4 Southern Highlands Wedding Destinations That Are Perfect For Your Big Day

As a wedding photographer, I get asked ‘how important is a wedding venue’ fairly regularly. My answer: A lot! Trust me, it makes a huge difference to me too. You want to keep searching until you’ve found that perfect spot, the one that’s going to provide buckets of atmosphere on the day, but also look beautiful and memorable in photos. Well, if you’re looking for stunning wedding destinations in the Southern Highlands then you’re already starting in the right place. The picture-perfect towns are modelled after English villages, while the luscious rainforests surrounding the area provide ample opportunity for breathtaking hikes. So if you’re planning a wedding in the Southern Highlands, there are a number of awesome venues waiting to facilitate your big day. Here are four of the best!

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Bendooley Estate

A mere two-hour drive from Sydney, Bendooley Estate stretches over a staggering two hundred gorgeous green acres. In terms of Southern Highlands wedding destinations, Bendooley sits at the very tip top. Unfortunately, this popularity comes with significant waiting lists, so I reckon you should book a year or so in advance. Earlier the better, really! If you’re planning a quick wedding, unfortunately you’ll have to cross this one off the list. I love this venue because the shots I take in it always look so authentic. The beauty, scenery and endless grounds all result in stunning wedding photos every time. There are loads of ceremony location options too, from a vineyard to a lake pavilion. After the ceremony, there’s a spacious book barn for you and your guests to dance the night away in, complete with cathedral vintage ceilings. There are so many reasons why Bendooley Estate is my favourite wedding venue in the Southern Highlands; I always aim to capture its beauty through my photography. 

Bendooley Estate

3020 Old Hume Hwy, Berrima NSW 2577

+61 2 4868 8788

Kangaroo Valley

Not far below Bendooley Estate on my list of where to get married in the Southern Highlands, Kangaroo Valley is one of the best kept secrets on the New South Wales Coast. For couples looking for a unique spot off the usual beaten track, this dynamic location could be just perfect. It’s only a couple of hours drive from the hustle and bustle of Sydney and Canberra, but it almost feels like you’re entering a different world. In fact, this place could arguably be described as Australia’s most beautiful valley. A big reason for that is the 180 degree view that stretches out over the picturesque vista of valleys and lakes. If you can catch a good sunset (which isn’t hard), it can be tough to beat wedding photos from Kangaroo Valley. 

Kangaroo Valley

55 Radiata Rd, Kangaroo Valley NSW 2577

 (02) 9053 8540

Ravensthorpe

As the name pretty much implies with its overtones of old English aristocracy, Ravensthrope is a grand, gorgeous manor house with style to spare. The building is authentically ancient, but it’s been restored to cater for all kinds of celebrations and events. Weddings are popular in this place, not least of all because the photos look so impressive. Whether it’s outdoor or indoor shots, Ravensthrope has all the necessary features to make It also features intimate dining spaces and an elegant marquee designed specifically for functions. Best of all, for photographers like me, there’s a huge array of gorgeous backdrops against which to shoot a happy couple. Not to mention some pretty perfect lighting in the bride and groom prep room. Trust me, the spur-of-the-moment pre-wedding shots are just as fun and memorable as the posed ones!

Ravensthorpe 

56 Tongarra Road Albion Park, New South Wales 2527

(02) 4257 6096

Eagleview Park, Fox Ground

The animal theme continues with Eagleview Park, located in the stunning Fox Ground. The latter is just a ten-minute drive away from the beautiful village of Berry, and roughly one and half hours from Sydney. Some people like big weddings, some couples prefer smaller affairs. Eagleview Park is a smaller venue, so it’s perfect for a more intimate day, with all the cosiness that entails. When I’ve shot there, I’ve found the light in the bride and groom prep rooms (only thirty seconds away from each other!) to be just perfect. Though the indoor ceremony might be smaller than the other venues, the attention to detail is staggering, so if you want the maximum amount of care and attention put into your big day (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), Eagleview Park could be the place for you. To top it all off, there’s also a stunning 270 degree panoramic view of nearby Gerroa beach. Time this just right and you can get a spectacular couple shot as the sun goes down. 

Eagleview Park

98 Foxground Rd, Foxground NSW 2534

+61 408 298 268

These are just a few of my favourite venues in the beautiful part of Australia known as the Southern Highlands. I hope this gives you some insight if you’re searching for that special place to host your big day. If you’re looking to hire a Southern Highlands wedding photographer to go along with it, don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’ve shot several weddings in the area, so you can rest assured I know how to get the very best out of each venue, and indeed each photograph.