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The spectacular Olympic Park Railway Station

Sydney Olympic Park, is an area 15km west from Sydney City. It is on western reaches of Sydney Harbour, and was the home of the 2000 Olympic Games.

The Sydney Olympic Park area, together with the surrounding areas on the Parramatta River including the neighbouring suburb of Newington, provides numerous venues for athletic events: aquatic, archery, tennis, golf, hockey and more. It is also home of open spaces and parks such as Bicentennial Park, Wentworth Common, Blaxland Riverside Park, Woo-La-Ra and Wilson Park. When there are no events on, the area around the station and the main venues can become very quiet. At 6PM most evenings you can have Olympic Boulevard largely to yourself.

Access to the area and to the parklands is free, although parking can be expensive.

Get in

Map
Map of Sydney/Sydney Olympic Park

By train

Olympic Park is accessible through its own 1 Olympic Park Station At most times you must travel to Lidcombe station and transfer to the Olympic Park sprint (shuttle) trains. During major events, direct trains to Olympic Park also run from Central, Redfern and Strathfield stations, and sometimes also from other locations. Olympic Park station is wheelchair accessible.

Some parts of the park -- Bicentennial Park in particular -- are actually closer to 2 Concord West station , although still within easy walking distance of Olympic Park station. During major events travellers from the north may be encouraged to use Concord West rather than Olympic Park even for central events. Concord West is not wheelchair accessible. It is also $1.80 each way cheaper to travel to Concord West than Olympic Park. 3 Rhodes Station , one station further north on the Northern Line, is wheelchair accessible and can access the very northern end of Bicentennial Park but is a long way to any other of the area's attractions.

A common mistake made even by locals is to buy a ticket to and travel to Homebush station. Homebush station is a small suburban station located some distance from the Park, and tickets for Homebush station can't be used to access Olympic Park. Always ask for tickets to "Olympic Park" rather than "Homebush".

By bus

  • Sydney buses: Route 525 from Burwood via Strathfield Station and Parramatta Station, Route 401 from Lidcombe Station going to the Olympic Park ferry wharf, Route 533 from Chatswood. Regular, daily service.

Unless you are already at a bus departure point, the train will usually be quicker.

For major events, like sporting events, and the Easter Show, the major event bus service operates, providing frequent event buses from most corners of Sydney.

By ferry

Sydney Ferries has a passenger wharf for 4 Sydney Olympic Park on the Parramatta River. The wharf, which was used for the Olympic Torch journey to the stadium, is around 2 km from the Olympic Stadium area and other attractions served by the Railway Station, but is much closer to the Millennium Parklands, Newington Armoury and many of the area's cycling tracks.

By car

  • Travel from Sydney City follow Metroad 4 via Parramatta Road and the M4. Take the Sydney Olympic Park exit after the beginning of the motorway.
  • Metroad 3 and Metroad 4 both pass Sydney Olympic Park. Follow either of these Metroads, and follow the signs to Sydney Olympic Park.

Major event parking is available in large multi-story car parks for $20. Parking in the multi-story carparks at other times is on a sliding scale up to $20. There is often free parking available at the aquatic centre if there are no major events on at the time. There is free parking in Bicentennial Park during the day, limited to 4 hours on weekdays. Traffic can be heavy during major events, but parking is usually available for all but the most major events. Check the Sydney Olympic Park website for details of parking and activities.

By bike

Several of Sydney's cycle routes converge on Sydney Olympic Park. The Cooks River Cycleway from Botany Bay. The Parramatta Valley Cycleway is linked by a cycle bridge over the Parramatta River linking Rhodes and Meadowbank (and on through Bicentennial Park). Cycling around when you get there is easy, with many paths and bicycle parking provided.

Get around

The train station and the bus stops is easy walking to the arenas, Olympic Boulevard, Bicentennial Park, and the Aquatic Centre. There is a bike hire centre as well.

See

The Brickpit walk
  • A variety of tours of the Olympic Park area are available starting from the Visitors Centre.
  • 1 The Brickpit. Homebush Bay was an industrial site before it was remodeled as Sydney Olympic Park. The brickpit area was preserved because the post-industrial area was also habitat to several species of rare frogs, including the endangered green and gold bell frog. The brickpit site has a high elevated walkway ringing the site. The engineering is quite impressive. There are interpretive displays as you walk the ring. It is unlikely that you will see any of the tiny frogs all the way down in the water filled pit, but there are binoculars if you wish to try your luck. free.

Do

  • 1 Have a barbecue, Bicentennial Park. While you're there walk, cycle or fly a kite. Bicentennial Park is a 100 hectare park created to celebrate Australia's bicentenary in 1988. Although older than Sydney Olympic Park, it is now part of the Sydney Olympic Park precinct. Facilities include electric barbecues, extensive gentle paths suitable for children cycling and for wheelchairs, and enormous amounts of grass on which to picnic or play sports. It is popular with families. Admission and parking is free but hard to find around lunchtime on some weekends, and it may be simpler to walk from the train stations. Free.
  • 2 Cycle. Sydney Olympic Park offers possibly the most extensive and pleasant recreational cycling opportunities in Sydney, with water and park views, and some interesting historical sites to explore. Bike Hire is available from the Visitors Centre. Get a copy of the bike circuits map from the visitors centre or online. There are currently three planned routes that are marked by coloured discs on the edge of the path. Paths tend to be quieter away from the picnic areas of Bicentennial park.
  • 3 Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, +61 2 9752 3666, fax: +61 2 9752 3699, . Weekday opening hours are 5AM - 9PM Monday - Friday. Weekend and holiday hours are 6AM - 8PM October through to April; and 6AM - 7PM the rest of the year.. This complex was built for the Olympics and houses the main competition pool. Many state and national swimming events are still held here. It contains a 50m competition pool, a 50m training pool, children's pools, a waterslide and a spa, sauna and gym. Worth checking that no major events are on if you plan to visit just to use the pools. $6.20 adults, $5 children and $3.10 for spectators.
  • Monster Skatepark. If your into skateboarding and looking at killing time while your at Sydney Olympic Park, here is your place. A great street and vertical set-up suiting just about every novice and pro.
  • 4 Get wet under the Olympic Cauldron (There are fountains at the southern and northern ends of Olympic Boulevard.). The centrepiece of the water themed opening ceremony is now a large fountain that the kids (or adults) can run under. Free.

Annual Events

  • 5 The Royal Easter Show, +61 2 9704 1111, fax: +61 2 9704 1122, . Sydney Showground, 1 Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park. The Show is held every year in Olympic Park in the fortnight around Easter. The show is the most prestigious agricultural show in New South Wales. Competitive exhibits of livestock and produce are theoretically the point of the show, but for many visitors the main attractions are the fairground food and rides and the showbag pavilion in which large bags of themed merchandise are sold, with themes ranging from superheros to chocolate. Ticket prices were $29 for adults, $19.50 for children and $23.50 for concession holders. All tickets include free travel on public transport to the show; as using private transport is discouraged there are no cheaper tickets exclusive of transport.
  • The Big Day Out. Sydney Showground, 1 Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park. The Big Day Out is an annual rock festival touring Australia and New Zealand. The Sydney show is usually held in late January, most usually on the Australia Day public holiday on January 26, running from 11AM until midnight. A second show is sometimes held in Sydney if demand is high. The festival is usually headlined by a major international act: previous headlining acts have included Beastie Boys (2005), The Prodigy (2002), Marilyn Manson (1999) and Nirvana (1992). About half the line-up is comprised of Australian and New Zealander acts. The Big Day Out is an MA15+ event, meaning that attendees under 15 must be accompanied by an adult over 18. It is typically a hot and crowded event with up to 60 000 tickets sold, and attendees should take appropriate precautions for their health and safety. In 2006 the ticket price was $110, and tickets usually sell out some weeks before the show.

Buy

Shopping opportunities are a little limited, the closest major shops are at Newington or Lidcombe.

Eat

Near Olympic Boulevard and the Arenas

In the way of fast food, there is a McDonalds, Subway, Gloria Jeans and Muffin Break coffee shop in the stadium area, and not much else. Muffin Break has seating and a courtyard area often not crowded when there are queues at the other fast food places. These can close before some evening events finish. The Brewery serves food until a bit later.

  • Bacar Restaurant Bar Lounge, +61 2 8762 1700. Lobby of the 5 star Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park hotel, corner of Olympic Boulevard and Herb Elliott Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park. Contemporary International Cuisine in a stylish modern setting, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • Food Alert, +61 2 9746 6969. Dawn Fraser Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park. Great take away shop selling kebabs, salads, fish and chips and burgers. Open 7AM-6PM 7 days a week.
  • Ribs & Rumps, +61 2 9746 0554. Dawn Fraser Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park. Steakhouse restaurant. OPen Mon-Thurs Lunch 12PM-3PM, Dinner 6PM-late: Fri Lunch 12PM-3PM, Dinner 5PM-late: Sat & Sun Lunch & Dinner 12PM-late,

Bicentennial Park

There is a kiosk in Bicentennial Park, near the kids playground. Open for lunch only. Good for ice-creams on a hot day.

Near the Ferry Wharf (Homebush Bay North)

  • Cucina Viscontini, Shop 4a/b The Piazza, The Waterfront, 21 Bennelong Road Homebush Bay (enter the Waterfront Housing Estate off Bennelong Road in Homebush Bay North at the entrance opposite the Archery Centre. The restaurant is at the end of The Piazza street on the right. The restaurant is a 10 minute walk from the ferry wharf.), +61 2 9739 8888. M-Su 7AM-5PM; Dinner Th-Sa 5:30PM-9:30PM. A family-owned and operated Italian café which also operates as a restaurant on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Most mains are in the $20-$30 range; lunch snacks from $10-$20. Make sure you order the bruschetta as an entree, their pizzas are highly recommended too.
  • Bel Parco Ristorante, +61 2 9763 7530. WatervieW Convention Centre, Bicentennal Park, Sydney Olympic Park. Bel Parco is an Italian restaurant, open 7 days for lunch and dinner.

Drink

  • 1 The Brewery, +61 2 8762 1293. Under the Novotel Hotel, corner of Olympic Boulevard and Dawn Fraser Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park. Bar, bistro and gaming. Live sports on 12 screens around The Brewery. Live entertainment on Fridays. Open from 11AM into the night. The Brewery no longer brew their own boutique beer but offer a selection of 30 local and international beers. The Brewery is a popular spot to meet with friends for dinner and drinks before the concerts and sporting events at Sydney Olympic Park.

Sleep

  • Sydney Olympic Park Lodge, +61 2 9714 7345, fax: +61 2 9714 7323, . The Lodge has dorm accommodation for 6-8 people per room. It is primarily designed to accommodate school groups. Individual rates are $65 per night for adults and $45 per night for children, including breakfast.
  • 1 Novotel and Hotel Ibis Sydney Olympic Park, +61 2 8762 1111, fax: +61 2 8762 1211. Corner of Olympic Boulevard and Herb Elliott Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park, email h2732@accor.com. The dual Novotel and Hotel Ibis complex, with 321 rooms, offer two styles of accommodation to suit any budget. Facilities include two bars, two restaurants, 9 conference rooms and wireless access. Rooms from $99 at Hotel Ibis and from $144 at Novotel per night. Undercover car park is available, fees apply. Committed to preserving the environment they are the only hotels in Sydney to have achieved an ISO14001 Certified environmental standard rating for environmental management systems.
  • 2 Pullman Hotel at Sydney Olympic Park (Corner of Olympic Boulevard and Herb Elliott Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park). Sydney’s first 5-star hotel outside of the city centre. 212 rooms including 14 suites, 340 square metres of conference space, a boardroom, Pullman executive floor and lounge, 24 hour gym, business centre, 24 hour IT solutions manager, restaurant and bar. Like the adjacent Novotel and Ibis hotels, the new Pullman will be a pacesetter for environmental standards. The hotel will use 40% less energy than most equivalent 5-star hotels, with solar panels on the rooftop supplementing power consumption. A specific focus in the hotel construction has been on the selection of natural materials.

Connect

Go next

If you are staying at Sydney Olympic Park, you are about equidistant from Sydney City and Parramatta. Stay on the M4 past Parramatta, and in 90 minutes or so you could be in the Blue Mountains.

This district travel guide to Sydney Olympic Park is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.