Best Waterfront Wedding Venues in Sydney
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Looking for a waterfront wedding venue in Sydney? Sydney is world-famous for its spectacular water views, and couples planning a wedding by the water are spoiled with amazing venue choices. From the tranquil banks of Parramatta River to Middle Harbour's hidden coves, Sydney's many bays, rivers and inlets offer a plethora of world-class ceremony and reception spaces in stunning waterfront locations.
Sydney's most sought after spots for weddings on the water include luxury hotels, heritage wharfs, floating vessels, and private estates perched on the water's edge. If you're on a budget, yacht clubs and rowing clubs offer the same quintessential Sydney views without the luxury price tag.
For couples who prefer ocean views, there's a great selection of beach wedding venues in Sydney. Or for a magical waterfront setting with city skyline views, our shortlist of Sydney Harbour wedding venues might be what you're looking for.
Below are the top 25 waterfront wedding venues in Sydney. Stretching from Pyrmont to Pittwater and beyond, they are the city's most picturesque places to get married on the water and are named among the best waterfront venues in NSW.
Waterfront Wedding Locations
Sydney Venues
Venues surrounding Sydney
Top 25 Waterfront Wedding Venues in Sydney
1. Jonah's Restaurant & Boutique Hotel
- Location: 69 Bynya Road, Whale Beach, NSW 2107
- Restaurant: Seats 122
- Private Dining: Seats 40
- Accommodation: Sleeps 22
- Wedding Packages: $260+/pp
Jonah's Restaurant & Boutique Hotel sits on a scenic clifftop overlooking panoramic ocean views and is one of Sydney's most spectacular venues for waterfront weddings. The resort-style venue features a private garden for wedding ceremonies overlooking the horizon, an outdoor terrace with a Bollinger Cart, oyster station and caviar bar for cocktail hour, and a water view reception space with floor to ceiling windows.
This chefs-hatted restaurant is perfect for couples who want a fine dining experience in an exclusive waterfront setting as all wedding packages include a personalised menu paired with an award winning wine list, and your own personal wedding planner. Onsite accommodation is available in 11 ocean-facing suites.
2. The Pavilion
- Location: 2 Bong Bong Street, Kiama, NSW 2533
- Capacity: 80 - 400
- Accommodation: 5 minute walk to hotels
- Wedding Packages: From $135/pp
The Pavilion combines a panoramic coastal vista with excellent affordability making it one of the best waterfront wedding venues near Sydney. It's located about an hour south of Botany Bay on its own private headland and is a modern event space flooded with light from huge ocean-facing windows.
The main event space features a stage where bands set up, a bar (giving guests the freedom to purchase their own drinks), a grand piano and private entrance foyer that doubles as a wet weather ceremony space. Outside are two scenic ceremony sites including an elegant park framed by Norfolk Pines and two rows of rustic boat sheds where you can exchange vows directly on the foreshore. Stunning photo opportunities.
3. Taronga Zoo Sydney
- Location: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, NSW 2088
- Capacity: 30 - 350
- Wedding Packages: From $200/pp
Taronga Zoo is one of Sydney's most well-known landmarks and offers an incredibly unique location for water view weddings nestled within a menagerie of the world's most exotic animals. Five spectacular ceremony & reception venues sit within the zoo grounds and all have a panoramic harbour vista where you can watch the sun set over the city skyline.
For small receptions with up to 60 guests there's a funky rooftop bar with an outdoor deck where you can say "I do" overlooking the Eastern Suburbs inlets and bays. A formal function room and grand ballroom seat 150 - 250 guests and a premium waterfront marquee seating 300 - 600 guests is exclusively available every November. The bird amphitheatre can be hired for waterfront wedding ceremonies.
Taronga Zoo is serviced by public ferries so your guests can arrive by water.
4. Jones Bay Wharf Weddings
- Location: 32 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, NSW 2009
- Capacity: 20 - 1,000
- Wedding Packages: From $130/pp
This industrial-chic foreshore venue is located at Jones Bay Wharf in Pyrmont, and has 8 unique event spaces including one of the largest waterfront reception venues in Sydney. The Heritage Wharf Room seats up to 680 guests and features floor to ceiling windows and a private outdoor deck with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and city skyline.
Other water view function rooms at this heritage finger wharf include a 3 story loft with a private outdoor deck, a 20th century naval building with rustic dockside charm, a New York inspired loft and a maritime museum adorned with fascinating photos of the wharfs history. Jones Bay Wharf is a 10 minute walk via the Pyrmont footbridge to Cockle Bay Wharf. Accessible via water taxi and ferry to Pyrmont Bay.
5. Palm Beach Estate
- Location: Palm Beach, Sydney NSW
- Capacity: 100
- Venue Hire: $5,900 - $10,000
This prestigious waterfront estate offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get married in the private gardens of a multi-million dollar holiday house in Pittwater. Set within 2,500m² of lush tropical gardens with premium views over Pittwater to The Basin, this is one of the most exclusive waterside ceremony venues in Sydney. (Perfect ceremony spot for couples hosting their reception at Dunes which is 4 minutes away)
Access to this private estate is available via road or water with a pier located a short walk away. There's plenty of parking onsite and bathroom facilities are available for guests. Receptions are not permitted on the grounds but you can host drinks and nibbles after your wedding ceremony and a myriad of stone staircases and Balinese-inspired backdrops offer stunning photo opportunities against the sparkling water backdrop.
6. Doltone House Darling Island
- Location: 48 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, NSW 2009
- Capacity: 1,200
- Catering & Drinks: From $130/pp
Doltone House Darling Island is housed within an ultra-modern 6 star green rated building in Pyrmont Bay and features the largest space for waterfront weddings in Sydney with a seating capacity of 750 guests. The room sits opposite Barangaroo just 10 minutes walk from King Street Wharf and has a floor-to-ceiling glass facade with stunning bridge and city skyline views.
This grand reception space comes with affordable packages priced from $130 per person making it one of Sydney's most popular venues for waterside weddings. Hospitality legends Doltone House operate multi-cultural kitchen teams that provide authentic catering for a variety of cuisines including Indian, Chinese and European menus. An outdoor promenade allows arrival by boat.
7. Berry Hill
- Location: 1832 River Road, Leets Vale, NSW
- Capacity: 150
- Accommodation: Sleeps 14 - 54
- Catering & Drinks: BYO
Berry Hill is a beautiful destination for riverfront weddings near Sydney and is secluded within serene wilderness bordered by blue gum covered hills. This 75 acre property sits on the banks of the Hawkesbury River just 90 minutes from the CBD and has a waterfront ceremony site that comes fully furnished with all wedding packages, and a river view reception space with an outdoor dining area and permanent marquee.
When you hire Berry Hill for your wedding you get exclusive use of the property with accommodation for 14 guests in a renovated homestead and three elegant shed suites. A further 40 guests are able to book & pay for their own accommodation in a luxury glamping village that features up to 20 fully furnished bell tents.
8. Lindesay House
- Location: 1 Carthona Avenue, Darling Point, NSW 2027
- Capacity: 10 - 100
- Venue Hire: $6,535 - $10,385
- Food & Drinks: BYO
Lindesay House sits in a prime harbour side location at Darling Point in affluent Double Bay and is the best place for waterfront weddings in Sydney if you're wanting an elegant garden soiree. The 19th century mansion was the suburb's first built residence and is surrounded by magazine-worth gardens perfect for outdoor weddings with glistening water views.
Inside, Lindesay House features small private dining & drawing rooms that offer a beautiful Victorian-era backdrop for getting ready and wedding photos. Outside, there is a marquee-style awning that seats up to 100 guests under shelter, however the real magic of this elegant venue is dining alfresco on the water's edge. Conveniently located just minutes from the CBD.
9. Kirribilli Event Space
- Location: 51-55 Upper Pitt Street, Kirribilli, NSW 2061
- Capacity: 30
- Venue Hire: $4,000 - $6,000
- Catering & Drinks: BYO
This private terrace lawn in Kirribilli is the perfect waterfront venue for micro weddings & elopements in Sydney, with a maximum capacity of up to 24 seated guests enjoying uninterrupted views over the Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge. Wedding packages are charged at $1,000 per hour and includes caterer access to an internal kitchen and use of a marquee if required.
10. Waterfront Marquee @ Taronga Zoo
- Location: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, NSW 2088
- Capacity: 250 - 600
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive
The grand marquee at Taronga Zoo is Sydney's most exclusive waterfront venue as it has limited availability in October-November each year when it's custom built on the Zoo's concert lawn. The marquee is best suited to large weddings with 300 - 600 guests and has the city's most iconic view of the Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge.
All inclusive wedding packages are catered by Trippas White Group and start from about $250 per head. Waterfront wedding ceremonies can be hosted at the world-famous bird amphitheatre and there's even water-view accommodation onsite at the zoo's new safari lodge.
11. Sydney Opera House
- Location: Bennelong Point, Sydney, NSW 2000
- Capacity: 60 - 1,000
- Venue Hire: $5,800 - $6,240
- Wedding Packages: $320/pp
The most iconic of all waterfront wedding venues in Sydney is the Sydney Opera House located at Bennelong Point near Circular Quay. Surrounded by water on all sides and with uninterrupted views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House offers a waterside wedding unlike any other, immersing guests in the ongoings of the harbour as iconic Sydney Ferries, cruise liners and boats sail past.
Australia's most recognised landmark has three water-view reception spaces under its sails, including the incredible concert hall foyers (availability dependant on concert events), the popular Yallamundi Function Rooms and the Utzon Room which is perfect for smaller weddings & ceremonies and was designed by original architect Jørn Utzon. All inclusive wedding packages are priced at $320 per person and there is a seasonal venue hire fee ranging from $5,800 - $6,240.
12. Watersedge Weddings at Campbell's Stores
- Location: 7-27 Circular Quay West, The Rocks, NSW 2000
- Capacity: 120 - 200
- Wedding Packages: $200+/pp
Watersedge at Campbell’s Stores is one of the city's most popular quayside wedding venues owing to its amazing location in The Rocks precinct and its beautiful water views that take in the Sydney Opera House. Within the 3 storey heritage building are two rustic reception spaces that overlook the Circular Quay foreshore and which cater for seated weddings with up to 120 guests or 200 cocktail style.
Couples who book Watersedge At Campbell's Stores often get married on the water at Hickson Road Reserve which is a 4 minute walk from the venue. The route passes a huge vine-covered wall that is one of Sydney's most iconic wedding photo backdrops.
13. Manly Pavilion Weddings
- Location: West Esplanade, Manly, NSW 2095
- Capacity: 200 - 250
- Wedding Packages: $205+
Manly Pavilion is located in a grand heritage building on the iconic Manly promenade and has easy accessibility via Circular Quay ferries with the public wharf just a few metres away. This iconic wedding venue features a grand ballroom seating up to 200 guests and is adjoined by a forecourt that offers wharf wedding ceremonies overlooking Manly Harbour.
14. Pier One
- Location: Walsh Bay, 11 Hickson Rd, Sydney, NSW 2000
- Capacity: 100 - 350
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive
Nestled beside the Sydney Harbour Bridge at Walsh Bay is Pier One, a popular location for overwater weddings with views to Luna Park. Pier One has two wharf ceremony sites and 3 water view reception venues to choose from including a glass style marquee with the best bridge views in Sydney.
15. Pilu
- Location: Moore Road, Freshwater, NSW 2096
- Capacity: 100
- Wedding Packages: From $250/pp
Pilu is located at Freshwater Cove in the city's north and having been awarded two chefs hats in recent years, its the perfect venue for foodie couples planning a small oceanfront wedding. The Sardinian restaurant has an outdoor courtyard that offers an intimate setting for wedding ceremonies beside the sea, and several private dining rooms with Hamptons styling that cater for water view receptions with 20 - 100 guests.
16. Dockside
- Location: 2 Wheat Road, Sydney, NSW 2000
- Capacity: 140 - 550
- Wedding Packages: From $180/pp
For more than 40 years Dockside has been providing a phenomenal waterfront location for elegant wedding receptions at Cockle Bay. The 3 grand reception spaces are situated just minutes from the heart of Sydney's CBD and feature floor to ceiling windows overlooking Darling Harbour and a full-length outdoor balcony with views over the bustling promenade. Seating up to 550 guests, Dockside is perfect for couples with a larger guest list.
17. Long Reef Golf Club
- Location: Anzac Avenue, Collaroy, NSW 2097
- Capacity: 140 - 250
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive
Long Reef Golf Club is situated half way between Manly and Newport near the Long Reef Headland at Collaroy and offers oceanfront wedding ceremonies and receptions with amazing photo opportunities on the surrounding coastline. All function areas at Long Reef have scenic ocean views making the club one of Sydney's most popular venues for waterfront weddings.
18. Watsons Bay Hotel
- Location: 1 Military Road, Watsons Bay, NSW 2030
- Capacity: 350
- Accommodation: Sleeps 64+
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive
The Watsons Bay Hotel is an iconic hospitality venue located at South Head in the Eastern Suburbs and has three bay facing reception spaces that offer incredible sunset views over the water. The newly launched top deck space is perfect for small weddings with up to 80 seated guests and has a modern and airy Hamptons vibe, while the original sunset room seats 120 people with a relaxed yet refined ambience.
The hotel sits right on the sandy shoreline of Watsons Bay and is accessible via regular ferries from the city, giving you a variety of options for a water view ceremony. You can either get married onsite, at waterside parks within walking distance of your reception, or at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney before transporting guests to your reception via boat.
19. St George Sailing Club Sydney
- Location: 2 Riverside Drive, Sans Souci, NSW 2219
- Capacity: 150 - 250
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive from $170/pp
St George Sailing Club is a South Sydney function venue located on the waters of Botany Bay. The venue has a private deck for wedding ceremonies or you can get married on the surrounding river bank. Inside, the coastal-inspired reception space is filled with light and seats up to 150 guests with sparkling water views over the bay. Package options include canapés, banquets, alternate plates and food stations.
20. Manly 16ft Skiff
- Location: East Esplanade, Manly, NSW 2095
- Capacity: 150
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive
Manly 16ft Skiff is a popular wedding venue located over the water on North Harbour. Renowned for captivating sunsets and stunning water views, this all-in-one venue comes with an overwater atrium ideal for wedding ceremonies and indoor seating for up to 80 in the light-filled Harbour View Room.
The Skiff is conveniently located near the Manly Ferry Terminal and can be accessed via a 500 metre relaxing stroll along the foreshore.
21. Georges River 16ft Sailing Club
- Location: Sanoni Avenue, Sandringham, NSW 2219
- Capacity: 300
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive
Another 16ft Sailing Club is located in the southern suburbs near Sans Souci and with floor to ceiling windows surrounding the entire reception space is one of the best waterfront wedding venues in Sydney.
The Georges River Sailing Club is also one of Sydney’s newest event venues and comes with a dedicated functions manager and all inclusive wedding packages to suit all budgets.
22. Ripples Chowder Bay
- Location: Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW 2088
- Capacity: 200
- Wedding Packages: $155 - $209/pp
Ripples is a popular Mosman eatery and waterside reception space inspired by the Mediterranean and set within an historic submarine minors' depot. Accessible via water taxi to Chowder Bay Wharf and with opening sides that lend an alfresco dining vibe to occasions, Ripples is an idyllic harbourside venue for waterfront wedding receptions.
Ripples can be found on the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral foreshore walk and is within walking distance of Clifton Gardens which offers a plethora of beautiful wedding ceremony & photo locations. All inclusive wedding packages at Ripples Chowder Bay start at $155 per person for a cocktail menu and range up to $209 per person for a 3 course menu with matching beverages.
23. Esplanade Events
- Location: 38 Gerrale Street, Cronulla, NSW 2230
- Capacity: 50 - 280
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive
Esplanade Events is a joint venture of two waterfront venues in South Sydney - the Cronulla RSL and local Surf Club. Popular function venue Soldiers on the Esplanade is located within the RSL and offers water views to Bate Bay and Cronulla Beach for weddings from 50 to 280 guests. The Surf Club has two modern event spaces on the oceanfront that seat 60 and 130 guests.
24. The Bathers' Pavilion
- Location: 4 The Esplanade, Mosman, NSW 2088
- Capacity: 150
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive
The Bathers' Pavilion is a coastal wedding venue in the affluent Sydney suburb of Mosman. The function space and outdoor balcony have beautiful water views over the harbour and offers an elegant blank canvas well suited to romantic and coastal wedding themes. An ideal spot for wedding photos beside the sea.
25. Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay
- Location: 46 Prince Alfred Parade, Newport, NSW 2106
- Capacity: 50 - 200
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive
The Royal Motor Yacht Club is located at Newport Marina and has beautiful water views over Broken Bay. With the natural scenery of Pittwater surrounding the venue and affordable wedding packages on offer, the club is one of the most popular all-in-one venues on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
26. Sergeants Mess
- Location: Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW 2088
- Capacity: 50 - 350
- Wedding Packages: $180 - $220/pp
Sergeants Mess is located near Cliffton Gardens in Mosman and is one of Sydney's most popular places for a waterfront wedding as it has a beautiful ceremony space with tiered seating right next to the reception venue which both overlook Chowder Bay.
Sergeants Mess is one of the few waterfront venues in Sydney where wedding guests can arrive by boat as it has a private wharf less than 5 minutes walk away. Sergeants mess is conveniently located near a plethora of beautiful spots for waterfront wedding photos including a sandy inlet, wharf and concrete piers.
Waterfront Wedding Venues Near Sydney
The Cove Jervis Bay
- Location: Ellmoos Road via Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay NSW 2540
- Capacity: 150+
- Accommodation: Sleeps 111
- Wedding Packages: BYO
The Cove is a coastal wedding destination where up to 111 guests can stay onsite with you for the weekend. The 3 acre resort is located on its own private stretch of sand in Jervis Bay and has a luxe reception hall, oceanfront ceremony garden and a beautiful fairy-lit courtyard perfect for outdoor receptions on the waterfront.
The Pavilion Kiama
- Location: 2 Bong Bong Street, Kiama, NSW 2533
- Capacity: 80 - 400
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive from $125/pp
The Pavilion is a waterfront reception venue located on its own private peninsula in the centre of Kiama. Within walking distance to hotels and with two free ceremony sites on the waters edge, The Pavilion is one of the most affordable and picturesque oceanfront wedding venues near Sydney.
Private Property Illawarra
- Location: 8 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Stanwell Park, NSW 2508
- Capacity: 60
- Accommodation: Sleeps 18
- Venue Hire: $2,850+
This Victorian style private estate is located on the Stanwell Park headland and is one of the best waterfront wedding venues near Sydney if coastal views are on your priority list. From the dining room and backyard event space, 180° ocean views include the new Sea Cliff Bridge and the coming and going of ships to Wollongong Harbour.
Wedding packages start at $2,850 including 2 nights accommodation for up to 18 guests. Weddings are DIY & BYO with up to 18 guest able to be seated inside, or 60 in the backyard event space.
Audley Dance Hall
- Location: 2 Lady Carrington Dr, Royal National Park NSW 2233
- Capacity: 20-200
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive
- Accommodation: Sleeps 5
Located in Sydney's Royal National Park, Audley Dance Hall weddings are secluded in nature with spectacular water views down the Hacking River. This riverfront wedding hall has been beautifully refurbished with huge windows overlooking the water and valley, and has a pier for wedding ceremonies on the river's edge.
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