Here is a list of Southern Highland wedding venues, in Australia.

This has been updated for 2021/2022 as well.

The Southern Highlands are home to a vast set of stunning lush landscapes, and rustic garden and barn wedding venues. I’ve captured almost every venue in the Southern Highlands.

If you notice that one is left off of the list and you’d like to see it on the list, swing me an email at howdy@whoshoots.com. In time I’ll update this with photos of each venue and more text. If you have any questions or want to know my thoughts on a particular venue, please contact me.

What makes a Southern Highland wedding perfect for you?

The Southern Highlands are located roughly 2.5 hours from Sydney, and Canberra. The Southern Highlands are most renowned for their lush green landscapes, and epic cliff backdrops. From the rustic quaint town of Kangaroo Valley, to the wild forests and scenes of Fitzroy Falls, the Southern Highlands provide an awesome backdrop for couples who love their rustic vibes.

When looking at the below list you’ll notice a lot of country wedding venues, including areas with Moss Vale Wedding venues to Sutton Forest Wedding venues.

The Southern Highlands also contain Kangaroo Valley. Kangaroo Valley is one of the most iconic areas in the Southern Highlands, with select Kangaroo Valley wedding venues being located right in the bush. If you’re looking to have a Kangaroo Valley wedding, then you’ll find places like Wildwood Kangaroo Valley, and Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat of particular interest.

If you’re the sort of couple that loves green lush landscapes, and incredible mountaintop views, the Southern Highlands are the perfect place for your wedding or elopement.

What environments are areas are in the Southern Highlands?

The Southern Highlands encompass quite a large area, with everything from Bowral Wedding venues, to intimate forest weddings. Many venues are featured from the Kangaroo Valley as well, so you’ll see quite a few Kangaroo Valley Wedding venues mentioned in the below list.

What season is best to have a Southern Highland wedding?

The Southern Highlands really shine in the spring and summer months, with the green valleys coming to life. In summer, temperatures reach a mild 15-20°C but can soar past 40°C as well. In winter, you will definitely get days which reach below freezing.

As the Southern Highlands have quite a mild climate, a lot of couples love the idea of weddings and elopements from September to May. Winter weddings can still be fun if you love the idea of something a bit cooler; bring your coats and cosy blankets though.

All of the Southern Highland wedding venues listed below operate around the year.

What other activities are there to do when having a Southern Highland wedding?

The Southern Highlands are full of great activities. Lots of incredible adventures are in store for you if you are in staying in the local area in and around your wedding:

• Waterfall hunting – The Southern Highlands are home to a whole host of waterfalls, including Fitzroy Falls, and the epic Belmore falls.
• Kayak and Canoe Hire – Rent a kayak or canoe and go for a self guided tour down the main river, and through the gorgeous Morton National Park.
• Enjoy a spa day at Crystal Creek Meadows – Take time out to go and have a nice spa treatment at the amazing Crystal Creek Meadows spa facility. 
• Do the Three Views Tour Walk – If you’re keen on your hiking and nature sightseeing, the Three Views Tour Walk is something that shouldn’t be missed. Great views and a pleasant walk for ramblers of all abilities.
• Man from Kangaroo Valley Trail – Have a fantastic scenic tour of Kangaroo Valley on horseback, and take in the sights and sounds of the Southern Highlands.

My top 5 best Southern Highland wedding venues

1. Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat, Kangaroo Valley

One of the most iconic wedding venues in the Southern Highlands, Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat has a special place in many couples’ hearts as the place to get married in the Southern Highlands.

With its famous rock cathedral, Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat offers unparalleled views, and the classic bushwalking feel.

Situated just outside of Kangaroo Valley on a huge acreage, self-contained accommodation is included with comfortable and close cabins. These are perfect for getting ready in, and relaxing with your guests.

In January 2020 they were hit heavily with the bush fires, but have bounced back stronger than ever. From March 2022 they will be back in operation, so I highly recommend getting in quickly!

2. Wildwood Kangaroo Valley, Kangaroo Valley

Wildwood Kangaroo Valley is another stunning wedding venue in the Southern Highlands; set on 100 acres of Australian rainforest, this rustic wedding venue gives couples the true Australian bush experience.

Wildwood Kangaroo Valley provides great privacy to get married how you’d like, surrounded by native Australian fauna and flora, with tonnes of unique ceremony locations, and even a wedding cave for your photos! Don’t miss out on their awesome pavilion with views out to the rest of Kangaroo Valley.

Wildwood are also known for being accommodating to being able to ‘build your own’ wedding, giving couples who love a bit more creative control, the freedom to do so.

3. Mali Brae Farm

Mali Brae Farm is one of the most rustic wedding venues you’ll find in all of the Southern Highlands. Set in a transformed hay shed, on 90 acres of wild Australian landscape, Mali Brae Farm is perfect for couples who love the country rustic feel.

With a capacity of 110 people for cocktail styled weddings, Mali Brae Farm also offers awesome accommodation, making it easy for guests to stay on site after or before your big day.

With tonnes of stunning backdrops, from dams, art installations, woodlands, and stone walls, this is perfect for couples who love a rustic feel to their day.

What’s more, they cover catering with an incredible in house chef and team to create some tasty dishes. However if that doesn’t fulfill your desires, you can always go DIY and use their awesome outdoor grills to cook your food over a fire.

4. Bendooley estate

Bendooley Estate is located at Berrima, and is the perfect Southern Highlands wedding venue for couples who love the idea of getting married in an epic barn with luxury views and a more modern feel to it.

Featuring 3 stunning locations to say ‘I do’, you can choose from their lush private gardens, a lake pavilion, or even within the vineyards. However if you’re looking to get married at a church, there are a couple of ones which are nearby, meaning you can have your reception at Bendooley Estate instead.

The main reception location the The Stables, a custom built barn which looks out onto the rolling hills of the Southern Highlands. The interior has a huge iron fireplace, beams, a rustic chandelier, and plenty of glass windows to take in all of those views.

Included as well is a beautiful bridal parlour, so you can get ready and unwind in style and in private.

5. Somerley house

Located just outside of Sutton Forest, Somerley Houose is a Southern Highlands wedding venue that isn’t to be missed. Boating incredible views over Sutton Forest and Moss Vale, you’re going to be treated to some of the best views in the Southern Highlands.

One of the most remarkable parts of Somerley House is its quintessentially British country-estate feel, with impressive stone Victorian-era architecture. The gardens bolster this and provide an incredible backdrop for your ceremony and wedding day.

Somerley House also has a stunning boutique guesthouse which doubles as a bridal suite, and also 3 double bedrooms, so if you’re looking to stay with friends and family, you are covered. Whilst there is no guest accommodation, the local areas provide lots of great AirBNB options.

The best Southern Highland wedding venues

The following is a list of all of the Southern Highland wedding venues to date. This is the most comprehensive Southern Highlands wedding venues list out there and will be updated as new venues are listed.

Indoor wedding venues

1. Fairground Follies
2. Hartzer Park
3. Mittagong RSL
4. Old Bank Hotel

Barn wedding venues

1. Bendooley Estate
2. Centennial Vineyards
3. Fitzroy Inn
4. Mali Brae Farm
5. Growwild Wildflower Farm
6. Melross And Willow’s Estate
7. Mona Farm
8. Robertson Public House Rustic Weddings
9. Southern Highlands Winery
10. Sylvan Glen Country Estate
11. The Old Coach Stables
12. Weddings In The Wilde
13. Wombat Hollow

Mountain wedding venues

1. Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat
2. Wildwood Kangaroo Valley
3. Barranca

Outdoor wedding venues

1. Bawley Bush Retreat
2. Briars Bowral
3. Gibraltar Hotel Bowral
4. Milton Park
5. Hillview Heritage Hotel
6. Hopewood House
7. Jaspers Berry
8. Jamberoo Resort
9. Kangaroo Valley Golf And Country Retreat
10. Ooralba Estate
11. Peppers Craigieburn
12. Peppers Manor House
13. Solar Springs Retreat
14. The Robertson Hotel
15. The Travelling Chapel
16. Willow Farm Berry

Garden wedding venues

1. The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
2. Somerley House Garden Weddings
3. Red Cow Farm

Small wedding venues

1. Crystal Creek Meadows
2. Minimbah Farm
3. The Bungalow Fitzroy Falls
4. Mount Ashby Estate

Hotels for Getting Ready

1. Old Bank Boutique Hotel 
2. Lion Rampant Hotel
3. Gibraltar Hotel 
4. Hillview Heritage Farm Stay 
5. Springs Resorts Mittagong 
6. Fitzroy Inn Historic Retreat Mittagong 
7. Robertson Public House
8. Eling Forest Winery 
9. Bundanoon Hotel 
10. Argyle Hotel 

Elopement locations in the southern highlands

If you’re instead thinking about eloping and having a more private ceremony, The Southern Highlands provides some of the best elopement locations in all of Australia. Eloping in the Southern Highlands is for couples who prefer to have a more intimate ceremony, with stunning views, and best of all, for totally free.

The following locations are some of the best elopement locations in the Southern Highlands:

1. Wombeyan Caves (and Mares Forest Creek)
2. Badgery Spur Walking Track
3. Fairy Bower Falls
4. Belmore Falls
5. Cambewarra Mountain Lookout
6. Drawing room rocks
7. Cascade Falls
8. Fitzroy Falls (and The Grotto)
9. Gerringong Falls Walking Track

Let’s chat about designing your dream wedding or elopement!

[ninja_form id=3]