by Janine Hill

A FARMING property near Maleny has been turned into a wedding and functions venue with a difference.

Goodwater Ridge, on land at Bald Knob once owned by the pioneering Burgess family, resembles a small, Mediterranean village.

At its heart is a small, white rendered chapel with parabolic arches, the shape favoured by architect Antoni Gaudi, who designed Spain’s Sagrada Familia cathedral, a construction epic which has been drawn out over more than 100 years.

Goodwater Ridge sits on 40 hectares owned by Ngaire and her builder husband Tom Coulstock, who live next door, and have taken the project from conception to completion in under seven years.

The couple had been running cattle on the property before deciding to become part of the Range’s burgeoning wedding industry, which has now grown the area into one of Australia’s premium wedding precincts.

“We were looking around and saw the wedding industry expanding in the area and there seemed to be a market for somewhere that could host the whole wedding package,” Ngaire said.

“We had spent a lot of time in Spain and the general Mediterranean and so thought we could do something a bit different, borrowing architectural and styling ideas from Spain, France, Morocco and Turkey. 

“We’ve built buildings that bring an old-Mediterranean flavour to the venue.” 

Along with the chapel, is a large function room with a commercial kitchen and an adjacent stunning glass-roofed atrium, suitable for receptions and functions. Three cabins and four studio rooms can accommodate a total of 16 on site.

A stone wall ruin, with arches mirroring those of the chapel and venue entrance, frame hinterland views and make a photo backdrop like no other in the region.

The irony of building anew is not lost on Ngaire, who said the remains of derelict farm buildings were removed to make way for the venue. 

“The ruins are where an old piggery stood and there were old pens and cattle yards where there now stands cottages and gardens,” she said.

The Goodwater Ridge name comes from scratchings on an old surveyor’s map. 

“On our creek at the bottom, they had handwritten ‘good water’. We’ve called our property Goodwater and because the venue is on the adjacent ridge, it became Goodwater Ridge.”

The entire venue took a “very difficult” three-and-a-half years to build - through COVID and a wet season that lasted two years - and opened in August last year.

It has hosted five weddings so far and Ngaire, aware that couples usually book well in advance, anticipates the calendar will fill over time. She said the venue was designed to provide versatility of use and would also suit corporate functions.

 • For information, see www.goodwaterridge.com.