Southern Highlands Wedding Venues: My Ultimate Guide

Thinking of having your wedding day in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales?

Then you’re in good company!

Many couples from Sydney choose this region as it is far removed from the business of a big city. Plus it helps that there are many purpose-built event spaces and refurbished historical buildings in the area for either an intimate wedding ceremony or fun evening of partying.

On this page, I have put together a list of options. As a photographer who frequents the Southern Highlands, I hope this helps!

The Best 15 Southern Highlands Wedding Venues

Night shot at Bendooley Estate

For those of you who are busy, these are my best picks for both all-in-one wedding ceremony and reception options as well as standalone options (click through to read individual reviews and recommendations):

  1. Growwild Wildflower Farm
  2. Bendooley Estate (The Book Barn & The Stables)
  3. Somerley House (formerly Summerlees)
  4. Mali Brae Farm
  5. Centennial Vineyards
  6. Montrose House (formerly Montrose Berry Farm)
  7. Hopewood House
  8. Milton Park
  9. The Robertson Hotel
  10. The Fitzroy Inn
  11. Wombat Hollow
  12. Sylvan Glen Country Estate
  13. Weddings in the Wilde
  14. Peppers Manor House
  15. Peppers Craigieburn

Top Wedding Ceremony Venues

Wedding ceremony at Bendooley Estate

Your wedding ceremony is where you make life-long promises to each other. For most marrying couples, the nuptial ceremony is the most significant part of the wedding day.

For your convenience I have gone through every church and civil ceremony venue within a 15km radius:

  • Growwild Wildflower Farm – directions
  • Red Cow Farm – directions from Sydney
  • Gibraltar Hotel Bowral – directions
  • Burrawang Hotel
  • St Francis Xavier Church, Berrima (Catholic) – directions
  • St Thomas Aquinas, Bowral (Catholic) – directions from Sydney
  • St Michael’s, Mossvale (Catholic)
  • St Peter’s, Burrawang (Catholic)
  • Christian City Church, Bowral (Christian) – directions from Sydney
  • St Simon’s & St Jude’s, Bowral (Anglican)
  • St David’s, Burrawang (Anglican) – directions from Sydney
  • Holy Trinity, Bundanoon (Anglican)
  • St Stephen’s, Mittagong (Anglican)
  • All Saint’s, Sutton Forest (Anglican)
  • St John’s, Mossvale (Anglican)
  • St Andrew’s, Bowral (Presbyterian) – directions from Sydney
  • St Paul’s, Mittagong (Presbyterian)
  • Bowral Uniting Church, Bowral (Uniting)
  • Mittagong Uniting Church, Mittagong (Uniting)
  • Moss Vale Uniting Church, Mossvale (Uniting) – directions
  • Bowral Baptist Church, Bowral (Baptist)
  • Highlands Baptist Church, Mittagong (Baptist)

Awesome Wedding Reception Venues

Burrawang School of the Arts Wedding Reception setup

The wedding ceremony may be the most significant part of the big day but when it comes to the reception, this is also a very important part of the planning process. This is because the reception is when you treat your family and friends to a few hours of fun.

Here are 10 of the best wedding receptions in the Southern Highlands:

Essential Information

Where is it?

The Southern Highlands of NSW is a beautiful area in between Sydney and Canberra and encompasses a number of small towns such as Bowral, Berrima, Mittagong, Robertson, Mossvale, Sutton Forest, Bundanoon, Burrawang and many small villages.

What are the best wedding venues in this region?

Growwild Wildflower Farm, Bendooley Estate, Somerley House, Milton Park, , Mali Brae Farm, and Centennial Vineyards are (in my opinion) among the best wedding venues you can choose.

How much do weddings cost here?

It depends on your requirements. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay north of $160 per head with a minimum spend of $20,000 during peak season (October – January). There are some seasonal offers (e.g., winter) and some venues allow the option to add a marquee for larger receptions.

What type of weddings are common in the region?

Being a more rural and country location, country styled weddings are popular. There are many beautiful formal gardens, estates and houses that offer more rustic yet elegant options for weddings. Think contemporary adaptations of a rustic country theme – perfect!

What accommodation options are in the area?

There are a number of hotel, motel, B&B and Air BNB options in the main towns of Bowral, Mittagong, Berrima, Bundanoon, Robertson and Moss Vale. Given their proximity, they are perfect for your wedding guests.

Southern Highlands Wedding Photos

Why I Recommend Southern Highlands Weddings

There is an undeniable sophisticated country feel to the Southern Highlands. All the venues on this page capture the beauty of the region, as well as provide beautiful back drops and features for your wedding day.

Wedding Reception in Burrawang

Both outdoor wedding ceremony and indoor reception spaces are intimate, inviting and cosy for your guests. How perfect does the book barn look?

Image of the barn setup at Bendooley Estate

The colours in the region are an absolute delight to photograph, especially in the autumn months. Winter tends to draw incredibly beautiful sunsets making dusk-time bridal portraits a must!

Autumn in Burrawang

When I talk with my clients I always like to ask about what they want to get out of their wedding.

Most couples want to create a wonderful experience for their family and friends. That is, a day where they can be themselves and experience all the emotions with their nearest and dearest.

There is no better suited place outside of Sydney to achieve this than the Southern Highlands (plus, as you can see, the photos speak for the area).

Top Pick Wedding Vendors

The following are some wedding vendors I am always happy to recommend:

Tips For A Perfect Day

  • Every season is beautiful here (seriously, it is perfect here). In particular, autumn (April-Jun) is extra special. The amazing colours you can get definitely make up for any cold snaps you might have on your wedding day!
  • It can often be cool even in the summer time. When planning your outfits make sure you have something warmer to wear over the top (especially for the wedding party).
  • The best time of the day for bridal portraits is as the sun starts to set. Therefore, I recommend liaising with your wedding planner and wedding photographer to discuss how best to arrange your day.
  • Whilst there are lots of accommodation options in the area, things book out fast. Make sure you give yourself and your wedding guests enough time to get accommodation organised. This is especially important if you are planning a destination wedding here.
  • Consider a bus service to pickup and drop off your guests. This will allow your guests to enjoy your wedding responsibly!
  • Don’t fear the cold! Most places have beautiful open fire places that provide a wonderful atmosphere for you and your wedding guests.

Things To See and Do

I always say that one of the best parts about planning a wedding is the experiences you get to have along the way.

Here are some activities to do in the area:

  • Wine – If you like your wine tasting; here are some stunning winery options to consider whilst visiting: Centennial Vineyards, Eling Forest Winery, Artemis Wines, Tertini Wines and Joadja Vineyard.
  • Good Food – There are lots of amazing food options so it’s hard to know where to start! I would consider (if you are doing a wine tasting as well..) Centennial Vineyards. They have both a wonderful restaurant as well as the wine tasting on site. Pepper Green Estate is another great spot to stop for food in Berrima (which is a pretty town that you simply cannot miss). If you want the perfect country pub though.. it’s hard to look past the Burrawang Hotel situated in the heart of one of my favourite little towns in Australia.
  • Golf – If you are fond of a round or two of golf there are some well known golf courses. You will find holes at the Gibraltar Hotel, Peppers Cragieburn Golf Course, Highlands Golf Club and Bowral Golf Club.
  • Penrose State Forest – A beautiful forest that is perfect for walks, bike riding and exploring. It is not a bad spot for wedding photos either!
  • Display Gardens – There are many beautiful gardens in the region to explore at different times of the year. Check out Red Cow Farm, The Secret Garden, Southern Highlands Botanic Garden and Corbett Gardens.

Hi, I’m Jack

I’m a relaxed wedding photographer who wants the best for my clients. If you are thinking of hosting your wedding in the Southern Highlands then I would love to connect with you!