Event agreements

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South Australia’s national parks and reserves can provide the perfect location for a wide variety of events such as weddings, family gatherings, fundraising walks and large-scale mountain biking and cross country running competitions.

Rules and regulations apply to parks and reserves and you may need formal permission to hold an event.

You can apply for permission to hold an event and if approval is granted you will be issued with an event agreement.

Do I need permission to hold my event?

You will need permission if your event involves one or more of the following:

any kind of competition such as surfing, fishing, running, mountain biking or orienteering
selling or hiring goods
providing, or offering to provide, any service for fee or reward
speed trials
any fundraising or profit-making activities.

Approvals will also be required if your event involves any of the following:

using loud speakers or other noisy equipment
setting up booths, marquees or other structures such as signage, portable toilets or food vans
holding a public meeting, demonstration or gathering
bringing animals or plants into the park (e.g. petting zoo, floral arrangements for weddings)
using generators, including those in food vans.

You can also apply to hold an event that occurs within multiple parks (such as marathon runs) or that occur regularly throughout the year, such as a series of mountain bike competitions.

How can I get permission to hold my event?

Fill out the events agreement application form. It can be used for single events or multiple events.

If you have any questions you can email DEW.ParksLicensingandEvents@sa.gov.au

When should I apply? – Minimum 8 weeks prior

There are several lead times to consider based on the type of event. The lead time begins from the date when we receive all of the required documentation. Because we receive a lot of applications, it’s very important to submit your application within these timeframes to guarantee your event is approved in time.

For events in parks you are required to submit your application at least 8 weeks before the start date of your event to allow enough processing time.

Co-managed park event

For events in co-managed parks there are more approval processes and so you will need to submit your application at least 12 weeks before your event.

Find out more information on which parks are co-managed.

Can I have an event in a co-managed park?

If you want to hold an event in a park that is managed under a co-management board on behalf of the park’s Traditional Owners, additional approvals may be required and you will need to submit your application at least 12 weeks before your event.
Find out more information on which parks are co-managed.

How much does it cost to have an event in a park?

You may have to pay park entry fees and/or hire fees.

You may also have to pay a bond, depending on the size of your event.

Search for the park you’re interested in to find out if it has entry and/or facility hire fees.

Where can I hold my event?

There are more than 360 national parks and reserves across South Australia, each with different landscapes, features and facilities. Find a park that suits your event.

The Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium also offer a wide range of event spaces at Adelaide, Mount Lofty and Wittunga Botanic Gardens.

Can I have exclusive use of a location or facility?

If you are holding a wedding, community or family event and you want exclusive use of a particular location or facility in a park, you will need to book it. Your event agreement does not necessarily give you exclusive use.

Email our licencing team to find out if you need to book a site for your event: DEW.ParksLicensingandEvents@sa.gov.au

Can I take photographs or film at my event?

If you are considering commercial filming or photography as part of your event you will need to apply for a permit.

Can I use a drone at my event?

It is an offence to fly drones (remotely piloted aircraft) in South Australia's national parks, reserves and marine park restricted access zones without a permit. Permits may be considered for scientific research and commercial filming only.

Can I do research or experiments at my event?

If your event involves research or experiments, you will need a scientific research permit.

Can I conduct tours at my event?

If your event involves commercial tours, such as walking tours or tag-along-tours, you will need to apply for a commercial tour operator permit or seek out a certified company who has permission to do these tours. Find out more information about commercial tour operators.

Can park closures affect my event?

Yes, park closures may affect your event. Our parks can be closed at short notice on significant fire ban days and for park management activities such as feral animal control. Check the closures and alerts page or search for the park for more information.