Who wouldn’t want to get married on the Central Coast? It’s such a beautiful part of the world, with beautiful contrasts from the beach to the countryside and more – who wouldn’t want to get married here?
The Central Coast of New South Wales is only an hour’s drive north of Sydney, up the M1. It is also home to some of the most unique wedding venues in the area. The Central Coast is a stunning part of the world, and I believe that most people do not consider it when looking for a wedding venue.
The beauty of the Central Coast is that it has miles and miles of coastline with secluded beaches. The beaches are far superior to anything Sydney has to offer, and there are few people on them. There’s also the Central Coast hinterland and farmlands to consider. The Central Coast has beaches along its length, but it also has farms, bush, and National Parks. This makes it ideal for more rustic, country weddings. And, in between the beach and the National Parks, there are a plethora of lakes, each with its own unique set of reception and photo opportunities. So there are a variety of wedding venue styles to suit every couple. From large elegant weddings to vintage boho weddings and everything in between, we have it all.
Whether you are planning a large or small event, formal or casual, contemporary or vintage, or anything in between, you will find the ideal location.
Here are the editor’s picks for the Top Central Coast Wedding Venues!
Killcare’s bells
Bells at Killcare is a boutique hotel, restaurant, and spa located in Killcare Heights on the Central Coast. They host elegant and sophisticated weddings in a stunningly beautiful setting.
There is plenty of on-site lodging, with 25 coastal-inspired suits scattered throughout the property. The ceremony can be held in their lovely outdoor garden area. There are manicured gardens and bush settings that are ideal for photography. It includes everything you’ll need for a dream wedding. Up to 120 people can be accommodated.
Fernbank Farm
Fernbank Farm is a sophisticated and elegant wedding venue in a garden setting in the country. It is only an hour’s drive from Sydney, in the Yarramalong Valley at Wyong Creek.
It is a 25-acre estate with lovely gardens, bushland, trees, and a lake. There is on-site lodging, including the’main house’ and ‘the cottage,’ both of which have four bedrooms.
Wedding ceremonies are held beneath Fernbank Farm’s signature Steel Arbour, and receptions are held in an elegant marquee.
Fernbank Farm only hosts up to 20 weddings per year, so make your reservation as soon as possible.
Estate of Somersby Gardens
One of my favourite Central Coast venues has to be Somersby Gardens Estate.
It is a 50-acre family-run property in a beautiful bush setting with beautiful native gardens, making it ideal for a wedding.
There is on-site lodging as well as a variety of ceremony options. Wedding receptions are typically held in the “Pavillion,” which can seat up to 120 guests. A marquee, on the other hand, could be used for larger weddings.
One of my favourite aspects of this property is that the owner will drive you up to a high lookout on her property where you can enjoy the most breathtaking views and sunsets.
Lighthouse at Norah Head
If you’re looking for a coastal location, Norah Head Lighthouse should be near the top of your list.
The Norah Head lighthouse is located high up on a reserve and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean as well as views up and down the coast. One of the few places on the lighthouse where you can actually see the cities of Sydney and Newcastle is at the very top.
Accommodation is available on-site in the Lightkeepers Quarters. You can have your ceremony on the lawn, with the lighthouse in the background. If you want to take photos inside the lighthouse, there is a fee, or you can simply walk down the stairs to Norah Head beach.
If you want to have your wedding reception at Norah Head, you can rent a marquee.
Stay at Yaramalong Valley Farm
Yarramalong Valley Farm Stay is a stunning 50-acre property located in the Yarramalong Valley at Wyong Creek, one hour from Sydney.
If you want to have a rustic country wedding, this is the place to be. Because it is a farm where you can stay and hold your wedding. There is a lovely timber house that can sleep up to fifteen people.
It’s more of a blank slate for a wedding venue. So it’s in a lovely setting, and you can arrange it however you want. Do-it-yourself or hire a professional. You can hold your ceremony almost anywhere on the property. The reception can then be a marquee wedding or a wedding festival with food trucks and barbeques, for example.
Weddings in Glenworth Valley
Glenworth Valley is a 3,000-acre family-run business that serves as a local tourist attraction. For the past 40 years, it has provided horseback riding and other outdoor activities to the Central Coast. They also host weddings!
They have a function centre that can accommodate up to 300 guests, as well as on-site lodging.
Glenworth Valley is best known for its horses and the daily “Raising of the Horses.” It is when two hundred horses are herded from their stables and run across a river. I’d get married there just to get that picture!
Linton Gardens is a garden in Linton, England.
Linton Gardens is a beautiful six-acre property located in Somersby on the beautiful Central Coast.
The wedding and functions centre is surrounded by heritage-listed Camilla Gardens, and there is also a historic church on-site that serves as a great rainy-day backup.
They have three rooms to choose from, each with large windows and plenty of natural light, and can accommodate up to 250 people.
Somersby Stables are a set of stables in Somersby, England.
The Stables of Somersby is a stunning new boutique central coast wedding venue located in the picturesque hinterland of Sydney, less than an hour north of Sydney.
It is situated on a private equestrian property, and the centrepiece is a beautifully repurposed rustic barn. Sprawling lawns, bushland, a spectacular dam, and a boathouse with a jetty surround the barn. The Stables of Somersby provide a plethora of stunning ceremony, reception, and photo opportunities. Up to 150 people can be accommodated.
Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows is a beachfront bar and bungalows.
Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows is located on Caves Beach’s pristine white sands, approximately 90 minutes from Sydney.
It has stunning seaside wedding venues with views of the beach and Pacific Ocean coastlines. It is ideal for couples looking for a coastal wedding ceremony and reception location.
Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows provides luxury Hamptons-style on-site lodging. There are several ceremony locations to choose from, and it can accommodate up to 200 guests.
Terrible Crown Plaza
Crown Plaza Terrigal is located directly across from Terrigal Beach, about 90 minutes north of Sydney. It is also the ideal location for a beachside wedding with all of the elegance and comfort of a luxury hotel.
The views from the ballroom are nothing short of breathtaking. Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific offers exceptional photo opportunities, elegant accommodations, and five-star cuisine. They can hold up to 350 people.
Noonaweena
Noonaweema is a stunning 100-acre estate that combines total luxury with the Central Coast hinterland.
When you book a wedding at Noonaweena, you have exclusive use of the property for the entire weekend. And the entire day can take place on this property, from start to finish. It also has spectacular views of Yengo National Park.
Bidja Estate
Bidja Estate is located in Ourimbah, on the Central Coast of NSW, about 90 minutes from Sydney. When you book a wedding, you have exclusive use of the venue.
There’s a house, a barn, working sheds, paddocks, lovely gardens, and even a rainforest. Because it is a blank canvas venue, you can easily create a wedding that suits your style and taste to create your ideal wedding.
Kangy Gardens
Kangy Gardens is a Central Coast family-owned business set on 2.5 acres of award-winning gardens.
Enter the sandstone Gallery through its large Asian wooden doors to the Central Coast’s most unique function room. Stroll down crushed granite paths lined with camellias in the lovely Garden Marquee. If you walk a little further, you will come across the magical Jardin Chapel, complete with imposing ancient gates. Listen to bellbirds as you walk through amazing garden rooms, then relax in the day bed to gaze past the pond into dense tropical palms. You have exclusive use of the venue, and it is a BYO venue, so you can keep your costs low.
The Springs
The Springs, located on a beautiful rural landscape at Peats Ridge, one hour from Newcastle and 40 minutes from Wahroonga, is the ideal venue for your wedding ceremony, portraits, and reception.
The Springs is a 125-acre bushland property in the tranquil hinterland of the Central Coast. The Springs reception room is a luxurious, industrial space that can seat up to 350 people.
Rafferty’s Resort
Raffertys Resort is nestled between the beach and the lake in the quiet suburb of Cams Wharf on the Central Coast.
It is situated on 38 acres of pristine coastline on Lake Macquarie, just 30 minutes south of Newcastle. Raffertys Resort has a variety of ceremony locations, ranging from the Arboretum’s intimate bushland setting to the resort’s scenic waterfront.
Weddings with up to 150 guests can be accommodated in their function rooms.
The Pullman Magenta Shores Resort
Pullman Magenta Shores Resort is a stunning golf and spa resort just 90 minutes from Sydney and 20 minutes north of Terrigal.
It has panoramic views of the golf course and a spectacular beachfront setting. It is the ideal wedding venue for family and friends to join you on your special day. They can accommodate up to 220 guests for lakeside ceremonies with the lake and golf course in the background.
Kantata House Kantata House was built in the 1960s and exudes elegance and refinement. It deteriorated and became dilapidated over time until the Reid family purchased it in 2014. Over the course of two years, the property was lovingly restored, and the charming Charlotte Chapel was built.
Kantara House provides on-site lodging for the bride and her bridesmaids the night before the wedding. The ceremony is held either in Charlotte Chapel or at one of several outdoor ceremony locations.
The reception is held in the beautiful and grand Ashley Philip room, which can seat up to 200 guests.