New Industry Player Acquires Land For Major NSW Music Venue

A new multi-million-dollar, purpose-built outdoor live music venue is heading to NSW’s Hunter Valley.

Newcastle firm Winarch Capital’s recently formed Cedar Mill Group has announced it has acquired a site next to the Hope Estate winery for a purpose-built 22,000-person outdoor amphitheatre.

Slated to open in 2023, it’s expected that Cedar Mill Hunter Valley will host “some of the biggest local and international acts touring Australia”.

“It is 105 acres right in the centre of Hunter Valley wine country and had been held by the previous owners for over 30 years. It was an amazing opportunity,” Cedar Mill Group General Manager Kyle McKendry said.

“Without doubt, this is a very significant acquisition for the Cedar Mill Group and an exciting step towards our plans to have outdoor venues coupled with exciting tourism concepts in the best locations in Australia and New Zealand.

Cedar Mill Group also recently announced a 30,000-person concert venue for Lake Macquarie in NSW as part of a $235 million redevelopment of Morisset Golf Course.

“Cedar Mill Hunter Valley and Cedar Mill Lake Macquarie are purpose-built, the first in Australia on this scale," McKendry said.

“Our aim is to provide an unparalleled visitor experience in the heart of the region, offering a gateway for tourists to connect with everything that makes the Hunter Valley a world-class visitor destination and event hub.”

As part of its plans to reinvigorate Australia’s live music and events industry as it recovers from the global pandemic, Cedar Mill Group last month bought one of the county’s leading event management, logistics and production planning companies, Humm.