Opting for an alternative spot to get hitched? Look no further than the Gold Coast Hinterland. Beechmont Estate, nestled in the serene Gold Coast Hinterland, might not label itself as a traditional ‘wedding venue,’ but as Lisa Perkovic has discovered, it is in fact an idyllic spot to tie the knot and extend the celebration. Lisa unravels the charms of Beechmont Estate, from its luxurious accommodations to its farm-to-table dining experiences and sprawling landscapes that beckon newlyweds to linger longer in post-wedding bliss.

Photography: The Edit Suite 

Beechmont Estate’s website will tell you they’re not a ‘wedding venue per se’, and after 48 hours swanning around their grounds in the Gold Coast Hinterland, I’ve worked out why this statement actually makes them the perfect spot to say I do, and then linger longer.

Get ready to get hitched

If you’ve got a crew getting ready with you for the big day, Beechmont’s Pavilions are your best bet. There are three on site, each with king beds, freestanding hubs and a sizeable deck. Soak off the stress in a bath, or squeeze in a few sun salutations on the deck, before your glam squad arrives.

Photography: Mitch Birchall Studios 

Don’t worry, the rest of the guests won’t need to be far away. There’s 21 cabins dotted around the rolling hillsides. There’s also the Club House games room-meets overflow meeting space, from the site’s old Polo Club days.

Photography: White Leaf Films 

And the Owners Residence, a sprawling standalone house which soon will be open for bookings. Four bedrooms, full size kitchen, dining room, lounge and one seriously fabulous infinity pool – you won’t feel crowded.

Wherever you do get ready, hop in a golf cart and head off to say your vows.

Photography: The Edit Suite 

Slow it down

When you drive through Beechmont Estate’s gates, the pace of life drops just as fast as the speed limit. Drop your car near reception and don’t look back until you’re ready to go home. Golf carts can zip you around, better yet grab a bike or strike out on foot to explore the grounds.

Foodies, run don’t walk

First off, this is the Gold Coast Hinterland. Home to rolling hills and rainforest. That translates to rich soil and top notch produce that goes from paddock to plate without a lot of travel in between. Keep your carbon footprint and your food mileage low.

The Paddock restaurant is the heart blood of the estate, located in the main lodge building.

The kitchen gardens are tucked down the hill, jam-packed with tomatoes, fennel, dill, saltbush, chill plants, strawberries. There’s lavender to encourage native bees, which is then smoked and used in sugars for sherbet desserts. The green fruit from olive trees on property are brined and served up to guests, branches are even used in skewers at dinner.

Everything from finger limes and edible flowers to fresh eggs and meat comes from local suppliers. My mouth still waters thinking about the Tommerup Dairy Farm pasture raised pork served slow cooked with rainbow chutney and pickled carrot (made on site) we had at dinner.

Lay it out how you like

Fancy long lunch vibes with tables stretched out across the room? Or maybe you’re after small, more intimate settings? With honed concrete floors, cathedral floor to ceiling windows and pitched roof, The Paddock can be customized until your heart’s content. Kick the celebrations off with sundowners on the festoon-lit terrace, before moving guests in front of the big windows fora chef hatted dinner.

Settle in wing backed leather armchairs and lounges for a digestif or hit the dancefloor. On cooler nights, a spot by the fire with a night cap isn’t a bad place to be.

Photography: Dylan Evans Photography

Twinkle twinkle

Want to dance under the stars? What about roasting marshmallows and drinking red wine at the fire pit? There’s 75 acres of land at Beechmont Estate so you won’t hear the neighbours complaining about the noise. The chefs can even whip up a flame grill feast if you’d like to soak up all the fresh country air you can get.

Breakfast of champions

This is the post-wedding brunch to beat all brunches. The kitchen will have been busy prepping while you enjoy a sleep in – roll out of bed to fresh coffee, hot pastries, and crispy bacon, along with the likes of white chocolate and beetroot slice, poached eggs and roasted pumpkin with crème fraiche.

Roll into the honeymoon

Who says you need to return to the real world right away? Book in a few days post-wedding to bliss out. I’m a big fan of the picnic hamper, packed into a wicker basket, and stocked full of salads, steak sandwiches, dips and cheese. Try out one of the rainforest walks in Lamington National Park with the best packed lunch yet.

Lisa was the guest of Beechmont Estate and Northern Escape.

About Lisa Perkovic: Lisa has spent the past decade travelling the world writing for Australia’s leading newspapers, magazines, and blogs about all things travel. Her own honeymoon was her pièce de résistance – an epic journey to the Maldives and South Africa. Now she loves nothing more than sharing destinations and tips to help other newlyweds work out how to have the honeymoon of their dreams.