From secluded bush retreats to elegant beachfront locales, these enchanting wedding venues on the Macleay Valley Coast are just perfect for year-round nuptials.
If you’re looking for beautiful wedding venues with on-site accommodation, waterfront ceremony spots, or something in between, we’ve got you covered with this list of the best wedding venues all across the coast.
Embrace the outdoors at Goolawah Bush and Beach Retreat
Goolawah Bush and Beach Retreat is all about soaking up the magic of the outdoors. Just 45 minutes from Port Macquarie, this gorgeous 28-acre property is a stone’s throw from pristine beaches and national parks.
There are several ceremony locations on site, each with unique views of the ocean or bush. The architecturally designed undercover pavilion is ideal for the reception, with a capacity of 120 people and beautiful greenery in every direction.
The dedicated team believe in letting you take charge, and are happy to provide a list of local vendors for catering, music and more. Goolawah does offer festoon lighting, a fire pit and outdoor furniture to bring the space to life.
There are also five self-contained cottages on the property, each sleeping up to six guests. Extra visitors (and dogs) can camp on the property’s rolling lawns as the night sky twinkles above.
Celebrate your way at Surfaris Retreat
For those seeking a venue as unique as they are, Surfaris Retreat is the place for you. Celebrating couples who march to the beat of their own drum, Surfaris creates non-traditional, timeless and tailored celebrations for your big day.
The team offer a variety of wedding packages to suit any budget. Go all-out with the on-site chef to design a selection of canapes and mains, bring in your own food trucks, or even start a tab at the vibrant tiki bar to serve themed cocktails.
If you’re looking to stay a little longer, Surfaris Retreat has a range of 14 rooms with space for 30 guests. Neighbouring properties work closely with the wedding planners to provide space for bridal parties to prepare for the big day.
When celebrating here, you’ll also have free use of the pool area (complete with festoon lights and white umbrellas), ceremony deck, cafe, and undercover dance floor.
The Med is a touch of Greece in Australia
Why fly off to Greece or Italy when you can have a touch of Mediterranean flair on the Macleay Valley Coast? The Med is a chic motel-style venue providing a fun and stylish setting for weddings.
Guests can take advantage of the 200 square-metre courtyard, alfresco dining area and 50-seat La Costa Cantina: a Mexican restaurant and bar serving delicious tacos and other authentic dishes.
There are a variety of accommodation options to suit every need and budget, with space for a party of up to 50 guests. Choose from stylish holiday villas with an outdoor deck and BBQ area, or private suites with air-conditioning and flat screen TVs. Plus, you can also make use of the swimming pool surrounded by a garden of sweeping palms, and keep up your fitness after a night of partying at the fully-equipped gym.
The Garden Bar and Kitchen combines historic charm with natural wonder
The Garden Bar and Kitchen in Frederickton offers a picturesque riverside setting in a historic Old Cheese Factory, renovated to provide a contemporary warehouse feel.
After a beautiful ceremony in the Old Shed, with panoramic views across the Macleay River, head to your waterfront restaurant for a fully-catered reception that accommodates 200 guests standing or 120 seated. The Garden Bar chefs offer a range of menu options, and each dish uses only the best locally-sourced ingredients. From setup to cleanup, and everything in between, The Garden Bar team has a package to bring your vision to life.
Plan the perfect laid-back event at Kempsey Crescent Head Surf Club
For a beachside celebration with local charm, you can’t beat the Kempsey Crescent Head Surf Club. Overlooking the pristine beaches of Crescent Head, this award-winning venue had a $2.5 million rebuild in 2015, with the elegant Pandanus Room offering extensive views up to Smoky Cape Lighthouse.
The event room can seat up to 100 people, with all tables, chairs, dishware and cleaning services provided, so all you have to do is show up. Located right on the beach, you can head down to the water after your ceremony for sunset cocktails and good vibes.
River View Island will plan your dream wedding
River View Island is a dedicated wedding venue just a short drive inland. The 60-acre property is a mix of rolling mountains and running rivers, bringing a rustic charm to your special day.
There are several venue options to choose from. The Island is an outdoor setting under large canopy trees and festoon lighting, with camping grounds and portable amenities for guests, while The Barn is a country industrial setting with hand-made furnishings, a top-floor vista, and spectacular mountain views.
Wedding parties can also choose from a variety of packages. If you’re looking for a small mid-week wedding, the team can organise an elopement, a one-day ceremony with seating for up to 40 people, or a one-day event with couples accomodation and seating for up to 60 people.
For more extravagant packages, River View Island will supply all the furnishings you need for a beautiful ceremony and reception, as well as courtesy buses to two locations and couple’s accomodation. You can even add paddock to plate catering, and taste the best local produce on offer.
Included in almost every wedding package is an overnight stay at The Old Mill Cottage, which featues an open-plan kithcen, lounge and dining, large windows and a wrap around veranda perfect for taking in a sunset or preparing for the big day with your bridal party.
Whether you’re after a florist, celebrant, make-up artist or cake artist, they will take all of the hard work out of wedding planning and ensure everything is just as you dream.
Romantic things to explore in your free time
Why not make a weekend of it? You and your guests will find plenty to explore during your free time on the Macleay Valley Coast.
For an afternoon immersed in nature, take the Rainforest Walking Track through Hat Head National Park. Connecting the two ends of Gap Beach, you can stroll through lush rainforest just a few metres from the coastal dunes. On your way, you’ll pass swampy areas, tall trees and plenty of native animals, including swamp wallabies, goannas and red-necked wallabies. Finish your afternoon off with a picnic and swim at the beach, and you’ll leave feeling closer to your loved one than ever.
For panoramic views mixed with fascinating history, make the trip to Smoky Cape Lighthouse along Tourist Drive 12. This heritage lighthouse was built in 1891, and was one of the last designed by the Colonial Architect, James Barnet. Amazingly, it’s the highest lighthouse in NSW, promising panoramic views of Hat Head National Park’s cliffs, beaches and hinterland. The lighthouse is a great place for birdwatching, whale watching and picnicking, and the National Park ranger run regular tours of the site (which can be booked here). Plus, you can stay overnight at the lighthouse keepers’ cottage for a fun and unique post-wedding experience.
No trip to the Macleay Valley Coast is complete without visiting the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey. The centre celebrates the lives of Slim and Joy, with items and images from the family archives, as well as contributions from fans around the world. Get an up close look at the famous car ‘Old Purple’, Slim Dusty’s iconic collection of Akubra hats, and tour his extensive costume collection. The centre is also the site of Nulla Nulla Regional Gallery, which hosts a range of exhibitions from local artists throughout the year.
Enjoyed reading about wedding venues on the Macleay Valley Coast? For more to explore in the region, check out the best outdoor adventures and top spots to eat.
Travel to the Macleay Valley Coast
Rex flies to Port Macquarie, and from there it is an easy 40-minute drive to the Macleay Valley Coast. Book your tickets here and check out the route map below.
