Australia offers an incredible choice of waterfront wedding venues, which is no surprise given we have one of the world’s longest coastlines. From beachfront and clifftop venues with ocean views, to riverfront properties and lakeside retreats. There are literally hundreds of waterfront wedding venues in Australia, and a diverse selection of them are right here in NSW.
Between the popular holiday spot of Byron Bay in northern NSW to the less well trodden beaches on the state’s far south coast, 2,137km of coastal beaches, cliffs and national park provide a picturesque backdrop for many of the state’s waterfront wedding venues.
But it’s not just oceanfront venues that make Australia one of the world’s best wedding destinations. Our inland rivers and waterways provide the setting for some of the country’s most Instagrammable wedding venues. From luxury oceanfront properties to affordable riverside retreats, here are 65 of our most recommended waterfront wedding venues in NSW.
Table of Contents
Blue Mountains Venues
Byron Bay Venues
Central Coast Venues
Hunter Valley/Newcastle Venues
Illawarra Venues
North Coast Venues
Riverina Venues
South Coast Venues
Southern Highlands Venues
Sydney Venues
Waterfront Venues in the Blue Mountains
1. The Retreat at Wisemans
Capacity: 200
Info: Riverfront venue with onsite accommodation for 120
Waterfront Venues in Byron Bay
2. Midginbil Eco Resort
Capacity: 150
Info: 3 day play & stay weddings in the mountains. Budget friendly. Accommodates 150 onsite.
3. Pillar Rock Farm
Capacity: 200
Info: DIY & BYO riverfront wedding venue with accommodation for 16.
4. Riverside Ranch
Capacity: 150
Info: Suitable for outdoor festival style weddings or rustic weddings in the Moondance Saloon.
Waterfront Venues on the Central Coast
5. Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalow
Capacity: 250
Info: Beachfront, all-in-one wedding venue with accommodation for 200.
6. Metro Mirage
Capacity: 130
Info: Hotel in Pittwater that caters for weddings from 30 - 130 guests and sleeps 100.
Waterfront Venues in the Hunter Valley/Newcastle
7. Adams Peak Country Estate
Capacity: 180
Info: Rustic barn & shed weddings with spectacular country views. Onsite house sleeps 20 + cabin sleeps 4.
8. Cypress Lakes
Capacity: 900
Info: Nine modern spaces that cater for small weddings & elopements to gala receptions. Golf course & spa onsite plus accommodation for all guests.
9. Mindaribba
Capacity: 170
Info: Private wedding venue for your exclusive use on the Paterson River.
10. Albion Farm Gardens
Capacity: 120
Info: Wedding ceremony venue with 15 acres of spectacular gardens. Receptions can be held at nearby Woodville School of Arts.
11. Merewether Surfhouse
Capacity: 350
Info: Oceanfront venue that caters for weddings from 30 to 350 guests.
Waterfront Venues in the Illawarra
12. Tumbling Waters Retreat
Capacity: 120
Info: Clifftop wedding venue with uninterrupted ocean views, magnificent gardens, surrounded in nature with 12 luxury suites.
13. Panorama House
Capacity: 380
Info: Budget friendly venue with 180 degree cliff top views over the Pacific Ocean.
14. Seacliff House
Capacity: 180
Info: Popular modern barn with views over lush countryside to the Gerringong headlands. Sleeps 16. Enquire early.
15. The Sebel Harbourside Kiama
Capacity: 200
Info: Budget friendly, harbour front wedding venue.
16. Headlands Austinmer Beach
Capacity: 350
Info: Ocean front venue for weddings from 12 to 350 guests. Accommodation for 100 guests onsite.
17. City Beach
Capacity: 400
Info: Beachfront wedding venue with light filled spaces in Wollongong.
Waterfront Venues on the North Coast
18. Stanley Park
Capacity: 200
Info: Grand waterfront estate and barn for DIY/BYO weddings.
19. The Banksias
Capacity: 120
Info: Luxury wedding retreat where bush meets the sea. Weekend hire for your exclusive use.
20. Saltwater Fingal Bay
Capacity: 150
Info: Idyllic beachfront location for wedding ceremonies & receptions on the water.
21. Longview Farm
Capacity: 120
Info: Riverside country wedding venue with luxury onsite accommodation in a revolving house.
22. Sea Eagle Point
Capacity: 120
Info: 100 acres overlooking a pristine lake. Ideal venue for weekend wedding.
23. Villa Vivante
Capacity: 120
Info: Luxury French-inspired hilltop estate with stunning ocean views.
24. Tanilba House
Capacity: 90
Info: 6 bedroom heritage listed homestead on 3 acres of waterfront gardens in Port Stephens.
Waterfront Venues in the Riverina
25. Nimbo Fork Lodge
Capacity: 150
Info: Secluded and picturesque wedding venue on the fork of Tumut River and Nimbo Creek. Accommodation for 22.
26. Tindarra Resort
Capacity: 250
Info: 300m of river frontage for wedding ceremonies, cocktail parties and/or sit-down marquee receptions.
27. Big Springs Homestead
Capacity: 200
Info: Tranquil countryside wedding venue on a working property. Accommodation for 5 available onsite.
28. Perricoota Station
Capacity: 500
Info: Rustic all-in-one wedding venue on 3.5km's of Murray River frontage.
29. Billenbah on the Bidgee
Capacity: 180
Info: 140 year old private homestead and gardens on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.
Waterfront Venues on the South Coast
30. Bewong River Retreat
Capacity: 130
Info: DIY/BYO venue on 160 acres of riverfront bushland. Bungalows for 38 + glamping.
31. Mimosa Wines
Capacity: 180
Info: 200 acre property nestled between beaches & national park. Sweeping views.
32. Bawley Bush Retreat
Capacity: 150
Info: Secluded lakeside and coastal self-catered wedding venue with accommodation for 44 + glamping.
33. Driftwood Shed
Capacity: 100
Info: Rustic wedding venue on the Shoalhaven River. Private jetty and boat ramp.
34. Terara Riverside Gardens
Capacity: 120
Info: 5 acres of beautiful gardens on the Shoalhaven River. Indoor spaces include the barn or greenhouse.
35. Worrowing
Capacity: 180
Info: Historic 250 acre private property in Jervis Bay with 2 indoor spaces and unique accommodation including boat sheds and wilderness huts.
36. The Cove
Capacity: 200
Info: Private getaway for your entire guest list with your own private beach.
37. Bangalay Villas
Capacity: 88
Info: Landscaped garden venue ideal for outdoor receptions with restaurant for indoor option + 16 luxury villas.
38. Mollymook Beachside Weddings
Capacity: 220
Info: Absolute beachfront wedding ceremonies and receptions. Budget friendly.
39. Cupitts
Capacity: 150
Info: Boutique winery, brewery & fromagerie with cottage accommodation for 4 & views to Burrill Lake.
40. Kianinny Bush Cottages
Capacity: 150
Info: Weekend weddings on 100 acres of natural terrain with a freshwater lake as its centrepiece. Flexible packages.
41. Terara Park
Capacity: 180
Info: A 22 acre horse farm with dam, overhanging jetty & massive converted indoor arena barn. Ideal for laid back rustic weddings. 4 units available.
42. Tilba Valley Winery
Capacity: 100
Info: Family run boutique winery located at the scenic foothills of Mt Gulaga on the shores of Corunna Lake.
43. Kullindi Homestead
Capacity: 200
Info: Historic homestead with spacious lawns on the edge of Sussex Inlet waterway. Five self-contained units + room for glamping.
Waterfront Venues in the Southern Highlands
44. Weddings in the Wilde
Capacity: 140
Info: Budget friendly weddings with a festival feel. Accommodation for up to 140 guests.
45. Briars
Capacity: 200
Info: 15 acres of rural countryside with tranquil gardens, conservatory & lake-side gazebo in Bowral.
46. Mali Brae Farm
Capacity: 120
Info: Boutique wedding venue on 90 acres of idyllic grounds with water views of extensive dams, drystone wall features, sculptures and garden art, an old boat shed and jetty.
47. Bendooley Estate
Capacity: 250
Info: One of Australia’s premier estates for weddings. From large formal weddings to more intimate and relaxed celebrations. Enquire early.
48. Gibraltar Hotel
Capacity: 260
Info: Luxurious lakeside wedding venue with souring floor to ceiling windows, after-party bar and accommodation for all guests.
Waterfront Venues in Sydney
49. The Boathouse Palm Beach
Capacity: 200
Info: Sit down wedding receptions for 30 or larger cocktail weddings up to 200 guests. Absolute waterfront at Palm Beach.
50. Ormeggio at the Spit
Capacity: 100
Info: Relaxed and private boutique wedding venue looking onto stunning Middle Harbour and Pearl Bay. Flexible packages.
51. Pilu at Freshwater
Capacity: 60
Info: Spectacular ocean views and flexible packages for small weddings & elopements in Freshwater on the Northern Beaches.
52. Poolside Cafe
Capacity: 110
Info: The iconic Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool faces Woolloomooloo Bay on the fringe of the Royal Botanic Gardens. A unique harbourside venue ideal for cocktail weddings.
53. The Boathouse Shelly Beach
Capacity: 200
Info: Beachfront venue near Manly with private upstairs space or larger downstairs eatery.
54. Oliveto
Capacity: 250
Info: Elegant Italian restaurant in Brays Bay Reserve with water views.
55. Beachside Dojo
Capacity: 150
Info: Hampton's style wedding venue on Manly beach with additional private dining rooms for intimate weddings of 20 - 80 guests.
56. Intercontinental Double Bay
Capacity: 495
Info: Highly experienced in large cultural weddings. Located in the bayside village of Double Bay. Luxury guest accommodation.
57. Watsons Bay Hotel
Capacity: 350
Info: Harbour front wedding spaces and 32 boutique hotel suites. Ferry plus private boat access.
58. Jonah's Whale Beach
Capacity: 122
Info: Nestled above Whale Beach with spectacular cliff top garden, Jonah’s offers intimate weddings for up to 48 guests or exclusive use weddings for up to 122 guests.
59. Orso
Capacity: 250
Info: Absolute waterfront wedding venue in Middle Harbour, adjacent to the Spit Bridge in Mosman. Has its own beach, wharf, jetty and resident pelicans.
60. Manly 16ft Skiff
Capacity: 150
Info: Manly wedding venue with stunning water views of Sydney Harbour and captivating sunsets.
61. Aqua Dining
Capacity: 150
Info: Contemporary Italian restaurant with unrivalled views of Sydney Harbour. Situated at North Sydney Pool.
62. St Michael's Golf
Capacity: 200
Info: 180 degree uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean from the cliffs of Little Bay. Plenty of photo opportunities on this golf course 20 minutes from Sydney.
63. Public Dining Room
Capacity: 110
Info: Quiet wedding venue on Balmoral Beach with private dining room for weddings up to 40 guests and a terrace up to 75.
64. Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Capacity: 300
Info: Heritage-listed venue on Woolloomooloo Wharf with views of Sydney Harbour and a range of creative spaces for wedding ceremonies and receptions.
65. Rocker Bondi
Capacity: 104
Info: Neighbourhood cafe, restaurant, bar and wedding venue in North Bondi with a casual European feel.
Waterfront wedding venues are extremely popular in NSW with many couples opting to exchange vows in front of the picturesque backdrop of sparkling waterways. And it's not just ocean-front wedding venues that are in high demand, riverfront properties can also book out up to 18 months or more in advance. We recommend enquiring early with any of the wedding venues on this list, which you can do using the links provided.
Cover image by Red Berry Photography