Best Wedding Venues on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria
The Bellarine Peninsula sits roughly 90 minutes south-west of Melbourne and has become one of Victoria’s most sought-after wedding regions.
Couples can choose from coastal venues with ocean views, working vineyards with bay outlooks, farm estates offering creative freedom, and garden properties surrounded by olive groves and native bushland, all within a short drive of Geelong, Queenscliff and Ocean Grove.
With its sleepy seaside villages, surf beaches, local produce and award-winning wineries, the Bellarine offers a setting for every wedding style; from black-tie coastal celebrations to relaxed farm gatherings.
Why couples choose the Bellarine Peninsula for weddings.
The Bellarine Peninsula boasts beauty at almost every corner, from its sleepy seaside villages and wildly beautiful surf beaches to the delectable delights of local produce and fine wines. Quite simply, you could spend days and weeks on end taking in the stunning vistas with a glass of wine in hand as you visit the incredible vineyards and feast at the cosy coastal eateries.
Types of wedding venues on the Bellarine Peninsula.
The Bellarine Peninsula provides venues to suit any theme or style a couple desires.
Set along a stunning coastline, this region is an obvious choice when it comes to finding a venue with stunning coastal views, or a place where your guests can literally feel the sand between their toes.
Though don’t feel limited to thinking all the Bellarine Peninsula offers is beach weddings. Many venues are surrounded by beautiful bushland or lush manicured gardens, giving an idyllic escapist feel to the celebration.
Many venues are blank canvases, and a couple can truly bring their own style and celebration to the day.
Things to consider when looking at Bellarine Peninsula wedding venues.
Bellarine Peninsula is, without a doubt, a stunning place to have your wedding. But, you want to make sure you have all details covered and that it really does suit all your requirements before committing. There are a few extra factors it is worthwhile having in mind when looking at wedding venues in Bellarine Peninsula.
Weather
Bellarine Peninsula does tend to have a cooler climate, though can be sweltering hot in the summer months. If you’re having a beach wedding it’s important to think of shade so you’re comfortable and also factor in that beach weddings can be quite windy and may impact your styling and the performance of your celebrant when dealing with audio equipment.
If your wedding is going to be outdoors, do you have a contingency plan in case the weather is less than perfect.
Travel
Public transport is somewhat limited in this region, so you may want to look into hiring a bus to transport guests to and from your venue. Ensure you give clear directions to your venue to save any confusion on the day.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be easily accessible for your friends and family on the Bellarine Peninsula. From flash houses to campgrounds, there is a style to suit any budget. Do factor in the time of year as accommodation will book out quickly in peak season and school holidays.
Some guests may choose to make a weekend of your celebration and with a myriad of accommodation options as well as some premier eateries, your guests will delight in all that this region offers.
The Dunes Ocean Grove
Coastal views, elevated style.
- Minimum spend: $22,500
- Capacity: 112 sit-down or 180 cocktail style
- Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor and indoor options available
- Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour 30 minutes
The Dunes transforms Ocean Grove’s coastline into something cinematic. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame surfers and crashing waves, while contemporary architecture using natural materials creates spaces that feel both sophisticated and relaxed.
The Native Dunes ceremony location offers panoramic ocean vistas surrounded by native flora, with the sleek indoor space providing weather backup that doesn’t compromise on style. The culinary team crafts feasting-style menus showcasing local, sustainable produce through roving canapés and share-style mains.
Natural surfaces and modern interiors accommodate diverse styling approaches, from black-tie elegance to relaxed coastal celebrations. The dedicated events team ensures seamless coordination, allowing couples to focus on enjoying their oceanfront celebration.
For couples drawn to coastal settings without sacrificing contemporary sophistication, The Dunes delivers breathtaking views and architectural elegance that creates memorable backdrops.
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At The Heads
Waterfront views with heritage coastal architecture.
- Minimum spend: $25,000
- Capacity: 130 sit-down or 160 cocktail style
- Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor and indoor options available
- Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour 30 minutes
Situated on the water’s edge with stunning views of Barwon Head’s iconic The Bluff and beyond, At The Heads is one of the Bellarine Peninsula’s most remarkable venues with its relaxed beachside location and stunning heritage coastal architecture.
This waterfront location offers ceremony choices that range from jetty overlooks to the famous Barwon Heads Bridge, with the warm timber and glass venue opening onto decks when evenings call for it.
Their culinary approach celebrates Bellarine Peninsula produce through everything from traditional seated service to live oyster shucking stations, or work directly with the Head Chef to create something entirely bespoke. The team genuinely understands that wedding planning should enhance the excitement, not overshadow it.
At The Heads proves that when you have river views, ocean proximity, and a team that prioritises hospitality over rigid formality, exceptional celebrations follows.
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JACK RABBIT
Award-winning hospitality with endless bay views.
- From: From $230 per person plus venue hire.
- Capacity: Seated 120, cocktail 200.
- Indoor or outdoor: Indoor and outdoor options.
- Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour 35 minutes
Jack Rabbit Vineyard’s positioning on the Bellarine Peninsula creates views that genuinely take your breath away. Sweeping bay vistas stretch across to Geelong, the You Yangs, and Melbourne’s distant skyline, providing ceremony backdrops that require no enhancement.
The hospitality team is award-winning, offering sophistication, genuine warmth and seamless experiences throughout every celebration, while those spectacular panoramas provide the natural drama.
Multiple ceremony locations across the property showcase different angles of the same stunning outlook, while the expansive decks frame the bay views that make every moment feel cinematic. The vineyard setting adds texture and depth to an already impressive canvas.
For couples seeking venues where the natural beauty does the work and the hospitality elevates the experience, Jack Rabbit delivers both effortlessly.
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The Oxley Estate
Coastal farmland with complete creative freedom.
- Minimum spend: From $75pp + venue hire
- Capacity: 140 sit-down or 200 cocktail style
- Indoor or outdoor: Multiple ceremony locations both indoors and outside, inside reception.
- Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour 30 minutes
Oxley Estate sits on ten acres of coastal farmland, just 500 metres from the beach. The property unfolds across gardens, olive groves, orchards and vineyards, with Port Phillip Bay as your backdrop and friendly farm animals adding character to the surrounding paddocks.
This is a venue built for flexibility. The team supports bespoke weddings, encouraging couples to choose their own caterers, design their own menu, and shape the day to feel entirely theirs. Whether you’re envisioning a formal sit-down dinner, a relaxed cocktail celebration, or food trucks under festoon lights, Oxley supports your vision.
The essentials are covered: ceremony space, reception area, timber furniture, bar facilities, festoon lighting, and a private retreat for the couple. When the celebration winds down, on-site accommodation—from spa suites to a manor house sleeping eight—means you and your guests can stay right where it all happened, with a pool, gardens and fire pit for the morning after.
For couples who want coastal charm, creative control, and a venue that feels relaxed and full of heart, Oxley Estate delivers.
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Basils Farm
A photographer’s dream on Swan Bay.
- From: From $230 per person plus venue charges.
- Capacity: up to 104 seated or 150 cocktail style.
- Indoor or outdoor: Multiple outdoor ceremony locations, including Front Paddock and Farm Gates, with Swan Bay backdrop. Indoor backup options include the Pavilion, Cottage, and marquee hire for inclement weather.
- Distance from Melbourne: 1 hr 30 minutes
Basils Farm sits on the majestic Swan Bay overlooking historic Queenscliff, creating one of the Bellarine Peninsula’s most picturesque wedding settings. The combination of settlers-style cottage, contemporary Pavilion, and expansive lawns provides multiple ceremony and reception options that work with the natural seaside beauty.
What sets Basils Farm apart is their genuine encouragement of creativity – helicopter arrivals, vintage fire truck entrances, and retro caravan photobooths are all welcomed enthusiastically. The venue’s philosophy centers on making couples’ unique visions reality rather than imposing restrictions.
The Pavilion accommodates up to 104 banquet-style guests with a living green feature wall and full weather protection, while multiple outdoor ceremony locations showcase those spectacular bay views. Farm-fresh cuisine and sophisticated wines complement the relaxed seaside setting.
For couples seeking a venue that celebrates individuality while providing stunning natural backdrops, Basils Farm delivers both creative freedom and professional execution in equal measure.
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Terindah Estate x Truffleduck
Striking, architecturally designed venue with panoramic ocean views.
- From: P.O.A
- Capacity: 180 seated or 200 for cocktail style reception.
- Indoor or outdoor: Barrel Room and heated deck offer wet weather alternatives, otherwise a spectacular ceremony can be held overlooking ocean views.
- Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour 30 minutes
Terindah Estate claims some of the Bellarine Peninsula’s most dramatic positioning. The ceremony lawn frames the You Yangs against Port Phillip Bay views that stretch to Melbourne’s distant skyline – a backdrop that requires no enhancement.
The celebration flows naturally from rolling lawn ceremony to vineyard canapés, then upstairs to the event space where floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the property’s sweeping vista. Award-winning wines complement the visual spectacle, while the abundant photographic opportunities mean every angle tells a different story.
Terindah’s elevated position above Port Phillip Bay creates an indomitable panoramic outlook. The natural progression through different spaces keeps the celebration dynamic while maintaining those spectacular views that make Terindah distinctive.
For couples who want their venue to provide genuine drama without theatrical effort, Terindah’s combination of vineyard elegance and bay outlook delivers impact that’s impossible to replicate.
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RUSTY GATE ESTATE
Stunning ceremony & photography location.
- From: $2,000 to host a ceremony
- Capacity: 150 guests
- Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor ceremony only.
- Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour 25 minutes
An award-winning olive grove offering amazing vistas across the bay, Rusty Gate Estate is certainly a jewel. Featuring expansive views, established grand gardens and multiple ceremony sites, at Rusty Gate, you can cater for your ceremony or wedding day photography.
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Bellarine Peninsula wedding FAQs
Most Bellarine Peninsula wedding venues sit between 1 hour 25 minutes and 1 hour 35 minutes from Melbourne CBD by car. The closest venues are around Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads; venues near Queenscliff and Portarlington add an extra 10–15 minutes.
Late spring (October–November) and early autumn (March–April) are the most popular for Bellarine weddings — mild temperatures, lower wind, and reliable conditions for outdoor ceremonies. Summer can be hot and windy, particularly for beach weddings, while winter celebrations work well for indoor venues with bay views.
Yes — accommodation across the Bellarine Peninsula ranges from coastal holiday houses and boutique hotels to caravan parks and on-site venue accommodation. Book early for peak season (December–February) and school holidays, when availability tightens significantly.
Public transport on the Bellarine is limited, so most couples organise a coach or shuttle bus to transfer guests between accommodation and the venue. Geelong is the closest major transport hub.
The Bellarine Peninsula offers coastal venues with ocean and bay views (The Dunes Ocean Grove, At The Heads), working vineyards (Jack Rabbit, Terindah Estate), farm estates with creative freedom (Oxley Estate, Basils Farm), and ceremony-only locations like Rusty Gate Estate.
Victoria is lucky to boast an abundance of wedding venues that will truly wow you and your guests. For the lowdown on all our favourites across the state, head here.
Interested in having your venue featured on Ivory Tribe’s favourite wedding venues in Victoria? Shoot an email to [email protected] we will be in touch!
