Bruce Mackenzie’s public works project at Illoura Reserve, Peacock Point, and others such as that at Yurulbin Park (formerly Long Nose Point) Balmain, have proven to be critical contributions to Australian landscape architecture.
The reserve is based on considerable interventions into what the spaces had to offer previously. The reserve had been depleted of original indigenous plantings and most of the former natural features. However, much of the sandstone rock features had survived and these were utilised by Bruce Mackenzie.
Mackenzie’s solutions for the reserve demonstrate an acceptance for native species and the conservation of Australian environments within landscape planning and development.
The residual affect of Mackenzie's approach is that the park has naturalistic feel to it; as if the reserve and its plantings had always been like this. Many users do not realise the level of the intervention that had been applied to bring back the naturalistic and indigenous feel to the reserve.
Other key features that were introduced originally include children’s play equipment.
The feel of the place is a 'natural setting' and a tranquil escape from the heavily urbanised and built up surrounds of the terrace houses as well as the commercial business of the harbour that occupy the views from the parkland.
The reserve itself now emphasises the magnificant setting of Sydney Harbour which can be enjoyed through from the relaxed surrounds provided by the successful ecological approach employed by Bruce Mackenzie.
Peacock Point - After a local landholder, John Peacock.
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Where is Illoura Reserve?
Just across Darling Harbour from the western side of the city, Balmain and East Balmain occupy a peninsula which juts into the harbour.
They share a very long main street (Darling Street) which starts at a ferry wharf with regular services to Circular Quay.
Arriving from the city, a left turn and a short walk will find you in the Illoura Reserve at Peacock Point, a pleasant spot with views back to the city and the Harbour Bridge.
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