Quarry Amphitheatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quarry Amphitheatre |
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Quarry Amphitheatre
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| General information | |
| Type | Heritage listed amphitheatre |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°56′22″S 115°46′39″E / 31.9395°S 115.7775°E |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 13 August 2019 |
| Reference no. | 9102 |
The Quarry Amphitheatre is a special outdoor theatre located near the ocean in City Beach, Western Australia. It has a large wooden stage, perfect for performances. There are also changing rooms for about 80 performers. This amazing venue first opened on 9 November 1986. The Town of Cambridge owns and manages it today.
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History of the Quarry Amphitheatre
From Limestone Quarry to Performance Venue
The Quarry Amphitheatre is built inside an old limestone quarry. This quarry was first used way back in 1834. A person named Henry Trigg started digging for limestone here. The limestone was used to build things and to make lime.
In 1847, Trigg sold the land to Walter Padbury. He kept the quarry busy, digging up more limestone. At one point, over 50 people worked at the site. They operated big ovens called lime kilns.
The Quarry's Later Years
The land was sold again in 1869 to brothers Henry and Somers Birch. Then, in 1879, Joseph Perry bought it. He continued to run the quarry and the lime kilns. The very last lime kiln was built in 1897.
However, the quarrying stopped completely in 1906. Years later, in 1917, the land was sold to the Perth City Council. It remained an unused quarry for many years.
Creating the Amphitheatre
The idea to turn the old quarry into an amphitheatre came from Diana Waldron. She was the director of the Perth City Ballet Company in the early 1980s. She imagined a beautiful outdoor space for performances.
With help from the government and other groups, her dream came true. The Quarry Amphitheatre officially opened its doors on 9 November 1986.
What Happens at the Quarry Amphitheatre Today?
The amphitheatre is surrounded by natural bushland. It can hold up to 556 people for events. It's a "BYO" (Bring Your Own) place, meaning you can bring your own food and drinks.
The venue is very popular from October to May. Many different events take place here. You can see ballet shows, concerts, and even large weddings. It's a fantastic spot for enjoying outdoor entertainment.
