Meridian Park


An example of a Garden City park with heritage stonework structures

A Vast Open Space with Heritage Structures

Opposite Tanilba House, Meridian Park showcases Henry F Halloran’s Garden City principles. Unlike typical chessboard layouts, his subdivisions emphasised aesthetics and community interaction.

The park, featuring stonework seats and an informative shelter, reflects his vision for vibrant communal spaces. With ample public areas like parks, squares, and reserves, Halloran encouraged social engagement within his developments.

Stonework & Other Facilities in Meridian Park

Several stonework seats and plaques in Meridian Park pay homage to the Caswell & Halloran families, early pioneers who played a significant role in shaping the area’s settlement.

Lime Kiln

This lime kiln was used to cook oyster shells to produce slaked lime which was mixed with sand to make the mortar used in the construction of Tanilba House.

How is Lime Produced?

Lime is produced from oyster shells in a kiln through a process called โ€œcalcination.โ€ Oyster shells that convicts gathered from the Tanilba foreshore were heated in a kiln to a very high temperature, causing the calcium carbonate to break down into calcium oxide (quicklime) and carbon dioxide.

The chemical equation to produce calcium oxide (quicklime) from calcium carbonate (oyster shells) through calcination is:

How is Mortar Made?

Heating to high temperature in the kiln removes the carbon dioxide from the shells, leaving behind the calcium oxide, which is the lime. The lime was mixed with sand to make mortar. This mortar was used to build Tanilba House.

Why are there Norfolk Island Pines in Meridian Park?

The Norfolk Island Pines in Meridian Park hold historical significance. Originally, plans for the Tanilba House Estate included a road leading to a jetty on the edge of Port Stephens.

In June 1929, Henry F Halloran planted Norfolk Island Pines, similar to those along the Avenue of the Allies, as part of a project by the Port Stephens Shire Council. Of the 114 trees that were initially received, only two pines remain in Meridian Park, marking the location where the road was planned. Additionally, a row of palms stand nearby.

A row of palms and one Norfolk Island Pine in the distance planted in 1930’s