People scale the quarry wall to plant out the slope

Natural quarry amphitheatre
From abandoned danger to award-winning community treasure, discover the story of our quarry transformation.

The quarry was a weed infested jungle with no access

An excavator in the quarry moving rocks and shaping the gully

Grass starts growing in the quarry, planted with native grasses

A vision for change

Once a closed, hazardous, and overgrown sandstone quarry, one of the last of its kind in Warrnambool, this site became a symbol of renewal through community action. The quarry, originally used for local building materials, closed in 1962 and was later filled in to support water tanks, leaving just one wall standing. When our project began, the area was a scar on the landscape... inaccessible, unsafe, and overrun by weeds and vermin.

Award-winning transformation

The quarry’s remarkable journey has been recognised by winning the Community Champion Sustainable Places and Destinations Award through the Premier’s Sustainability Award and shortlisted for the National Banksia Sustainability Award, a testament to our commitment to sustainability, innovation and community spirit. For a snapshot of our progress up to mid-2022, read our application to the Premier's Sustainability Award, or learn more about these awards at Sustainability Victoria or the Banksia Foundation.

The journey: from concept to creation

2016-2017: Community consultation and professional guidance led to concept plans for a safe, green amphitheatre and public education space, envisioned as a 10 to 20-year project.
2018: The community voted for the project to receive Pick My Project grants, providing essential funding and accelerating progress.
2019: Major construction began, with interruptions for permits and infrastructure upgrades.
2020-2021: Despite pandemic challenges, community volunteers completed native plantings on the quarry walls between lockdowns.
Late 2021: Underground infrastructure was finished, and the amphitheatre was ready for its first lawn.
2022: Warrnambool City Council awarded a $150,000 Small Infrastructure Grant for stage 2: the forest gully and interpretive water display.
2023: First event held in the space, Live in the Quarry sees hundreds of people experience it's beauty.
2025: Harfest helps raise vital funds for the garden and plans for the gully shape up.

Join the effort

The quarry amphitheatre is a large, beautiful space that requires ongoing care. We always welcome new volunteers to help with weeding, mowing, planting, and more. Your hands make this award-winning project possible!

Be part of the Warrnambool quarry’s inspiring story—volunteer today or visit to see the transformation for yourself!