Southern Highlands - NSW

Escape to a world away and revel in a real country wedding with a romance and magic all of its own. Whether you’ve planned a celebration that’s simple, small and stylish, or a larger, more opulent affair, the Southern Highlands is the perfect location at any time of the year.

From spring’s floral wonderland and the long, lazy days of summer, to the glorious reds and gold of autumn. And there’s something especially enchanting about winter in the Highlands. Crisp country air, frosted white mornings, glowing open fires, mists that stretch over valleys and caress hilltops, and sometimes a soft dusting of snowflakes. The days are short and the nights are long. It’s a perfect time of year to dream by the fire, enjoy warming winter fare in beautiful restaurants and cafés, or simply to hibernate with the one you love. The Highlands are handcrafted for romance. Winter also gives you the opportunity to make the most of your wedding budget. Many Highlands venues offer specially discounted winter packages that will free some of your hard earned dollars so that you can treat yourself to other things … a longer stay in the glorious Highlands perhaps?

Your guests will be absolutely delighted at the prospect of joining you for a Highland winter wedding. It’s the season to enjoy great cuisine, local cool climate wines, and long country walks. Or you could explore the quaint villages, fossick in the many wonderful antique shops, and browse the antiquarian bookstores.

There’s even a hassle free solution to sourcing guest accommodation. Contact Tourism Southern Highlands on 1300 657 559 and they’ll help out (at no charge) with information and accommodation booking cards for you to include with your guests’ invitations. They’re also more than happy to find a cosy hideaway for you both on your wedding night.

A winter wedding gives you an unmatched opportunity to create a feast for the senses. Picture rich, sensual fabrics, faux-fur trimmings, exotic laces, and bright accent colours. It’s almost impossible to overdo it during winter.

The Southern Highlands are easily accessible from Sydney, Canberra and the Illawarra coast, so there’s nothing to stop you from making a getaway to soak up some Highland luxury on your wedding day. Many brides prefer to arrive several days before their wedding to prepare. There are special packages available for just this purpose, so make enquiries when you’re on the hunt for accommodation.

A big bonus of getting ready ‘on location’ is the relaxed, hassle-free Highland ambience. No traffic snarls, no parking problems, and no hustle and bustle to spoil your enjoyment of the lead-up to your special day. And everything is close at hand: fabulous day spas, hair and beauty professionals, cake decorators, photographers, florists, car hire and event hire specialists are all nearby, and all are experts in their field.

And what about the other essential ingredient for any successful wedding? The food! Local caterers, who specialise in the use of fresh local produce and wines, can offer you a banquet of divine creations for your wedding feast. There are a variety of cuisines and a range of affordable related services to choose from.

Another fabulous plus of a Highland wedding is the opportunity for some truly breathtaking wedding photography. Local photographers (and there are plenty of experienced professionals) know exactly where the ideal locations are and how to make the most of them. Picture yourself against a rolling farmland backdrop, in a vineyard, or framed against one of the Highlands many beautiful historic buildings. You’ll have some stunning photos to share with your family and friends, and to look back on in the years to come.

Whether you dream of English country gardens, the ambience of yesteryear or a wedding amid the olive groves, the Highlands has everything you could possibly desire – and you’ll fall in love with the space and freedom. Unlike the city, Highland wedding venues offer acres of outdoor space. Conservatories, wine cellars, and rustic barns blend seamlessly with terraces, courtyards, gardens and open fields.

When it’s crisp outdoors the Highlands turns up the temperature inside with warm, friendly hospitality. You’ll love the attention to detail and professionalism of the many first class venues. With décor, cuisine and service that match the best to be found anywhere, nothing is ever left to chance.

Historic country houses and estates are available for intimate country weddings, or for receptions in a grand style. Superb heritage gardens with intriguing statuary, fountains, cascades, summerhouses, hedges, topiary and arbours provide some delightful photographic opportunities.

And did you know that the Southern Highlands is one of the newest cool-climate wine producing areas in New South Wales? With fifteen cellar doors now open to the public, a wedding in the vineyard is fast becoming a Highland tradition. On a balmy, summer evening, or when the vines are awash with the colours of autumn, you could be forgiven for thinking that you had somehow been magically transported to a romantic Tuscan hideaway.

The Highlands are rich in a fascinating history. The area was once a favoured destination for the wealthy merchants of Sydney, who built lavish country estates on hectares of picture-perfect rolling green pastures. Many of these estates have now been transformed into venues that exude a grace and charm that can’t be replicated.

Your special day deserves something out of the ordinary, something exclusive that you can claim as your own. So if you have a wedding on a private property in mind, you’ll be delighted to know that everything you need from a marquee to seat covers, and table decorations to bonbonniere is available in the Highlands. It just couldn’t be easier.

Alternatively, exchange your vows in one of the many picturesque heritage churches scattered through quaint villages such as Exeter, Burrawang, Berrima, Robertson and Moss Vale. Then some kilometres further south there are the stunning cathedrals of Goulburn, one of Australia’s oldest inland towns, and the utterly delightful village of Crookwell, which is blessed with an abundance of old churches.

If you have a penchant for old sandstone and federation buildings, and if rolling green hills are your passion, you can’t go past the Wollondilly, Sydney’s closest rural neighbour. There are a number of seriously good reasons why you should consider Wollondilly for your wedding. Not only is there an excellent selection of quality reception venues and historic churches, there’s also an easy-going ambience that makes the area a pleasure to visit.

The main towns of Picton and Camden are rich in history and have some of the best examples of early townscape buildings outside of Sydney. In fact, the area was the food bowl of early Sydney, and remnants of old settlements featuring beautiful colonial architecture still remain. The area is home to a boutique brewery and is studded with old inns and pubs. Some host weddings while others offer great country accommodation for your guests. There are also many delightful public and private parks and gardens, and the region’s scenery is spectacular. Panoramic Burragorang Lookout for example, and Wollondilly’s best kept secret, Thirlmere Lakes National Park. With its serene water’s edge beauty, the location is a natural for some fabulous photos.

And if you favour an Australian bush themed wedding, Wirrimbirra Sanctuary near Bargo is perfect (the facilities at this popular venue are excellent). Country charm and city style are the hallmarks of the Wollondilly. For every one of your wedding needs, including hair, beauty, flowers and photography, Wollondilly has it covered with a range of services located in Camden, Picton, Tahmoor and Bargo. Tahmoor has a bustling new shopping precinct, while historic Picton and Camden offer relaxed main street shopping that features an array of boutiques and florists specialising in contemporary wedding fashions and designs.

For more further information contact the local Visitor Information Centres:

• Southern Highlands 1300 657 559
• Goulburn 1800 353 646
• Crookwell 4832 1988
• Wollondilly 4677 3962.

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