Best Places to Elope on the South Coast NSW
Are You Planning a South Coast elopement?
Does eloping on the South Coast of NSW sound enticing? Firstly, absolutely. Secondly, you have amazing taste. And honestly, it’s a question I can answer with quite a bit of experience - I’m an eloper myself, then soon after eloping, I became an elopement celebrant now based on the South Coast.
Firstly, how my own elopement shaped who I am!
Back in 2015, my own wedding plans took a pretty wild turn when I couldn’t find a property for the festival-style wedding I’d envisioned. At the time, I also realised there weren’t nearly enough cool celebrants around. So, my husband and I threw our wedding plans out the window, brought everything forward three months, and eloped. Though not on the South Coast - instead, we went much further afield. After visiting friends in LA we headed straight to Las Vegas, hired a classic Red Rambler and drove out into the Nevada Desert to a place called Corn Creek. We shared our vows with literally nothing around us but scrubland, mountains and the most insanely beautiful sunset. Our celebrant had a vintage teardrop caravan as our altar, Veuve on ice and a box of donuts waiting for the post-ceremony celebration. It was dreamy, it was relaxed and 100% perfect. It was also the moment I decided to become a celebrant, right there in the desert.
That experience is why elopements will always be my absolute specialty. I know what it feels like to ditch the rulebook and just go for it. and I love helping couples do exactly the same thing, especially here on the NSW South Coast where I live (which happens to be one of the most spectacular places on earth to do it).
Where do you start…
Low-key, stress-free and completely your own - that’s the vibe. Whether you’re dreaming of a private beach ceremony, a rainforest moment or just the two of you and a bottle of something delicious, the South Coast delivers. With a shorter to-do list and decisions to be made, you’ll have much more headspace to consider the key parts to your elopement. First off, I recommend sourcing your crew ie. your celebrant and photograher (and perhaps a videographer or content creator). Florals, hair & make-up, food & beverage, your attire and wedding rings etc can come into the picture once you have your key crew, the location and date. Location is one of your biggest deciding factors. If you’re not familiar with places along the South Coast or just want an overview of where’s hot, here are some of my favourite venues and locations that are just made for intimate celebrations:
Bangalay Villas, Shoalhaven Heads
Tucked between Seven Mile Beach National Park and the Shoalhaven Heads Golf Course, Bangalay Villas is the kind of place where eloping feels completely effortless. Their bespoke elopement packages are built for couples who want luxury and natural beauty without the stress. They have a private garden for the ceremony (or the beach), award-winning dining at Bangalay Dining, and your own architecturally designed villa to retreat to at any point. Golden hour photos by the ocean? Yes, please. It’s all right here, just two hours south of Sydney.
Wildwood, Kangaroo Valley
If you’ve ever driven into Kangaroo Valley, you already know the feeling. Wildwood takes all of that magic and gives you 100 acres of pristine subtropical rainforest to celebrate in. Perched atop a sandstone escarpment, the Valley Lookout ceremony space has jaw-dropping views across the lower valley. It’s genuinely one of the most breathtaking spots I’ve ever stood in. To add, you’ll be looked after by incredible staff and you’ll love the thoughtfully laid-out spaces to both celebrate and unwind. Dedicated elopement packages and on-site accommodation make Wildwood a total dream for couples who want their day to feel intimate, free-spirited and completely private.
The Cove, Jervis Bay
Hidden within the Booderee National Park and only accessible through native bushland, The Cove feels like a secret that only you and your person have discovered. A private three-acre resort right on its own stretch of beach - just the two of you (and your very lucky guests, if you’re bringing a few). Glittering bay water, lush lawn and boutique cabins make this one seriously idyllic spot to say “I do.” I am not kidding when I called Jervis Bay God’s Country.
Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay
For the couple who wants something truly different, Paperbark Camp is it. Set among soaring eucalypts just minutes from Huskisson, this eco-retreat has an open-air ceremony space on the bush floor and a treetop restaurant, The Gunyah for the most magical dinner that follows. Thirteen safari-style luxury tents with private ensuites sleep up to 36 guests, so you can keep your celebration intimate without sacrificing a thing. You’ll find kangaroos roaming through the property. There’s free use of bikes and canoes. Romantic, wild, utterly serene and completely unforgettable.
Cupitt’s Estate, Ulladulla
Vines, lakes, mountain views and very good wine. Cupitt’s Estate ticks every box for a romantic South Coast elopement. This family-owned winery between Milton and Ulladulla has been doing weddings beautifully for over 15 years. Exchange vows among the vineyards with Pigeon House Mountain and Burrill Lake as your backdrop, then celebrate with estate-grown produce and award-winning drops. Their cellar door, built in the 1850s, is heritage charm personified. And the luxury accommodation pods mean you wake up still on the estate the next morning, no rushing anywhere.
The Oaks Ranch, Mossy Point
Further south, between Batemans Bay and Moruya, The Oaks Ranch sits on 300 acres of open countryside with the Tomaga River winding right through it. I call it South Coast’s ultimate hidden gem. It’s a seriously peaceful spot, far enough away to feel like a proper escape but close enough to drive. Elopements here enjoy an infinity lawn overlooking the Deua Mountain Ranges, kangaroos meandering on the property and dining at ARLO - one of OpenTable’s Top 50 restaurants in Australia. There’s also a stunning patio for sundowners and a magnesium pool for morning swims. The place for couples who just wants to keep things relaxed yet utterly special.
stunning rental homes
One of the best-kept secrets of a South Coast elopement would be staying at a stunning rental property as your base, or for everything - your ceremony, celebration and sleepover all in one spectacular spot. In Gerringong, keep an eye on Ocean Farm (panoramic ocean views on a working farm - absolutely dreamy), Bunker House, Dovecote and Soul of Gerringong. Over in Kangaroo Valley, The Casa, Saddle Ridge, Rea Rea Lodge, Black Star and The Sticks are all incredible properties. And there are so many more brilliant properties dotted along the South Coast. I’d be super happy to send you more recommendations tailored to what you’re after.
Supercalla Properties
The Holidays Collection
Jervis Bay Rentals
Airbnb
Ready to make it happen?
When you’re ready, I’d absolutely love to hear from you. Just shoot me a message and let’s plan your incredible elopement on the South Coast. And if you’re drawn to something wilder and more adventurous, head over to Wander & Be, where I offer nature-based elopement packages (from the basics to all-inclusive) by a team of adventure elopement specialists.
Jacqua xx
BIO
Jacq AKA Jacqua is a non-traditional wedding and elopement celebrant based in NSW. You’ll mostly find her around the South Coast, Wollongong, Sydney and the Southern Highlands.
She marries couples who are creative, unconventional and a little quirky—lovers who want a wedding that reflects their distinct sense of style. Eloping? Getting hitched away from home? She’s happy to travel and free to roam!