallery is the perfect venue for our workshops. Spacious and comfortable, air conditioned, scenic location and we are always well looked after by staff. We were so impressed after our first experience, that we booked the next and subsequent workshops there straight away! Highly recommended.” Angie Baxter, Angie Baxter Photography

“The Armoury Lawns at the Museum was the perfect venue for our wedding reception. The venue is picture-perfect, with the quiet feel of a rustic winery, situated in the heart of Adelaide. The location was convenient for guests who traveled from near and far for our special day.” Kate and Ben Birch (pictured)

“Thanks again for an amazing night. It went so well and we have had so much positive feedback on the venue, food, drink, presentations and service.” Greer Tappert, Bernie Lewis Home Loans Pty Ltd

“… our meeting was a great success and everyone commented positively on the room and surrounds.” Steve Venning-Smith, Service SA

“We held our Christmas Dinner at the South Australian Museum. We were very happy with the personal and attentive service we received on the night from all staff as well as during the organisation of our function by the Special Events Manager. The Museum is a great venue for a function, providing quality food and beverages, great service and most importantly a really interesting and ‘different’ setting than the usual function experience. The animals in the mammals gallery certainly provided an entertaining backdrop for conversation and a good night was had by all!” Paula Small, Magotteaux Australia

Selecting the right venue is one of the most important aspects for any event. Our venue hire team is here to guide and assist you. Please contact us today to schedule a walkthrough of our unique venue to explore our event spaces, or for a consultation on your specific event needs. We would be delighted to work with you to create a truly memorable event.

Angela Ferrari Manager of Special Events

08 8207 7420 functions@samuseum.sa.gov.au

We have been hosting distinctive and stylish events in our dynamic and engaging spaces for more than 10 years. Whether it is an intimate occasion or a grand event for hundreds, our experienced events management team can help you create a truly original and remarkable experience for your guests.

Contact Us

Preferred Suppliers

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South Australian MuseumNorth Terrace, AdelaideSpecial Events 08 8207 7420www.samuseum.sa.gov.au