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Central Gardens – garden area

Hawthorn

Central Gardens is suitable for:

  • weddings
  • picnics
  • end-of-year gatherings
  • celebrations.

It features meandering paths, lush foliage plants and a tropical-style border. The collection of mature trees provides plenty of shade.

Central Gardens is also known as 'Rocket Park' as the playground is known for its iconic 1960s rocket climbing feature (recently restored in 2022).

You can book a grass area in the garden for your exclusive use.

We require between 5 full business days and 8 weeks' notice, depending on your booking.

You can apply to bring up to 20 chairs and 2 tables for events. You can't bring a marquee, arbour or other shade structure.

For more information about what you can and can't bring to outdoor events at our venues, visit our Outdoor event requirements page.

For more information about the gardens, visit our Central Gardens page.

Public facilities

  • Barbecue
  • Seating and tables
  • Toilets

Public facilities are free for all park visitors to use. They are not included as part of a booking.

Capacity

Up to: 100 people

Book garden area
Aerial view of grass area with many scattered green trees. There is a large playground with surrounding footpaths to the left.
Aerial view of small grass area with scattered green trees. There are footpaths to the right and bottom and a road with a pedestrian crossing to the left.
Grass area with large trees on the right and and a thick garden of plants on the left. There are shadows are on the grass and a multi-storey building in the distance.
Curving concrete path with grass and large trees casting shadows on either side. There is a house-shaped building is in the distance.
Grass area with several large scattered trees. There is a small hedge to the left, a house-shaped building to the right and a multi-storey building is in the distance.
Playground with rocket-shaped climbing feature and slide, and small carousel and park bench. There are several trees in the playing area and the background.
Aerial view of playground with rocket-shaped climbing feature and slide, and three other features with round tops. Grass and several large trees surround the area.

Parking and transport

Street parking is available on the adjacent William Street and Henry Street. The gardens are within easy walking distance of Glenferrie and Auburn train stations.

Booking times

7 days including public holidays.

April to October: 8 am to 6 pm.

November to March: 8 am to 8:30 pm.

 

View all bookable spaces

Find other nearby services and facilities

Booking information

Booking fees

Fee type Fee
Alexandra Gardens, Canterbury Gardens, Surrey Gardens booking fee$159 per hour (includes exclusive use of the rotunda)
Central Gardens and Maranoa Botanic Gardens booking fee$159 per hour 
All other parks and gardens booking fee$159 per 4-hour block
Event bondminimum $200

Find out more about fees and bonds on our Fees for open space bookings page.

Terms and conditions

Please read our terms and conditions of hire before booking. 

Visit our Outdoor event requirements page to learn about:

  • permitted items and activities
  • notice periods
  • permits and documentation you may need
  • third party vendor requirements.

If a vendor is supplying any equipment, they need to provide public liability insurance.

Visit our Weddings in our gardens page for information about wedding bookings.

Contact us

If you have any difficulties using our online booking portal, please contact us on (03) 9278 4444 or email [email protected].

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