Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2025

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 until late at night.    

Catch a Metro service to Martin Place and connect with a train or bus to Circular Quay.    

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

The closest station to Sydney Harbour is Circular Quay, where services run regularly. Alternatively, Wynyard and Martin Place stations are within short walking distance of the event start area. 

Trackwork

Planned trackwork may take place on Friday 26 December and affect how you travel to and from the event. Check back closer to the event date for more details and plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

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.

Plenty of buses run to Circular Quay or nearby Wynyard and Martin Place transport hubs to get within walking distance of the festival. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

Additional route buses 

• Route 170x: services will run every 15-minutes between Manly and Wynyard between 12pm and 2.45pm. Catch this service while F1 Manly ferries are suspended. 
• Route 324: additional services will run from Park Street to Watson Bay between 9.30am and 12pm, and Watsons Bay to Edgecliff between 11.50am and 2.30pm. Catch this service while F7 Double Bay ferries aren’t running.  
• Route 329X: additional 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. Catch this service while F9 Watson Bay ferries aren’t running. 
• Route 380: additional 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 

Some bus services may be impacted in local areas as NSW Police implement closures on roads near vantage points are crowd volumes increase. As a result, services will use alternate stops or terminate early. Plan ahead and allow extra travel time.  

Bus diversions 

• Route 325: Services travelling towards the city will use Wentworth Road instead of Vaucluse Road between 9am to 6pm due to heavy traffic. Stops on Vaucluse Road will be missed. Services leaving the city will run as normal but may experience delays.   
• Route 328: Services will run along their regular route but the stop at New Beach Rd opp Loftus Rd (202742) will be missed due to crowd safety.  

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. A Sydney Harbour Exclusion Zone will be in effect from 12pm to 2.20pm and F1 Manly, Manly Fast Ferry, F7 Double Bay and F9 Watsons Bay services will be suspended for periods of time. Catch buses or use other transport modes during this time.  

Ferry services are a popular way to travel to Circular Quay, particularly on public holidays. Keep this is mind and prepare for queues. Allow extra travel time or consider the alternative transport options available, including buses, trains and light rail services. 

Service changes 

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.

• F1 Manly ferries will not run between Circular Quay and Manly between 11.50am and 2.45pm. 
  • Last ferries will leave Circular Quay and Manly at 11.45am; services resume from 2.45pm. 
  • Additional route 170x bus services will run every 15-minutes between Manly and Wynyard between 12pm and 2.45pm.  
  • Alternatively, catch a bus from Manly Wharf to Manly Vale, Warringah Mall or Spit Junction to connect with frequent B-Line services to the city during this time. 
• F7 Double Bay ferries will not run between Circular Quay and Double Bay between 11am and 1.40pm. 
  • The last ferry will leave Circular Quay at 10.57am.Services resume from 1.57pm. 
  • The last ferry will leave Double Bay at 11.20am. Services resume from 2.20pm. 
  • Catch a route 324 or 325 bus services to and from the city while ferries aren’t running. Additional route 324 services will run. 
• F9 Watsons Bay ferries will not run between Circular Quay and Watsons Bay between 11.45am and 1.15pm.  
  • The last ferry leaves Circular Quay at 11.15am; services resume from 1.15pm. 
  • The last ferry leaves Watson Bay at 11.45am; services resume from 1.45pm.  
  • Additional services will run from Watson Bay to Circular Quay at 2pm, 2.30pm and 3pm.  
  • Catch a route 324 or 325 bus services to and from the city while ferries aren’t running. Additional route 324 services will run. 
• Manly Fast Ferry services will not run between Manly and Circular Quay while the exclusion zone is in place.

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. 

At Central, connect with L2 or L3 Line light rail services to Circular Quay. Alternatively, change for a train to Circular Quay on the City Circle.  

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. lan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

Catch an L2 or L3 Line light rail service to Circular Quay to get to the event.  

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 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 while the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is underway. 

• Exclusion Zone Active: 12:00pm – 2:20pm 
• 6 knot maximum speed & No wash restrictions: 11:30am – 2:20pm 
• No sails hoisted for non-competing vessels from 12:00pm to 2:20pm. 
• No Passive Craft or Anchoring around the exclusion zone between 12:00-2:20pm ((Passive craft includes canoes, kayaks, surf skis, paddleboards, sailing dinghies, inflatable rafts and boats) 

Immediately after the race start, expect very high vessel density and significant wash as spectators follow the fleet toward and out of Sydney Heads, especially around South Head and North Head. Small vessels should avoid these areas for safety. 

See the NSW Government – Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 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. NSW Police may implement closures on roads near vantage points are crowd volumes increase.  

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.

Street parking around vantage points is limited and a fee may apply. All available car park options can be found on the Wilson Parking, Secure Parking and City of Sydney – Transport & parking pages. Parking fees apply. 

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).