RUSTY GATE

A ceremony venue on the Bellarine Peninsula with Port Phillip Bay views

Rusty Gate has been part of the Ivory Tribe directory since the beginning, one we’ve always been so proud to support. In that time, the property has hosted hundreds of ceremonies in its olive grove gardens overlooking Port Phillip Bay, and it remains one of the Bellarine’s most reliable settings for couples who want an outdoor ceremony with water views and no fuss.

This is a ceremony-only venue. Athena, the owner, has kept the offering focused: a private property, an established garden, uninterrupted views across the bay, and space for up to 150 guests. You bring your celebrant, your photographer, your florist — Rusty Gate provides the backdrop.

What does a ceremony at Rusty Gate look like?

The property sits within an award-winning olive grove with multiple ceremony spots to choose from, each framing Port Phillip Bay differently depending on the time of day and the light. The gardens are established and well maintained; you’re not working with a blank paddock. For portraits, the combination of the olive grove, the water views and the garden spaces mean most couples don’t need to leave the property.

There’s no reception space on site, so you’ll need to pair Rusty Gate with a nearby reception venue. The Bellarine has plenty of options within a short drive; Oxley Estate, Jack Rabbit, Terindah Estate, Scotchman Hill, The Dunes at Ocean Grove, At the Heads Barwon Heads and several others are all in the area.

Location and logistics

Rusty Gate is on the Bellarine Peninsula, about 15 minutes from Geelong and around an hour and 25 minutes from Melbourne CBD. The Bellarine has a wide range of accommodation for guests making a weekend of it, from coastal rentals to boutique hotels.

Cost: From $2,000 for ceremony hire.

Capacity: Up to 150 guests.

Indoors/outdoors: Outdoor ceremony venue. No indoor reception space on site.

Distance from Melbourne: Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes from Melbourne CBD. 15 minutes from Geelong.

Wedding styles that suit Rusty Gate

Rusty Gate suits couples who’ve already found their reception venue on the Bellarine and want a ceremony or photography location with presence, somewhere the setting speaks for itself without heavy styling. The olive grove and bay views work across seasons but are particularly strong in the warmer months when the late afternoon light across Port Phillip Bay does the heavy lifting.

WWW.RUSTYGATEWEDDINGS.COM.AU