23 Best Rustic & Country Wedding Venues in Australia
The natural charm and relaxed style of country and rustic weddings have made them a hugely popular choice for engaged couples of late. So, ABIA compiled some tips and tricks to help find the perfect rural wedding location, and rounded up the best barn, barrel room, country hall and shed-style venues in Australia — as voted, rated and reviewed by newlyweds who recently held their own weddings there.
White Hill Estate, South Australia | Image Simon Bills Photography
Whether you want to keep it completely casual, fancy a carefree boho theme or lean toward laid-back luxury, it’s hard to beat a rustic, country wedding venue for feel-good vibes. What’s more, the big barns, generous barrel rooms, country halls and repurposed sheds, often located on these rural properties, make them ideal wedding reception venues, with ample space for dining, dancing, mingling and even the wedding ceremony.
How to choose the perfect rustic or country wedding venue
It’s understandable that romance and pleasure will be front of mind in all your wedding decision making, but practicality is key to planning a smooth, enjoyable day that you and your guests will remember for all the right reasons. So, when it comes to one of the most significant choices — your wedding venue — we suggest you slow down, take a breath and proceed sensibly.
As with any venue, rustic and country-style spaces require careful consideration, to choose the one best suited to your dreams for your wedding day. But the process need not be overwhelming — gather together a rough idea of your guest list and numbers, your budget and preferred timing, then take into account the following factors to narrow down the options.
Lake Breeze Wines, South Australia | Image @johnst.photography
Location
Some gorgeous country wedding venues are conveniently located on the outskirts of large cities and towns, others are further afield and make perfect destination wedding escapes. Consider how you, your guests, and your vendors — celebrants, stylists, florists, wedding caterers, photographers and the like — will get there and back, and add these questions to your checklist.
- Can the venue host both the ceremony and reception?
- Are there photographic locations onsite?
- Is there nearby, or onsite, accommodation?
Flaxton Gardens, Queensland | Image Leah Blisset Photography
Capacity
One of the principal attractions of country estates is their abundance of space and generous buildings, which commonly offer all-weather reception and ceremony locations. All venues have capacity limits though, so it pays to check the following.
- How many seated guests can the space accommodate?
- What table configurations are available?
- How many guests can the space fit for a stand-up, cocktail-style reception?
- Do maximum capacities allow room for a dance floor or lounge area?
The Shearing Shed, Victoria | Image @clairedavie
Style
Many couples have a clear idea of the overall look and feel they want for their wedding day, and a venue can significantly enhance a particular theme or ambiance, so take note of the architecture, décor and style options available. You might also want to consider these points to determine if a venue suits you.
- What styling options are fixed or included (think along the lines of fairy lights, draping and furniture)?
- Can your own wedding stylist, or styling ideas, be accommodated?
- Does your budget allow for additional styling, if desired?
The Old Dairy Maleny, Queensland | Image Carly Kelly Photo
Amenities and Services
Restrooms, parking, catering facilities and audio-visual equipment are just a few of the necessities you’ll likely want to take into account in your wedding planning, and there may be other considerations if you have guests with accessibility requirements or particular needs. Establish whether such amenities and services are provided by the venue, or whether you’ll need to arrange them separately.
Warrawong Estate, Victoria | Image White Shutter Photography
Weather
The beauty of big barns, barrel rooms, country halls and sheds is they usually offer a great alternative if the weather on your wedding day isn’t quite as hoped, or predicted. Depending on the season, you may need to check whether they’re airconditioned or heated though, and pay attention to al-fresco areas, such as lawns and verandahs, which may add to the overall occasion and atmosphere if the weather is favourable.
BoxGrove, Bathurst, New South Wales | Image Scott Surplice Photography
Availability and Budget
Venues are one of the first decisions engaged couples make, and tend to be booked well in advance, so determine each venue’s availability from the outset.
Ask too for a full list of inclusions provided by the venue, so that you can allow for any extras, and budget accurately. Here are some you may wish to establish.
- Ceremony space
- Reception space
- Styling and decorations
- Lighting
- Sound equipment
- Furniture
- Linen, tableware and glassware
- Catering facilities and menu options
- Bar facilities and options
- Parking
- Event planning
- Preparation spaces
- Onsite accommodation
- Security
Longview Vineyard, South Australia | Image Simon Bills Photography
Reviews & Recommendations
The experiences of recently-married couples can be one of the most effective ways to vet venues too. That’s why we, at ABIA, ask our thousands of registered wedding couples to rate the quality of product and service, attitude of staff and overall value for each vendor, and venue, they use for their own weddings. To help make your quest for the ideal wedding venue easier, we’ve collated their ratings and recommendations, and compiled this list of the best wedding venues with rustic and country-style spaces in Australia.
The Gardens at Bullimah, Western Australia | Image @kathandcophoto
The Best Wedding Venues with Barns, Barrel Rooms, Country Halls and Sheds in Australia
1. Summergrove Estate
Tweed/Gold Coast
Venue Style: Barn
Image by Figtree Pictures
Summergrove Estate is a purpose-built wedding venue and has grown to be one of Australia's favourite wedding destinations. With over 1,000 ABIA Wedding Reviews and multiple ABIA Industry Awards, you are guaranteed to have an exceptional experience with this wedding venue and their trusted team.
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Image by Figtree Pictures
Summergrove Estate also features their wedding chapel, showing sweeping views of the Gold Coast coastline and hinterland. There is also the option to host your ceremony outdoors with their 'Tuscany' looking wedding venues, however if you require a plan B in the case it rains, the Summergrove Wedding Chapel is your best choice! If you're a busy couple who loves a 'set and forget' approach, Summergrove will cater to your busy needs, from their dedicated coordinator, multiple menu choices from alternate drop, feasting, canapes etc., beverage packages, onsite accommodation, pool & tennis courts, breakfast included and a trusted list of preferred wedding vendors!
Image by Danielle Webster Photography
Read Summergrove Estate ABIA Wedding Reviews
2. Longview Vineyard
Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Venue Style: Barn
Image Simon Bills Photography
Combining a pitched roof, a private bar, a dancefloor, woodfire heating and a wall of windows overlooking the property’s vineyards, the recently-renovated Heritage Barn at Longview Vineyard can comfortably cater to 150 seated guests, or 180 for cocktail-style occasions.
Image @white.rabbit.productions
Ceremonies and photography can also be held outdoors on the expansive lawns. Receptions combine the vineyard’s award-winning wines and internationally-inspired, chef-curated menus, and there’s a day spa and an array of luxury onsite accommodation available for the use of wedding couples and guests. Plus, the Adelaide Hills location is just 45 minutes from Adelaide.
Image @dylanleephoto
Read Longview Vineyard ABIA Wedding Reviews
3. Serafino
McLaren Vale, South Australia
Venue Style: Barrel Room
Image courtesy Serafino
Small, intimate weddings, or ceremonies and receptions with up to 220 guests can all be accommodated within the range of function spaces offered at Serafino. It’s the industrial, warehouse-style Barrel Room, and the ambient, arched, glassed-ceiling Courtyard — featuring a wall of barrels too — that best lend themselves to rustic-style weddings though.
Image courtesy Serafino
The surrounding vineyards and landscaped gardens provide picturesque settings for photos, the estate’s exceptional wines and acclaimed menus are served at receptions, there’s a dedicated Wedding Coordinator and onsite luxury lodgings provide the option of overnight stays for guests.
Image Ceremonies by Gerrelyn
Read Serafino ABIA Wedding Reviews
4. Flaxton Gardens
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Venue Style: Winery Room
Image Life and Love Photography
Specialising in rustic-style weddings, Flaxton Gardens offers an assortment of venue options, but it’s the Winery Room, with its high ceilings, barn doors and corrugated iron features that country-loving couples are often attracted to.
Image Leah Blissett Photographer
Suitable for 160 guests banquet-style, or 350 tapas-style, the captivating space can be decorated to taste, is acoustically-lined and features reverse-cycle air-conditioning. A range of wedding packages can be tailored to need, there’s an experienced team of wedding professionals on hand, and The Apartment offers onsite preparation space and overnight accommodation for newlyweds.
Image Mill & the Sea
Read Flaxton Gardens ABIA Wedding Reviews
5. Glen Ewin Estate
Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Venue Style: Pulpshed
Image Panache Photography
Just a four-minute drive from the outer suburbs of Adelaide, The Pulpshed at heritage-listed Glen Ewin Estate offers a spacious, character-filled, 177-year-old venue perfectly suited to rustic weddings.
Image Soul Deep Studio
One of several indoor and outdoor event spaces available, the Pulpshed is nestled among old stone buildings, lawns, woodlands and a large lake, offering ample opportunities for wedding photographs, and the Estate’s team of highly-experience wedding planners are happy to assist with a range of individually tailored packages for wedding of up to 300 guests.
Image courtesy Glen Ewin Estate
Read Glen Ewin Estate ABIA Wedding Reviews
6. Warrawong Estate
Melbourne, Victoria
Venue Style: Woolshed
Image White Shutter Photography
On the privately-owned Warrawong Estate, only 40 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, The Woolshed offers couples a country-style reception space oozing with rustic charm and historic appeal. Built in the 1850s, the generous, beautifully-restored setting seats a maximum of 180 guests, but can accommodate 200 for cocktail-style celebrations.
Image White Shutter Photography
Ceremonies at the property are usually held outdoors, with views of the spectacular sweeping gully of the Werribee River, photographic opportunities abound and wedding packages — offering menus from casual spit-roasts to sophisticated cocktail soirees — are custom-designed to each couple’s preference.
Image Alex Chung Photography
Read Warawong Estate ABIA Wedding Reviews
7. White Chapel Kalbar
Scenic Rim, Queensland
Venue Style: Hall
Image courtesy White Chapel Kalbar
The combination of a white-picket-fenced wedding chapel, a magnificently converted Sunday-school hall and an outdoor area complete with Barn Bar, make White Chapel Kalbar a one-stop, country-style wedding venue like no other.
Image Three Peonies Photography
Beyond its barn doors, the Black Hall reception space merges restored timber floors, striking panelled walls, a warming stone fireplace and an antler chandelier, and seats up to 70 guests at long trestle tables and oak cross-backed chairs. There’s the option to spill outdoors to the verandah and Barn Bar by arrangement, Herrmann House offers luxury accommodation nearby, and a 1948 Bentley is available for special arrivals.
Image Inc.mill Photography
Read White Chapel Kalbar ABIA Wedding Reviews
8. Woodburn Homestead
Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia
Venue Style: Stables
Image Kylie South Photographer
While outdoor celebrations and marquee-covered events are popular with couples marrying at Woodburn Homestead, the property also offers a permanent all-weather space, in the form of The Stables. The character-filled, tin-walled setting features exposed timber beams and concrete flooring, and seats up to 60 guests. Well-located near the property’s open-air chapel, and with double doors opening onto spacious lawns, it can be adapted as a stunning stand-alone location, or as additional space for outdoor celebrations.
Image @therawphoto
The family-run property also provides plentiful opportunities for photography, an assortment of inclusive wedding packages and onsite accommodation, in the form of the historic Homestead.
Image @chasingeve
Read Woodburn Homestead ABIA Wedding Reviews
9. BoxGrove
Bathurst, New South Wales
Venue Style: Barn and Hayshed
Image The Nomad Collective
Located just over the Blue Mountains from Sydney, this 170-acre family farm combines quintessential country charm with the convenience of a purpose-built wedding reception venue in The Barn. The thoughtfully-designed space comfortably seats up to 170 guests, and offers sweeping vistas of the surrounding countryside from its spacious verandah.
Image Gillian Keough Photography
For ceremonies, couples can choose from two outdoor venues or take shelter within the charming corrugated-iron walls of The Hayshed. Flexible packages and an onsite salon add to the appeal, and luxury accommodation, scheduled to open in Spring 2023, completes the picture.
Image @tillyrobertsphoto
Read BoxGrove ABIA Wedding Reviews
10. Howard Vineyard
Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Venue Style: Barn
Image Run Wild Photography
At the end of a tree-lined drive, Howard Vineyard’s charismatic Barn blends stone walls, corrugated-iron and contemporary lighting to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for wedding receptions, accommodating up to 140 guests, for cocktail-style events. Alternate drop, shared platter and sit-down menus are also available and an experienced wedding team is on hand to help customise the space and guide couples through every step of the planning process.
Image Kerin Burford Photography
Ceremonies here generally take place outdoors, beneath a magnificent oak, and the grounds and countryside offer a plethora of photographic opportunities.
Image @aviephotography_
Read Howard Vineyard ABIA Wedding Reviews
11. The Shearing Shed
Phillip Island, Victoria
Venue Style: Shearing Shed and Barn
Image @ashleighhaasephotography
Once the domain of this family farm’s sheep flock, the original timber floors and rustic charm of The Shearing Shed have been lovingly renovated to provide a beautiful blank canvas for country-inspired wedding celebrations, with seating for up to 110 guests. The character-filled space can accommodate even more for cocktail-style receptions, and opens to a spill-over courtyard, with a nearby Barn and outdoor Billabong offering a choice of ceremony locations.
Image @keonijoyphotography
Beautiful grounds, a picturesque lake and sweeping landscapes provide ample photographic opportunities, and country hospitality, a fully licensed bar and multiple menu options are among the package inclusions.
Image @clairedavie
Read The Shearing Shed ABIA Wedding Reviews
12. Gledswood Homestead & Winery
Sydney, New South Wales
Venue Style: Shearing Shed and more
Image Clarity Photography by Krystal Dempsey
Timber rafters, tin sheeting and exposed brick feature within many of the rustic spaces on offer at this historic 113-hectare country property on the outskirts of Sydney.
Image Neaton Photography
The original Shearing Shed, charming Cask Room, ambient Country Room and cosy Cellar Door are the settings country-loving couples gravitate to, for intimate gatherings or cocktail-style celebrations of up to 140 people, and there’s an experienced Events Team on hand to assist with planning. The property’s peaceful grounds set the scene for stunning wedding photographs and the option of relaxed, refined outdoor wedding ceremonies.
Image Event Pictures
Read Gledswood Homestead & Winery ABIA Wedding Reviews
13. The Peacock Estate
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Venue Style: Barn
Image @zegephotography
Comprising a spacious vintage tin barn, an historic 1914 wedding chapel and a festoon-lit outdoor area — replete with a bar and children’s playground — The Peacock Estate provides a romantic, relaxed and flexible ceremony and reception space for couples intending to invite up to 100 wedding guests.
Image @jessgalagherphotography
All-inclusive arrangements are available, with the support of the Estate’s dedicated Wedding Coordinator, but the venue is also offered on a ‘blank canvas’ basis, with DIY planning welcomed and the likes of food trucks, barbeques, paella and spit-roast catering encouraged.
Image @danny.millo
Read The Peacock Estate ABIA Wedding Reviews
14. Mali Brae Farm
Southern Highlands, New South Wales
Venue Style: Barn
Image @elizajade
A renovated hay shed, The Barn at Mali Brae blends corrugated-iron panelling, rough-hewn timber and an exposed brick fireplace with striking crystal chandeliers to achieve an understated elegance.
Image My Little Love
The comfortable, sophisticated space can accommodate 110 guests for sit-down wedding receptions and the property offers a choice of five enchanting indoor and outdoor ceremony locations. A second, slightly-less rustic reception area — Augustine’s Room — is also available, photographic opportunities abound, and the in-house chef offers a range of menu selections — including meals prepared over fire on outdoor grills.
Image @elizajade
Read Mali Brae Farm ABIA Wedding Reviews
15. Lake Breeze Wines
Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia
Venue Style: Barrel Room, Shed and Verandah
Image Lumbre.
Couples keen to include wine barrels as a backdrop to their wedding day are spoilt for choice when it comes to reception spaces at Lake Breeze Wines. Among the assortment of seven indoor and outdoor locations, they’ll find The Barrel Room, the Barrel Shed and the open-air Verandah — with its walls of wine barrels.
Image Alysha Sparks Photographer
Each space offers a distinct setting, capacity to accommodate up to 200 guests (300 in The Barrel Room), and packages combine the services of an in-house chef, an Event Manager and the vineyard’s award-winning wines.
Image @oakandcapture
Read Lake Breeze Wines ABIA Wedding Reviews
16. White Hill Estate
McLaren Vale, South Australia
Venue Style: Chaff Shed
Image Simon Bills Photography
Wedding ceremonies have been taking place on this 420-acre property, 37 kilometres from Adelaide, since 1877, and the rolling lawns, ancient gum trees and historic buildings continue to draw couples here.
Image @lukejohnphotography
Photographic opportunities abound in the rural setting and manicured grounds, and The Chaff Shed — with its exposed brick walls and raked ceiling — offers an ideal shelter for country-style receptions. Able to seat up to 80 guests comfortably, it can also host larger cocktail-style gatherings, spilling onto the surrounding lawns in fine weather. The original homestead offers onsite accommodation, there’s a dedicated Event Manager and a choice of outdoor ceremony locations.
Image @johnst.weddings
Read White Hill Estate ABIA Wedding Reviews
17. Growwild Wildflower Farm
Southern Highlands, New South Wales
Venue Style: Barn
Image Fortunate Fellow
A rustic barn in the midst of a wildflower farm is the stuff of Bohemian wedding dreams, and it’s a reality at Growwild. Here the beautiful timber barn caters for intimate ceremonies and receptions of up to 50 guests, and offers a blank canvas for styling and decorating – with the option of freshly-picked wildflowers a given.
Image courtesy Growwild Wildflower Farm
The adjacent fairy-lit patio and bar provides spill-over space — and an ideal place for guests to enjoy pre-reception drinks and canapes — a permanent onsite marquee can accommodate larger gatherings, and an experienced wedding team is on hand to provide as much, or as little, help as needed.
Image Sean Walker Photos
Read Growwild Wildflower Farm ABIA Wedding Reviews
18. The Gardens at Bullimah
Elleker, Western Australia
Venue Style: Hall
Image @amanda.aftonphoto
With its cathedral ceilings, exposed beams and polished concrete floor, the Potters Well reception space at The Gardens at Bullimah combines all the charms of a rustic country hall, with space for 150 guests, or more if they overflow to the surrounding decks and courtyard area.
Image @ashalolaphotography
A bar, furniture, linen, tableware and sound system form part of the inclusions here, along with the services of a wedding coordinator, but couples are encouraged to add their own flair to this beautiful ‘blank canvas’ with their own catering, styling and décor.
Image @kathandcophoto
Read The Gardens at Bullimah ABIA Wedding Reviews
19. Aberfeldy Farm & Barn
Toowoomba, Queensland
Venue Style: Barn
Image Ashlee J Photography
For duos seeking an iconic, American-style barn, Aberfledy Farm & Barn ticks all the boxes. The Hamptons-inspired space has been purpose-built with classic barn doors, shuttered windows, high ceilings, gargantuan timber beams, a custom-designed pressed-metal bar, dedicated lounge area and raised stage. Fairylights, audiovisual and sound equipment are included, and Southern Downs Catering and The Hitching Co wedding planners are available to assist with all other arrangements.
Image courtesy Aberfeldy Farm & Barn
The surrounding rural expanse offers an ideal setting for photographs and ‘those’ barn doors are a popular backdrop for outdoor ceremonies.
Image Mia and Bella Photography
Read Aberfeldy Farm & Barn ABIA Wedding Reviews
20. Wandin Estate
Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Venue Style: Pavilion
Image courtesy Wandin Estate
Cricket fans are ‘bowled over’, but engaged couples of all sporting persuasions are won over by the dramatic raftered ceilings, spectacular crystal chandeliers and charismatic country charms of this Estate’s Cricketer’s Pavilion.
Image courtesy Wandin Estate
The light-filled space, overlooks vineyards and offers a blank canvas for couples looking to combine their own style, with the selection of curated menus and celebrate wines available. A cricket pitch and tranquil grounds offer settings for photographs and there’s onsite accommodation, in seven self-contained villas, for up to 42 guests.
Image courtesy Wandin Estate
Read Wandin Estate ABIA Wedding Reviews
21. Margan Winery & Restaurant
Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Venue Style: Barrel Room
Image Olguin Photography
For some the rammed-earth walls and rows of maturing French-oak wine barrels, that comprise the Barrel Room at Margan Winery, are decoration enough, though couples are invited to add their own styling if they wish to.
The ambient space can accommodate up to 120 guests for sit-down events — more for cocktail occasions — with menus inspired by produce from the onsite kitchen garden and wines sourced from the sustainably-farmed vineyard.
Image Justin Aaron Photography
Stunning lawns, gardens and an orchard provide ample options for photographs and outdoor ceremony locations, and there’s an Event Manager on hand to assist with advice and coordination of the finer details.
Image April Werz Photography
Read Margan Winery & Restaurant ABIA Wedding Reviews
22. Lloyd Brothers
McLaren Vale, South Australia
Venue Style: Barrel Room
Image Joshua Kane Photography
Just 45 minutes from Adelaide, crisp white sheet metal and a backdrop of wine barrels set a striking scene for weddings held within the Lloyd Brothers’ Barrel Room. The generous, purpose-built space overlooks rolling hills and the lake, and can house up to 300 guests for cocktail-style receptions.
Image @jewelchenowethphotography
Timber barn doors open to the picturesque grounds, which offer ample opportunities for outdoor ceremonies and wedding photographs — including an organically-farmed olive grove.
Image Joshua Kane Photography
Read Lloyd Brothers ABIA Wedding Reviews
23. The Old Dairy Maleny
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Venue Style: Barn
Image White Leaf Films
It’s not the cathedral tin-ceiling, the exposed timber beams or the roaring stone fireplace that impress visitors to The Grand Barn, at The Old Dairy Maleny, most – it’s the jaw-dropping views, of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s spectacular Glass House Mountains, visible from its windows.
Image @emma.nayler
Up to 90 guests can be accommodated within the light-filled space for sit down occasions, and couples are encouraged to add their own flair, or hire a wedding stylist, to decorate it to taste.
An outdoor Lookout ceremony location, abundant opportunities for photographs and onsite accommodation are also available.
Image White Leaf Films
Read The Old Dairy Maleny ABIA Wedding Reviews
For more Wedding Venue inspiration, check out the ABIA Directory, read our suggestions for How to Choose A Wedding Ceremony Venue, or find the Wedding Ceremony Venues that were voted the best in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia at the ABIA Wedding Industy Awards in 2022, by newly married couples who rated and recommended them after recenly marrying there.
