New South Wales’ North Coast has more to offer than surfing, swimming, delicious fresh produce, craft beers, kite-surfing, bird watching, and every other beach holiday activity you can think of—it’s also a beautiful area to get married, full of eligible wedding venues. NSW’s north coast is less crowded and expensive than the Gold Coast or Brisbane, but it’s still accessible without a lot of traveling or a visa application. The north coast has character: gorgeous beaches farmhouse, old churches, swimming holes—and it has fine restaurants and hotels. The following venues range in size and price, but all come highly recommended by other couples and event planners.
The Ballina Jockey Club can accommodate up to 250 guests in one of its many spacious rooms. This private club overlooks the trackside and an open rural landscape with modern manicured gardens. The ‘Ballina Room’ offers a fine view of the racecourse. The club has a full commercial kitchen or you can bring in your own caterer. The Ballina Jockey Club is located in North Ballina near the Ballina Airport, Pacific Highway and the Ballina CBD—so it’s easy for your guests to get here. The functions team can help you plan your wedding. Phone: (02) 6686 0333 or email them for more information.
Summerland House Farm, a macadamia and avocado farm, overlooks the Ballina coastline from the hills of the Alstonville plateau. It’s a multi-award winning attraction where you can host a traditional country wedding or a fancier affair. Summerland House Farm was voted both Alstonville and Ballina’s ‘Best Tourist Attraction’, featuring gardens, a rotunda, an ancient fig tree, the plateau outlook, and a seasonally inspired menu with fresh local ingredients. Summerland House Farm offers a number of picturesque locations that are perfect for each stage of your celebration (in other words, good wedding photos) and there’s an events coordinator on staff.
Halcyon House in Cabarita Beach is very in-demand—this establishment only hosts a handful of weddings each year, and for good reason: they take care of all the details. It’s an elegant old summer house with framed art and fine furniture. The menu here features coastal dishes: poached squid, grilled pippies, smoked mackerel. Ph +61 2 6676 1444
Byron Bay is a fun town with a beach vibe and high culture—take Rae’s on Waters, for example. This is an iconic, very luxurious beachside venue set in the Byron Bay enclave of Wategos. This venue was named one the world’s top 25 hotels by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine, and it is at the higher end of beach wedding packages, but there’s really nothing else in its league, for elegance and style. There’s a full-service spa on the grounds and indoor and outdoor waterfront dining. Ph +61 2 6685 5366
Belongil Beach in Byron Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and a fine place to get married. Exchange vows on the white sandy beach by the pristine waters with your family and friends, no shoes required. You do need to secure permits ahead of time from the Byron Shire Council. Because of the strong tides on the North Coast, it’s best to plan a beach wedding there from September through November, or February to April. There are a few fine restaurants nearby for your reception—Belongil Bistro, Byron Bay Restaurant—or you can have an outdoor catered reception on the beach or the grassed area across the road. Visit this website for more information.
Eureka Country Church is located in the Byron hinterland and it’s got a lot of charm and character. This 100-year-old church is set on rolling lawns and shaded by huge old trees. One of the prettiest settings for a country church wedding anywhere, Eureka Country Church is a 30 minutes’ drive from Byron Bay, so you’ll probably need to organise transport for your wedding party and guests.
Right by the beach in Byron Bay there is Apex Park, with its well-tended lawns and views over the ocean. The afternoon sun spreads through the trees—it’s a great place for photos and an idyllic scene for exchanging vows. Apex park offers plenty of room for your guests and it’s only a short walk to several beachfront wedding reception venues. It is a public park, so it’s not totally secluded, but you won’t be crowded by tourists either.
St Oswald’s Church in Broken Head is a good choice for a more traditional ceremony. This Anglican Church is a lovely and intimate venue with pretty leadlight windows, antique wooden pews, and a quiet bushland setting. This small, quaint chapel “marries” the best of coast and country, and is only a 10-minute drive from town.
Another Byron church that sits slightly inland, St Columba’s Church in Ewingsdale offers country church weddings in a rustic setting, under heritage listed fig trees. It’s a quintessential country church, very picturesque, and a 10-minute ride from Byron Bay.
If you want a lot of privacy and a pristine natural setting, try the Bangalow Guesthouse. This early 1900’s heritage property sits in the heart of the old Bangalow town. Its beautiful grounds are bordered by Byron Bay Creek and its high, deep green hedgerows to ensure total privacy for the wedding celebrations. A beautiful 100-year-old Mulberry tree also invites the perfect setting for an intimate picnic or a place to relax.
Another larger venue that’s pretty close to Byron Bay is Forget Me Not. This property features prize-winning gardens, lush rainforest, a hidden waterfall and a spectacular lake filled with water lillies—and it’s only a 10-minute drive to the main town of Byron Bay. Accommodating up to 150 guests and set on 100 acres of pristine rolling hills, this is the perfect venue for couples seeking an impressive hinterland property that is secluded as well situated.
Want to experience a luxury beach holiday?
Ocean Blue holiday rental is only a 5-minute walk from the beach and has gorgeous river and coastal views. Located just a short drive from Ballina Airport and 30 minutes from Byron Bay, this is the perfect location for your next beach holiday. Visit our contact page to make an inquiry or booking.
