FAQs
General Information
Concessions
Valid concessions include:
- Australian Pensioner
- TPI
- Veteran’s Affairs
- Health Care
- Full time students
- Companion Card
Children
Children are welcome at DSO performances; however at the Darwin Convention Centre, we do suggest sitting on an aisle for easy access to facilities without disturbing other patrons.
Babes in arms are free of charge if he/she is sitting in your lap, however, it must be noted that if your child sits on a seat, you will need to purchase an Under 16 ticket.
Food & Drink
Food is not permitted in the Auditoriums of indoor performances.
A water bottle is permitted and if necessary, whatever liquid you have purchased at the venue prior to the event (ie a glass of wine etc).
Late Entry
The DSO wishes to advise that patrons who arrive at the venue after the performance has commenced will not be admitted to the performance until there is a suitable break in the program.
When planning your arrival, please ensure you allow time to find a car park, access the venue and the facilities and to find your seat well before the performance is due to commence. Doors to indoor performances open approximately 30mins prior to a performance but the doors will be closed at the advertised time.
Mobile Phones
For the enjoyment of other Patrons and the Orchestra, mobile phones are requested to be turned off or at the very least switched to Silent during the performance.
Photography, sound recordings and video recordings are strictly prohibited at any performance of DSO.
Subscription Tickets/Packages
Please see our subscriptions page for details of our subscription tickets/packages for the Master Series performances and for Kids’ Classics concerts.
Ticket Exchanges and Refunds
Please note that the DSO offers no refunds or exchange on tickets once purchased.
Venue Information
Location
Darwin Symphony Orchestra performs at several locations throughout the year.
The Darwin Convention Centre is located on Stokes Hill Road, Darwin at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct.
The CDU Theatre is located at the Charles Darwin University next to the Amphitheatre in Building Orange 5. See attached PDF map of Charles Darwin University campus map.
The Darwin Waterfront is located on Stokes Hill Road.
The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens is located two kilometres from Darwin City centre and is bordered by Gilruth Avenue and Gardens Road.
Darwin Convention Centre & Darwin Waterfront Vicinity
Amenities
Darwin Convention Centre:
Amenities are located on the Ground Level and on Level 1.
Darwin Waterfront:
Amenities are available behind the Wave Lagoon and behind Building 3 (Il Lido Bar Pizza & Hot Tamale) and temporary toilets are also available during the Opera Gala outdoor performance on Kitchener Drive pedestrian entrance (near Coffee Club).
Food
The Café at the DCC operates prior to and during intervals of performances. Please be aware that intervals are 30 mins long but the queues can be quite extensive.
Food retail outlets are available at the Darwin Waterfront.
Parking
There are several carparks located within walking distance of both the DCC and the Darwin Waterfront.
Disabled Parking:
There are 22 disabled parking spaces in the carparks surrounding the Darwin Convention Centre and the Darwin Waterfront. It is also possible to drop off patrons in the Porte Cochere outside the Darwin Convention Centre before parking your car.
- Darwin Convention Centre undercover car parking – 7 spaces
- Darwin Convention Centre Porte Cochere – 3 spaces
- Multi-storey car park at the Waterfront – 5 spaces located on levels 2 and above close to the lifts;
- Stokes Hill Road car park A – 3 spaces
- Jervois road car park – 2 spaces; and
- Stokes Hill Road car park B – 2 spaces
General Parking – fees apply at these facilities:
- Darwin Convention Centre underground parking
- Kitchener Drive Multi-level car park
- Stokes Hill Road Car Park A (opposite Convention Centre)
- Stokes Hill Road Car Park B (adjacent to Indo Pacific Marine)
- Jervois Road Car Park (adjacent to Deckchair Cinema)
Venue Access for Disabled Patrons
The DCC offers disabled access to the auditorium via the ground level at the exhibition halls end. Patrons who are not confined to a wheelchair are also able to access Level 1 of the Auditorium via the lift found to the left of the Box Office. Please note, if you are unable to access stairs, there are limited seats in the back row of Level 1.
The DCC has wheelchair spaces. Please phone the Box Office on (08) 8980 3333 for bookings.
Walking frames must be removed from the aisle once you have taken your seat. An usher will take and store the frame for you and return it to you both at interval and the conclusion of the performance.
Venue Access
The Auditorium can be accessed on Level 1 – take the escalators to the right of the Box Office on the Ground Floor up to Level 1. There are 4 doors which will be open to the public approximately 30mins prior to commencement of the performance.
The Auditorium can also be accessed on the Ground Floor to the right of the café near the Exhibition Halls.
Pram Parking
Due to fire regulations, prams are not permitted in the Auditorium. Please feel free to park your pram on the Ground Level opposite the Box Office or on Level 1 near Door 7 in the alcove.
Charles Darwin University Theatre
Location
CDU Theatre is located within the Charles Darwin University Casuarina campus in building Orange 3.
Venue Access
Patrons are able to access the Theatre on the Ground Level through doors either end of the complex.
The CDU Theatre offers disabled access through both doors which are on the ground level of the Theatre.
Disabled Access to the Auditorium is limited to the front row as the seating is fairly steep. If you require seating with Wheelchair access or are unable to climb stairs, please phone the Box Office on (08) 8980 3333 to make a booking.
Parking
Parking is available throughout the Campus however the closest car park is Orange Car Park B located off the roundabout off Ellengowan Drive. Please see the attached map as a reference to familiarise yourself prior to arriving at the University. Orange Car Park A is also a relatively close car park to the venue. If both of these are full, the next closes is Orange Car Park C on University Drive South.
George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
Community Event
Parking
The venue fills up very quickly and parking is very limited. Road closures and detours will be in place and it is strongly recommended you arrive early enough to park at Mindil Beach Market Car Park area across from the Gardens.
Alternatively, there are two drop off zones at each end of the Gardens entrance.
Disabled Patrons are able to be dropped off at the entrance – access the site through Traffic Management.
Darwin City Council buses will operate at their normal schedules.
Amenities
Amenities are available near the entrance and to the far right of the stage.
Food & Bar Offerings
- Full bar facilities are available
- Food vendors available
- Please place all rubbish & recyclables in the bins provided
- Picnics welcome – no alcohol or glass permitted
First Aid
First Aid is available from St John Ambulance – left of stage area.
Mobility Access
A mobility access viewing area will be provided on the left hand side of the stand and indicated by signage.