Photo: Simon_sees from Australia / CC BY 2.0
Sydney Olympic Park is a sprawling, purpose-built precinct that transformed the 2000 Olympic Games into a lasting legacy of sports, culture, and green space. Today, it's a dynamic hub where world-class sporting venues, family-friendly attractions, and vast parklands converge, all just a 30-minute train ride from the city centre. Whether you're catching a concert at Accor Stadium, cycling along the Parramatta River, or exploring the wetlands, this is a place where the Olympic spirit lives on in everyday life.
Highlights & What to See
- Accor Stadium (formerly ANZ Stadium) – The iconic Olympic centrepiece, now home to major concerts, NRL grand finals, and sporting events. Walk the exterior to appreciate its sweeping architecture, or catch a game to feel the roar of the crowd.
- Bicentennial Park – A 40-hectare oasis of fig trees, lakes, and walking trails. Hire a bike or a kayak to explore the park's hidden corners, and climb the treetop walk for panoramic views over the city skyline.
- Wetlands & Birdlife – The park's constructed wetlands are a haven for migratory birds. Join a free guided walk to spot herons, swans, and the endangered green and golden bell frog.
- Olympic Cauldron – The towering, 30-metre-high cauldron that lit the 2000 Games still stands as a powerful symbol. It's best viewed at dusk when the flame sculpture glows.
- Newington Armory – A former military munitions depot turned arts precinct, with graffiti-covered tunnels, a heritage railway, and seasonal markets.
Suggested Time to Spend
Half a day is enough to hit the highlights: spend two hours cycling or walking Bicentennial Park, then another hour exploring the wetlands. Add an hour for the armory and a quick look at the cauldron. If you're attending an event, plan for a full day – the park has excellent cafés and picnic spots to stretch out. Combine with a morning at Parramatta or an afternoon at Sydney Olympic Park's aquatic centre for a full day out.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Parramatta – Just 10 minutes by train, Sydney's second CBD offers historic colonial buildings, the Parramatta River ferry, and a vibrant food scene.
- Homebush Bay – A short walk from the park, this bayside area has a lovely boardwalk and the quirky 'Brickpit Ring Walk' – a suspended walkway over a former brickworks quarry.
- Rhodes – A modern waterfront suburb with a popular park and a great Sunday morning farmers' market.
- Lidcombe – Home to the famous Sydney Markets (Flemington Markets), a wholesale fruit and vegetable market with a buzzing Saturday atmosphere.
- Strathfield – Known for its Korean and Chinese restaurants, making it a great spot for a post-park meal.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Homebush Bay — Nick-D / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rhodes — Maksym Kozlenko / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Lidcombe — J Bar / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Strathfield — J Bar / CC BY 2.5
- Sydney Markets (Flemington) — J Bar / CC BY-SA 3.0