When planning a destination wedding in the Victorian High Country, you want a venue that doesn't just host your guests, but actively tells a story. For this incredible celebration, the lower Howqua River provided the ultimate backdrop for a wedding that was equal parts rugged, romantic, and deeply personal. From horseback river crossings to sharp Mountain style, here is a look inside a truly unforgettable day at The Hideout. What makes The Hideout so special is the sheer versatility of our 3 acres of grounds. For Casey’s day, the main lawn near the river was transformed. Some straw bales covered in simple linens provided rustic seating, perfectly matching the venue's origin as quiet fisherman's cabins. The adaptable layout of The Hideout allows couples to dream big, and Casey did exactly that. Lasso Bouquets & Sharp Style: The Vibe This wedding wasn't your cookie-cutter affair. The bridal party leaned into the High Country aesthetic with an incredibly creative twist. Unique Bouquets: In a stroke of brilliant styling, the bridesmaids (stunning in royal blue gowns) carried custom-built, hoop-shaped lassos adorned with delicate white and blue flowers and trailing greenery. It was a unique country-chic detail that had everyone talking! The Groomsmen: The men were equally on-theme in hats, dark denim, and matching blue patterned ties, bringing that rugged Mountain energy to the riverside setting. The Debut: The newly finished country-hut-inspired arbour made its spectacular debut, dressed in cascading lush greenery and white blossoms. Framed by towering trees and the gentle sounds of the lower Howqua, it was the idyllic spot to say "I Do." The Miniature Guest of Honor High Country hospitality always includes the four-legged variety! The ceremony held one of the most heartwarming moments of the day. Looking like a real princess in her gown, a flower girl was tasked with escorting a special guest: a gorgeous miniature pony/horse down the straw-bale-lined aisle! This kind of authentic family moment is what makes a wedding at The Hideout truly one of a kind. Sweet Details & A Riverside Portrait The celebration was filled with deliberate, personal details. The delicate two-tier wedding cake, simple and elegant with white frosting, was given a touch of nature-inspired magic with delicate sugar flowers and a stunning blue sugar butterfly. After the vows, the couple slipped away for breathtaking portraits on horseback. Riding along the rocky banks and splashing through the gentle shallows of the lower Howqua, these moments captured the absolute freedom and beauty of the venue. Dancing Under the High Country Stars As the sun set, the celebration shifted seamlessly to the reception. The Hideout provides the perfect setup for dancing the night away, our Treehouse. The outdoor/indoor space (with rustic timber walls, bar and space for bands) came alive, showing that while we offer pure tranquillity, we know how to host a party. The energy was high as guests kicked up their boots, safe in the knowledge that they were already "home" in our on-site accommodation which sleeps up to 22. A wedding at The Hideout isn't just a ceremony; it's a multi-day escape where your favourite people can unplug, gather around the fire pit, and celebrate in a sanctuary built for unforgettable gatherings. Ready to write your own love story on the banks of the Howqua River? The Hideout offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, rustic charm, and adaptable space for your unique vision.

If you’re the kind of family who loves fresh air, muddy boots, ice cream after a long day out, and letting the kids run a little wild, the High Country is your kind of place. Out here, things are simple good views, good company, and endless space to explore. And whether you’re staying at Seeforth Station  or The Hideout , you’re perfectly placed to get out and enjoy the best of it. Here are some of our favourite family-friendly activities around the region: Mini Golf, Mansfield Right in the middle of Mansfield town, you’ll find the mini golf course, perfect for a morning or afternoon when you want something fun that doesn’t require a big plan. Let the kids challenge the parents to a mini-golf match and celebrate with an icecream or delicious donut. The Maze, Goughs Bay 15 minutes from Mansfield or 20 min from the Hideout. New owners and management Nicky and Tony have given the garden space a beautiful refresh and re-opened 20 December 2025. Enjoy adventures across the gardens, think fairies, gnomes, and relax with a tasty treat. Paw Print Walk, Jamieson An easy wander through the beautiful riverside town of Jamieson, following colourful paw prints that lead you through town and along the river. Great for younger kids and a gentle way to explore a picture-perfect township. Fishing Mansfield's and Mt Buller’s clear streams and inlets ensure a magical fishing experience for the whole family. The Howqua, a Victorian Heritage River, is a fly-fishing icon. For a different perspective, you can drop a line off the back of a tinnie while you enjoy the view from Lake Eildon, or take in the wild High Country at the edge of Mt Samaria and fish the waters at Lake Nillahcootie. Lake Eildon, Goughs Bay On a warm day, there’s nothing better than a swim in the lake. Pack towels, snacks, and let the kids splash around. Simple, free, and always a hit. If you’ve got a boat, kayaks or inflatables, bring them! You can have a refershing lunch or beer at the Goughs Bay boat Club . Trampoline Park, Buller Airzone If the weather turns or the kids have way too much energy (it happens), the trampoline park up at Buller is an easy fix. They can bounce themselves silly while you relax. Mountain Bike Trails on Mt Buller – Northside Express Chairlift Open in Summer For older kids or families who love a bit of adventure, Buller’s MTB trails are some of the best in the state. Some of the lifts run through the warmer months, and the trails range from beginner-friendly to more challenging. You can make a whole day of it. Mansfield Zoo   Located just outside Mansfield, Mansfield Zoo spans 30 acres and is home to over 220 animals, including deer, kangaroos, crocodiles and even African lions. Visitors can hand-feed some of the animals, a hit with kids and families. Great Victorian Rail Trail   This 134km rail trail runs right through Mansfield and is perfect for an easy ride, a walk, or a family-friendly cycle. It’s the kind of day out where you don’t need much planning, just hop on and go. Popular stretches include riding over the Bonnie Doon Bridge with lunch at the Bonnie Doon Hotel , a coffee stop at Wild Mint Acres in Maindample, spotting artworks along the way, or finishing at the Mansfield Station Precinct and rolling straight into town. We also recommend popping into the Visitor Information Centre for a chat, the local staff know the area inside out. Markets Mansfield has several markets from the Farmers market  held on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month from February to December, and the Outdoor Providore  market held 3rd Saturday of each month, to the quarterly Bush market  with the next one scheduled for the Australia Day weekend on  24 Jan 2026. Ashowcasing the high country. Simple Fun, Close to Home: Hideout & Seeforth Sometimes the best family days are the ones where you hardly leave home base. At Seeforth Station , you’ve got bush tracks, horse yards, and kms to explore right on your doorstep. Kids can climb, roam, and burn energy the old-fashioned way, outside. At The Hideout , the river is the star. Skimming stones, paddling, fishing, or just sitting in a camp chair watching the kids splash for hours... it’s slow living at its best. Firepit, open lawns, shady trees, wildlife at dawn, simple, real, no luxuries needed.

Let’s be real, weddings are a big deal . You spend months (sometimes years!) planning this one incredible day… and then bam , it’s over in what feels like a blink. That’s why more and more couples are stepping away from the one-day wedding rush and choosing a whole weekend to soak it all in. Honestly? We’re here for it. My own wedding was a three-day celebration, and I wouldn’t change a thing. And when you pair a weekend wedding with exclusive use accommodation? That’s where the magic really happens. Here’s why it works — and why so many couples (and their guests) are loving it. Photos from Stewart Leishman Photography 1. You Actually Get to Spend Time With People A single-day wedding is beautiful, sure, but it’s a blur. You spot your cousin across the room, someone hands you a champagne, and next thing you know, you’re being bundled into a car with confetti still in your hair. With a weekend wedding, everything slows down. You get Friday night welcome drinks, Saturday’s big day, and a relaxed Sunday brunch to finish. Lawn games, slow mornings, laughs around the firepit,  it’s like a mini holiday with your favourite people. And that’s honestly what makes the memories. 2. Weekend Weddings are Way Less Stressful (Trust Us) We’ve seen the chaos of couples trying to bump in and out on the same day. It’s not fun. But with venues like The Hideout, you get the whole place to yourself, often from Thursday or Friday through to Sunday or Monday. That means plenty of time to set up, rehearse, unwind, celebrate and pack down, without a stopwatch ticking in the background. You’re not just booking a wedding date, you’re giving yourselves space to enjoy the whole experience. 3.  The Day-After Feels Are Real Waking up with a foggy head and a full heart, surrounded by your mates, is pretty special. You don’t have to rush off or say your goodbyes in the carpark. Instead, you can enjoy a proper coffee, swap stories from the dancefloor, or even head down to the river for a swim (seriously, best hangover cure ever). These quiet, unscripted moments often end up being the ones you treasure the most. 4. More Opportunities to Personalise the Whole Experience When you’ve got the whole venue to yourself, there’s freedom to shape the weekend your way. Want a pizza night under the stars? Morning yoga with local instructors? A bushwalk, bonfire or DIY cocktail bar? Go for it. With the extra time and space, you can add personal touches that reflect you as a couple, not just what fits into a 10-hour hire window. Photo from Stewart Leishman Photography 5. Exclusive Use Means It’s All Yours The best part of exclusive use? No strangers wandering in and out. No awkward shared spaces. No working around other events. At The Hideout, you’ve got the homestead, cabins, gardens, bar area, firepit, and the river all to yourselves. You can unpack, settle in and feel like it’s your own little world for the weekend. And when your family and friends arrive, they feel part of it too, not just like guests at a venue, but part of something more. 6. A Weekend Wedding is Often Better Value Than You Think A wedding weekend with exclusive use can seem like a bigger investment at first, but when you look at what’s included, accommodation, venue, flexibility, facilities, and time, it starts to add up in the best way. At The Hideout, you can sleep up to 23 in beds, with plenty of extra space for camping. There’s room for your caterers, musicians, and florists to set up with ease. Plus, it’s BYO,  so you have full control over what you spend on food, drinks, and styling. 7. Weekend Weddings Just Work for Regional Weddings If your guests are already travelling, and let’s face it, a lot probably are, a weekend wedding just makes sense. People are more than happy to make a trip of it, especially when they can stay onsite or close by. The area around Howqua and Mansfield is packed with things to explore, so it’s a win-win for your guests too. I’ve helped plan sit-down dinners for 200 to low-key gatherings with fairy lights and bare feet. And every time, it’s the full weekend celebrations with exclusive use that bring out the magic. There’s just something about slowing it all down, being surrounded by your people, and having space to soak it in. If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s less rushed, more real, and completely you, a weekend at The Hideout might be exactly what you’re looking for. Keen to see it for yourself? Get in touch  — we’d love to show you around. Kellie and Saskia

Got questions about planning your wedding at the Hideout, our howqua riverside venue in merrijig? Learn about accommodation, booking options, setup details, DIY, and what to expect for your special day in the high country. FAQ Frequently asked questions General Booking process Logistics Accommmodation Catering and drinks Music and entertainment How Many Ceremony Locations Do You Offer? You can be married anywhere on the property but the main locations are: Tree house (undercover) River bank Arbour How Many Guests May We Invite? We have undercover space for up to a 100 sit down dining guests and more for a cocktail event. Do We Organise Our Own Celebrant and Suppliers? Unless you opt for our premium package you will need to source and liaise with your own suppliers. Mansfield has an extensive range of wonderful wedding professionals. We have a very good list of suppliers who are all moderately priced but highly skilled professionals: Djs, MCs, Celebrants, Photographers, Cake Makers, Florists etc. How Many Hours Does Our Wedding Package Include? You can rent the property for a minimum of 2 nights. If you opt for one of the support wedding packages, on the day support starts from 6 hours. Additional hours are charged at $100/hour. Enquire now

Get in touch with us about our accommodation, wedding, and event venues in Howqua and Merrijig. We're here to help with bookings, availability, and any questions about The Hideout and Seeforth Station. info@lhcescapes.com.au Contact First name* Last name Email* Which property are you enquiring about?* The Hideout Seeforth Station What arrival date are you enquiring about?* How can we help? Yes, I would like to be updated on special deals and Vic High Country activities. Submit

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