Wedding
Planning Blog

20 Best Queensland Wedding Venues

A comprehensive list featuring the 20 most exceptional wedding venues in Queensland

Outside of the decision of ‘ saying ‘yes’ when your partner pops the big question, the biggest decision of your wedding planning journey will undoubtedly be ‘where’ should I host my wedding. Whether you’re looking for an urban, rustic, romantic, beachside or country experience like Gabbinbar Homestead, Queensland is home to some of the country's most premier and award-winning wedding venues. With your venue becoming the canvas upon which all of your wedding day’s dreams come to life, it is important that it boasts far more than just having a ‘breathtaking location’ or ‘an incredible outlook.’ Your wedding day will be the culmination of months, or sometimes years, of planning so it is essential that your venue not only assists in curating and planning your day but also in delivering on everything you have envisioned.

When on the hunt for your perfect Queensland wedding venue factors such as size, style of venue, attention to detail, level of service, location, exclusivity and guest experience are all important factors. Such an important decision may initially feel daunting, so it helps to arm yourself with a comprehensive wedding venue checklist and make a list of your non-negotiables for your wedding day. While the temptation may be to solely focus on what a venue can offer you as a couple it is equally as important to focus on the guest experience for your wedding day.

Topics like available guest parking, waitstaff to guest service ratio, guest concierge service upon arrival and a venues ability to cater to guest dietaries may not get your heart fluttering the way choosing breathtaking floral arrangements or fireworks might do but they are all essential elements when creating a truly memorable and unforgettable wedding day. To assist in finding the best Queensland wedding venue we have curated a list of 20 of the most exceptional venues ranging from historic homestead estates to beachside resorts.

Gabbinbar Homestead

Location: Toowoomba

Capacity: 150 guests

Queensland’s premier destination wedding venue, Gabbinbar Homestead, offers an unparalleled wedding experience for couples looking for an exceptional, secluded and exclusive wedding destination. Located on 13 sprawling acres of lush, established gardens and towering ancient trees, the grounds are nothing short of spectacular. Once inside the heritage listed homestead, which boasts a bride’s retreat and stunning glass-ceiling conservatory (cue the fireworks), you can begin to truly envision the flow of your wedding day. The Bride’s Retreat opens at 9 am and is a beautiful area to begin your bridal preparations with your favourite people. Ceremonies can be hosted in one of four breathtaking locations on the estate and the state-of-the-art surround sound ensures your guests won’t miss a moment. There are also over 100,00 fairy lights festooned throughout the trees, meaning couples and guests are treated to one of the most beautiful night gardens in the state before heading inside the historic homestead, at sunset, for the night's reception and festivities.

Food and wine is of particular importance, and Gabbinbar Homestead offers an award-winning menu (including a children's menu) alongside industry leading attention to detail and service from the front of house team. With an all-inclusive package that offers a full wedding-planning service, exclusive estate hire, a sommelier curated 7.5 hr drinks package, outstanding menu options and complete furniture and equipment supply, planning your special day will be an enjoyable experience.

The Refinery

Location: Brisbane

Capacity: Up to 200 guests

As reccomended by 'The Best Brisbane' this all-inclusive, open-spaced warehouse was designed for couples wanting clean, industrial vibes on their wedding day and is one of the funkiest wedding venues Brisbane has to offer. The converted factory boasts blank spaces and minimalist interiors for couples to make their own by infusing their own style into the ceremony and reception spaces. With a focus around great spaces, great food and great wine the venue provides the option of holding an intimate ceremony in their private garden with the option of a cocktail or seated reception inside the warehouse.

Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa

Location: Port Douglas

Capacity: 25-120 guests

Boasting breathtaking tropical beachfront ceremony locations accompanied by grand and spacious reception spaces, the Pullman’s luxury resort in Port Douglas is one of the jewels of Northern Queensland. Situated on 10 sprawling acres, this award winning resort allows guests to be both moments away from regional attractions, such as the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, while affording the opportunity to indulge in all the luxuries the 5-star resort provides. Making fresh, locally sourced seafood and produce a highlight of their internationally inspired menu, couples can craft their experience. The resort offers packages for an intimate cocktail gathering to a lavish sit-down affair overlooking the spectacular flame lit lagoon.

Summergrove Estate

Location: Gold Coast Hinterland

Capacity: 30 - 130 guests

If you're torn between deciding on expansive ocean views and the charm of vineyards then Summergrove Estate, while technically not in QLD (you will have to cross the border), brings together the beauty of both worlds. Set on 73 lush acres in the Tweed Coast this sprawling hinterland estate is filled with olive trees, vineyards, gardens, and expansive open fields. Summergrove Estate offers ceremony locations that overlook rolling hills to the ocean on the far horizon or their cute-as-a-button white chapel. The estate also offers two options for an indoor reception, in their climate-controlled barn or their restaurant reception space. The packages are focussed around creating a day infused with romance and relaxation with many menu and drink options provided. Best of all, the estate is exclusively yours on your special day,providing breathtaking photo opportunities for couples and guests to enjoy.

Maleny Manor

Location: Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Capacity: 20 - 120 guests

Located just outside the picturesque boutique village of Maleny on the sunshine coast, Maleny Manor - the region's most beautiful manor, hosts weddings for couples looking for a personalised experience. The expansive layout of the property is complemented by the manor's unique architecture, providing a stunning setting for wedding celebrations. The venue partners with one local vendor to include floral arrangements in their packages and a menu inspired by local produce. However, the vista, on a clear day, is the true luminary of the venue and a must-see.

Flaxton Gardens

Location: Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Capacity: 20-250 guests

Commanding hinterland views and specialising in rustic and vintage style weddings this diverse venue hosts, and organises, both weddings and events. Featuring beautifully manicured and meandering gardens, vineyards, and the option of ‘dining under the stars’ in their outdoor marquee, Flaxton Gardens offers packages which range from intimate elopements to grand receptions held in ‘The Winery’ or rustic ‘Barrel Room.’

Glengariff Historic Estate

Location: Dayboro Valley

Capacity: 20 - 200 guests

Glengariff holds the prestigious title of being one of the oldest privately owned family properties in Queensland.Exuding all the charm needed to host a country wedding, this historic property is conveniently located on 230 acres just 45mins from the Brisbane CBD. Offering endless space (enough to land a helicopter!), extensive photo locations, and historic grandeur, Glengariff offers both bespoke wedding packages, alongside extravagant celebrations of up to 200 guests.

Villa Botanica

Location: Whitsundays

Capacity: 100 guests

From beautiful palm-lined mosaic tiled walkways to exquisite hand carved timber wedding pavilions, Villa Botanica combines swaying palm trees and dramatic shorelines with impeccable Balinese architecture that is sure to wow. This idyllic paradise sits at the tip of the Coral Sea above stretches of pristine beaches and specialises in opulent tailored weddings on their 5 acre estate.

Albert River Wines

Location: Scenic Rim, Brisbane

Capacity: 200 guests

For a quintessential winery wedding experience couples need look no further than Albert River Wines. With outdoor garden locations, a chapel and a gazebo to choose from for hosting the ceremony and indoor and outdoor reception options this historic property will leave you spoilt for choice. Located on the picturesque scenic rim, featuring rural outlooks over undulating hills, the vineyards provide unique photo opportunities for couples on their day. With the use of the estate’s 1963 silver cloud Rolls Royce as an option for entry, you can make an entrance down the Jacaranda lined driveway that will leave your guests stunned.

Weddings at Tiffany’s

Location: Sunshine Coast

A boutique wedding venue located in picturesque dairy country neighboring Maleny and Montville, Weddings at Tiffany’s offers multiple packages for couples to choose from including elopement options. Choose either a garden or chapel ceremony and take advantage of the sweeping and uninterrupted views of the glasshouse mountains. The inviting chandelier lit reception space is both beautiful and roomy and features a large open deck from which to enjoy the stunning vistas. he venue offers a variety of menu options to suit an array of tastes and budgets with an a la carte menu option as well. With onsite wedding coordinators available for consultations and exclusive use of the property on your wedding day Weddings at Tiffany’s provides couples with a stunning sunshine coast hinterland wedding experience that is both beautiful and stress free.

The Calile

Location: Brisbane

Capacity: 300 guests

With event planning services at hand ready to bring your wedding day visions to life, this luxe, palm-springs inspired hotel offers celebrations ranging from poolside wedding soirees to grandiose galas. Located in the heart of James Street with boutique shopping options, a day spa, onsite restaurant, inspired accommodation and unique architecture, The Calile is Brisbane’s leading and most iconic hotel wedding venue.

The Valley Estate

Location: Gold Coast Hinterland

The newcomer to the Queensland wedding scene, The Valley Estate is a fusion of european and industrial influences. Whilst not exclusively a wedding venue, The Valley Estate has been designed with weddings in mind offering couples a grand reception space that overlooks the terrace and newly established gardens. With an onsite bridal preparation suite and exceptional dining menu, the venue offers couples the opportunity to craft a unique and lavish wedding experience. With three ceremony locations to choose from amongst the estate, this Gold Coast hinterland wedding venue is a must see for couples wanting to spare no expense.

Malumba Estate

Location: Sunshine Coast

Capacity: Up to 30 guests

Hosting intimate weddings this luxuriously appointed and newly renovated Hamptons Inspired retreat is bathed in chic contemporary elegance from the inside out. Offering the opportunity to also host pre and post wedding events onsite, the estate is available for weddings exclusively for couples staying at Malumba. Situated between pristine beaches and the sunshine coast hinterland the location is breath-taking. A stand-out feature is the established gardens which offer space for a helicopter arrival!

Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort

Location: Hayman Island

Capacity: 250 guests

Offering the ultimate in tropical wedding exclusivity, Australia’s most iconic private island and destination resort Hayman Island offers couples destination wedding extravagance. From ceremonies hosted on private superyachts, to the choice of private beaches for your reception and world-class ballrooms, Hayman Island resort offers it all. They have a team of dedicated planners and coordinators on-site to ensure they can meet every desire. Extravagant packages offer bespoke inclusions and tailored touches, brides have access to the Hayman Beach House for bridal preparations alongside the resort's world class day spa facilities. The resort also provides complimentary appointments and exclusive benefits at Vera Wang’s iconic Sydney Boutique. To top it off the resort’s destination is the ultimate honeymoon location, with direct access to the Great Barrier Reef's most captivating locations including Heart Reef and Whitehaven beach, so couples and guests can plan an extended vacation post-wedding.

Austinvilla Estate

Location: Gold Coast Hinterland

Rustic, quaint and charming, Austinville Estate offers couples the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and retreat to the Gold Coast's hinterland. Set amongst natural bushland the venue offers the options of a spacious outdoor chapel with rural outlooks or the rainforest deck to host a ceremony with a reception to follow in the newly renovated Homestead. With exclusive access to the 111 acre property and onsite accommodation guests can enjoy seclusion and privacy whilst being only a 20min drive from the beaches of Surfers Paradise.

Ardeena

Location: Gold Coast Hinterland

Capacity: 200 guests

Inspired by Shakespeares ‘Forest of Arden’ and also the celtic word for ‘highlands’, Ardeena is located amongst untouched rainforest and lush, rolling fields. Located on the Gold Coast hinterland, again you’ll have to cross the border, this unique venue offers a ‘blank canvas’ for couples to curate their ideal day. Being a self-catered venue, Ardeena offers suggested vendors to help bring your dream day to life. With its expansive spaces Ardeena lends itself beautifully to receptions either outdoors or in the undercover pavilion and a dance floor under the stars.

City Winery

Location: Brisbane

Capacity: Up to 160 guests

Offering the invitation to ‘host the wedding of your dreams’ this acclaimed urban, micro- winery, located in the heart of the city, offers the entire winery space upon request for a roving style reception or you can use one of its function spaces ‘The Winery’ or ‘The Private Cellar’. With a focus on sourcing grapes from across Australia to create award-winning wines alongside farm to plate cuisine this exceptional venue is redefining the urban, industrial wedding landscape. Well regarded for its ingenuity and creativity, City Winery is fast becoming the most unique wedding venue Brisbane has to offer.

Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort

Location:Gold Coast

Capacity: 300 guests

Offering a collection of 15 indoor and outdoor venues across its resort, the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove offers couples the option of one convenient location to host their ceremony, reception and honeymoon. Whilst you won’t have exclusive use of the venue, couples can avail themselves to exceptional menu offerings, onsite wedding planning services and their beautiful non-denominational chapel. At the Gold Coast & Hinterland Brides Choice Awards the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove was awarded best chapel in the region and with its floor to ceiling glass façade, that overlooks the picturesque Coomera River. It's easy to see why. Whether your seeking a contemporary cocktail style reception or traditional seated banquet the resort provides an idyllic option for all.

Castaway Resort and Spa

Location: Mission Beach

Capacity: 200 Guests

Castaway Resort and Spa offers absolute beachfront bliss on the shoreline of the Coral Sea. With its white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees, picturesque tropical gardens and architecture the resort offers couples the opportunity to host both ceremonies and receptions beachside in a breath-taking location. With luxurious accommodation and close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest this destination wedding venue makes it easy to jet off on your honeymoon post-wedding. They also specialise in flexible packages suited to a variety of budgets.

Earlando

Location: Whitsundays

Located on over 6000 acres of private Whitsunday coastal land, Earlando is an emerging beachside destination venue with a difference. Offering tailor made packages, elopements and exclusive access to the estate so you can create the wedding of your dreams. Ceremonies can be held in one of the waterside pavilions, surrounded by bushland, or atop the mountain ranges overlooking the Whitsundays. The venue also offers the option of dining alfresco for the reception or upgrading to a marquee so you’ll be covered wet weather-wise. The team at Earlando offer a limited number of bookings throughout the year to ensure attention to detail when coordinating a couples special day.

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