Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024

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 Sydney’s north-west and south-west via the city. 

The M1 Line operates turn up-and-go metro services in both directions between Tallawong, Chatswood and Sydenham. Metro services start running from early morning, every 5 to 10 minutes, until late at night.    

Change at Martin Place to connect with buses to Circular Quay.    

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

The closest train station to the start of the race on Sydney Harbour is Edgecliff. From the station, connect with buses to Rose Bay or Watsons Bay for access to vantage points of the yachts leaving the Harbour.

Trackwork

Trackwork is taking place on Thursday 26 December on the following lines and may affect how you travel to and from the event. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

• T1 Western Line: Buses replace trains between Parramatta and Olympic Park. Trains run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern between Penrith or Richmond and Leppington, and between Olympic Park and the City. Change at Parramatta for buses towards Olympic Park, or at Glenfield for trains to the City via the Airport.  
• T2 Leppington & Inner West Line: Buses replace trains between Parramatta and Olympic Park. Trains run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern between Leppington and Penrith or Richmond, and between Olympic Park and the City. Change at Glenfield for trains to the City via the Airport, or change at Parramatta for buses towards Olympic Park. T3 Line trains will not run between Liverpool and the City via Regents Park. Extra trains run between Liverpool and Bankstown only.   
• T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line: Trains will not run between Liverpool and the City via Regents Park. Trains run between Liverpool and Bankstown only. Buses replace T6 Line trains between Bankstown and Olympic Park. Trains run between Olympic Park and the City. Trackwork also affects T2 Leppington Line trains.  
• T5 Cumberland Line: Trains run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern between Penrith or Richmond and Leppington. 
• T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown Line: Buses replace trains between Bankstown and Olympic Park. Change at Olympic Park for trains towards the City. Extra trains run between Bankstown and Liverpool. T7 Olympic Park Line: Buses replace trains between Olympic Park, Lidcombe and Parramatta. Trains run between Olympic Park and the City. Buses also replace trains between Olympic Park and Bankstown.  
• Blue Mountains Line: Trains run between Blue Mountains Line stations and Blacktown only. Change at Penrith for express buses to Olympic Park. T1 Western Line trains run between Penrith, Blacktown and Leppington. Buses replace trains between Parramatta and Olympic Park. Trains from Blacktown to Blue Mountains Line stations run 30 minutes later than normal.  
• Central Coast & Newcastle Line: Due to trackwork at Central, platforms 1-12, most trains run between Central Coast & Newcastle Line stations and Strathfield only, some to a changed timetable or stopping pattern. Change at Epping for metro services to the City or change trains at Strathfield to continue your journey. Some late night and early morning trains run around the City Circle.  
• South Coast Line: Due to trackwork at Central, platforms 1-12, trains run between South Coast Line stations and Bondi Junction only. Some trains run around the City Circle.  
• Southern Highlands Line: Due to trackwork at Central, platforms 1-12, trains run between Southern Highlands Line stations and Campbelltown only. Change trains at Campbelltown to continue your journey. 

Trackwork is carried out on an ongoing basis to maintain the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the Sydney Trains network. Trackwork may affect how you travel so allow plenty of extra travel time and plan ahead. For train service disruption information, check trackwork and travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Regular route buses

Catch buses to Mosman, Manly or Vaucluse/Watsons Bay for the best vantage points of the yachts leaving the harbour.

Extra bus services will operate for the event on the following routes:  

• Additional 170x services will run between Manly and Wynyard every 15 minutes while the F1 is unable to operate due to the exclusion zone between 12pm and 2.45pm 
• Additional 324 services will run from Watsons Bay to Edgecliff between 11:50am and 2:30pm and from Park St to Watsons Bay between 9:30am and 12pm.  
• Additional 380 services will run from Bondi Junction to Watsons Bay between 10am and 12pm and from Watsons Bay to Bondi Junction between 1:15pm and 5:30pm 
• Additional 329X services will run from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay between 9am and 12:30pm and from Watsons Bay to Circular Quay between 1:30pm and 4:30pm 

Keep in mind that some bus services will be impacted in local areas. Services may use alternative stops or terminate early if NSW Police implement closures on roads as vantage points become crowded. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Bus Diversions

• Vaucluse/Watsons Bay: Due to one-way traffic conditions in place on Vaucluse Rd, from 9am until 6pm route 325 services leaving Watson Bay will travel via Wentworth Rd instead of Vaucluse Rd. Stops on Vaucluse Road will be missed. Services from the city to Watsons Bay will run as normal but may experience delays. Route 328 bus services will miss (stop Id 202742) on New Beach Rd opp Loftus Rd due to crowds at Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. 
• Manly: Buses in Manly may terminate early due to local road closures implemented by NSW Police around North Head.  

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

Ferry services will be impacted on Boxing Day while events on the Harbour take place. Some services will not operate while others will be affected for temporary periods of time.

Keep in mind ferries will be very popular and are likely to reach capacity early. Be prepared for queues, allow plenty of extra travel time and consider the alternate public transport options available.

A Harbour Exclusion Zone will be in effect from 12pm to 2:20pm to facilitate the yacht race.

Buses will replace ferries on the F1 Manly Line and ferries on the F7 Double Bay and F9 Watsons Bay lines will not run during this period.

Service Changes

F1 Manly ferries will not run between Circular Quay and Manly between 11:45am and 2:50pm

• The last ferry leaves both Circular Quay and Manly at 11:45am. Services will resume from Circular Quay at 2:50pm and from Manly at 3pm.
• Buses replace F1 Manly ferries while they are not running. Alternatively, catch buses from Manly Wharf to Manly Vale, Warringah Mall or Spit Junction to connect with frequent B-Line buses to and from the City during this time

F7 Double Bay ferries will not run between Circular Quay and Double Bay between 11:40am and 1:40pm

• The last ferry to Double Bay leaves Circular Quay at 10:57am; services resume at 1:57pm. The last ferry to Circular Quay leaves Double Bay at 11:20am; services resume at 2:20pm.
• Catch route 324/325 buses to and from the City while ferries aren't running. 

F9 Watsons Bay ferries will not run between Circular Quay and Watsons Bay between 11:45am and 1:15pm

• The last ferry to Watsons Bay leaves Circular Quay at 11:15am; services resume at 1:15pm. The last ferry to Circular Quay leaves Watsons Bay at 11:45am; services resume at 1:45pm.
• Catch route 324/325 buses to and from the City while ferries aren't running. 

Manly Fast Ferry services between Manly Wharf and Circular Quay will not run while the exclusion zone is in place.

• The last ferries leave both Circular Quay and Manly at 11:50am. Services will resume from 2:45pm.

All other Sydney Ferries will run as normal and to a public holiday timetable.

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. Use the Trip Planner to plan your trip.

Change at Central to connect with L2 and L3 light rail services leaving from Chalmers Street to Circular Quay

L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines

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

Catch L2 and L3 line services to Circular Quay and continue on foot to the Harbour foreshore.

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.

Exclusion Zones

Exclusion zones will be in effect along the Harbour from 12pm to 2:20pm while the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is underway.

Speed limits, minimum wash requirements and anchoring restrictions will apply on Sydney Harbour for the start of the race on Thursday 26 December.

See the NSW Government - Waterways website for more information on exclusion zones and safe boating during major events. 

Safety n the water

With extra maritime traffic expected on the state’s waterways during the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, NSW Police and maritime authorities will be out in force to ensure operators of recreational and commercial vessels are compliant with maritime laws.

Before heading out, check the vessel is in good working order, and ensure all the required safety equipment – including lifejackets – is on board.

Skippers are reminded of their responsibility to ensure there is safety equipment on board their vessels and are responsible for the manner in which their vessel is driven. 

Download the MarineRescue app from the App Store or Google Play and stay safe on the water.

Traffic will be heavier than normal on roads around the Harbour foreshore as crowds gather to see the race. Some local roads will close near vantage points, including North Head in Manly and around Watsons Bay to manage the large crowds.

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

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

Parking

Parking is limited at vantage points around the Harbour and street parking restrictions will be in place. Arrive early, allow plenty of extra travel time and check street parking signage carefully. 

Special Event Clearways

Special event clearway parking restrictions will be in effect to accommodate large crowds around various harbour viewing areas, including on roads in Mosman, Edgecliff and Watsons Bay.

Mosman – 9am to 6pm:

• Military Road between Field Lane and Spit Road (southern side)

Edgecliff and Watsons Bay – 9am to 6pm:

• New South Head Road between Darling Point Road and Unit 286 garage driveway / start of parking bay (northern side)
• Old South Head Road between Robertson Place and Salisbury Street (eastern side)
• Military Road between Robertson Place and the bus turning circle north of Gap Road (both sides)

Clearways are strict no-parking zones for all vehicle types and apply even to local residents and TfNSW Mobility Scheme Permit holders. Check signs carefully as vehicles left in clearways will be towed and a fee applies. If your vehicle is towed, you can search your vehicle registration at the Find My Car website to find its new location, or alternatively call 132 701 to speak to an operator.

Visit Live Traffic NSW to see the locations of special event clearways.

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).