Sydney's Top 10 Beach Wedding Venues (2019)

The east coast of Australia is known for its beautiful beaches and great surfing locations, and Sydney, New South Wales, is no exception. There are plenty of fantastic beach wedding venues for both your ceremony and reception, but these are our top ten favourites. These include lovely hotels by the waterfront, restaurants, cafes, and function centres.

1. Moby Dicks Whale Beach

In Whale Beach, New South Wales, you can find a unique beach wedding venue where you can host a lovely beach ceremony and a sit-down or cocktails style reception. Venue hire fees start at $3,500, and includes a dance floor, décor, and linens. You can also opt for additional menu items, such as personalised branded coconuts, cocktails, local oysters, and more. There’s even an option to have your wedding cake (1 – 3 tiers) made on-site!

Capacity: 150 seated, 200 cocktail

Type: beach, restaurant

2. Dunbar House

This Watsons Bay, New South Wales, wedding venue is one of the most sought-after venues in the Sydney region. The heritage mansion (1830s) has an on-site café that caters receptions, and boasts amazing views of Watsons Bay. If you’re looking for a mix of bohemian beach vibes and luxurious mansion feels, then this is the venue for you! You can also opt to hold your ceremony on the lawn, under the fig tree.

Capacity: 110 seated, 120 cocktail

Type: beach, historic, mansion

3. L’Aqua

If you’re looking for fantastic views of the city skyline and of the ocean, don’t miss out on this Sydney, New South Wales venue. Packages start at $105 per person, and you have the option of hosting your reception in one of two rooms or booking the entire venue for a cocktail style reception for larger wedding parties. Enjoy stunning views of Darling Harbour through the floor-to-ceiling windows!

Capacity: 550 for cocktails in the entire venue, 150 seated in Terrace, 110 seated in Gold Room

Type: beach, marina

4. Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel

Another lovely choice in Watsons Bay, New South Wales, is the Boutique hotel, home to a romantic Juliet balcony where you can act out your Romeo & Juliet dreams for your wedding photos. They offer several spaces: The Sunset Room, Top Deck, Mid Deck, Juliette Section, and private dining room for your reception use. Your ceremony can be held on the lawns or under the giant, gorgeous fig tree. They also offer accommodations, including a wedding suite for the couple.

Capacity: up to 350

Type: beach, hotel

5. Beach House Avalon

This Avalon Beach, New South Wales wedding venue is perfect for those looking for a little bit of privacy and great views of the ocean. After saying “I do” on the pristine beaches, enjoy the fantastic food from their on-site catering and chef. Their dedicated wedding specialists will help you plan every last detail and make sure your day goes perfectly!

Capacity: up to 180

Type: beach, restaurant, café

6. The Boathouse Shelly Beach

If you’re looking for something a little more casual and laidback, take a look at this venue in Manly, New South Wales. Celebrate a simple ceremony on the beach, and enjoy your choice of reception: canape, sit-down, or “downstairs.” You can opt for extra items, such as a glazed ham, paella, and flatbreads. They also offer in-house cakes of up to 3 tiers (the caramel mud cake with salted caramel buttercream sounds amazing). This venue’s hire fees start at $4,500.

Capacity: up to 200

Type: beach

7. Beachside Dojo

If you love sushi and Japanese cuisine, you have to check out this venue in Manly, New South Wales. It’s oh-so-modern with its timber flooring, plenty of plants, and an open concept design. The floor-to-ceiling windows and doors offer fantastic views of the ocean, and the food is to die for—a fusion of Japanese and modern Australian cuisine. They offer private dining experiences, seated dinners, and cocktail events.

Capacity: up to 200

Type: beach, restaurant, modern

8. Jonah’s Restaurant & Boutique Hotel

Have a whale of a time in Palm Beach, New South Wales when you choose this waterfront wedding venue! You can opt for a beach ceremony or their clifftop garden with views of the waters and host an intimate/boutique or mid-size wedding. Then, your reception can be held on the Terrace, where you can host a cocktail wedding, canapes, or a banquet/sit-down dinner with up to five courses. Venue hire begins at $750 for a boutique wedding.

Capacity: up to 122

Type: beach, restaurant, hotel, garden

9. Sergeants Mess

In Mosman, New South Wales, Sergeants Mess has been lauded as a gorgeous waterfront wedding venue for years. You can hold your ceremony on the landscaped lawns or on the private wharf, where you and your guests can even arrive at the venue by boat. The on-site chefs are experienced and use locally sourced weddings, and the venue prides themselves on quality service, so you can be sure your wedding will go smoothly.

Capacity: up to 250 seated

Type: beach, functions space, restaurant

10. Rydges Cronulla Beachside

Cronulla, New South Wales, is home to one of Rydges’ many lovely wedding venues. They are conveniently located just over a half hour’s drive away from Sydney, and they offer on-site catering and accommodations. Have a lovely beach ceremony and a reception in their private, Sutherland Room, or on the poolside terrace while enjoying the views of the beautiful Gunnamatta Bay. Their packages start at $115 per person for weekdays, and $125 per person for weekends.

Capacity: 70 – 110 seated, 175 cocktail

Type: beach, hotel

Parting Notes

Sydney is known for its famed architecture and skyline, namely the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, but there are so many gorgeous beach wedding venues in and near the city as well. Additionally, Sydney’s climate is warm throughout the year, and summer weddings are beautiful in Sydney. Keep in mind that there is some rainfall each month, but most venues have adequate covering or indoor options in case of inclement weather—just don’t forget to ask what the venue’s plan B is!

Check out our editor’s choice list of the

Top 50 Awesome Wedding Venues in Sydney

Best Wedding Venues in Australia

New South Wales