Designing Barlow Park with the Cairns community
As the Far North’s home for rugby league and athletics, Cairns’ Barlow Park Stadium is a place where community connects and celebrates, so embedding community into the design process is critical to the project’s success.
Designing the upgrades to Barlow Park Stadium is about more than new infrastructure — it’s about creating a place that reflects the people, culture and landscape of Tropical North Queensland.
At the Principal Architect announcement, we spoke with the design team, Andrew Lane and Francoise Lane from Indij Architecture & Design and Architectus Senior Associate Stephanie Donigi, as well as Cairns Athletics Life Member Sharon Hannan about what the upgrade means to Cairns and the surrounding communities.
Hear their insights in the video above.
A key component of the ongoing design phase is a series of Connecting with Country Design workshops dedicated to embedding First Nations knowledge and stories into the upgrade project.
The most recent workshop brought together the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Elders, Principal Architects Architectus, and First Nations design integration consultants Indij Architecture & Design and Blaklash to share knowledge and perspectives that will help shape the stadium’s architecture, urban design, landscaping and wayfinding.
Across the design phase, the project team is listening and learning what this place represents; ensuring culture, connection to Country and community values are embedded in the design.
The upgraded Barlow Park Stadium will include a new grandstand, improved amenities, greater accessibility, and better equipment for athletes; creating a more inclusive and welcoming experience for athletes and fans.
Earmarked to host football preliminaries during the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the stadium upgrade will continue to serve codes like the National Rugby League (NRL/NRLW), football, rugby union, and athletics; while positioning Cairns as an international tropical sports destination of choice and delivering benefits for the entire community.
Set against the backdrop of Gimuy Country, the upgraded Barlow Park will also embrace its surroundings, with open concourses and views to the mountains helping to create a strong sense of place. Together, these elements will shape a stadium that feels uniquely Cairns — connected to community, culture and landscape.
