project
Cullen Bay Streetscape
| Client | City of Darwin |
| Location | Darwin, NT |
| Completion Year | 2023 |
| Sector | Landscape Architecture |
| Urban Design |
| Project Manager |
Fiona Eddleston
Director, Landscape Architect
Bennett Architecture’s Landscape Architect master planned the Cullen Bay Marina Revitalisation, enabling federal funding for phased implementation. The design upgraded urban character, improved amenities, and enhanced comfort to attract businesses and visitors. Works included integrating existing services, adding tree pits for healthy growth, and improving lighting for night activation. The revitalisation boosted visitor numbers, filled vacant shops, and re-established Cullen Bay as a vibrant, family-friendly destination programmed with regular events for locals and tourists.
Key objectives
Upgrade urban character to create a modern, attractive precinct.
Improve amenities and comfort for visitors and locals.
Enhance activation with lighting and landscaping for day and night use.
Support business growth by attracting new tenants and increasing foot traffic.
Create a vibrant public space programmed with events for community engagement.
Project Story
Our Landscape Architect Fiona Eddleston originally master planned the Cullen Bay Marina Revitalisation in consultation with the CBMMC board and stakeholders.
From this master plan, the CBMMC and City of Darwin was able to attract federal funding for the implementation of the works in phases. The goal for the urban design revitalisation was to upgrade the urban character, attract businesses to the precinct, increase amenities and to improve the comfort level and wellbeing of people in this public space. The delivery of the project included extensive survey and ground truthing to ensure existing services, fixtures and features could be incorporated into a more modern design. Street trees included constructed tree pits to ensure root growth for trees and vines. The enhanced lighting also adds to the activation of the spaces at night for diners and holiday makers staying in the surrounding accommodation. The project deliverables included the master planning of the precinct. Jez Clerk Architects developed the concept designs and then we worked the Jez to document the works for tender.
The whole precinct has lifted in terms of visitor numbers and new businesses have filled the previously empty commercial shops. The urban public space is programmed with events from Fridays through to Sunday and Cullen Bay has retained its status as a family destination for locals and visitors.
