Exceptional Workshop Venues in Melbourne

Looking for a creative space for your corporate workshop? Melbourne, being one of Australia's biggest business hubs, is a great place to hold workshops and other corporate events. Besides being easy to get around using public transport, Melbourne has many venues and event spaces perfect for holding workshops. You are sure to find one that matches your needs.

Read on to discover some of the top venues for workshop hire, along with where to find them.

Best Suburbs to Book Workshop Venues in Melbourne

Are you searching for the ideal venue for your workshop? Melbourne offers a diverse selection of workshop venues and event spaces. Here are some of the most popular locations for workshops in Melbourne:

Melbourne CBD

One of the most substantial advantages of hosting your workshop in the Melbourne CBD is its accessibility. With several train stations, tram and bus routes, and proximity to major freeways, participants can quickly and easily travel to and from the workshop location. The CBD is also an easy drive or express bus ride from Melbourne Airport for visitors who fly in.

You'll discover all sorts of venues in Melbourne CBD, from traditional to modern and everything in between. There are plenty of corporate event space venues in Melbourne's CBD, as well as hotels, restaurants, and other function venues.

Southbank

Southbank is literally on the banks of Melbourne's Yarra River. It's one of Australia's busiest event locations, so finding a workshop venue here shouldn't be difficult. It is easily accessible for visitors due to its proximity to public transport terminals. It's directly across the Yarra River from the CBD and has good tram and train coverage, making it easily accessible. Also, the environment of Southbank, with its vibrant restaurants and cafes, allows plenty of opportunities for post-workshop networking and unwinding.

Docklands

Docklands is an energetic district that is fast becoming a destination of choice for corporate functions. Famous for its contemporary high-rise buildings and waterside restaurants, Docklands boasts a distinctive ambience with beautiful views of the city skyline and Victoria Harbour. The district contains numerous high-rise buildings, office towers, and the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. Collins Street is the central street in the precinct, and you'll find ample restaurants and cafes on this road. Docklands also has several modern venues suited for workshops. Ranging from multi-purpose function rooms to sleek conference centres, this area has something for all kinds of events.

Carlton

Carlton, rich in history and cultural heritage, is yet another desirable spot to hold workshops in Melbourne. With the CBD accessible by just a short tram ride, Carlton is home to the city's most iconic structures, such as the Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Museum, both providing distinctive event venues. Carlton is famous for Lygon Street, Little Italy, where visitors can indulge in various culinary delights after the event.

Top Tips for Organising a Successful Corporate Event

Most Common Types of Workshop Spaces in Melbourne

There are many different types of workshop spaces in Melbourne. Choosing the most appropriate option for your workshop will depend on what you want to get out of your event. Some of the following types of workshop spaces are what you can select from:

Hotel Conference Rooms

Hotels tend to have a conference room for rent that visitors and public members can use. Hotel conference rooms usually provide a range of facilities and amenities such as natural light, air-conditioning, projectors, microphones, video conferencing equipment and other advanced equipment. They may also provide catering facilities if you require them for your exclusive function. Conference rooms are ideal if your workshop is for many people and you want to have all your facilities in one location.

Convention Centres

Convention centres, or exhibition halls, are perfect for large to medium-sized workshops. They're specifically designed for events like these and can provide facilities like catering, event management and signage. They may also possess the latest equipment for workshops like projectors, whiteboards and screens. The services of sound and light technicians are also usually part of the package in convention centres.

Hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars typically surround convention centres. Your guests will enjoy the accessibility of walking between the event space and their accommodation or dining choice.

Blank Canvas Venues

Another favourite among workshop venue choices for Melbourne is a blank canvas venue. These facilities offer a flexible and adaptable space for your workshop. With a flexible floor layout, limited decorations and furniture, and blank canvas venues, you can design and stage the venue based on your workshop needs. This versatile workshop venue is ideal for organising your next meeting or event - whether a corporate team leadership day, workshop meetings, or an innovative brainstorming session.

Coworking Spaces and Serviced Offices

Serviced offices and coworking spaces have on-site staff, breakout rooms, and modular furniture to support your event needs. They typically offer high-speed internet, projectors, whiteboards, and other essential equipment for workshops or training sessions. Additionally, these facilities provide extra services such as printing and administrative support, making them very convenient. One of the main advantages is the flexible booking options, allowing you to reserve space for just a few hours, an entire day, or even several days, depending on the duration of your workshop.

Restaurants

Restaurants are ideal for small business events like workshops, networking receptions and small meetings. Restaurant event space is perfect if you want your guests to dine during the event and be able to visit the bar afterwards. Like hotel conference rooms, restaurants are typically ideal for small to medium-sized workshops. Your workshop members will enjoy the relaxed and casual setting of restaurants.

Typical Cost of Melbourne Workshop Venues

Several factors influence the pricing of hiring a workshop venue in Melbourne. Melbourne venues often have costs ranging from AUD 65 to AUD 95 per person, depending on the space size, amenities, and additional services like AV equipment and technician support.

Factors Affecting Venue Costs

• Location: Venues in the centre of Melbourne or busy areas can charge more because they are convenient and prestigious. Accessibility to transport hubs and local amenities can also influence expenses, adding value to your visitors.
• Venue Type: The venue type you select will directly affect the price. A conference room in a hotel might already have catering, while a shell venue may add costs for furniture and decor. Likewise, coworking venues could provide competitive rates per hour that reduce the overall cost for small events.
• Duration: Longer events will automatically cost more. Some event spaces have lower rates for multi-day workshops or allow flexible pricing scales that decrease hourly costs as the duration increases.
• Capacity: More spacious venues will likely be more expensive because more resources and space will be needed to support more visitors. But bulk booking discounts may also apply.
• Additional Services: Several venues provide packages incorporating catering, AV equipment, and on-site technical support. Though these services contribute to the cost, they offer convenience and can improve the event experience for the attendees.
• Time of Year: Prices may vary depending on the time of year, with peak periods tending to be more costly due to increased demand. For example, venues may be more expensive in the summer months when Melbourne hosts many festivals and events, or in the end-of-year period when corporate functions and Christmas parties are in demand. Booking in the off-season may assist in negotiating a better price.

Tips for Finding Cost-Effective Workshop Venues

• Early Booking: Booking a venue early in advance allows you to take advantage of early bird prices and guarantee availability. Most venues provide discounts for early birds for clients who book well in advance. Not only does this reserve your desired date, but it also considerably reduces your venue rental costs.
• Be Flexible with Dates: Being flexible with your event dates can provide avenues for cost savings. Weekdays or off-seasons usually come with lower rates, as venues have lower demand during these periods. Steering clear of weekends and peak seasons could get a quality venue at half the cost.
• Use All-Inclusive Packages: Find venues with all-inclusive packages that package services such as catering, audiovisual, and decor. These packages can avoid surprise extra costs and are at a discounted price compared to purchasing each service individually.
• Negotiate: Avoid negotiating with venue managers, especially if you're booking for multiple days or during off-peak times. Negotiation can be a powerful tool in lowering your overall costs. Venue managers are often willing to offer discounts or additional perks to secure a booking, particularly if your event can fill a gap in their schedule.
• Amenities and Services Included: Compared to various workshop venues in Melbourne, consider the amenities and services as part of the price, such as audiovisual equipment, wi-fi connection, catering, tables, and chairs. Such venues, which provide an all-round package, will save you time and money by arranging extra services in advance.

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Find more incredible workshop spaces in Melbourne.

Need a workshop space in Melbourne that will leave a good impression on your attendees? Say no more. We've got you covered. Look at VenueNow and explore more of the highest-rated workshop venues in Melbourne and Australia. You need it for design workshops, business workshops, training, or any other creative function; you can find the right creative workshop venue here!

How much do Melbourne workshop venues cost?

Based on VenueNow's historic data, on average, Melbourne workshop venues cost between 85 per hour and 120 per hour. For example, a 8 person workshop would cost approximately 680-960. Costs may differ based on your food and beverage requirements, AV requirements, event date and time and the type of venue you decide to book.

What are the top Melbourne workshop venues?

Here are some of our favourite Melbourne workshop venues:

• Citadines on Bourke
• Stamford Plaza Melbourne
• Dexus Place Melbourne Collins Street
• Rokeby 100
• Arts Centre Melbourne
• United Co Fitzroy
• Hotel Windsor Melbourne
• Ibis Hotel Melbourne
• Zagame's House Carlton
• Pullman Melbourne

How do I find and book Melbourne workshop venues?

Finding and booking a Melbourne workshop venue is easy with VenueNow, simply follow these steps:1. Enter Melbourne as your location and workshop as your event type into VenueNow's search engine.2. Narrow down your search results by entering more filters such as number of people, event date, room layout and budget.3. Send enquiries to venues to request pricing and availability (we recommend sending 3-5 enquiries to different venues to ensure you get the best price).4. Review your quotes and connect directly with your favourite venues to book a site visit and finalise your booking.5. Host your event!

How far in advance should I book a Melbourne workshop venue?

On average, VenueNow customers book a Melbourne venue 90 days in advance of the event. For larger events and event dates in December we recommend allowing additional time as there may be limited availability.

Can VenueNow help me find a Melbourne workshop venue?

We sure can! VenueNow's team of Venue Booking Experts can help you find the perfect venue, collect quotes from multiple venues on your behalf, negotiate the best price with venues and book venues, all for free. Simply send us your event brief and our team will be in contact with venue recommendations within 24-48 hours.