Avalon Castle in Cockatoo, Victoria, in the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne, hosts weddings of up to 120 seated guests or 130 for a cocktail-style reception, in exclusive use of a two-acre estate. It has three ceremony locations and six guest rooms that sleep 22. The venue sells weddings only, in all-inclusive packages, so it suits couples and organizers of private celebrations rather than corporate programs.
Weddings and receptions
The venue offers several package sizes: a standard package for up to 130 guests, a micro wedding for up to 60, a mini wedding for up to 40 and elopements for up to 20. Packages include exclusive use of the castle, ceremony and reception spaces, catering and beverages, table styling, a sound system and microphone, and planning support.
Three ceremony locations are available: the Gazebo, the Rose Terrace and the Chapel. The Rose Terrace has a rustic outdoor bar and suits an intimate ceremony. After the ceremony, guests go upstairs for the reception. The reception holds up to 120 guests for a seated dinner, or more for a cocktail event, with 130 given as the cocktail figure.
Rooms and capacities
The reception room takes 120 seated guests or 130 for a cocktail format. Ceremony options are the Gazebo, the Rose Terrace and the Chapel. The site does not give a separate capacity for each ceremony location.
Accommodation
Six guest rooms, each with its own ensuite, sleep 22 guests in total. They comprise three double rooms, two queen rooms that also have a single bed, and one suite with a queen room and a separate lounge with a double bed and a single bed. A continental breakfast is included. The venue does not take direct room bookings: the couple allocates the rooms. The Castle Cottage, behind the venue, is usually used by the couple on the wedding night and can be hired the night before or after, subject to availability. Local bed and breakfasts are listed on the guest information page.
Catering
Packages include food and drink, with beer and wine, prepared by the venue's chef. Dietary requirements, including vegan and vegetarian meals, are catered for, and allergies should be reported early. Third-party catering can be arranged, with prices adjusted. Professional suppliers working for more than three hours are given a meal on the mezzanine.
History and setting
The castle stands on a hill in the Dandenong Ranges. It was destroyed in the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983, then acquired and transformed by the Blyth family in 2010, and it is now run by Aaron and Yvonne. The grounds include gardens and the Rose Terrace.
Getting there
The address is 1 Flora Close, Cockatoo, Victoria 3781, close to the Yarra Valley and Mount Dandenong. Rideshare services do not run reliably in the area, so the venue advises pre-booking return taxis; local taxi companies are listed on its guest information page.
