Kirribilli is a truly iconic Sydney location, offering some of the most spectacular, uninterrupted views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. While Kirribilli House itself is the Prime Minister's official Sydney residence and not a public wedding venue, the surrounding foreshore area—including beautiful parks and lookouts—is an incredibly popular spot for marriage celebrants and couples seeking an unforgettable ceremony backdrop. This location is one of the premier choices for an intimate wedding venue in Sydney.
You simply cannot beat the backdrop! The foreshore near Kirribilli House gives you front-row seats to Sydney's most famous landmarks. Your wedding celebrant will pronounce you married with the Sydney Harbour Bridge towering behind you and the Opera House glistening across the water—perfect for timeless wedding photos.
Despite its proximity to the city, the Kirribilli area maintains a quaint, almost village-like atmosphere. The quiet, beautifully landscaped parks offer a sense of intimacy for your ceremony, making it an ideal choice for a smaller, more personal celebration.
Kirribilli and the surrounding North Sydney area are home to a number of exquisite reception locations, including the Kirribilli Club and Foys Kirribilli. You and your guests won't have to travel far from your ceremony spot to begin the celebratory feasting, solidifying it as a top wedding venue locale.
The location is easily accessible for all your guests via train (Milsons Point station) and ferry (Kirribilli Wharf). This makes the logistics of your big day much simpler, especially for those guests travelling from the city or other parts of Sydney.
Beyond the major landmarks, the Kirribilli area boasts beautiful heritage sandstone, quaint streets, and lovely gardens (like Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden nearby), providing a plethora of stunning locations for your post-ceremony photo shoot.
While Kirribilli House itself is off-limits, the popular ceremony locations on the Kirribilli Foreshore (such as Lady Gowrie Lookout and Captain Henry Waterhouse Reserve) are managed by the local council. You must make a booking to reserve your spot for a wedding ceremony to ensure exclusivity and permission.
Authority Responsible for Bookings:
North Sydney Council requires bookings for all public ceremonies in their parks and reserves. Fees vary based on the specific location, the duration of the booking, and the number of guests.
Standard: 20 People. Add Guests: Add up to 100+ 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 100+ people in total. To add guests after your initial booking, go to the Add-ons tab in your portal.
I understand that, 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. The foreshore area is a residential part of Sydney, so planning your transport is crucial, especially on weekends or during special events.
The nearest train station is Milsons Point Station. From the city, take a train on the T1 North Shore Line. From the station, it is a picturesque 10–15 minute walk down to the foreshore parks. Advise your guests to check the NSW Transport website for up-to-date timetables.
A memorable and scenic option is to arrive at Kirribilli Wharf (F5 Neutral Bay service from Circular Quay). The walk from the wharf is slightly uphill but offers stunning views. For your guests, this is often the most enjoyable way to travel.
Driving is possible, but parking is extremely limited and heavily regulated, especially close to the foreshore. Street parking is mostly restricted to 1 or 2 hours, and many spots are resident-only. We strongly recommend that the wedding party and guests use public transport or rideshare services. If driving, allow significant extra time to find a metered spot further away and be sure to check all parking signs carefully.
Using a taxi or rideshare service is highly recommended for the wedding party. Ensure you specify the exact street and park entrance, as the GPS may be confusing due to the area’s layout. Advise the driver to drop you as close as legally possible, as the roads around Kirribilli House can be narrow.
Now it doesn't happen often, but when it does you will need to shelter under trees or bring umbrellas - how romantic.
The outdoor foreshore locations near Kirribilli House offer very limited natural shelter. However, nearby you may find:
a) Reservation of Location and Payment of Associated Fees
I understand that it is our responsibility to ensure this location is available for our ceremony. I will make all necessary arrangements and pay any associated fees directly to the venue or relevant authority.
b) Guest Numbers
I understand that the Standard number of people is 20. This can be increased to 100+ people for an additional fee of $75 (click on Add Ons after making your booking).
c) Standard Duration of Booking is 30 Minutes
I understand that the total time for the standard booking is 30 minutes, which is plenty of time for a beautiful ceremony. This time cannot be extended on the day of the ceremony. However, if you would like to extend the duration of your booking, this can be done prior to the date of the ceremony for an additional fee of $150. (Click on Add Ons after making your booking.)
d) Confetti and Natural Materials
I understand that to maintain the cleanliness and integrity of the area, confetti of any sort, including natural materials such as flower petals, rice, glitter, or artificial equivalents, are strictly prohibited—unless prior written consent is received from the venue.
e) Public Liability Insurance
I understand that if Public Liability confirmation is required, there will be an additional fee of $50 to provide this.
