Australia Day in Sydney

Travel on public transport is not free on Australia Day. You’ll need to use an Opal card or contactless debit/credit card or mobile device to tap on and off transport services wherever Opal is accepted. If you’re using your Opal card remember to top it up in advance either online via the Opal Travel app or at one of the many Opal retailers as queues at top up machines will be long on the night. Plan ahead and ensure everyone has enough balance on their Opal card to cover their fare before boarding services.

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 services including metro, trains, buses ferries and light rail, 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. Services will run every 7 minutes from 11am until 11pm and then every 10 minutes until 12:30am.

Australia Day event precincts are within short walking distance of Metro stations including:

• Martin Place station for events at Circular Quay and The Rocks
• Gadigal or Central stations for events at Darling Harbour
• Barangaroo station for events at Barangaroo

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

Trains will run regularly on Australia Day with some additional services running to and from Circular Quay.

Australia Day event precincts are all within short walking distance of train stations including:

• Circular Quay, Wynyard or Martin Place stations for events at Circular Quay and The Rocks.
• Town Hall or Central stations for events at Darling Harbour.

Visitors are reminded that trains will be busy at Circular Quay as large crowds leave the harbour after the evening events and fireworks. Allow extra travel time and consider catching a train home from nearby Wynyard, Martin Place or St James stations instead to avoid the crowds and wait times at Circular Quay.

Additional services 

• T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: Additional Cronulla to Sutherland services will run every 15 minutes from 10pm to 1am.
• T2 Inner West & Leppington Line: Additional trains will run every 15 minutes to and from Circular Quay stopping at Redfern, Newtown and Ashfield from 5pm until 11pm, then every 30 minutes until midnight. Services will also run every 15 minutes between Circular Quay and Leppington (via Granville) stopping at Wynyard, Town Hall, Central, Redfern, Ashfield, Strathfield, Flemington, Lidcombe, Auburn then all stations to Leppington from 10pm until midnight.

Trackwork

Planned weekend trackwork is taking place on Sunday 26 January on the following lines that may affect how you travel. Plan you trip using the Trip Planner.

Check back closer to the event for full trackwork details. 

Trackwork is carried out on an ongoing basis to maintain the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the Sydney Trains network. Check travel alerts and trackwork or use the Trip Planner to find the latest information before you travel.

Regular route buses

Plenty of regular route buses run to Circular Quay and other nearby transport hubs in the city including Wynyard which are a short walk from the events around the harbour.

While the F1 Manly ferries are affected during exclusion zones on the harbour, additional route 170X buses will be running between Manly Wharf and Wynyard from 10am to 4pm.

Protest march bus impacts:

Please note that an annual Invasion Day protest march will take place with impacts to buses while roads are closed.

Check back closer for more details on bus diversions. 

Bus diversions

Some buses will be diverting and using different stops while roads are closed for Australia Day events in the morning and evening.

• Routes 311, 324 and 325: From 7am to 10am, routes 311, 324 and 325 to and from Millers Point/Walsh Bay will start and end trips at Town Hall due to road closures. Buses will not run to or from Millers Point and Walsh Bay during this time. Services to the city will end trips at Town Hall, Park St, Stand J. Services from the city will start trips from QVB, York St, Stand A.
• Routes 202, 207, 208: From 5pm to 10.30pm services towards the city will be diverting around the Cahill Expressway via the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Services to the city will end trips at Wynyard Station, York St, Stand P. Services from the city will start trips from Wynyard Station, York St, Stand K.
• Route 230: From 10:30am to 1pm services will not run to or from Milsons Point due to road closures. Buses will start and end trips in North Sydney instead. Services to Milsons Point will end trips at North Sydney Station, Blue St, Stand D. Services towards Mosman will start trips from North Sydney Station, Blue St, Stand D. Catch trains to continue your trip between North Sydney and Milsons Point.
• Routes 304, 333, 343 and 396: From 7:30pm to 10:30pm buses that usually run to and from Circular Quay will start and end trips at Martin Place due to road closures. Services to the city will end trips at Martin Place, Elizabeth St, Stand C. Services from the city will start trips from Martin Place, Elizabeth St, Stand E. Catch trains to continue your trip between Martin Place and Circular Quay.

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

Special Event Vintage Buses

12 of Sydney’s iconic Vintage Buses from the Sydney Bus museum will operate a shuttle service running from Macquarie St at Circular Quay to North Sydney via the Sydney Harbour Bridge and return.

Buses will leave from Macquarie St near the Sydney Opera House roundabout from 10am to 5:30pm. A gold coin donation is requested from passengers.

Buses will drop off on the western side of Macquarie St after the Cahill Expressway overpass.

Note, there is no pick up or drop off point in North Sydney or Milsons Point.

For more details visit Australia Day - Vintage Buses.

Australia Day is one of the busiest days of the year for ferries and services will reach capacity early.

There are also various impacts to services throughout the day and night due to events on the Harbour so customers are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and consider the alternative transport options. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

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

Service changes

Ferries will be affected during the daytime and evening exclusion zones, plan ahead and consider the alternative transport options.

Check back closer to the event for ferry service changes.

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

Exclusion zones

Exclusion zones will be in effect on the harbour in the daytime and evening while Australia Day events take place on the water.

A special event area will be in effect with speed and wash restrictions from 11.45am to 12.45pm and from 7.30pm to 10pm.

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

Spit Bridge opening times

The Spit Bridge will operate to a changed timetable for Australia Day with additional openings on Sunday 26 January and Monday 27 January 2025

• Sunday 26 January timetable: 8:30am, 10:00am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm, 8:30pm, 9:30pm, 11:00pm*
• Monday 27 January timetable: 1:00am*, 8:30am, 10:00am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm, 8:30pm, 9:30pm

*additional opening times marked by asterisk.

Safety on the water

With extra maritime traffic expected on the state’s waterways during Australia Day celebrations, 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. 

In the event of an emergency on the water, communicate with authorities on radio VHF 16 or if you only have a mobile phone, call 000.

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

L1 Dulwich Hill Line

L1 Dulwich Hill Line light rail services run between Central Station (Grand Concourse) and Dulwich Hill via Darling Harbour and the Inner West. Services run regularly from 5am to 1am daily. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

From Central connect with trains or change for a L2 or L3 light rail services to Circular Quay.

Service changes:

• Services will be impacted during the day for a planned Police Operation. Check back for more details.

L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines

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

Catch a light rail service to Circular Quay on the L2 and L3 Line to get within walking distance of Sydney Harbour. 

Service changes:

• Services will be impacted during the day for a planned Police Operation. Check back for more details.
• From 7:30pm to 10:30pm, L2 and L3 services will not run between Circular Quay and Town Hall for the safety of crowds leaving the precinct after the show.
• During these times, use alternative transport including trains, buses or walking.

L4 Westmead and Carlingford Line

L4 Westmead and Carlingford Line light rail services run between Carlingford and Westmead via Parramatta CBD. Services run regularly from 5am to 1am daily. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Alight at Parramatta Square and connect with a train service to Central from Parramatta Station. From Central, connect with trains or change for a L2 or L3 light rail services to Circular Quay.

Passengers are reminded that trams can’t stop quickly or easily – so please stop, listen and look around for trams and use designated pedestrian crossings. Read the news story for more information.

For more details on stop locations and maps, see Light rail service information. For light rail service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

If you're planning to drive to Australia Day events in the city, travel with your group, allow extra travel time and be aware of the road closure locations and times. Special event clearway parking restrictions will also be in effect on various roads so check signs carefully.

Attendees and local residents are reminded that vehicles parked inside road closures, in private and commercial carparks or driveways, are not permitted to exit or drive onto closed roads until they are safely reopened by NSW Police. Familiarise yourself with the road closure locations and times and plan your movements ahead of time.

Road closures

Roads will be closed around Circular Quay, The Rocks and Milsons Point while Australia Day events are underway throughout the day and evening. 

Sydney CBD:

• 4am to midnight: George St from Essex St to Hickson Rd, and sections of OPT Elevated Rd from Hickson Rd, Circular Quay West, Essex St and Pitt St.
• 7am to 10am: Hickson Rd from Napoleon St to Pottinger St, Towns Pl from Dalgety Rd to Hickson Rd and Barton St (for Oz Day 10K wheelchair race).
• 7am to midnight: Hickson Rd from George St to Pottinger St.
• 6:30pm to 10:30pm: Macquarie St north of Bridge St. 
• 7:30pm to 10:30pm: Cahill Expressway lanes 7 & 8 and Overpass at Circular Quay including the High St, Mount St and Domain Tunnel on-ramps and lane 4 on the Harbour Bridge. Roads in Circular Quay north of Bridge St including sections of Albert St, Alfred St, Circular Quay East, Conservatorium Rd, Dalley St, Essex St, George St, Loftus St, Pitt St, Philip St, Macquarie St, Reiby Place, Underwood St and Young St. 
• From 9:15pm to 10:15pm: Sections of Argyle St, Grosvenor St, Bridge St and Harrington St.

Note: The Cahill Walkway on the Circular Quay Overpass will be closed from 5pm to 9.30pm.

Milsons Point/Kirribilli:

• 10:30am to 1pm: Olympic Drive between Broughton St and Alfred St south.
• 7.30pm to 10.30pm: Lane 4 on the Harbour Bridge, Cahill Expressway lanes 7 and 8 and the Circular Quay Overpass will close. High St and Mount St on-ramps from North Sydney and Kirribilli will also be closed.

Road closures and clearways maps

• Aus Day 2025 - Sydney CBD closures and clearways map  (pdf 654KB)
• Aus Day 2025 - North Sydney closures and clearways map (pdf 800KB)
• Interactive web map - Road closures and clearways

Protest march road closures:

• Road closures will be in place for a planned police operation. Check back closer to the event for full details. 

For the latest traffic conditions and the full event closure details including clearway locations and maps visit Live Traffic NSW or the app.

Demand for taxis and rideshare services may be higher than usual on Australia Day, particularly in the evening so please be patient while in queues at taxi ranks and consider the public transport options.

Some taxi ranks in the Rocks and the CBD will be inaccessible due to road closures for Australia Day events including the Sydney Opera House taxi rank. Accessible drop off and pick up points will be available at the following locations (not available for parking):

• The Rocks:  Harrington St near Argle St in front of Clocktower Square from 3am to midnight. Excluding between 9:15pm and 10:15pm.
• Circular Quay: Loftus St between Loftus Ln and Reiby Pl before 7:30pm and after 10:30pm.
• Sydney Opera House/East Circular Quay: Macquarie Street near Sydney Opera House in the P5 parking bay before 7:30pm and after 10:30pm.
  • Macquarie St will be closed to traffic from 7.30pm-10.30pm. Use alternative taxi ranks at Circular Quay or The Rocks during this time.

Road closures and clearways maps

• Aus Day 2025 - Sydney CBD closures and clearways map  (pdf 654KB)
• Aus Day 2025 - North Sydney closures and clearways map (pdf 800KB)
• Interactive web map - Road closures and clearways

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

Parking

Check respective car park operator websites for parking availability and operating hours on Australia Day. Some car parks will not be accessible due to road closures for Australia Day events so make sure to plan ahead. For a full list of closure locations and times, and maps, visit livetraffic.com.

Take advantage of the additional public transport services running to get you to and from Australia Day celebrations.

Special event clearways

Special event clearway street parking restrictions will be in effect on key roads in the Sydney CBD, Circular Quay and The Rocks between 3am and midnight. In Milsons Point, clearways will be in effect on Olympic Drive from 9:30am to 1pm.

Sydney CBD:

• From 3am to 10am: Hickson Rd from Pottinger St to Napoleon St and Towns Place.
• From 3am to 11am: Clarence St between Druitt St and Market St (eastern side).
• From 3am to midnight: George St between Lower Fort St and Circular Quay West, Hickson Rd between Pottinger St and George St, Circular Quay West and sections of Essex St, Harrington St and Pitt St.
• From 9am to 10:30pm: Sections of Macquarie St north of Bridge St approaching the Sydney Opera House roundabout. 
• From 5pm to 10:30pm: Sections of Albert St, Alfred St, Bent St, Bligh St, Bridge St, Carrington St, Circular Quay East access road, Clarence St, Conservatorium Rd, Custom House Lane, Dalley St, Grosvenor St, Hunter St, Loftus St, Loftus Lane, O’Connell St, Phillip St, Pitt St, Reiby Pl, Spring St, Underwood St, York St, Young St and Argyle St.

Kirribilli/Milsons Point:

• From 9:30am to 1pm: Olympic Dr between Broughton St and Alfred St South.

Look for the bright yellow signs and read them carefully on the day and the night before when parking as some clearways come into effect very early in the morning. 

Road closures and clearways maps

• Aus Day 2025 - Sydney CBD closures and clearways map  (pdf 654KB)
• Aus Day 2025 - North Sydney closures and clearways map (pdf 800KB)
• Interactive web map - Road closures and clearways

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.

For a full list of clearway locations and times, visit livetraffic.com.

Viewing areas

There are dedicated accessible viewing areas and accessible event precincts for Australia Day events in the city. Visit Australia Day - Disability and Mobility Support for more information and contact details. 

Pick up and drop off areas

Accessible drop off and pick up points will be available at the following locations (not available for parking):

• The Rocks:  Harrington St near Argle St in front of Clocktower Square from 3am to midnight. Excluding between 9:15pm and 10:15pm.
• Circular Quay: Loftus St between Loftus Ln and Reiby Pl before 7:30pm and after 10:30pm.
• Sydney Opera House/East Circular Quay: Macquarie Street near Sydney Opera House in the P5 parking bay before 7:30pm and after 10:30pm.
  • Macquarie St will be closed to traffic from 7.30pm-10.30pm. Use alternative taxi ranks at Circular Quay or The Rocks during this time.

A current Mobility Scheme Pass must be displayed in the window. Vehicles left unattended are subject to towing.

Accessible Parking*

Sydney CBD North: Young Street between Bridge Street and Farrer Place (Opp Wilson Parking. From 5pm to 10:30pm)

* Parking for nominated minibuses dropping off and picking up Australia Day Live patrons with accessible needs, as part of the Premier’s Department Access and Inclusion program. Not available for general accessible parking.

Transport services

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).