Frequently Asked Questions
If you wish to bring an add-on, engage a supplier to service your event, or guarantee a shelter location, you will need to make a booking.
If your group is larger than 40 you also must make a booking. Your booking time needs to include your set up and pack down.
Picnic shelters that have not been booked are available on a first-come basis throughout the parklands for small gatherings of less than 40 people. Read our visitor use and activities policy for more information.
When a shelter has already been hired, an X or pop-up will appear stating the picnic space is not available for the date requested. Please select another shelter or date for your booking.
When selecting the hire times and booking type at the start of the booking process, you cannot change these once you move through to the checkout.
Go back to the beginning to change the hire time and/or booking type and move through the booking process again.
If the booking has been processed through the checkout and you need to change the booking type or times, email our team at [email protected] for Western Sydney Parklands or [email protected] for Parramatta Park. Include your booking number, area and date in the email.
Yes. You must pay in full for your booking with a valid credit card when you make a reservation. No other payment methods are available.
If you cancel a confirmed booking, you will be charged a cancellation fee which will be deducted from your refund. All cancellations must be received in writing. The following fees apply:
• cancellation with 5 days or more notice – $60 deducted
• cancellation with less than 5 days' notice – all fees forfeited.
To cancel your booking, email your request to [email protected] for Western Sydney Parklands or [email protected] for Parramatta Park. Include your booking number, area and date in the email.
Please refer to the terms and conditions of hire for more information.
If you need to change the picnic shelter you’ve booked, please contact us as soon as possible and we will aim to accommodate your request if there’s another shelter available.
Additional fees may apply.
Email your updated request to [email protected] for Western Sydney Parklands or [email protected] for Parramatta Park. Include your booking number, area and date in the email.
Please refer to the terms and conditions of hire for more information.
Our shelters are designed to cope with wet weather, we will only provide a full refund if the park has been closed due to adverse weather conditions. If you believe you have grounds for a refund, please email us with your explanation and we will review it.
Email your request to [email protected] for Western Sydney Parklands or [email protected] for Parramatta Park. Include your booking number, area and date.
If you are running late on the day of your booking, contact the ranger to ensure your booking is held. If you don't contact the ranger your shelter booking will only be held for 30 minutes, and then the area will be available for use by other park visitors. Booking fees will be forfeited and are not transferable to another date.
Yes. Your booking allows you to bring and use portable barbecues. They must not be placed directly on the grass or park furniture. However, you cannot use barbecues during a total fire ban.
Coal barbecues can only be used at a barbecue station and are prohibited in Plough and Harrow in Western Sydney Parklands. Gas barbecues and other gas-fuelled cooking equipment such as wok burners and butane cookers can be used in any area of the parklands.
Free electric public barbecues within our parklands are available for shared use, they are not part of your booking for exclusive use.
You must not dump hot coals, oil or hot or frozen liquid from barbecues anywhere within the park. You must take these items with you when you leave.
Lighting open fires anywhere in the parklands is prohibited at all times.
If you want to bring any structures or engage a service provider for your function, please see below for advice:
Free items (no booking required)
The following items may be used by any visitors to Parramatta Park and Western Sydney Parklands:
- 1 free-standing 3 m x 3 m marquee (must have weights to secure)
- 2 folding tables
- 30 chairs
- small personal decorations e.g. happy birthday banner
A maximum of 2 paid add-ons per shelter booking
Paid add-ons (book online)
The following items may be used at any booked shelter in Parramatta Park and Western Sydney Parklands (fees apply).
- single entertainers: face painters, magicians, clowns, fairies and other performers
- balloon garlands (except helium balloons), cake stands, event backdrops
- portable bluetooth speaker, PA systems (sound restrictions apply)
- signage (e.g. happy birthday banner, bunting, no advertising)
- additional 2 folding tables and 30 chairs
Paid add-ons requiring approval (application required)
The following items may only be used at the Gawi and Mana shelters in Parramatta Park and the Acacia and Bung shelters in Western Sydney Parklands, with the prior written approval (fees apply):
- additional 3 m x 3 m marquee
- animals or mobile zoo provided for entertainment or display
- amusements and rides such as soft play or giant games
- onsite caterers, coffee carts or spit roasts
- power and generators
- DJs, music ensembles and bands
- signage, including directional signs, banners and displays.
Refer to the terms and conditions of hire for more information.
Please read our entertainment and other add-ons policy (346 KB) and then complete the add-on application form (185 KB). Email your application to [email protected] for Western Sydney Parklands or [email protected] for Parramatta Park. We need a minimum of 10 business days to process your application.
Should you require entertainment or other add-ons, refer to items and processes outlined in ‘What entertainment and extra items can I bring?’.
The following items are banned to ensure everyone can enjoy the peace and natural beauty of the park:
- confetti, rice, flower petals and party poppers
- paint dyes, powders and smoke cannons
- helium balloons
- sparklers and fireworks
- thumbtacks, sticky tape and nails
- inflatables such as jumping castles and obstacle courses
Please respect the environment when holding your event in the parklands.
Our rangers will ask you to remove any unauthorised equipment. Refer to the terms and conditions of hire for more information.
Email any questions to our team at [email protected] for Western Sydney Parklands or [email protected] for Parramatta Park.
You can decorate the shelter with streamers, balloons (except helium balloons), small signs and similar decorations. All decorations must be attached with string or streamers. You must fully remove any decorations, string and streamers before you leave at the end of your booking.
Please refer to the terms and conditions of hire for more information.
Shelters in Western Sydney Parklands do not have access to power. Power is only available at the Gawi shelter in Parramatta Park for bookings with add-ons. Power can only be supplied between 9:00 am – 3:30 pm. You must have our prior written approval and fees may apply.
Dogs are allowed in the park but must always be on a leash. You must clean up after them and dispose of their waste thoroughly.
As per the Companion Animals Act, dogs are not permitted within 10m of playgrounds or food preparation areas (barbecues).