Haven Amphitheatre
Haven Amphitheatre is an outdoor performance venue in Castlecrag, NSW 2068, set beside Middle Harbour. Its standout feature is the sandstone block seating built into a natural glen in the 1930s, a heritage amphitheatre used for theatre, opera and carol performances.
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About Haven Amphitheatre
Stone Seating at Haven Amphitheatre
Haven Amphitheatre has sandstone block seating built on the western side of a natural glen, and the page describes it as original stone seating. Marion Mahony Griffin was the main driving force behind the open-air theatre in the early 1930s, and Bim Hilder, a local sculptor and stonemason, helped build the seating. Marion Mahony Griffin gave the amphitheatre, along with two other reserves, to Council in trust for the community in 1943. The seating sits beside the foreshore reserve and the waters of Middle Harbour, Sydney.
Timber Stage at Haven Amphitheatre
Haven Amphitheatre had a timber stage designed by local architect Robert Sheldon and built by the community in 1976. The stage was extended in 1992 to another Sheldon design, and its timber design received a Royal Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter Commendation Award in 1977. Council closed the stage in early 2014 after a report found its structural members undersized and the stage had reached the end of its life. Willoughby City Council is now redeveloping the amphitheatre, but the project has faced countless delays and controversy.
Facilities at Haven Amphitheatre
Visitor tips for Haven Amphitheatre
- ✓Event bookings have been taken by phone on 02 9958 0124 during business hours, so call ahead for performance tickets.
- ✓Most event listings for the venue date from 2022 or earlier, so confirm current performances and the stage's status before planning a visit.
Getting to Haven Amphitheatre
Haven Amphitheatre is at the corner of The Barricade and The Scarp, Castlecrag NSW 2068, reached via Edinburgh Road and The Bulwark. There is no parking at the venue. For a 2022 production, a free continuous shuttle bus ran from 6.30pm from the corner of Raeburn Avenue and Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag.
Open in Google Maps →Frequently asked questions about Haven Amphitheatre
Where do I park when visiting Haven Amphitheatre in Castlecrag?
There is no parking at the venue, so visitors need to plan other transport. A free shuttle bus ran from the corner of Raeburn Avenue and Edinburgh Road for a 2022 production.
Is Haven Amphitheatre wheelchair accessible?
Haven Amphitheatre includes an accessibility area on the road that forms part of its designated performance space.
What makes Haven Amphitheatre in Castlecrag special compared to other parks on the North Shore?
It is a Walter Burley Griffin-designed open-air theatre, and Marion Mahony Griffin chose the site for its natural acoustics. It has hosted performances for nearly 40 years.
Are there any events or performances held at Haven Amphitheatre?
The venue has staged performances ranging from Christmas carols to opera, and its 2022 season included Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth and a 6:30am Winter Solstice show. The Haven Christmas Carols have not been held in recent years.