NewScape Design was engaged by Blue Mountains City Council to prepare a precinct plan for Gordon Falls Reserve and to design upgrades to the Elysian Rock and Olympian Rock lookouts. Set within a highly valued and sensitive landscape, the project has been shaped through a collaborative design process, including a series of workshops with Council officers and the local community. The reserve is a place of strong local interest, and the design approach has focused on open dialogue, genuine collaboration and ensuring the community’s deep connection to the site is reflected in the proposed outcomes.
Gordon Falls Reserve forms the midpoint of the Grand Cliff Top Walk, which opened in April 2024, and the precinct plan responds to increased visitation associated with this regional walking experience. The design provides for upgraded car parking, improved connections to walking tracks and public transport, new nature play opportunities, upgraded amenities and visitor facilities, and a clear, legible circulation network with DDA-compliant access throughout the site.
The project is guided by a careful balance between access and protection. Design decisions prioritise light-touch, integrated infrastructure that sits comfortably within the landscape, supporting inclusive access while minimising impact on the surrounding environment. The approach seeks to enable more people to experience the dramatic escarpment landscapes of the Blue Mountains, while respecting and safeguarding the natural and cultural values that define this much-loved place.
Client testimonial:
“Newscape understood each part of the project and the work hit the mark In terms of what was required. Their experience In natural area design Is Important to us as a client. The restraint to not overplay a design where it is not warranted was also appreciated in response to Community feedback”
Rob Fallon, Principal Landscape Architect – Planning & Environment, Blue Mountains City Council
