OVERVIEW
Fort Scratchley is a site steeped in rich history, with a commanding presence from Newcastle’s headland offering couples a unique oceanfront venue to inspire and celebrate their wedding.
Fort Scratchley provides modern and historic venues for momentous events. Our high-quality food and service is delivered by a passionate and professional team, bolstered by our purpose-built accessible facilities.
The spectacular site is situated on the headland at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour. Built in the late 1800’s, the Fort is widely known for having the most breathtaking panoramic views of Newcastle’s beaches, harbour and city.
Our function centre is a contemporary light filled space with spectacular views over the ocean ideal for your wedding reception after you've said "I do" on the headland. To add interest to your event, the refurbished Barracks built circa 1886 are made up of two adjoining rooms, Barracks North and South, which open onto a balcony allowing guests to take in the magnificent views and the fresh sea air with cocktail-style events.
Our in-house catering team, headed up by Executive Chef Mark Rusev, provides couples with quality locally-sourced produce and delicious dining options that can be tailored to suit your needs. With the option of a cocktail reception, three course sharing or plated wedding packages, along with a whole range of optional extras from welcome cocktails to seafood grazing, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to hospitality. A sample of our menu items includes: caramelised onion and Hunter Belle blue moon cheese tartelettes; Aquna Murray cod and wattle seed croquettes with bush tomato relish; and whole slow roasted duck cut and served with a Cointreau and orange game jus, just to inspire your imagination!
Our standard beverage package includes all strengths of beer, a selection of local wines and non-alcoholic beverages, along with locally roasted coffee and premium leaf teas. Upgrade to the Hunter beverage package to sample a wider showcase of the region's best beers, ciders and wines, including craft favourites Murrays, Tilse's apple cider and Dirt Candy rosé.
About
Newcastle Venues is a dedicated team of event management professionals who manage bookings and functions at Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Museum and Fort Scratchley. The Newcastle Venues team is part of the Civic Services service unit of City of Newcastle.
Newcastle Venues
Business Owner
Venue Features
Indoor / Outdoor Ceremony
Min 60 / Max 120 Reception guests
Min 60 / Max 120 Ceremony Guests
Time restrictions: 4:00 PM
In-house catering
Music must end by 11:00 PM
Location
1 Nobbys Road, Newcastle, New South Wales
FAQ
Fort Scratchley Function Centre can be hired for any length of time however please note that events must cease by 10pm on Sunday to Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturdays.
The Fort Scratchley Grounds are open to the public 10am to 4pm every day except Tuesday and as such cannot be hired during these times. However the Fort Grounds can be hired exclusively from 4:00pm. For wedding ceremonies we suggest these begin at 4.15pm or 4.30pm.
To ensure you have a wet weather back up option we suggest you hire the Fort Barracks. If you choose not to hire the Barracks and it is available on the day of your wedding you will be offered to use this as a wet weather option, however if someone else has booked the space for a function it will not be available. To ensure you have a wet weather option we suggest you hire the Barracks or make alternative arrangements.
Fort Scratchley has parking for approximately 30 vehicles in our event carpark on site.
A tentative booking may be held for up to seven business days. In the event that someone else challenges for the date within this period you will have until the end of the seven days to confirm the booking and after this time the hold will be released
Bookings are considered as confirmed once you pay the full venue hire amount and sign and return the venue hire agreement to our Team.
Final guest numbers and full payment of food and beverage is required 14 days prior to your wedding.
BYO alcohol is not permitted.
Site visits can be scheduled during the hours of 9am and 4.30pm. If you would like to schedule a visit outside of these hours please contact our Team with your request.
November 2023
August 2023
September 2019
Expert Advice
As a wedding professional, Fort Scratchley offers expert advice to help couples plan their perfect day. Ask a question or read their expert advice.
Get Expert AdviceWhat does an inhouse wedding venue coordinator do?
If my venue has an in-house wedding coordinator, do I also need my own planner? What tasks does a venue coordinator do that a planner might double up on? (What doesn't a venue coordinator do?) Thanks!
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ENQUIRE WITH
Fort Scratchley
Fort Scratchley
Your dedicated Event Coordinator will be your point of contact for all venue-related requirements. They will create a run sheet for your event, a floor plan, coordinate all menus and food service for your wedding, liaisies with external suppliers (or in your case if you have a wedding planner, they will liaise with them) and make sure everything is set up at the venue for your big day. Your wedding planner will still assist you with your suppliers/theming/decorating etc. I hope this answers your question.