Have you got a baby on the way? Are you looking to host a baby shower in Hobart or surrounding areas for yourself, your sister or your pregnant bestie?
As Hobart’s leading, award-winning maternity & newborn photographer, I spend a LOT of time with Hobart Mums-to-Be and new mums. I have heard a lot of the best tips from the lovely mums that I work with as well as delving in and doing quite a bit of research myself. So here you have it – the ultimate list of the very best places in Hobart to host a baby shower.
While you’re here – have you booked your Maternity and Newborn Photography sessions yet? It’s never too early to book in and I recommend taking your maternity photographs between 28-32 weeks! Get in touch at laurenvanierphotography.com/maternity for more information! I also can provide gift certificates if you are looking for the perfect gift for your pregnant friend!
Hobart’s Best Baby Shower Venue Options:
1) Puddleduck Vineyard
Family and toddler friendly, Puddleduck Vineyard offers the perfect Venue for your Baby Shower.
There are several options to choose from at this great venue:
The Green Zone at Puddleduck (child friendly, great for families)
This is the grassed area and is perfect for baby showers groups that include younger children. There is a playground suitable for children under the age of 6 as well as balls and bouncy toys and plenty of grass to run around on. The duck feeding area is also close by. You can also hire BBQs in this space if you want to cater your baby shower with a BBQ.
The Deck at Puddleduck (adults only area)
The Puddleduck deck is the perfect location for bigger group gatherings of up to 60 people and is perched right over the Puddleduck Dam. The deck is semi-weatherproof as it has a vergola over the top for rain and sun protection (this can be opened and closed depending on the weather conditions) plus clear café blinds that can shut to offer some protection from the wind whilst still enjoying the view. It is also heated for added warmth in the cooler months.
Venue hire starts from from $45 depending on the size of your party.
Inside options at Puddleduck
The Fume room is private and located in a prime position for the best views of the vineyard, dam and outside areas. It is ideally suited to groups of up to 25 people seated or with
scattered seating. Private room booking from $250.
Food: You can bring your own picnic food if you wish or share-style platters are available from the Puddleduck catering menu.
Drinks: As Puddleduck are a licensed venue you must not bring any beverages into Puddleduck, all drinks must be purchased on site. There is a large range of Puddleduck wine, Tasmanian beers, ciders, nonalcoholic and hot beverages available for purchase. Drinking (tap) water is freely available.
Decorating tips: If you are celebrating a special occasion, you are more than welcome to bring along some decorations to decorate the space – just be mindful of landfill though! We just ask that nothing is attached using sticky tape. We do not allow balloons with scatters in them (yes they do pop!) and NO glitter, confetti or small metallic table scatters as unfortunately the birds seem to think these are food and like eating them!
Happy Couple at a Baby Shower at Puddleduck Vineyard – taken by Lauren Vanier Photography
2) Fuchsia House or Wombat One at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens can help make your baby shower perfect. From idyllic garden surrounds to Tasmania’s finest reception venue, RTBG will strive to make your baby shower very special.
As Tasmania’s premiere gardens venue, the perfect package can be tailored just to your needs make your baby shower a unique event. The Gardens offer many stunning locations, both indoor and outdoor and the most picturesque party venue in Tasmania.
Nestled in the heart of Hobart the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens offers modern facilities coupled with historic elegance and timeless beauty. With its central location, celebrated restaurant and free parking, the Gardens offer the perfect mix of practicality and convenience.
Popular sites within the Gardens that are ideal for a baby shower:
- Conservatory
- Fuchsia House
- Wombat One
Conservatory: A magnificent setting, this beautiful stone building holds spectacular floral displays creating the most delightful and colourful backdrop to any celebration. This facility can accommodate approximately 80 people.
Fuchsia House A beautiful open space with spectacular planting set within one of the Gardens most colourful displays. Audio ready. This facility can accommodate approximately 80 people.
Prices for outdoor sites start from $220 and indoor locations start from $440. Insider tip: If you’re booking last minute, you might get a significantly reduced rate – however you risk missing out if it’s a popular date!
For information on hiring sites for private functions, contact the Gardens directly on 03 6166 0451 or email rtbg@rtbg.tas.gov.au
3) Villa Howden High Tea
villahowden.com.au/service/high-tea
Villa Howden is open for traditional High Tea on Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and bookings can be made on Saturdays for larger groups or special events. You can relax in the luxurious surrounds of the estate, enjoying High Tea in the dining room, sunroom, or on the terrace surrounded by beautiful gardens if weather permits.
Villa Howden can cater High Tea for your special occasion and is the ideal location for a refined baby shower to celebrate that special mum-to-be.
High Tea with freshly brewed tea or coffee or a glass of house sparkling wine costs $59 per person.
4) Sports Clubs
There are a number of great options when it comes to Hobart Venues on site at local Hobart Sporting Clubs. There are a wide range of budgets and styles – but best of all, a lot are right near the water which is picturesque and perfect for baby shower photos! My favourite 3 are listed here:
Bellerive Yacht Club
The Bellerive Yacht Club is a perfect venue to host your baby shower in an outstanding location with a relaxed yet organised approach. Situated on the Eastern shores of Hobart, the venue overlooks the impressive BYC marina on the Derwent River, and the surrounding boardwalk and buildings on the shoreline.
Being just a 10-minute drive from the Hobart CBD makes it conveniently close to central Hobart. The Bellerive Yacht Club boasts a light, bright space that has unbeatable waterfront views extending out over Kangaroo Bay and across to Mount Wellington.
There are several options of room hire that can accommodate a Hobart baby shower from 30 to 150 people. With rates from $250.
Catering is provided and there are options ranging from afternoon tea platters at $10pp to fully catered hot meals from $65pp.
Lindisfarne Rowing Club
The Lindisfarne Rowing Club, one of Tasmania’s greatest sporting organisations, provides a beautiful venue for a river-side baby shower on Hobart’s eastern shore.
The Club can be hired with or without bar facilities and rates start at $120 for 2 hours. Membership (social membership is available for a nominal fee) is required to make a booking.
Geilston Bay Boat Club
The boat club at Geilston Bay provides another great water-side location on the Eastern Shore of Hobart for your Baby Shower!
For further information or bookings, contact the club directly by email or phone: 0459 573 293
5) Taverns / Licensed Venues
Another great choice for a big baby shower gathering is to keep it simple and go to Licensed Venue/Hotel. My top picks are the Shoreline for Eastern Shore festivities or the Black Buffalo for a NoHo vibe. Links and details are below!
Shoreline Hotel
The Shoreline Hotel has been the place to be for decades for families of the Eastern Shore. For a family & child-friendly baby shower, this location could be just what you are looking for! There are beautiful areas available including the terrace, lounge and function room.
For bookings and further information, contact via email: functions@shorelinehotel.com.au
Black Buffalo
The Black Buffalo hotel is located in the heart of North Hobart and is the perfect venue for your Baby Shower. It offers a stylish atmosphere and flexible packages with different options of spaces depending on the size of your party. Affordable on-site catering is available for your baby shower guests and there is plenty of space for baby shower party games!
Prices start from: $200 for room hire with catering options from $15pp.
6) Community Centres/Hall
Lastly a great option is to look at your local community centre, church or guiding hall. There are loads of them around, and I’ve hand-picked my favourite options for a Hobart Baby Shower! Community Halls are definitely budget friendly, you can cater it yourself and some of the options are just beautiful!
Battery Point
The Battery Point Community Hall is a beautiful space for your Hobart Baby Shower!
During the day it has a very soft light which is perfect for capturing photos of your bump and baby shower guests! There is plenty of space for Baby Shower party games and pretty adjacent gardens if the weather is fair.
Hire starts from $60
Howrah
Howrah Community Centre: 11 Howrah Road, Howrah
Bookings: 03 6247 7711 or email: howrahreccentre@bigpond.com
For capacity numbers please contact the centre.
Richmond
Richmond Hall: 54 Bridge Street, Richmond
Facilities: Kitchen, supper room
Bookings: Richmond Post Office 03 6260 2260
For capacity numbers please contact the centre.
Fern Tree
https://ferntree.tas.au/fern-tree-community-centre.1.html
Fern Tree Community Centre is a multi-purpose building available for hire at very reasonable rates.
It is at 8 Stephenson Place, Fern Tree, Tasmania 7054 and owned by the Fern Tree Community Association.
The centre is north facing, with large sliding picture windows and a veranda, and has views of Mt Wellington. It is 15 minutes by car from the Hobart CBD and close to a Metro bus route.
from $75
Geilston Bay
Geilston Bay Community Centre: 34 Debomford Lane, Geilston Bay
Bookings: 03 6277 5916
For capacity numbers please contact the centre.
Claremont Guide Hall
Claremont Girl Guides Hall is located on 5 Box Hill Road. It is a joyful and welcome place for community activities.
From $15 per hour.
The hire includes the full use of a commercial kitchen
Mornington Citywide Church Hall
https://www.citywidehobart.org.au/mornington-venue-hire/
Mornington Citywide Church Hall is only 10 minutes from the Hobart CBD. It has free parking and easy level access. It has a large auditorium, commercial kitchen and rooms of various sizes that can fit all sizes of events.
The building features the Meehan Auditorium (410 square metres) which has a capacity of 400 people – standing, 300 people seated lecture style and 200 seated around tables subject to COVID regulations – perfect for extra large gatherings!
So there you have it – my top recommendations for baby shower venues in Hobart and the surrounding areas! And did I mention you can book your maternity photo session (or baby-shower photo gift!) right here: https://laurenvanierphotography.com/ so get in touch!
Lauren x
**** Note – I have no affiliations with any of these venues/companies and this article is purely my recommendations based on personal opinion***
***Prices and contact details correct at time of publishing and are obviously subject to changes at the individual venues’ discretion***
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