Best School Formal Venues Gold Coast for Hire

School formals are one of the most highly anticipated events in the life of a student. One way to make your school formal memorable is to have it in an unforgettable venue. Here's a shortlist of Gold Coast suburbs where you can find that perfect school formal venue:

Where will I find the best school formal venues on the Gold Coast?

One secret to a successful formal event is choosing the right venue. Luckily, Gold Coast is home to some of the most amazing sceneries on this side of Australia. The sandy beaches alone are a sight to behold, but there are plenty of other beautiful sceneries that should make your school formal even more memorable.

To make your search a lot easier, we've listed down some of the Gold Coast locations where you can find the best school formal venues.

Coomera

Coomera is about 40km south of Brisbane but its location makes it a very accessible suburb. It's also one of the most popular suburbs in the South East Queensland area and has some of the best school formal venues you could find anywhere.

Main Beach

You can never go wrong with Main Beach when it comes to picking venues for events like your school formal. Main Beach has it all: white sand, blue sky, and an ocean that's perfect for a romantic stroll. Who knows? You might even bump into someone charming while walking along the shoreline.

Broadbeach

Aside from its wonderful view of the beach, Broadbeach is known for its high-end shopping centres and fine dining restaurants. Broady is, in fact, one of Australia's go-to food destinations. It's also the home of the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre and The Star Gold Coast, two of the biggest venues on the Gold Coast. If you want to see Broadbeach's amazing night lights, a school formal here will definitely be perfect.

Burleigh Heads

With its gorgeous beaches and breathtaking ocean views, Burleigh Heads makes a wonderful setting for any special event. Although it's smaller compared to the other suburbs, Burleigh is just as nice and has many hotels that are perfect for school formals. Plus, it's just within Gold Coast, making travel a bit easier for those coming from the other suburbs.

Robina

Robina is another great suburb for those who want to be closer to the beach. It's also home to some of the best shopping centres on the Gold Coast, so you and your friends can definitely enjoy a day of retail therapy before the evening event. And if you're looking for a place to eat for dinner, Robina has plenty of restaurants that will suit your taste.

Currumbin

The Currumbin sunset is a sight you shouldn't miss. If your school formal falls on a day where the setting sun is at its best, there's no better place than Currumbin to have it. The beachside suburb is also known for its high-end holiday cottages, great dining establishments and warm, welcoming vibe.

Carrara QLD

Carrara is a vibrant suburb rich in community spirit, making it a fantastic choice for school formal venues on the Gold Coast. What sets Carrara apart is its diverse range of facilities, from lush parks to modern event spaces. The suburb is well-known for its picturesque surroundings, including the stunning Carrara Gardens, perfect for outdoor events or pre-formal photo sessions.

Nerang

If you want to get away from the busy streets and see, up-close, what the Gold Coast has in store, head to Nerang. This area is teeming with greenery and is great for those who just want to get away from city life. If you're looking for a school formal venue that's quiet and peaceful, Nerang is the perfect place to go.

Surfers Paradise QLD

The "heart" of the Gold Coast is home to many high-rise hotels, function venues and restaurants. Surfers Paradise is also the main entry point to the Gold Coast, making it a very accessible place. There are countless dining and nightlife establishments that open until late at night, which is perfect for those who want a school formal after-party.

What types of school formal venues are the most popular on the Gold Coast?

You'll never run out of options with regards to Gold Coast venues for school events. You can choose from a wide array of hotels and convention centres, beachside restaurants and upscale function spaces. These are some of the most popular types of school formal venues:

Hotel ballrooms

Hotel ballrooms are sought after for school formals for several reasons. Firstly, they offer a sophisticated setting with elegant decor, providing the perfect backdrop for photos and creating an unforgettable atmosphere for students to celebrate their achievements. Many hotel ballrooms come equipped with grand chandeliers, polished wooden floors, natural light, and spacious dance areas, which allow for a lively post-dinner celebration.

Conference rooms

Conference rooms as a type of school formal venue are popular on the Gold Coast because they can easily cater to a large number of guests.

Restaurants

A lot of Gold Coasters prefer restaurants because they're intimate and the guests get to enjoy food prepared by a professional chef. The most popular restaurants for school formal events on the Gold Coast are those that are beachside. This is the perfect choice for those who want a scenic view to complement their celebration.

Convention centres

Looking for the largest venue available? Convention centres are always popular for Gold Coast school formals since they can accommodate a large number of people. Convention centres can be found all over Gold Coast, but you should look for one that's easily accessible so you can save money on transport and have more time for partying!

Private Dining Room

If you want something more intimate, then a private dining room is perfect for your school formal dinner. This type of venue can be found in restaurants and hotels all over Gold Coast. These event spaces are in style and perfect for your event because you and your guests will have the whole room to yourselves. This is the perfect space for creating a cozy and exclusive atmosphere, allowing you to celebrate your formal with close friends and classmates.

Outdoor spaces

A lot of Gold Coasters love to have their school event occasions outdoors because the ambience is perfect for young adults. There are many outdoor spaces that can cater to 50 or more guests like beaches, golf courses and even parks.

Blank Canvas Venues

Blank canvas venues provide an exciting opportunity for students to customise their school formal experience. These spaces allow for creativity, flexibility, and personal touch, making them an increasingly popular choice among Gold Coast students. Your event design can go beyond traditional boundaries, with decorations, lighting, and themes tailored to the individual style of your graduating class.

Beachside venues

The beaches of the Gold Coast are a very popular option when choosing venues for school events like formals. The schools nearby usually have their formal at the beach because the setting makes for an unforgettable experience. The most commonly chosen beachside venues are those that can accommodate up to 100 guests.

Top Gold Coast School formal event spaces

There are many great formal event spaces on the Gold Coast, but here are some of the most popular ones:

Novotel Surfers Paradise

Novotel offers versatile conference rooms and bespoke catering services for school formals, with adaptable spaces suitable for 4 to 260 attendees, guaranteeing an event that is both successful and unforgettable.

Mantra On View Hotel

Mantra on View Hotel provides luxurious lodging and sophisticated conference venues, perfectly located for school formals. It features contemporary amenities, cutting-edge technology, and breathtaking views, all just a short stroll from the bustling Surfers Paradise Beach and the lively Cavill Avenue.

voco Gold Coast

Host parties at voco Gold Coast, ideally situated close to Surfers Paradise. Enjoy our flexible, modern venues alongside customisable party packages and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a memorable beachside experience. Voco offers a completely unique event experience.

The Island Gold Coast

The Island Gold Coast, newly transformed into an exquisite boutique hotel in Surfers Paradise, presents an idyllic backdrop for school formals. It features luxurious accommodations, breathtaking views of either the Surfers Paradise CBD or the Gold Coast Hinterland, and a variety of dining options. Guests can enjoy an open-air experience at the Island Pool Deck and savour the culinary delights at Goldie’s, enhancing the allure of this premium destination.

QT Gold Coast

The QT Gold Coast, renowned for its luxurious accommodations and vast event spaces, stands as the perfect setting for school formals. It offers sweeping views of the Gold Coast's landscapes and a lively ambience, enhancing the thrilling experience of such a significant event. 

Tips for planning a school formal on the Gold Coast

So you're tasked with planning your school formal. Of course, you want it to be perfect. Booking the right school formal venue is one thing but there are other factors to consider to have a successful school event.

Plan early

Outline your plans early so you have enough time to prepare everything. List down what you need to hold a school formal such as the venue, date, rules, invites and more. The earlier you start planning, the more time you'll have to deal with problems if they arise.

Set the date

You don't want your school formal to be on the same day as major events like concerts and sporting events. Also, consider other events that are near your chosen date for a school formal so you can avoid booking event halls or function venues at the same time as another business.

Book a venue

Your school formal venue will make or break your event. Start your venue search early — about 6 to 12 months in advance, if possible.

First, choose a location where you want to hold your school event. Then make a list of what you want in your school formal venue. Once you've narrowed down your choices, visit the potential venues that made your shortlist.

Decide quickly so you can book the venue and lock in the date of your choice. You don't want to be disappointed when all the preferred venues are booked out. If you're living on the Gold Coast, there's a good chance that other students from your school will also be looking for suitable venues too. The sooner you scratch this one off your list, the more you can concentrate on other stuff.

Ask about the venue amenities

When you're looking at potential school formal venues, take note of the amenities that are included in the rental fee. Some important amenities to look for are chairs, tables, A/V equipment, parking, dance floor, and decor.

The chairs and tables are essential for your guests. They need to be comfortable so they can enjoy themselves at your school formal. In-house Audio-Visual equipment is important if you want to have a DJ or band playing at your event. Make sure the venue has enough outlets for all the equipment.

Parking should be available and convenient for your guests. You don't want them to have to park far away and walk a long distance just to get to your school formal.

The dance floor should be big enough for all your guests. You don't want anyone to feel left out when the music starts playing.

Finally, the decor should be appropriate for a school formal. Ask the venue staff about the type of decor that's available and if it can be changed to fit your event.

Choose the right package

Does your school formal venue package include everything you need for the event? Can you bring your own caterers? What are the food and beverage options? How about the DJ and photographers? Do they have a photo booth? Are there any additional charges aside from the venue fee? These are some of the questions that you should be asking so as to avoid any surprises later on.

Consider your catering options

When it comes to catering, consider the preferences and dietary restrictions of your guests. A well-thought-out catering plan can elevate the entire experience, ensuring that everyone feels included and taken care of.

Make a budget

You must also consider how much money you're willing to spend on your school formal. Lucky for you, there are heaps of school formal venues on the Gold Coast that offer amazing yet affordable packages.

Send invites

Make a list of people to be invited and send out invites to inform them of the date, time and room. You should also be clear about the dress code, the deadline of payment and the number of guests they can invite to the school party. If you don't control the "uninvited" guests, you may have a problem with overcrowding.

A dedicated email address, Facebook group or event page will also come in handy for event announcements. Aside from giving the students updates, they can also pitch their song requests and share some ideas like their choices for fun school formal awards.

Add a little flare

If you can make your school formal as unique as possible, it would be great. This is the time when your school can really show their personality. To make things more interesting, you can add fun activities, decorations and photo booths.

Making your school formal an event to remember doesn't have to break the bank. With a little creativity and effort, you can plan a successful and enjoyable school event that everyone will talk about for years to come.

Explore more school formal venues on the Gold Coast

There's no shortage of fun, modern and exciting formal venues to hire on the Gold Coast. Discover the best ones on VenueNow and use the platform's smart picker to find and book your ideal formal venue in mere minutes.

Planning cocktail events, gala dinners, wedding receptions, corporate events or other private events? VenueNow will help you find the best venues to suit your needs and budget.

What are you waiting for? Try it today and discover the best venue for your big day! Plan your future events now!