Dunningham Reserve, perched on the northern headland of iconic Coogee Beach, offers a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding ceremony. With its expansive ocean vistas and lush green lawns, it's one of the Eastern Suburbs' most sought-after outdoor marriage venues. If you're searching for a spectacular seaside location that perfectly captures the beauty of the Australian coast, Dunningham Reserve is an ideal choice for your special day.
The reserve is perfectly positioned to provide spectacular, panoramic views of Coogee Beach, Wedding Cake Island, and the vast Pacific Ocean. These stunning vistas create a magnificent and romantic natural altar for your vows, ensuring incredible wedding photos and a truly memorable experience for your guests.
While offering incredible coastal views, the reserve also features beautiful, well-maintained grassed areas and scattered native trees. This combination of blue ocean and green landscape provides a fresh, natural setting for your ceremony, often making it feel like a private oasis despite its popular location.
Dunningham Reserve is located moments away from some of Coogee's most popular reception venues, including the Coogee Bay Hotel and Coogee Pavilion. This convenience means less travel time for you and your guests, allowing you to seamlessly transition from your beautiful marriage ceremony to your wedding reception.
The reserve sits right on the famed Eastern Beaches Coastal Walkway, which adds a wonderful sense of vibrancy and accessibility. It's a well-known spot, making it easy for your guests to find and for you to take stunning post-ceremony photos along the picturesque coastal track.
With its generous open space, Dunningham Reserve can comfortably accommodate various wedding sizes. Whether you're planning a small, intimate gathering (a popular 'marriage registry office' alternative) or a slightly larger wedding with more guests, the natural layout of the reserve provides flexibility.
Standard: 20 People. Add Guests: Add up to 60 in total +$75.
You can have up to 20 people (the 2 of you and 18 guests) at your ceremony. This excludes children under 6 years old. For an additional fee of $75, this number can be increased to 60 people in total. To add guests after your initial booking, go to the Add-ons tab in your portal.
I understand that if I plan to have more than 20 people, it is my responsibility to make the required booking with the park authority and pay any associated site fees directly to them.
You can have up to 20 people (the 2 of you and 18 guests) at your ceremony. This excludes children under 6 years old. For an additional fee of $75, this number can be increased to 60 people in total. To add guests after your initial booking, go to the Add-ons tab in your portal.
I understand that if I plan to have more than 20 people, it is my responsibility to make the required booking with the park authority and pay any associated site fees directly to them.
Please aim to arrive 15 minutes prior to your ceremony (along with your guests) to ensure you are in the right location and ready to go at your scheduled time.
Dunningham Reserve is located at the northern end of Coogee Beach, near the Coogee Bay Hotel and the start of the Bondi to Coogee walk.
Coogee is approximately a 20-30 minute drive from the Sydney CBD (traffic dependent). Use a navigation app to direct you to 'Dunningham Reserve, Coogee'. Drop-off for guests can be near Coogee Bay Road or Dolphin Street.
Parking: Parking in Coogee, particularly on weekends and during summer, can be extremely difficult. There is metered street parking and a public paid car park near Coogee Oval (off Dolphin Street), but spaces are limited and time-restricted. We highly recommend guests use public transport or a ride-share service.
Coogee is well-served by Sydney Buses. Regular routes, such as the 370, 314, and 374, connect Coogee to various areas, including Bondi Junction and Central Station. Alight at the Coogee Bay Road or Arden Street bus stops, which are a short, easy walk to the reserve.
If you've had your photographs taken further along the coast, the reserve is a key point on the Eastern Beaches Coastal Walk, connecting it to the beaches of Clovelly and Bondi. This is a picturesque way to arrive (for the bridal party, post-photos) if you have time.
Now it doesn't happen often, but when it does you will need to shelter under trees or bring umbrellas - how romantic. Dunningham Reserve is an exposed, open-air, public marriage venue, and therefore does not have any dedicated, guaranteed wet weather shelter options.
a) Public Park Acknowledgment
I understand that this venue is a public park and that no site fee has been charged for its use by you (the provider).
b) Guest Capacity
I understand the Standard maximum number of people is 20. I can increase this to a maximum of 60 people for an extra $75 (I will select Add Ons after booking).
I understand that if I plan to have more than 20 people, it is my responsibility to make the required booking with the park authority and pay any associated site fees directly to them.
c) Booking Duration
I understand the Standard booking time is 30 minutes, which is plenty of time for a beautiful ceremony. I acknowledge that this duration cannot be extended on the day of the ceremony.
If I wish to extend the time, I understand I must arrange this prior to the ceremony date for an additional $150 for an additional 30 minutes (I will select Add Ons after booking).
d) Confetti and Prohibited Materials
I understand that confetti of any sort, including natural materials such as flower petals, rice, glitter, or artificial equivalents, are strictly prohibited.
e) Public Liability Insurance
I understand that an additional fee of $50 will apply if Public Liability confirmation is required for bookings .
