The most important day of your life deserves a stunning venue like the Highfields Cultural Centre. Celebrate the beginning of a lifetime of happiness with confidence, knowing that our dedicated event team are here to help you with every detail.

At Highfields Cultural Centre, we provide a range of services to make your wedding reception one to remember, including:

• personal and professional planning
• use of bar/garden area for pre-dinner canapés and drinks
• use of gardens and foyer for wedding photos
• a full table setting with white linen tablecloths and napkins, cutlery and glassware
• white skirting on bridal table/head table
• lectern and wireless microphone
• dance floor
• basic cleaning
• ample off-street parking
• decorating assistance
• personalised table seating plan.

The Highfields Cultural Centre has a stellar reputation, evident with a gold accreditation from the Australian Bridal Industry Academy. Since 2010, the venue has been a finalist in the reception centre and function coordinator categories and placed highly in the national Designer of Dreams. You can trust our experienced team to deliver the wedding you’ve always dreamed of.

Catering

With a reputation for house-made delicacies, our catering will elevate your wedding celebrations with creative and elegant cuisine with professional catering and a range of menus available to suit your requirements. We also cater to all allergies and intolerances.

Treat your guests to canapés in our beautiful garden before moving into the reception room for the main and dessert. Our cocktail party options are also popular. A fully staffed, licensed bar provides a variety of beer, wine and soft drinks. There are several options, including beverage plans, bar tabs, a cash bar – or a combination of all three.

Décor

At Highfields Cultural Centre, we take care of all the details. You won't need to lift a finger, tables and chairs are set to your custom seating plan with white linen tablecloths and linen napkins, bridal table and cake table skirting, cutlery and glassware. Our experienced staff can also assist with decorating your wedding with chair covers, sashes, table centrepieces, bridal backdrops and ceiling drapery. We can even tailor our lighting to suit your colour scheme!

Garden weddings

We offer a beautiful garden ceremony to remember. In addition to the spacious auditorium, guests can make use of a beautiful outdoor area that is perfect for a garden wedding. The peaceful, secluded outdoor area is surrounded by stately trees providing the perfect backdrop for your wedding. A signatory table and chairs for the couple and their guests can be arranged, along with a red carpet.

In the event of bad weather, a smaller room is available to take the worry out of having to contact your guests with a change of plan.

Cocktail wedding reception

Our cocktail packages are ideal for brides wanting a more relaxed event. With house-made canapés and sparkling wine, guests can mingle in our bar area and beautiful garden area. This area is also ideal for intimate weddings with less than 50 guests. Our cocktail package includes a selection of ten canapés served throughout the night. The bar is available for guests to purchase their drinks, or you can select a beverage package or bar tab.

Contact the centre to obtain our latest wedding package information.

The Highfields Cultural Centre is the perfect space to host your next conference. From tricky break-outs to large scale functions, this venue can host it all. With competitive pricing, free on-site car parking and catering available, this venue is hard to beat.

With a space to suit any event, the Highfields Cultural Centre offers diversity in the form of several break-out areas including, the boardroom, rear bar, garden area, stage, mezzanine and community corner

No two events are the same, we will work with you to customise a plan to suit your needs. Arrange a tour with one of our Function Coordinators today. We would welcome the opportunity to show you the capabilities of the centre and what we have to offer your next event.

Menus & packages

We have a range of catering options to any function - meetings, conferences, dinners, networking events, cocktail parties, luncheons or breakfasts. From freshly-baked muffins for morning tea to canapes at dusk, we can create a menu to suit your budget and event.

We are happy to cater for anyone with special dietary needs, such as vegetarians, vegans, diabetics and food intolerances, provided we are advised in advance.

We generally serve our meals in the rear bar area where your delegates will be able to mingle and make use of our outdoor eating area. Our outdoor garden area also can be used for team building activities such as volleyball.

Our venue is well equipped to run concerts of any size. Our premium lighting and sounding equipment will help your company promote the best event possible. We have previously hosted concerts for ‘The Wiggles’ and ‘Playschool’.  It is the perfect space, for local dance schools, schools and music ensembles.

The equipment we have available:

• professional sound system
• theatrical lighting which can be controlled from our bio box
• 16m x 6m working stage area
• Side of stage and control room communications
• 2 dressing rooms on each side of the stage
• 1 green room (Rogers Room)
• theatre seating capacity of 500
• use of the Mezzanine level for additional seating
• built-in data projector and screens
• wireless internet
• theatrical lighting which can be controlled from our bio box
• a fully staffed and licensed bar
• event staff/ushers.

There is onsite parking available for ticket holders. 

There are five spaces available to suit your needs. Weddings, conferences or concerts, each room can be personalised to suit your event.

Peter Rorke auditorium

The Peter Rorke auditorium is an adaptable space with no columns or pillars. From trick break-outs spaces at a conference to large weddings, it suits a variety of events. The auditorium also includes a full-sized stage and dressing rooms.

The room includes:

• fully air-conditioned for year-round comfort
• high ceilings
• permanent dance floor
• theatrical lighting rig and sound system.
• Wireless internet

Room capabilities

Rogers room

The Rogers room is ideal for your next meeting, conference or training workshop. The room can accommodate boardroom, theatre, u-shape and workshop room formats. With black block-out curtaining, the room provides a private space to conduct business.

Room capabilities

Breakout spaces - boardroom, community centre, mezzanine

With a space to suit any event, the Highfields Cultural Centre offers diversity in the form of several break-out spaces, including the boardroom, rear bar, garden area, stage, mezzanine and community corner.

Room capabilities

Access the online tour of Highfields Cultural Centre.

See the Highfields Cultural Centre through our photo and image gallery.

"I wanted to thank you and Renee for all your help over the past few weeks. The facilities at Highfields have been great mainly due to both of you. You have been easy to work with, have accommodated our requirements and have gone out of your way to make things happen. I certainly have appreciated working with such a professional team. I will be recommending the centre to others." - St Joseph's College, Toowoomba.

"Exceptional venue, food and centre staff were friendly and professional in all dealings. Zoe was fantastic, very friendly and professional. Hope to work with her again in the future." - Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.

"In the middle of the covid pandemic they were very accommodating in helping find new ways to entertain guests. Due to COVID-19 we had to reschedule our wedding to another date and they were very helpful and supportive during this stressful process." - Melanie and Tom.

"Emma was amazing to work with. No request too big or too small. Made us feel very welcome." - Brianna and Brad.

The hirer is responsible for the conduct and safety of all persons attending the event and must ensure compliance with all laws.

Public Liability: All parties who hire Council facilities must have minimum $10 million public liability insurance coverage. Proof of such coverage is required before your booking can be confirmed. We allow casual hirers who hire Council facilities no more than a total of twelve (12) days over a twelve (12) month period to use the venue without public liability insurance and they are covered by council’s policy (e.g. a private wedding or meeting). However, this does not include commercial or incorporated users or sporting clubs or associations of any kind.

Tentative Bookings: Tentative bookings for the venue will be accepted at the discretion of management and will be held for a period of seven (7) days only. If the venue receives an enquiry for a date that is tentatively booked, the contact person for the tentative booking will be notified and given first preference to confirm their reservation. If no signed Booking Contract is received, the tentative booking will be forfeited.

Regular bookings: Regular bookings can be made for a period of up to 12 months (within the same financial year). Regular booking requests need to be resubmitted each year. Any fee increases must be paid by the hirer. Regular bookings may be required to be cancelled/rescheduled in preference of major events, with Management giving users the maximum amount of notice possible. Use of the same room for each booking cannot be guaranteed. Council does not accept permanent bookings.

Payment: Our policy requires full payment of all charges ten (10) working days prior to your event. Payment can be made by cash, Master card, Visa card, EFTPOS and cheque at any Toowoomba Regional Council service centres. Please note: surcharges may apply on credit card payments.

Pricing - Venue Hire: Pricing is current for this financial year. The Management reserves the right to review pricing up to three (3) months prior to the date of the function. Weekend functions may attract a staffing surcharge.

Cancellations: Cancellations of events at any stage will forfeit the deposit - in the situation where it is the Hirer who has cancelled the event (or caused the event to be cancelled). And functions cancelled less than ten (10) days before the event will forfeit all money paid and will require payment for goods or services already purchased.

Toowoomba Regional Council cannot be held responsible for cancellations and adjustments to bookings due to circumstances beyond our control. This includes but is not limited to power disturbances, industrial disputes, fire, flood, vandalism, or any act that prevents or inhibits the normal operation of the venue.

Management reserves the right to cancel or refuse the hiring of venues for reasons including unsuitability of the proposed activity, risk to public safety, previous unsatisfactory conduct of the Hirer or other good cause. Entire Contract: This Booking Contract is the entire contract with respect to the subject matter of this Booking Contract and supersedes and cancels any other arrangements, understandings and negotiations in relation to it. The Booking Contract can be varied only by agreement in writing. Indemnity: The Hirer is solely liable for and must indemnify and hereby indemnifies and saves harmless Council from and against all damage made by, or brought against the Hirer. The Hirer will ensure that it’s contractors, agents and invitees do not perform any act or omission that indirectly or directly causes damage, and that would, if the act or omission were performed by the Hirer, breach this Booking Contract. If the acts or omissions of the Hirer or the Hirer’s Contractors, agents and invitees indirectly or directly cause damage, the Hirer will be liable for any damage arising out of, in the cause of, or in relation to either directly or indirectly, the function including the postponement or cancellation of the function. For the purposes of this Indemnity, “damage” includes, but is not limited to, any and all liability, suits, actions, proceedings, claims, personal injury, death, demands, charges, costs, penalties, losses, damages and expenses.

Breakages, damage or loss: The Hirer must reimburse Toowoomba Regional Council for any damages, breakages or losses occurring during their hire period. Toowoomba Regional Council is not responsible for any damage to or loss of property placed in the venue by the Hirer, except to the extent that such damage arises from a negligent act of Council.

Children: All children attending the facility are the responsibility of the hirer/parent(s)/guardian(s) and/or appointed carers and must be supervised for the duration of the booking.

Cleaning: Where excessive cleaning is required, an additional cleaning charge will apply.

Closing Time: All functions must cease by midnight. A security guard may attend the venue as part of these arrangements. When vacating the premises, please be considerate of our neighbours.

Delivery and Pick Up of Equipment: Management must be advised of any deliveries and collections to be made on behalf of the Hirer, to ensure access to the venue is available.

Electrical Obligations: Electrical Equipment owned by the Hirer or introduced into the venue for a function must be in good working order and fully compliant with Australian safety regulations.

Entertainment: Management reserve the right to approve all entertainment. Copyright may be payable for performances, or other forms of entertainment and/or use of music (whether recorded or live). It would be appreciated if you discuss your entertainment selection with our staff to avoid problems. Bump in/bump out times will need to be pre-arranged with staff. Any infringement for copyright will be at the hirer’s expense.

Evacuation Plans: Fire and Emergency Evacuation Plans are located throughout the venue. On the day of your function/induction a copy of the evacuation plan will be provided to you. It is recommended that the plan be discussed/stated to your guests prior to the commencement of the function.

Operation of Equipment: Management is responsible for approving the use of equipment by hirers. No minor shall operate and equipment in the venue at any time. Equipment owned by the Hirer or introduced into the venue for a function must be in good working order and fully compliant with Australian safety regulations.

Security: The venue is hired under the terms that the person whose signature appears on the form accepts and agrees to ensure the security of the Toowoomba Regional Council property. The hirer is responsible for Council property that may be damaged or removed from the premises.

The hirer must always be present during the period of hire. The hirer is responsible for the conduct and safety of all persons attending the event and must ensure compliance with all laws. Hirers must not allow the premises to be used in a disorderly manner or in any manner likely to cause and annoyance to neighbours, or to bring dispute to the venue or Toowoomba Regional Council. It is the hirer's responsibility to obtain adequate insurance coverage for their activities.

Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in the building or within 5 metres of any entrances to the building.

Sustainable practices: The venues strive to be environmentally friendly. We discourage the use of single use products such as water bottles, straws, balloons etc.

Temporary Fixtures and Decorations: It is the hirer’s responsibility to ensure that no walls, floors or any parts of the venue are to be broken, pierced by nails or screws, or other method nor any writing, printing, painting or other decoration be made on the walls. Adhesive tape is not an acceptable method of attachment. Vehicles: Vehicles are not to be driven indoors or on the grassed areas surrounding the venues unless prior approval is granted by Management.

Additional Conditions of Hire - Highfields Cultural Centre

Cancellations: The Highfields and Oakey Cultural Centres are nominated evacuation centres for the Toowoomba Regional Council under the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG). In the event of the venue being activated as an evacuation centre, Council reserves the right to cancel any event at its discretion. Hirers will be offered an alternative date or a refund of costs if the cancellation occurs less than 2 days before the event.

Alcohol and food is not to be brought into the venue: Where guests do not abide by this condition, we reserve the right to confiscate this alcohol/food and levy a charge to the organiser, should it be deemed necessary. The staff of the venue have been trained in the Responsible Service of Alcohol, to follow the regulations set down in the Liquor Act 1992. It is against the law to serve alcohol to or allow anyone to supply alcohol to someone who is (a) a minor, (b) unduly intoxicated or (c) disorderly. ID may be required to be produced as evidence of age, and if acceptable ID is not shown, service of alcohol will be refused. Please ensure all guests are aware of this policy.

Final numbers: Details including final numbers, special dietary information, function details, menu and beverage selection must be confirmed ten (10) working days prior to the date of the event. Confirmed numbers will be used for the billing of all catering and beverage charges, regardless of the actual number of attendees. Where attendee numbers exceed confirmed numbers, the provision of additional equipment or catering shall be charged to the hirer (where possible) as provided at the standard rate.

Pricing – menus: Menu costs are subject to change without notification. Once your function is confirmed, we will notify you of any menu changes or price increases prior to your function. If there are unexpected price rises in certain foods, Council reserves the right to amend the menu after notifying the Hirer.

Staffing: A weekend surcharge will apply to staff charges. Weekend functions require a minimum booking of 50 guests.