When I first started wedding photography, I went online to check out all the venues in the Bendigo area. And to be honest, what I found was, well… underwhelming. I couldn’t find a single post or site that provided a thorough overview on each location, including detailed information such as outstanding features, packages and a selection of images.
And I thought ‘Wow, how hard must it be for a couple getting married in Bendigo to find their perfect venue, if it is so hard to research and the few posts that are available don’t do any of these beautiful venues justice?’. I saw this as an opportunity to help both my clients and local vendors, and I decided to create my very own venue guide for the Bendigo area, showcasing a selection of venues for every vision, personality and budget.
In this post, I will present every venue with a short overview and contact details. I personally visited and photographed each one of them, and the information presented is accompanied by images taken by me. If you are keen to read into this topic further, below each venue I will link their respective blog post with more images for a ‘walk-through’ feel and you can also download the full guide to the Best Bendigo Wedding Venues with detailed pricing information and more images here.
My guide is a work in progress, so if you are a venue owner and would like to be featured, simply email me here. Alright, let’s dive into it!
1. MacKenzie Quarters
MacKenzie Quarters is a historic building located in the Arts Precinct of Bendigo. It was lovingly restored into a contemporary space for celebrations of all kinds and is a true all-rounder, offering not only a stunning venue for weddings, but also historic accommodation and a lounge bar, Ms Batterhams, in the basement of MacKenzie Hall. MacKenzie Quarters is my number one recommendation for couples that are seeking a CBD wedding venue in a central, unique location. A quick overview of the features this wedding venue provides:
- indoor and outdoor spaces
- licensed for up to 130 patrons
- accommodation onsite
- ceremony and reception packages available upon enquiry
Guests also have the option to stay in the neighbouring Residence, a historic boutique accommodation for groups of 10-12. Built in 1877, 12 MacKenzie Street is a two-storey brick gothic revival style family home and will make your stay in Bendigo even more special. Guests are personally greeted on arrival by the experienced Property Manager who has extensive knowledge about the area and can help you with all questions and needs.
Keen to see more images of MacKenzie Quarters? Check out my dedicated blog post with all images here.
Contact:
Location: 10 & 12 MacKenzie Street, Bendigo 3550
Email: connect@mackenziequarters.com
Website: https://www.mackenziequarters.com
Phone: (03) 5444 2497
2. Ravenswood Homestead
Set just outside of Bendigo on a picturesque 37 acres, the Ravenswood Homestead is a sought after, historic wedding and event destination featuring boutique accommodation and a pool to unwind after a big wedding day. The Homestead is hands down one of the best Bendigo wedding venues. It’s one of my favourite locations to shoot at, the historic buildings tie in amazingly well with the fields and gardens surrounding the Homestead. Not to forget, the Stables are a truly remarkable setting to hold your wedding reception. Enjoy the fresh country air, with everything you need in one place:
- indoor and outdoor spaces
- licensed for up to 150 patrons
- accommodation onsite
- ceremony and reception packages available upon enquiry
The Homestead has its own in house chef with excellent pedigree and an incredible palette. They pride themselves on their food and flavours, use of local fresh produce, wines, beers and soft drinks. The venue also offers boutique accommodation for up to 35 guests on the premises. A variety of unique rooms and cottages invites guests to reminisce about past centuries, providing a luxury country feel and attention to detail.
Keen to see more photos of the Ravenswood Homestead? Check out my dedicated blog post with all images here.
Contact:
Location: 4912 Calder Highway, Ravenswood VIC 3453
Email: enquire@thegroundsravenswood.com.au
Website: https://thegroundsravenswood.com.au
Phone: (03) 5435 3284
3. Harcourt Valley Vineyard
Surrounded by gumtrees and vineyards, Harcourt Valley Winery is the perfect location for your wedding with a rustic, country charm. It is located just 30 minutes from Bendigo and 70 minutes north of Melbourne. The first wedding on the property was held in 2012, when the owner’s youngest son was married. Since then, they have established a well-known reputation for hosting weddings and events at Harcourt Valley. I would describe the vineyard as a “feel good”-venue, their amazing coordinator Marie really goes above and beyond for couples and vendors alike and I always love taking photos here. One of my favourite sunset spots is on the hill between the olive trees, overlooking the land. Outdoor receptions are also especially beautiful, set under the festoon lights. Harcourt Valley features:
- indoor and outdoor spaces
- licensed for up to 250 patrons
- ceremony and reception packages available upon enquiry
A fully functioning winery available for weddings and private functions, the idyllic setting certainly invites to stay a little longer. Whilst accommodation is not available on the premises, the winery has some excellent recommendations to discover on their website. They boast an excellence in their quality of wines, being the most awarded winery in Bendigo.
Contact:
Location: 3339 Harmony Way, Harcourt VIC 3453
Email: harcourtvalleyevents@gmail.com
Website: https://www.harcourtvalley.com.au
Phone: 0431 996 515 | Marie Bourne – Event Coordinator
4. Chateau Dore
Built in 1866, Chateau Dore Winery & Receptions is a historic winery, wedding reception, conference and live music venue in Central Victoria with acres of established gardens and lawns. Something truly unique about the venue is their wine cellar, which couples can use for some amazing portraits and a few quiet moments to themselves. I may be a little biased, since the winery is just down the road from me, but Chateau Dore truly is one of the best Bendigo wedding venues. The venue has a variety of garden ceremony settings to choose from and features a warmly lit reception area, inviting guests to unwind, connect and dance the night away. Included in their wedding packages are complimentary tickets to the Tasting Events held by the venue in spring and summer. From the lush green of the gardens to the dry grass in the surrounding farmland, it caters for every taste:
- indoor and outdoor spaces
- licensed for up to 210 patrons
- ceremony and reception packages available upon enquiry
Contact:
Location: 303 Mandurang Road, Mandurang VIC 3551
Email: enquiries@chateaudore.com.au
Website: https://chateaudore.com.au
Phone: (03) 5439 5278
5. Waratah Weddings
Waratah Weddings is located on the outskirts of Bendigo. Beautiful gardens and red brick buildings make this historic wedding venue stand out, including the beautifully preserved St Thomas chapel dating back to 1875, which can seat up to 110 people. Whether you crave a ceremony in nature or inside the one-of-a-kind chapel, with indoor and outdoor options, Waratah allows you to plan your perfect day and makes for some stunning wedding photos. Followed by celebrations in their stunning Reception Hall, you and your guests will be able to spend the whole day in one place. Across the road, you can find Red Waratah Accommodation – a great way for you and your guests to spend the night nearby. Waratah Weddings features:
- indoor and outdoor spaces
- licensed for up to 165 patrons
- accommodation nearby
- ceremony and reception packages available upon enquiry
Contact:
Location: 14 Waratah Rd, Huntly VIC 3551
Email: waratahweddings@gmail.com
Website: https://www.waratahweddings.com.au/
Phone: 0488 661 139
6. Belvoir Park Estate
Located on the outskirts of town, Belvoir Park Estate is known for it’s stunning outdoor ceremony site set under a majestic gum tree. Situated amongst lush vines and an olive grove, it offers ample backdrops for nature-loving couples, making it one of the best Bendigo wedding venues. The inside is thoughtfully decorated with wine barrels, fairy lights and vintage elements such as couches, cameras and mirrors, creating a cosy, rustic atmosphere for your wedding reception. The vineyard also features an undercover outdoor area with umbrellas and wine barrels, inviting guests to mingle during cocktail hour and dance the night away. Belvoir Park Estate provides:
- indoor and outdoor spaces
- licensed for up to 200 patrons
- ceremony and reception packages available upon enquiry
Contact:
Location: 39 Belvoir Park Road, Ravenswood VIC 3453
Email: greg@belvoirparkestate.com.au
Website: https://belvoirparkestate.com.au/weddings/
Phone: 54 353 076
7. The Gold Mines Hotel
Located in the heart of Bendigo, the Gold Mines Hotel is the perfect place for couples seeking a more intimate celebration, combining the charm of a Victorian-style historic hotel with modern elegance and an excellent cuisine. Set on a picturesque 1.2-acre site, The Gold Mines Hotel is only a short walk away from the historic Victoria Hill Mine, immersing guests in Bendigo’s golden history. The hotel’s grounds feature one of Bendigo’s oldest and most enchanting gardens, which is situated at the back of the property, creating a sense of privacy and exclusivity for you and your guests. The Gold Mines Hotel offers:
- indoor and outdoor spaces
- ceremony and reception packages available upon enquiry
Contact:
Location: 49-57 Marong Road, Golden Square VIC 3550
Email: bookings@goldmineshotel.com
Website: https://www.goldmineshotel.com.au/
Phone: (03) 5443 3004
8. Pratty’s Patch
Pratty’s Patch Bar and Fine casual dining is a rustic venue located in Maiden Gully with lots of history and a homely atmosphere for the laid back souls. The historic stone cottage is owned and operated by the McMillan family, Steve and Simone, and Gary and Angela.
Located only 10 minutes from the Bendigo CBD, the cottage is available for wedding ceremony and reception bookings, with a variety of menu options to choose from, ranging from traditional wedding dishes to cocktail functions. It features:
- indoor and outdoor spaces
- licensed for up to 80 patrons
- ceremony and reception packages available upon enquiry
Contact:
Location: 35 Monsants Road, Maiden Gully VIC 3551
Email: info@prattyspatch.com.au
Website: https://www.prattyspatch.com.au
Phone: (03) 5449 6341
You’ve got your venue sorted. How about a wedding photographer?
Hey, I’m Caro, a hopeless romantic, dog mum and nature lover, and the person behind the lens of all the images you’ve just looked at. I hope you found this blog post about the best Bendigo wedding venues helpful! If there are any questions you have whilst planning your wedding, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I have photographed over 150 weddings for couples just like you, so I am always here to help! You can check out more of my work here or get in contact to have me photograph your wedding or elopement here.
Don’t leave just yet!
I get it, wedding planning can get pretty overwhelming. Which is why I’ve created a blog post full of tips and tricks on how to plan your wedding timeline! Give it a read here.
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