COUNTRY NSW WEDDING VENUES
A definitive guide to 13 of the most unique country wedding venues in NSW
(plus a bonus planning spreadsheet at the end)
13 of the most unique wedding venues in NSW
I get it, finding a country wedding venue in NSW can seem like a monumental and overwhelming task when you first start looking. NSW is flooded with options, even once you start narrowing down your criteria. The first thing to do is figure out what kind of wedding you want - is it a big sit down affair with 200 of your closest or more of a laid back party with just your family and a few mates? Do you want somewhere you can DIY or a venue that does all the hard work for you? Somewhere with clean urban sophistication or surrounded by bushland and expansive views? This will help narrow it down.
I’ve shot hundreds of weddings in this town (see here for a handful), and whilst there’s plenty of great venues out there, these are some my favourite at this point in time (2021). There’s a good variety here for whatever aesthetic and vibe (and budget) you are after, but I’ve definitely focused on less traditional and unique wedding venues that haven’t just been doing the same old thing for the last two decades.
Without any further ado, here’s my curated list of 13 of the most unique country wedding venues in NSW.
If you want some more specific recommendations or you like the look of my images while you are here, flick me an email here.
Terrara House
Nowra ~ 2 hours from Sydney
Capacity - From intimate weddings up to 300
An enormous heritage Estate that sleeps up to 28 that you get for 2 nights as part of the deal. Cracking wet weather options. Swimming pool, tennis court, wellness salon, garden games, enormous and beautiful grounds that require 2 full time groundskeepers and all only 2 hours from Sydney.
2. Melross Farm
Kangaroo Valley ~ 2 hours from Sydney
Capacity - Up to 200
Enormous and beautiful grounds set in the stunning Kangaroo Valley, a whole bunch of on ground cottages and houses for people to stay, multiple ceremony locations, cracking catering and all with one of the most beautiful backdrops in NSW.
3. Wallalong House
Wallalong ~ 2 hours from Sydney
Capacity - Up to 300
My favourite wedding venue in the Hunter Valley, Wallalong House is hard to go by.
Multiple catering options, enormous 200 year old fig trees that frame an expansive view over the Valley, a huge outdoor dancefloor lit by festoon lights and a big permanent Marquee, this is as good as it gets in the Hunter Valley.
4. Bendooley Estate
Berrima - 1.5 hours from Sydney
Capacity - Up to 200
Bendooley has been the number one venue in the Southern Highlands for years now for a reason.
With two seperate venues - the classic heritage Book Barn and the brand new Stables, sprawling and beautifully manicured grounds, and only 1.5 hours from Sydney, Bendooley is a cracking option if you want an excuse for everyone to get out of Sydney for the weekend and experience some luxury.
5. Willow Farm
Berry ~ 2 hours from Sydney
Capacity - Up to 135
Surrounded by 160 acres of lush, green farmland and picturesque creek frontage, Willow Farm in Berry is a cracking wedding venue on the NSW South Coast.
Includes onsite accomodation for 10, multiple beautiful ceremony options, and you can BYO catering and booze. Win win.
6. Allview Escape
Blackheath ~ 2 hours from Sydney
Capacity - Up to 120
Seriously. The view out onto the (very inaptly named) Grose Valley is ludicrous. 20 of your closest can stay in the on-site accomodation, and you are just outside the village of Blackheath in the Blue Mountians. Have a cosy reception in one of the cottages or rent a marquee and party under the stars.
7. Merribee House
Merribee ~ 2.5 hours from Sydney
Capacity - Huge. More than you need.
TWENTY different event spaces that are a mix of indoor and outdoor, so you got nothin’ but options if the weather doesn’t play along. Stupidly beautifully manicured grounds. Buttloads of on site accomodation for the VIPs and BYO catering and booze. What more could you ask for. Definitely a favourite of the south coast.
8. A Frame Kangaroo Valley
Kangaroo Valley ~2 hours from Sydney
Capacity - Elopements only
A brand new, architecturally designed (by the owners themselves who camped on the land during the construction - so you know a lot of love went into this) timber A Frame nestled amongst the gums of the Kangaroo Valley. Your own private little forest to get married and cavort around, an outdoor wood fired hot tub for when you are done - if you are considering eloping this is how you want to do it.
9. Goonoo Goonoo Station
Tamworth ~
Capacity - up to 160 guests
You can literally hire out this entire fully restored 19th century Village. with accomodation for up to 54 of your closest amongst 7 different beautifully restored and brand new cottages and homes, with a completely modern reception venue on top and some of the best dining in the region. Plus 10 points for the ludicrous sunsets across the floodplain.
10. Tocal Estate
Tocal ~2.5 hours from Sydney
Capacity - Up to 120
Panoramic views of the Hunter Valley. A big ol’ figtree to get married under. A cracking team. Completely redone modern shed to party in afterwards. Dream.
11. Bawley Vale Estate
Surry Hills
Capacity - Up to 30
Modern industrial design juxtaposed against the rugged beauty of the NSW bushland, just outside one of the most picturesque little seaside towns on the south coast. On site accomodation, 100 acres to play with for ceremony options, what’s not to love.
12. Kimo Estate
Gundagai ~ 4 hours from Sydney
Capacity - Up to 200
Nestled amongst the rolling hills of Gundagai and featuring some of the most ludicrous on-site accomodation short of getting married at the Burj Khalifa. The definition of country elegance.
13. The Woods Farm
Jervis Bay ~ 3 hours from Sydney
Capacity - up to 120 seated with onsite accommodation for all
This place is pure magic. 40 acres mere metres from the waters of Jervis Bay. An outdoor open air chapel. Glamping tents lit by festoon lights for all your guests to stay and 2 nights included with the package. On site wood fired pizza. This is where to go if you want a full weekend and not just an afternoon to celebrate with all the people you love. Just go.
Bonus Round
So, there you have it, my curated list of country NSW’s 13 most unique wedding venues which I will keep updated as new venues come onto the scene. Incase you didn’t vibe on any of the above, find a bunch more recommendations below that almost made the list, and are beautiful and unique in their own right.
Should you already have a venue, I also have an article on Planning Your Wedding Day that is chock full of good tips.
Bonus Extras
Bimbadgen Palmers Lane, Hunter Valley
Centennial Vineyards, Bowral
Hopewood House, Bowral
Glenworth Valley Weddings, Glenworth Valley
Back to the main blog, or have a read about how to plan the wedding day itself.
