About

Overview & Vibe

Hughes Park is a working sheep property in the Skilly Hills near Watervale, held by the same family for six generations and dating to 1845. Weddings happen on the lawns of the traditional English garden in front of a two-storey stone homestead, and the whole thing is run at a domestic scale — this is a farm that hosts weddings, not a wedding business.

Setting & Style

“Surrounded by Australian Gums and vineyards, it has a setting to match the dreams of most brides and grooms.” The venue’s own photographs show long tables set on the lawn against the stone facade, festoon lights strung across the homestead at dusk, ceremony chairs on clipped grass, and a white-gated drive under old trees. Photography sites are named outright: “amongst the ancient gum trees, in the lush vineyards, in our garden or in front of our historic homestead”.

Ideal For

Couples who want a private historic property rather than a venue with a function manager, and who will happily build the day from their own suppliers. The two 1845 cottages mean the couple — and a few others — can stay on site, and the Riesling Trail is 3km away for guests making a weekend of it.

The Need-to-Knows

No summer weddings. The venue states it plainly: “Please note we don’t take Summer wedding bookings due to bushfire season.” That rules out December, January and February outright and is the single most important fact about booking here. Everything goes through stay@hughespark.com.

Standout Feature

The homestead itself. A two-storey 1845 stone house with a formal English garden in front of it, on a property still farmed by the sixth generation of the family that built it — and the views the owners describe as “a scene out of a Hans Heysen painting”. Very few venues can offer a backdrop that is genuinely theirs rather than dressed.

Amenities

Two Storey 1845 Stone Homestead
Traditional English Garden
Lawns For Ceremonies And Receptions
Ancient Gum Trees
Vineyard Backdrop
Working Sheep Farm
Hughes Park Cottage
Sir Walter's Cottage
Self-Contained Two-Bedroom Cottages
Open Fireplaces With Firewood Supplied
Full Kitchens
Verandas With Directors Chairs
Family Friendly
Award Winning Accommodation
Photography Sites Across The Property
3km From The Riesling Trail
Walks To Mt Oakden
Sixth Generation Family Owned

Ceremony Setting

garden
lawn
vineyard

Dietary Options Supported

No details available.

Nearby Landmarks

Skilly Hills – "The picturesque grounds in the Skilly Hills are now open to guests who desire a fairy-tale wedding"
Watervale – "just 2 km's from the township of Watervale in the middle of the beautiful Clare Valley", approximately 120km north of Adelaide
The Riesling Trail – "Only 3km's to the famous Riesling Trail", with walks to the top of Mt Oakden spanning views over vineyards from Clare to Auburn

On Site Accommodation

Yes

Price Notes

No summer weddings. The venue states: "Please note we don't take Summer wedding bookings due to bushfire season" — this rules out December, January and February
No pricing, packages, capacity or hire fee is published anywhere — everything comes on enquiry.
All wedding enquiries go to stay@hughespark.com or (08) 8843 0130; postal address Hughes Park, PO Box 28, Watervale SA 5452
SETTINGS: the lawns of the traditional English garden in front of the two-storey homestead, with photography among the ancient gum trees, in the vineyards, in the garden, or in front of the homestead
The venue hosts "receptions, birthdays to corporate events and everything in between"
ACCOMMODATION: "the Bride and Groom are welcome to stay at our Historic B&B's – Hughes Park & Sir Walter's Cottages"
Hughes Park Cottage opened in 2009, an award-winning private two-bedroom cottage; Sir Walter's Cottage opened in early 2020, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Both buildings originate from 1845 and each sleeps 4
The cottages are family friendly and children are welcome; each has an open fireplace with firewood supplied, and a full kitchen with microwave, stove, oven and large fridge
The property is a working sheep farm in its sixth generation, run by Andrew and Alice Duncan; guests may see the flock being worked from the cottage windows
Founded in 1845 by Sir Walter Watson Hughes, co-founder of Adelaide University
Approximately 120km north of Adelaide; 2km from Watervale; 3km from the Riesling Trail

Skillogalee

Skillogalee is a working wine estate in the Skilly Valley on the western edge of Sevenhill, midway between Auburn and Clare and about ninety minutes from Adelaide.

Visit in person

Contact

Website: hughespark.com
Phone: (08) 8843 0130
Address: Hughes Park, Watervale SA 5452

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