Lifestyle & Entertainment
19 March, 2026
Shakespeare returns to Heatherlie Quarry
ONE of the Grampians’ most unusual performance spaces will come to life again this Easter, with Ozact Theatre Company staging Shakespeare’s The Tempest at Heatherlie Quarry near Halls Gap.
The historic quarry, tucked into the rugged landscape of the Grampians National Park, has become a long-running outdoor theatre venue, with performances there every Easter since 1999.
Producer Matt Young said the site had become a cherished part of Ozact’s long connection with the region.
“We’re Ozact Theatre Company, a touring theatre company with a focus on regional areas and using spectacular natural environments,” he said.
“We’ve been performing Shakespeare in the Grampians since 1996, and at Heatherlie Quarry every Easter since 1999.”
Heatherlie Quarry offers a rare kind of stage — shaped as much by history as by the surrounding landscape.
“What draws us to the quarry is the unique mixture of the historical setting, and the natural beauty of the landscape,” Mr Young said.
Rather than treating the site as a simple backdrop, Ozact builds its productions into the quarry itself, moving audiences through different parts of the historic site and making use of its distinctive features.
“Our performances move around the Quarry, making use of the huts and machinery, as well as the Quarry itself,” Mr Young said.
This year’s production is Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the story of Prospero, a powerful sorcerer and exiled nobleman who lives on a remote island with his daughter and a host of magical spirits. When the enemies who wronged him arrive within reach, revenge, romance and a little chaos soon follow.
Performances at Heatherlie Quarry will take place on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5 at 3pm, with the historic quarry providing a dramatic natural setting for the outdoor production.
Tickets are available online through TryBooking, with adult tickets $44, children (16 and under) $25, a $49 “Theatre Lovers” option, and a two-for-$40 First Nations ticket offer.
Mr Young said the company’s broader mission was not only to present theatre in memorable surroundings, but also to encourage audiences to experience places they might otherwise overlook.
“As a company, we believe in the importance of drawing audiences to places they wouldn’t usually visit, and showcasing the natural environment,” he said.
With the performances approaching, the return to Heatherlie Quarry promises another Easter meeting of Shakespeare, landscape and local history in one of the Grampians’ most striking outdoor venues.
Tickets and further information are available at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1521506
Read More: Halls Gap