Honeysuckle Park

For many years, Honeysuckle in Newcastle was an industrial area for railway workshops, wool stores, cargo sheds and warehouses along Newcastle Harbour. Since 1992, the Hunter & Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) of the NSW Government has led a long-term urban renewal project to redevelop 50 hectares in the surrounding suburbs. Inspired by community experiences in Seattle, New Orleans, Vancouver and Boston, HCCDC’s vision is to rediscover the waterfront areas, repurpose them for residential and commercial use and revitalise the region.  

Honeysuckle Park is a waterfront public domain with greenspace, sandstone seating at the harbour's edge, covered barbecue facilities and a maritime-themed playground. The park is an important public connection along the foreshore from Wickham Marina through Honeysuckle to Nobbys Beach. It includes pedestrian and cyclist links through to the Honeysuckle Light Rail stop, the new Honeysuckle precinct of the University of Newcastle and the many commercial and residential apartments in the area. 

The APP Group was appointed by the HCCDC as Project Manager to deliver the Honeysuckle Park project, working alongside Terras Landscape Architects, Lindsay Dynan Engineers, and Glascott Landscape and Civil. The park officially opened to the public in July 2021 and now forms part of Newcastle’s 11km harbour and beach walk from Throsby Creek to Merewether Beach. 

The APP Group managed contractors and stakeholders to ensure the rich, maritime history of the city was included in the park. Former harbour marker lanterns were restored and installed in the park along with bollards from the old wharves and plaques from ships built in Newcastle’s former shipyard. The park includes various native trees, such as banksia, tuckeroos, and pines that line new pedestrian links.