Blackheath, Blue Mountains · Joshua Witheford Photography
Parklands Country Gardens wedding photographer
Parklands is one of my absolute favourite venues to shoot, and I genuinely look forward to being there every single time. There's a quietness to it — even amongst all the excitement and moving parts of a wedding day, it feels calm. The English country gardens, the afternoon light moving through the foliage of those tree-lined driveways — it makes for photographs I truly love making. Whatever the season, whatever the weather, Parklands always delivers.
What it's like to photograph a wedding here
Parklands is the kind of venue that rewards you no matter what the day brings. On a clear summer afternoon, the gardens go golden and portraits become almost effortless — backlit, bright, airy. But honestly? Some of my favourite images from here have come on the quieter days, when a soft mist sits in the valley or the light turns flat and grey. There's a romantic quality to Parklands in those conditions that you simply can't manufacture.
The property has a lot going on photographically — the formal gardens, the lake, the old trees with their beautiful canopy, the lodge architecture, the ceremony spaces. It's an intimate venue, but it never feels small. And unlike venues where you're racing between locations, everything here is close together, which means more time shooting and less time moving.
The foliage changes with every season, which means no two Parklands weddings ever look the same. Couples who marry here in autumn get something completely different to couples marrying in spring — and both are stunning in their own way. That variety is something I really love about this place.
I'm a recommended supplier at Parklands, which means I know the property well and work regularly alongside the team there.
Parklands at a glance
132 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath, Blue Mountains NSW — approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from Sydney CBD
Location
English country garden estate, intimate and romantic, with a pastoral softness unlike anywhere else in the mountains
Style
28 acres of heritage grounds adjoining the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains National Park — manicured gardens, century-old trees, and a private lake
Setting
Three outdoor locations: the Karawerra Courtyard (up to 70 guests), the Lakeside with its own jetty (up to 150 guests), and the Century Old Oak Trees along the driveway (up to 150 guests). Wet weather backup options available.
Ceremony
Two distinct spaces: the Karawerra Room, an intimate garden-view function room with French doors and a courtyard fireplace (up to 60 seated); and the Grand Marquee, a French-designed white marquee with glass walls beside the oak-lined gardens and lake (up to 150 seated / 250 cocktail)
Reception
Intimate gatherings from 30 guests through to celebrations of up to 250 cocktail style
CAPACITY
On-site lodges and garden cottages for the wedding couple and guests — perfect for a full Blue Mountains weekend. Day Spa also on site for pre-wedding pampering.
ACCOMMODATION
A wedding at Parklands
Parklands has a way of making a wedding feel unhurried. The gardens do a lot of the work — there's always something beautiful to move toward, always somewhere quiet to stop. I find myself slowing down here, which usually means the portraits do too. These are some of my favourite images from recent weddings at the property.
"He spent 12 hours with us on our fusion wedding day, didn't take a single break and was constantly on the look out for more photo opportunities... the early photos he provided the next day were amazing and really captured the beauty of the venue and the emotion of the special moments during the day."
Irene & Ian, Parklands Country Gardens
