Wallsend Brickworks Park
Wallsend Brickworks Park is a public park in Wallsend, Newcastle Australia, located at the site of a historic brickmaking operation which ran from 1891 to 1977. Featuring a playground, picnic shelters, barbecues, a pond with birdlife, and remnants of the brickworks’ machinery, it’s a great family destination.
The park is also part of the Jesmond Bushland, which offers nature trails for walking, cycling and mountain biking. The bushland is home to some native species such as powerful owls, flying foxes and squirrel gliders. The park is a great place to enjoy history, nature and fun with family and friends.
Brickworks History
Operating from 1891 to 1977 the Wallsend Brickworks used steam-powered machinery to make bricks. At its peak, the operation had orders of 400,000 bricks a week.
The brickworks produced a variety of bricks, including firebricks, pressed bricks and common bricks. Local buildings, such as the Wallsend Hospital and the Wallsend Post Office used some of the bricks.
Due to competition from other brick manufacturers and environmental concerns, the brickworks closed in 1977. Abandoned for many years, it became an environmental eyesore until the council decided to redevelop it as a park in 2002. The resulting public space provides play areas and walking tracks and an environmental wetland while paying homage to its industrial past.
How to Get There
We parked on Iranda Grove where car parking spots are available.
Throughout the grassed rehabilitated areas, concrete retaining walls have been constructed to resemble industrial buildings’ roofs. Several concrete structures remain as a reminder of the site’s heritage. The old clay quarry has been made safe and now forms a lake and habitat for local wildlife.
The park also features artworks made from recycled bricks, including some of the original Wallsend bricks. One of the artworks is a sculpture named Kullas Incubator, which represents the regeneration of life and nature at the site.
Our photos are available for purchase on
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Very cool
Thank you for reading. Pleased that you liked it.
I love how they repurpose these sites and make them more accessible for people. Thanks for sharing. Mel
YEs, it’s a great idea. Not only does an eye sore go, but you have a beautiful park as well as preserving some of the area’s history.
I agree with Mel – a smart idea to turn an eyesore into something positive!
It really is a great way to reuse these old industrial areas.
I love places like this, seeing old foundations or things of that nature. It’s nice they made the quarry into a wetland, we need more of those
You’re right. It’s a lovely park for people and a great wetland for the birds and wildlife. Shaun
Very eye-catching!
Thank you for reading. Pleased that you liked it.