Loxley on Bellbird Hill, historic NSW wedding venue, goes up in flames, leaving couples struggling to find alternative option weeks ahead of marriage; efforts on to douse flames

Dozens of firefighters rushed to tackle a fire at a historic wedding venue in New South Wales (NSW), which went up in flames in an “absolutely devastating” fire overnight. According to media reports, Loxley on Bellbird Hill, located at Kurrajong Hills, about 76 km northwest of Sydney, was destroyed due to fire at about 7 pm on Friday (September 5, 2025), leaving couples scrambling to find an alternative just weeks out from their big day.

Fire and Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews were rushed to the scene. They claimed that they brought the situation under control by 10:30 pm. The operation to douse flames went on throughout the night. There were no reports of serious injuries at the scene at the time of filing this report. A 40-year-old man was treated for minor burns after attempting to extinguish the fire, 7 News reported. He was rushed to the hospital for further treatment.




According to news.com.au, NSW Police will deploy specialist fire investigators on Saturday (September 6, 2025) to examine the scene as investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire continue.

Brides-to-be flag concerns over finding alternative venues

Several brides-to-be have posted on social media about their search for an alternative arrangement. “As many of you know, I’m getting married in just two weeks. Sadly, our wedding venue, Loxley on Bellbird Hill, has just burned down,” one person wrote, according to news.com.au. “I’m feeling really overwhelmed right now. We are urgently looking for a new venue in the Hawkesbury/Blue Mountains/Western Sydney area for Saturday, September 20.” Another bride-to-be has been left with only a week to find a new venue.

“I was supposed to get married next Saturday 13th of September at Loxley on Bellbird Hill but it has unfortunately burnt down last night,” she wrote on social media. “We are beyond heartbroken and devastated and are urgently trying to find another venue with availability.” Dubbing the news of fire as “absolutely devastating,” people shared their memories of the venue. “So heartbroken, the love story of my life started here 15 years ago when I met my husband here at a mutual friend’s wedding,” one person shared on Facebook. “He then proposed a little while later, at one of their Valentine’s Day Dinners, and we eventually got married at this beautiful location.

“This year we were going to be returning to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary, but after this absolutely devastating news, we probably won’t be able to.” Another person wrote that she was “heartbroken”. “Hubby and I got married here in 2006. So sad. Thinking of the owners. So glad no lives were lost. Such a beautiful place. Cherished memories.”

The Loxley on Bellbird Hill

The Loxley on Bellbird Hill was a multipurpose function centre in the Hawkesbury Valley, with its origins dating back to the 1830s. The venue was also featured on The Bachelorette Australia.