Project Contact
Robert Callanan
Cecile Viollet
Christina Na-Heon Cho
John Ferguson
Julian Farrell
Kim Huat Tan
Mitchell Buckley
Summer Dickson
Tim Morgan
Great Barrier Reef Arena (Harrup Park)
South Mackay, Queensland
Nestled in the heart of Mackay, Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef Arena embodies the community’s passion for sport and its power to bring people together. Designed by COX, this elite venue serves as a vibrant community hub where locals and visitors connect, celebrate, and share in the excitement of sport, fostering a strong sense of belonging—from neighbourhood residents to international athletes.
The journey to creating this iconic venue began in 2017 with Harrup Park Country Club’s vision to enhance its capacity for major sporting and community events. After six years of planning, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement, the Great Barrier Reef Arena now stands as a premier venue enjoyed by both locals and tourists.
COX Senior Associate, Robert Callanan
It’s been an absolute privilege to witness the Great Barrier Reef Arena evolve into a stage for significant international and national events. Yet, the true pride comes from watching the local community make it their own, using it to host their most cherished sporting and cultural experiences.
Since its completion, the Arena has hosted major sporting events such as the Marsh One-Day Cup and the CommBank Women’s T20I Cricket Series, drawing fans from across the region to witness thrilling national and international matches. These events showcase the arena’s ability to host top-tier competitions while also reinforcing its importance as a community hub, where lasting memories are made and shared.
Adrian Young, General Manager of Harrup Park
We were thrilled to host a series of successful sporting events at the Great Barrier Reef Arena from September to November. These events showcased our top-notch facilities, drew enthusiastic crowds, and provided the Mackay community with the opportunity to experience elite-level competition right here in Mackay. These events not only engaged the wider community but also inspired local players to aim for excellence in their sports.
The facility also has the flexibility to host markets and festivals throughout different zones of the precinct. The Arena itself provides a space for large concerts and the highest-level sporting competition.
A centrepiece of the redevelopment is the new grandstand which is conceived as growing out of the landscape. Rising from the new plaza, its roof gracefully extends over the oval to cover player and media facilities. Offering 2,000 undercover seats, the grandstand was constructed using innovative precast concrete seating plats, highlighting local skills and trade expertise.
The public entrance and central plaza open to the Harrup Park precinct, linking it with Mackay’s pedestrian ways and providing a welcoming arrival for large events.
Adrian Young, General Manager of Harrup Park, underscores the venue’s significance, “The Great Barrier Reef Arena represents our city’s commitment to excellence and our belief in the power of sports to bring people together.”
As the Great Barrier Reef Arena continues to evolve, it promises to leave a legacy for future generations, standing as a shining example of what can be achieved when architecture, sport, and community come together in pursuit of a shared vision.
