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| The Cutaway Barangaroo |
Deep beneath the landscaped headland of Barangaroo Reserve lies one of Sydney’s most remarkable new cultural destinations.
The Cutaway at Barangaroo is not simply an event venue. It is a dramatic subterranean architectural experience carved directly into sandstone, where design, culture, storytelling and place converge beneath the city skyline.
Officially reopened following a major redevelopment, The Cutaway has transformed from an industrial concrete shell into a world-class cultural and events space that is redefining Sydney’s creative landscape.
For travellers, architecture lovers, culture seekers and event enthusiasts, The Cutaway Barangaroo is fast becoming one of the most fascinating places to explore in Sydney.
A Monumental Space Carved Into Sydney Sandstone
Hidden beneath Barangaroo Reserve, The Cutaway stretches an astonishing 120 metres in length beneath a soaring 14-metre-high ceiling.
The sheer scale of the venue is immediately striking.
Towering sandstone cliff faces rise dramatically through the cavernous interior, creating a raw and powerful atmosphere unlike any conventional gallery, theatre or event centre in Australia.
This extraordinary underground space was born during the creation of Barangaroo Reserve itself. Remarkably, around 93 percent of the sandstone used to reconstruct the reserve’s spectacular foreshore was quarried directly from within this immense cavern.
What remains today is a place where Sydney’s geological history becomes part of the visitor experience.
Design Inspired By Country, Culture And Connection
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| The Cutaway Barangaroo |
Created through a partnership between fjcstudio, Shannon Foster of Bangawarra, and artist Jake Nash, the redevelopment was shaped by “Connecting with Country” design principles.
Rather than imposing architecture onto the site, the design responds to place, history and First Nations cultural understanding.
Inside, curved organic forms evoke giba gunya, traditional Aboriginal rock shelters. The result is an environment that feels protective, immersive and deeply connected to the sandstone landscape surrounding it.
The architectural language avoids sharp, rigid convention. Instead, visitors encounter flowing spaces, softened forms and carefully considered cultural symbolism woven into every layer of the venue.
The Timber Trees That Transform The Space
At the heart of The Cutaway stands one of its most captivating design elements.
Thirteen monumental sculptural timber trees rise between 16 and 17 metres into the cavernous ceiling, creating an extraordinary visual centrepiece.
These striking structures are inspired by the space beneath the Damun, or Port Jackson Fig tree, a species deeply connected to Sydney’s landscape.
The towering timber forms do more than create visual drama.
They also solve one of the venue’s longstanding technical challenges. Using specialised perforated plywood, the sculptural trees significantly improve the acoustics within the vast underground chamber, transforming what was once known for poor sound quality into a sophisticated contemporary performance and event environment.
The result is both practical and poetic.
Natural Light In An Underground World
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| The Cutaway Barangaroo |
Despite being buried beneath the reserve, the space is far from dark.
Innovative glass skylights weatherproof the venue while allowing sunlight to pour into the underground interior, creating shifting patterns of illumination across sandstone walls, sculptural timber structures and open gathering spaces.
The changing light transforms the atmosphere throughout the day, giving visitors a constantly evolving visual experience.
It is an underground venue that somehow feels connected to the sky above.
From Biennale Venue To Premier Sydney Cultural Destination
Before its redevelopment, The Cutaway existed as a vast unfinished concrete shell that hinted at enormous creative potential.
The venue drew international attention when it hosted the Biennale of Sydney in 2022, proving its ability to function as an ambitious cultural platform.
Recognising the significance of the site, the NSW Government commissioned a major redevelopment project valued between $80 million and $100 million.
The newly completed transformation has elevated The Cutaway into a premier multi-level cultural and event destination featuring dynamic staging capabilities, gallery environments, visitor amenities and flexible event infrastructure.
Now officially reopened, the venue is positioned to host major exhibitions, performances, cultural festivals, creative events and large-scale public gatherings.
Why The Cutaway Should Be On Every Sydney Visitor’s List
Sydney is famous for its harbour, beaches and iconic skyline, but The Cutaway Barangaroo reveals a completely different dimension of the city.
It is a place where architecture meets ancient geology.
Where Indigenous cultural narratives shape contemporary design.
Where a hidden sandstone cavern becomes one of Australia’s most compelling new cultural spaces.
Whether you are visiting Barangaroo Reserve, exploring Sydney architecture, attending a major event or simply seeking unique things to do in Sydney, The Cutaway offers an experience unlike anywhere else in the city.
Beneath the harbour’s glittering edge, Sydney’s newest cultural landmark is waiting underground.
Web Contact Details:The Cutaway Barangaroo Website: https://www.barangaroo.com/venues/the-cutaway
Barangaroo Reserve Website: https://www.barangaroo.com
fjcstudio Website: https://fjcstudio.com
Destination NSW Website: https://www.sydney.com
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