#Project Background
Located in the scenic Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, the Lake Macquarie Outdoor Amphitheatre is a transformative development set to redefine the entertainment landscape in Morisset. Originally conceived as a 30,000-capacity venue, the Cedar Mill Group has refined the vision into a more community-responsive design: a 5,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre paired with a 10,000-capacity indoor venue. Together, they form a dynamic, year-round destination for live music, family events, expos, and cultural showcases.
With a total investment of $235 million, the project not only promises to host international acts as early as 2026, but also aims to create employment opportunities and stimulate the local economy. Our team was honored to help visualize this significant project, capturing both its architectural ambition and atmospheric energy through high-quality renderings.
#Key Features of Our Visualization Work
Our team was engaged to create high-impact visualizations that communicate the architectural ambition and audience experience of this cultural landmark—especially its seating bowl and stage area, which form the heart of the design.
01. Architectural Form: Stage Shell & Audience Seating
A major focal point of the design is the striking 100-meter-wide stage shell, a bold architectural statement that defines the amphitheatre’s identity. We focused on accurately modeling the structure’s scale, curvature, and integration with the surrounding seating area. The audience layout was designed to emphasize clear sightlines and immersive acoustics, which we reflected in our renderings with detailed crowd placement and material expression.
From distance perspectives to ground-level close-ups, our goal was to convey both the monumental scale of the shell and the intimate, energetic environment of the performance space.
02. Beyond the Main Structure: Tented F&B, Public Seating, and VIP Areas
In addition to the iconic stage and seating bowl, the project includes a range of vibrant supporting spaces—tented food and beverage areas adorned with catenary lights, welcoming public seating zones, and exclusive VIP tented sections. These features add warmth, variety, and accessibility to the overall venue experience.
Our visualizations capture daytime and dusk scenes, showing families and visitors enjoying the amenities—grabbing a bite at food stalls, unwinding in shaded seating areas, or soaking in the relaxed yet festive atmosphere. Together, these elements reinforce the project’s vision as a comprehensive leisure destination, not just a performance venue.
03. Capturing the Live Performance Atmosphere: Lighting, Crowd Energy, and Stage Presence
In our daytime and dusk renderings, we focused on conveying the authentic energy of a live performance. Through carefully crafted lighting effects, dynamic crowd compositions, and a detailed stage setup, the images evoke the sense of anticipation and excitement that defines a large-scale outdoor concert.
Even without nighttime visuals, the glow of stage lights at dusk, combined with the dense, animated audience, brings the scene to life. The subtle movement of flags in the wind, the focused posture of performers, and the expressive reactions of the crowd all help communicate a powerful sense of collective experience—one that celebrates music, space, and human connection in equal measure.
#Overcoming Challenges Through Collaboration
At the beginning of the process, we created a night-time rendering from the stage looking out toward the audience, aiming to highlight the crowd activity and overall energy of the venue. However, the client expressed dissatisfaction with the result, noting that the lighting felt harsh and visually chaotic.
In response, under the client’s guidance, we adjusted the camera angle and reworked the image from a model-based perspective—this new angle better showcased the relationship between the stage and the seating bowl, while the choice of a dusk setting introduced a more dramatic and atmospheric tone. Our team responded quickly, gaining a deeper understanding of the project vision and delivering the revised image in sync with the other two visuals. Let’s compare these two images below.
We’re truly grateful for the client’s patience and professionalism throughout the process. Thanks to our joint efforts, the final outcome successfully aligned with the client’s expectations and vision.
We’re proud to contribute to the visualization of a project that’s set to become a cultural hub for over a million people in the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, and Newcastle corridor. Through thoughtful rendering and storytelling, we aim to bring every angle of the Lake Macquarie Outdoor Amphitheatre to life—long before the first note is played.
