Australia Day in Parramatta

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. 

Change at Central for a train service to Parramatta or Westmead. Alternatively, change at Epping for a bus, or for a train services to Strathfield to connect with trains to Parramatta. The Park is a short walk from both stations.

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

The closest stations to Parramatta Park are Westmead and Parramatta. 

From Parramatta, take the Parramatta Square exit and continue on foot towards the Park via Macquarie Street. From Westmead station, exit towards Railway Parade and continue via Park Avenue to Parramatta Park.

The main entry point to the Park is through O'Connell Street (Tudor Gatehouse) or via Macquarie Street.

Trackwork

Planned trackwork may taking place on Monday 26 January. Check back closer to the event for details and plan ahead using the Trip Planner.

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.

A number of buses run to and from Parramatta Interchange, which is within 15-minutes walking distance of Parramatta Park. Some buses also make stops on O’Connell Street, which is a short walk away. 

From the Interchange, head down Argyle Street, Church Street, and take either the Riverside Walk or go through Prince Alfred Square to get to the Park on O'Connell Street. See the transport and walking map (pdf 3.9MB) for more details. 

Alternatively, buses leave regularly from Stand A4 at Parramatta Interchange and make stops on O’Connell Street. These routes include 546, 600, 601, 603, 604, 606 and 706. All bus services are accessible. 

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

The closest wharf to Parramatta Park is Parramatta Wharf.

From the wharf, walk to Robin Thomas light rail stop via the riverside and Argus Lane to connect with services to Parramatta Square or Church Street to get within walking distance of Parramatta Park. See the transport and walking map (pdf 3.9MB) for more details. 

F3 Parramatta River services run regularly to Parramatta but services are popular and may reach capacity. Plan your trip and allow plenty of extra travel time or consider the alternative public transport options available. 

F3 Parramatta River ferries between Parramatta and Rydalmere may be affected by low tide and replaced by buses, check for updates here.

Also note that due to Australia Day events on Sydney Harbour, ferries will be affected during the morning and evening exclusion zones. Plan ahead and allow extra travel time.

• Ferries will not run to and from Circular Quay between 11.45am and 12.45pm, and from 7pm to 10pm. 
• F1 Manly ferries, and some F3 Parramatta River and F8 Cockatoo Island ferries will use Barangaroo wharf instead.

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

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, Church Street or Westmead and continue on foot towards Parramatta Park. 

Attendees 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. 

L1 Dulwich Hill Line

L1 Dulwich Hill line light rail services run between Central Grand Concourse and Dulwich Hill from 5am to 1am daily. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Change at Central to connect with trains to Parramatta or Westmead to get within walking distance of Parramatta Park.

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, plan your trip using Trip Planner.

Change at Central to connect with trains to Parramatta or Westmead to get within walking distance of Parramatta Park.

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’re driving to the event, parking in the area will be in high demand so plan to arrive early. Traffic may be heavy on roads approaching and within Parramatta as attendees travel to and from the event. Allow extra travel time on roads including Parramatta Road, Church Street, Victoria Road, James Ruse Drive and Pennant Hills Road. 

Motorists should also exercise caution as pedestrian activity will be high on roads between Parramatta Interchange and the Park.  

Drivers are reminded that light rail services are running through Parramatta CBD. Trams can’t stop quickly or easily – so exercise extra caution when driving in the area. Read the news story for more information. 

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

A taxi rank is located on the eastern side of Villiers Street between Ross Street and Victoria Road.

Note: O’Connell St is a no stopping zone and taxis or any other vehicles are not permitted to drop or pick up any passengers at any time. 

Attendees who are being picked up or dropped off are encouraged to pre-plan a location away from the Park to avoid traffic delays. 

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

Attendees driving to the event should allow plenty of extra travel time as parking is expected to be in high demand.  

• Eat Street Car Park, entry via George Street 
• Justice Precinct Car Park, entry via Hunter Street 
• Parramatta Station Car Park, entry via Wentworth Street 
• Parramatta Leagues Club, O’Connell Street at Eels Place: Note pricing for the car park is dependent on if you are a Leagues Club Member.

Accessible parking

Accessible parking is available for vehicles displaying a valid mobility parking permit, on the Westmead side of Parramatta Park, with entry at the corner of Railway Parade and Park Avenue. An accessibility golf buggy will be operating on a set route between the accessible parking and the event.

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).

Accessible parking

Accessible parking is available for vehicles displaying a valid mobility parking permit, on the Westmead side of Parramatta Park, with entry at the corner of Railway Parade and Park Avenue. An accessibility golf buggy will be operating on a set route between the accessible parking and the event.

Accessible viewing areas

There will be a dedicated vantage point for people with accessibility needs to enjoy the Balloon Glow, along with accessible amenities.