Tanilba House
ProHighlights
- Heritage-listed, convict-built stone homestead above the bay at Tanilba Bay
- Conservatory, verandahs and three acres of gardens for up to 90 guests
- Group Vintage Teas from $60 per person, minimum 40 guests
About Tanilba House
Tanilba House is a convict-built stone homestead on Caswell Crescent in Tanilba Bay, heritage listed by the state and one of the earliest homes built in Port Stephens. Owners Dee and Glenn live on site and host a limited number of weddings and events each year in the house, its verandahs and three acres of gardens above the bay. The main indoor space is a stone-walled conservatory that works in any weather and looks out across the fields to the water. Outside there are wide colonial verandahs, a 30 metre stone arbour draped in wisteria, a ceremony spot beneath two old fig trees, a mosaic temple and thousands of fairy lights for evening events. Events take up to 90 guests. For an anniversary or milestone birthday, a celebration booking gives four hours across the conservatory, verandahs and gardens, two extra hours beforehand to decorate, and timber tables, rustic chairs, vintage lounges and cake and present tables. Food can be BYO or arranged by the house, and group Vintage Teas come with a buffet of sandwiches, scones and slices plus an optional tour of the house and grounds. The venue is fully licensed, offering drinks packages or a BYO option using its bar and fridge under RSA conditions. Weddings range from elopements and intimate dinners to full receptions, with a rustic dance floor hut, a photobooth hut and a surround sound system through the gardens. Baby and bridal showers, corporate functions and life celebrations are hosted too, and the restored maids' quarters sleep up to four.
Inclusions & amenities
Venue type
Budget
Food & drinks
Features
Facilities
Pricing
Small wedding packages start at $3,500 for four people, bespoke DIY wedding hire is $10,000 for up to 90 guests, and the Classic Vintage Wedding Package is $14,200 for 50, with extra guests at $120 per adult. Special celebration hire and corporate events are priced on enquiry, and a $500 deposit confirms an event booking.
Food
Wedding packages offer either a cocktail menu or a hot buffet with grazing platters for pre-dinner drinks, and the intimate dinner package serves a three-course alternate drop menu.
Beverages
Wedding couples who supply their own drinks can hire the rustic bar, built from old timber and tin, which comes with RSA staff, set-up, pack-down and refrigeration.
Availability
Frequently asked questions
How many guests can Tanilba House hold?
Up to 90 guests across the conservatory, verandahs and gardens. Group teas and lunches need at least 40 people.
What does a group Vintage Tea cost?
It's $60 per person for a minimum of 40 guests, with a buffet of sandwiches, scones and slices, tea, coffee and fruit punch. A tour of the house and gardens can be added at no extra charge.
Can we bring our own food and drinks?
Yes – private celebrations can be BYO catering or catered by the house. Drinks can come from the venue's packages or be BYO using the bar area and fridge, with RSA conditions applying.
What happens if it rains?
The stone-walled conservatory is an all-weather space, and celebration bookings include a wet-weather option. The broad verandahs also give guests cover.
Is a deposit needed to book an event?
A $500 deposit confirms a group event booking. Final guest numbers are needed 48 hours before the event.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
Jewels Heigh
4 months ago
What a pleasurable experience it was working with Dee and Glenn from Tanilba House for our wedding. The Garden Party Package was perfect for what we were after. Tanilba House was a spectacular location for our wedding ph…
R M
5 months ago
My now wife and I had our wedding at Tanilba House in May 2026. Throughout the lead up Dee and Glenn were great and very supportive. Every small detail was planned in advance. Their package covers so much that it made it…
Sophia Ryan
5 months ago
Tanilba House is simply the perfect place to get married! The venue was just the right size for us and our 65 guests, and with so much foliage and the rustic feel of the house, it creates such a beautiful, intimate feel…
Charlotte Forrester
6 months ago
We honestly could not have asked for a more perfect venue for our wedding. From the very beginning, Dee and Glenn were so kind, supportive, and organised, which made the entire planning process feel so much less overwhel…
Is this your business? Claim this listing
Related listings nearby
From $8,690
150
From $100pp
170
From $1,100
80
From $33pp
210
From $2,500 min spend
120
From $50pp
400