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Randwick Christmas Festival

randwick races wide shot

Royal Randwick Racecourse, Randwick

Gates Open 13:45
First Race 14:45
Last Race 18:30

Important Travel Advice

Ticketholders are encouraged to plan their trip and consider all the available travel options ahead of time. 

Light rail services run regularly to Royal Randwick on the L2 Line or to Kensington on the L3 Line, which is within short walking distance of the racecourse. 

Remember, you'll need to use an Opal card or contactless payment card/device when travelling on public transport to and from the event. Register your details online at Opal or via the Opal Travel app ahead of time.

If you’re driving, there’s parking on-site at the racecourse or if you're catching rideshare and taxis use the dedicated drop off zones. Traffic will be heavy so allow extra travel time. You can find real-time traffic conditions at livetraffic.com.

Opal

You can use an Opal card for all modes of public transport in Sydney and surrounding regions, including metro, trains, buses, ferries and light rail.

Remember to top up your Opal card before you travel to avoid waiting in line at top-up machines. You can top up your card online or at an Opal retailer.

More ways to pay

If you have a contactless-enabled American Express, Mastercard or Visa debit or credit card, or a linked device, you can use it to pay for your travel by tapping on and tapping off at Opal card readers. Available on all public transport, contactless payments are another way to pay on the Opal network. Adult Opal fare pricing applies and you will receive Opal benefits including daily and weekly fare caps.

Sydney Metro services are high-frequency, driverless trains running between Tallawong Station and Chatswood Station.

Metro services start from the early morning running every 10 minutes until late. Change at Epping for a train to the City to connect with light rail service to Royal Randwick. See our Randwick Racecourse transport map (pdf 254KB) to find your way.

For Metro service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

The closest station to Royal Randwick Racecourse is Central.

Change at Central for light rail services to Royal Randwick on the L2 Line leaving from Chalmers Street. You can also catch the light rail to Kensington on the L3 Line to get within walking distance of the racecourse. See our Randwick Racecourse transport map (pdf 254KB) to find your way.

Trackwork

Weeknight trackwork is taking place on Friday 1 December on the following lines and may affect how you travel to and from the event. Plan ahead using the Trip Planner:

  • T1 North Shore Line: From 10.50pm to 2am, buses replace trains between Gordon and Wynyard. Trains run between Hornsby and Gordon, some to a changed timetable.
  • T1 Western Line: From 10.50pm, trains start and end at Central, platforms 1-12.
  • T9 Northern Line: From 10.50pm, trains run between Hornsby and Central, platforms 1-12.
  • South Coast Line: From 3pm Friday, buses replace trains between Bomaderry, Kiama and Wollongong. Trains run between Port Kembla, Wollongong and Bondi Junction, to the normal timetable. Buses do not run to the train timetable. If you are connecting with trains at Wollongong you may need to catch an earlier bus to ensure you meet your train connection.

Trackwork is carried out on an ongoing basis to maintain the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the Sydney Trains network. For the latest information, check trackwork and travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

A number of regular route buses travel between the City and Eastern Suburbs via Anzac Parade and Alison Road to get you to Randwick Racecourse, including Routes 339, 396, 373 and 374. 

For bus service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Catch one of the many ferry services to Circular Quay and change for a light rail service to Royal Randwick on the L2 Randwick Line or to Kensington on the L3 Kingsford Line.

For ferry service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

L1 Dulwich Hill Line

L1 Dulwich Hill line light rail services run between Central Grand Concourse and Dulwich Hill from 6am to 11pm daily, and until midnight on Fridays. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

From Central, connect with L2 and L3 light rail services leaving from Chalmers Street to Royal Randwick or Kensington to get within walking distance of the racecourse.

L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines

L2 Randwick light rail services run between Circular Quay and Randwick via Central Station (Chalmers Street) and L3 Kingsford line services run between Circular Quay and Juniors Kingsford via Central Station (Chalmers Street). Services run regularly from 5am to 1am daily, plan your trip using Trip Planner.

Catch a light rail service to Royal Randwick on the L2 Randwick Line or Kensington on the L3 Kingsford Line to get within walking distance of the racecourse. 

The Royal Randwick stop is located on Alison Road just across from the racecourse. The Kensington stop is located on Anzac Parade, a short walk from the racecourse entry on Ascot Street. See our Randwick Racecourse transport map (pdf 254KB) to find your way.

For maps and service frequencies see light rail service information. For light rail service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

If you have to drive, carpool with your group and allow extra time for parking. Traffic may be heavier than usual on roads around the racecourse during the Friday evening peak.

Trams are running between the CBD and South East so pedestrians are reminded to exercise caution around the tram tracks and cross at designated pedestrian crossings.

For the latest traffic information visit Live Traffic NSW or download a real-time traffic app.

Taxi entry to Royal Randwick Racecourse is via the Ascot Street entrance where there is a secure taxi rank for drop offs and pick-ups.

Please note that taxis, rideshare and hire cars are not permitted to stop on Alison Road, Ascot Street or Doncaster Avenue.

A dedicated drop-off zone will also be set up on the western side of Darley Road. 

For details of taxi networks servicing the Sydney area, visit Transport Operators.

There is free parking in the Infield car park on-site, entry via High Street opposite UNSW.

Members Private Reserved Parking is available in the multi-deck car park, entry via Ascot Street. Patrons must display their “members car park permit” at all times.

See our Randwick Racecourse transport map (pdf 254KB) to find your way and visit Live Traffic NSW for up to date information and real-time traffic conditions.

Parking

Accessible parking: Disabled car parking is available in the Infield car park, entry via High Street opposite UNSW. A disabled parking sticker must be prominently displayed in the vehicle at all times.

Transport

Accessible trips are shown in the Trip Planner with the wheelchair icon. You can select "accessible services only" in the Options to ensure you only see accessible services. Only trip plans with accessible train platforms, ferry wharves and buses will be presented. See accessible travel or download a transport app (select the "Accessibility" filter).