Victoria is one of Australia’s loveliest states, with some fine buildings representing its history after European settlement from as early as 1740. (However, most of the historically significant buildings in Victoria are later than this.)
Some of these venues are available to hire. For those looking to keep their wedding costs down, though, there are some beautiful locations to choose from in Melbourne and throughout Victoria which do not incur a fee or require a permit, or where the fee or permit cost is low enough to still offer a good budget option. For example:
Port Melbourne Band Rotunda 
Address: Beach Street (OPPOSITE Stokes Street), PORT MELBOURNE, Victoria, Australia
🌏 Google map location.
The band rotunda is an octagonal structure constructed of red brick with timber posts and ceiling and a sheet-metal, domed roof surmounted by a flagpole. The platform is reached by a tapering staircase. There are seats on the other seven sides of the rotunda. The rotunda commands a prominent site on the foreshore.
- FREE: On the strict condition that this is for a wedding with fewer than 50 people present, the rotunda requires no permit and there is no hiring fee.
In other instances, the permit/hiring fee is $166 which entitles the permit-holder to use the rotunda for 2 hours.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Meetings & Events Department
Ph: ASSIST (03) 9209 6777
Email: wedandme@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Mail: City of Port Phillip, Private Bag 3, St Kilda PO, 3182
Catani Gardens (rotunda) 
Beaconsfield Pde, ST KILDA, Victoria, Australia
🌏 Google map location.
The Catani Gardens are located along the bay and are part of the beautiful picturesque St Kilda landscape. Its green lawns, palm trees and in particular its charming rotunda provide an eye-catching venue for a garden wedding with shelter. The rotunda is surrounded by a colourful display of plants.
- MODEST COST (formerly free). The Catani Gardens and its rotunda require a minor event permit in order to hold a wedding. The Heritage Gardens (which comprise Catani Gardens, O’Donnell Gardens, St Vincent Gardens, and St Kilda Botanical Gardens) all attract a fee of $355 for 2 hours (including set up/pack down time). All other areas in the City of Port Philllip (gardens, parks and beach/foreshore) have a fee of $204 for 2 hours (including set up/pack down time).
Note: public liability cover is available through the City of Port Phillip by paying the premium for an additional $31 if required.
Fee information can be viewed or downloaded here.
Minor Event guidelines can be viewed or downloaded here.
You can make the booking online here. Applications are reviewed by an Events Adviser who will contact the event organiser for any clarification required. An invoice for the permit fees and public liability insurance will issued to you via email and available on the web portal. Once payment has been received an event permit will be issued by email.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Event Services
Ph: ASSIST (03) 9209 6777
Mail: City of Port Phillip, Attention Event Services, Private Bag 3, St Kilda PO VIC 3182
Ray Bramham Gardens
St Georges Road, PRESTON, Victoria, Australia
🌏 Google map location.
The Ray Bramham Gardens provide a stunningly beautiful wedding ceremony location. The iron-laced rotunda lies in the heart of the gardens, and is sufficiently large to accommodate the bridal party. Beautifully maintained lawns front the rotunda, and there are several lovely locations throughout the gardens, such as the ornamental lakes (reached by wooden bridge) and a rose garden.
- FREE: The Ray Bramham Gardens are public gardens and can be used at any time by any member of the public. The gardens cannot be hired and exclusive use is not guaranteed at any time.
Therefore there is no permit fee and no hiring fee.
This does mean that a couple wishing to use this venue for their marriage should be happy to wait if the venue is being used at the time. I always suggest that an advance party (people helping the couple to set up) should be there at least an hour early to begin setting up, and of course be co-operative and courteous if you see that another group seems anxious to use the space, letting them know the area will be free within a certain time.
Tim Neville Arboretum
Francis Crescent, BORONIA, Victoria, Australia
🌏 Google map location.
The Tim Neville Arboretum has two ornamental lakes (one of which features a fountain), bridgehouses embellishing the winding boardwalk over the lakes, botanical gardens separated by a beautifully carved door which give the impression of leading into a “secret garden”, a rotunda/gazebo which holds up to 100 people, and a beautiful amphitheatre which holds 200 people.
- FREE: The Tim Neville Arboretum is a public garden/arboretum and can be used at any time by any member of the public. It cannot be hired and exclusive use is not guaranteed at any time.
Therefore there is no permit fee and no hiring fee.
This does mean that a couple wishing to use this venue for their marriage should be happy to wait if the venue is being used at the time. Weekdays (during school days) would be better to avoid crowds as the Arboretum playground is highly popular with children. If a couple doesn’t mind the sound of happy children playing, there is no reason why a weekend need be avoided. An advance party (people helping the couple to set up) should be there at least an hour early to begin setting up, and of course be co-operative and courteous if you see that another group seems anxious to use the space, letting them know the area will be free within a certain time.
Schwerkolt Cottage
Deep Creek Road, MITCHAM, Victoria, Australia
🌏 Google map location.
Schwerkolt Cottage is an original stone pioneer cottage situated within a small and pretty garden, and surrounded by 2.25 hectares of bushland. Built in 1884, its restored furnishings and style reflect that period. The open lawn of its front garden is a charming ceremony location. The barn, wine cellar, smithy, smokehouse and orchard machinery shed have been carefully reproduced to replace the originals that were destroyed by fire. The stone cottage and these buildings provide picturesque backdrops for wedding photos.
- FREE: Schwerkolt Cottage is open to the public and can be used as a wedding ceremony venue except between 2.00 pm and 5.00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. Of course, it is a good idea to check with the council regarding weekday use, to be sure there is no activity planned on the day. Exclusive use is not guaranteed at any time.
There is no permit fee and no hiring fee.
Village Green
Hannover Cres & Strathfield Pde, CROYDON, Victoria, Australia
🌏 Google map location.
🌏 Google panorama image.
The Village Green in Croydon is a charming public community “green” with a rotunda. The locals are happy to see it being used for events such as picnics or weddings. The quiet leafy area promises a sense of intimacy and delight, with the rotunda being ideal as the actual ceremony structure even if the weather is inclement.
- FREE: The Village Green is open to the public and can be used as a wedding ceremony venue on any day and at any time. Keeping noise levels at a reasonable level with respect to the local residents is recommended.
There is no permit fee and no hiring fee.
Great Ocean Road - Beaches 
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Torquay ⚓ Jan Juc ⚓ Anglesea ⚓ Point Roadknight ⚓ Fairhaven ⚓ Lorne ⚓ Wye River ⚓ Kennett River ⚓ Apollo Bay ⚓ Blanket Bay ⚓ Johanna Beach ⚓ Port Campbell ⚓ Warrnambool ⚓ Port Fairy (East Beach) ⚓ Portland (Nuns Beach)
Along the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
🌏 Google map location.
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most stunning coastal drives along the south-eastern coast of Victoria. Of the plentiful beaches along this stretch of coast, many offer great beauty plus a location that is suitable for a beach wedding. (Care should be taken to choose a stretch of beach that is accessible for all of your guests, of course.)
Some of these beaches are nearly free to use (minimal cost), while others (west of Lorne) do have an event/permit fee.
From natural wonders such as the Twelve Apostles and the nearby Loch Ard Gorge, to the caramel sands of curving beaches, so many places offer themselves as magnificent backdrops for an outdoor wedding along this route.
- Beaches between Torquay and Lorne – PERMIT COST of $200:. You should submit your application at least 2 months before the date of the wedding, to the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) who manage the 37 km of Crown land between Torquay and Lorne, and comply with the permit requirements. (For instance, alcohol isn’t permitted on the Foreshore Reserves, so you would need to seek permission from the Surf Coast Shire if you want to serve alcohol.)
Be sure to submit your application at least one month prior to the wedding date.
Note: Fill out and sign the wedding permit application form, and send it to GORCC, PO Box 53, Torquay 3228. - Beaches between Wye River/Separation Creek and Marengo/Apollo Bay – MODEST COST of $100: this event/permit fee for beach weddings includes public liability insurance. You will need to submit your application to the Otway Coast Committee (OCC), which is responsible for the management of beaches and coastal reserves along 28.5 km of the Victorian coast between Marengo/Apollo Bay and Wye River/Separation Creek.
Be sure to submit your application at least two months (eight weeks) prior to the wedding date.
Note: Fill out and sign the application form, and send it to The Executive Officer, Otway Coast Committee, Events Assessment & Approvals, PO Box 146, APOLLO BAY VIC 3233.
Alternatively, send by email: ＠ OCC. - Beaches further west, within the Great Otway National Park and the Port Campbell areas – LOCATION-SPECIFIC COSTS : these areas are managed by Parks Victoria.
A downloadable Event fee schedule shows various locations. Those within the Great Otway National Park – Point Addis area (which include Johanna Beach, Shelly Beach, Blanket Bay) have a wedding event fee of $380.90.
The Port Campbell locations vary in price according to whether the site has a very high site visitor rating, a high site visitor rating, a mid site visitor rating, etc.
The Twelve Apostles has a very high site visitor rating, and its wedding event fee is $449.40.
The Loch Ard Gorge has a high visitor rating, and its wedding event fee is $299.60.
Be sure to submit your application absolutely no later than 15 days prior to the wedding date.
Note: Fill out and sign the application form, and send it by email: ＠ Parks Victoria.