A World of its Own
Black Rock Motor Resort is a place where history, landscape and innovation come together to create a destination unlike any other.
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The Black Rock Story
The vision for Black Rock Motor Resort began with founder Tony Palmer, a lifelong motoring enthusiast who saw an opportunity to create Australia’s first luxury motor resort.
After years immersed in track-day culture and amateur racing, Tony set out to design a destination that would blend world-class motorsport facilities with exclusive lifestyle experiences. In 2016, Tony secured a 650-acre former coal mine in Wakefield, just 90 minutes from Sydney, transforming land once dedicated to industry into a sanctuary for passion and performance. Black Rock stands as a symbol of renewal and reinvention - where rich heritage meets modern luxury.
Connected to Country
Black Rock sits on land that has been shaped not just by nature, but by thousands of years of cultural knowledge.
As we regenerate this former coal mine into a destination for performance living, it’s crucial we respect and understand its historical significance. Led by local Indigenous fire practitioners from the Bindelong Aboriginal Corporation, we have embarked on a cultural burn as part of our long-term land management plan. More than just a land management tool, the cultural burn is a gesture of welcome and reciprocity. It invites Elders and community into the heart of Black Rock’s story, not as guests but as guides, offering an experience of genuine connection to country.
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Our Mining History
At Black Rock Motor Resort, our identity is deeply rooted in the land on which we stand. Our name honours more than a century of history and the legacy of those who came before us.
From 1895 to the early 1970s, this site operated as an underground coal mine, forming part of the economic backbone of the Lake Macquarie region. Among the archives, we uncovered a faded diary entry from one of the miners. Amid tales of hardship and relentless labour, a single line stood out - the moment they struck coal, described simply as “hitting the black rock.” That phrase marked a turning point then, and today, it inspires our own journey forward.