Ten years since its public opening, Barangaroo Reserve remains a globally recognised example of how landscape-led engineering can honour Indigenous culture and Country while providing a cherished public space.
What was once a neglected container terminal has been transformed into a vibrant six-hectare headland park, celebrated for its innovative design, sustainability, and deep cultural significance.
Barangaroo Reserve was designed by PWP Landscape Architecture under Peter Walker’s leadership, in collaboration with Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW), and constructed by the Barangaroo Delivery Authority (now Infrastructure NSW) alongside contractor Baulderstone (now Lendlease).
The Reserve’s design faithfully mirrors the original 1836 harbour headland, using early maps and landscape paintings to recreate the terrain through computer modelling.
A significant feature is The Cutaway, a large subterranean events space currently being transformed into Sydney’s premier cultural destination, enhancing the city’s cultural landscape.
The site also honours Barangaroo, a Cammeraygal woman and cultural leader from early colonial history, and embodies thousands of years of Gadigal connection through ongoing First Nations engagement including ceremonies, storytelling, and Aboriginal place naming.
Infrastructure NSW Chief Executive Tom Gellibrand reflected: “The 10-year anniversary of Barangaroo Reserve allows us to look back in awe at what we achieved, transforming an underused concrete slab into a world-class natural reserve loved by the community and visitors from all over the world.
“Importantly, the reserve honours the legacy of Barangaroo, a powerful Cammeraygal woman and cultural leader during early colonial times and reflects thousands of years of Aboriginal connection to land and sea.
“Even after 10 years, Barangaroo keeps evolving, with the bold new chapter for the Cutaway, transforming the space from a concrete shell into an all-weather acoustic mecca for culture.”
Key design and engineering highlights include the use of over 10,000 blocks of Sydney sandstone — the largest quantity in history — meticulously placed to recreate natural descent from Millers Point to the harbour.
Marrinawi Cove, one of two newly created coves, opened for swimming in January 2023 and has become a cherished local swimming spot.
Barangaroo Reserve also completed the final link in the 14km Sydney Harbour Walk, adding 800 metres of waterfront walking and cycling paths.
Lendlease CEO Tom Mackellar said: “Barangaroo Reserve is a powerful example of how placemaking and partnership can restore connection to Country, culture, and community.
“As we celebrate 10 years of Barangaroo Reserve, we reflect on a place and the wider precinct that has redefined Sydney’s waterfront.
“The ongoing renewal is transforming a once neglected and inaccessible area of the city into a dynamic cultural, residential, business and retail hub with some of Sydney’s best green space at Barangaroo Reserve.”
The Reserve’s living cultural landscape includes Aboriginal place names such as Walumil Lawn and Marrinawi Cove, reflecting Indigenous maritime and natural heritage.
Indigenous educators lead cultural tours sharing the site’s deep connection to Country and layered history.
Events are held year-round by Place Making NSW, including the iconic New Year’s Eve Fireworks.
Environmental excellence is a foundation of Barangaroo Reserve, home to 84 species of native flora with more than 75,000 plants, including mature trees, rare shrubs, and reintroduced native bee colonies.
The planting program, led by horticulturalist Stuart Pittendrigh, uses sustainable landscaping with a custom compost mix of crushed sandstone, recycled sand, and mulch to support long-term biodiversity.
David Walker, Partner at PWP Landscape Architecture, added: “From the outset, Barangaroo was imagined not just as a park, but as a legacy project — one that would reflect the best of environmental innovation, cultural recognition, and public space design.
“The creation of Barangaroo Reserve was a truly distinctive design and construction journey.
“Over six years, everyone involved — from designers and government officials to the workers who built the park — shared a collective sense of pride in shaping a place destined to transform the city.
“Today, Barangaroo Reserve stands as a vibrant public space and a symbol of what can be achieved through vision, collaboration, and respect for both environment and heritage.
“Its success is rooted not only in its stunning location along one of the world’s most beautiful harbours, but also in its deep connection to the layered history and culture that underpins the foundations of Australia.”
Since opening, Barangaroo Reserve has welcomed millions of visitors and hosted major cultural events such as Vivid Sydney, the Biennale of Sydney, and community festivals.
The Reserve continues to evolve with the opening of the Barangaroo Metro station in August 2025 and the ongoing fitout of The Cutaway.
