Festival Stakes Day

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 Metro North West & Bankstown Line operates turn up-and-go metro services between Tallawong and Bankstown from early morning until late. 

Change at Epping to connect with buses to Rosehill or trains to Parramatta where you can connect with light rail services to the Rosehill Gardens stop. See the Rosehill Gardens transport map (pdf 727KB) to find your way.

Please note due to planned trackwork Sydney Trains T1 North Shore Line trains will be replaced by buses between Hornsby and Milsons Point. 

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

The best stations for connections to Rosehill Gardens are Parramatta and Westmead where you can connect with light rail services to the racecourse. See the Rosehill Gardens transport map (pdf 727KB) to find your way.

Trackwork

Planned weekend trackwork is taking place on Saturday 28 November on the following lines and may affect how you travel to and from the event. Plan ahead using the Trip Planner. 

• City Circle: Trains run in one direction only, from Central first stop Museum. Some trains may start or end at Central, run to a changed timetable or leave from different platforms. You may need to change trains to continue your journey. The light rail runs in both directions between Circular Quay and Central.  
• T1 North Shore Line: Buses replace trains between Hornsby and Milsons Point, also stopping at Crows Nest and Victoria Cross metro stations. Use metro stations between Chatswood and the City or ferry services between Milsons Point and Circular Quay
• T1 Western Line: Buses replace trains between Emu Plains and Blacktown. Trains run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern between Richmond and Olympic Park, and between Blacktown and Central, platforms 1-14. If travelling to T1 North Shore Line stations use metro services to Victoria Cross, Crows Nest or Chatswood then change for a replacement bus
• T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: Weekend trackwork on the City Circle and Airport lines may affect how you travel.
• T5 Cumberland Line: Trains may run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern
• T8 Airport & South Line: Buses replace trains between Sydenham and Central via the Airport. Trains run via Sydenham, to a changed timetable and stopping pattern between Macarthur and Redfern, and between Revesby and the City Circle. Change at Sydenham for buses to the Airport stations or metro services. Early morning and late-night trains run between Macarthur and the City Circle via Sydenham. From the Airport, if travelling to T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra or South Coast Line stations change at Central, not Wolli Creek
• T9 Northern Line: Trains run to a changed timetable between Berowra or Hornsby and Central, platforms 1-14 only. If travelling to T1 North Shore Line stations, change at Epping or Central for metro services to Victoria Cross, Crows Nest of Chatswood, then change for a bus.
• Blue Mountains Line: Buses replace trains between Bathurst and Blacktown. T1 Western Line trains run to a changed timetable between Blacktown and Central, platforms 1-14
• Hunter Line: From 10pm to 2.20am Sunday, buses replace trains from Newcastle Interchange to Telarah. From 11pm to 3am Sunday, buses replace trains from Telarah to Newcastle Interchange. 

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

From Parramatta Interchange, route 920 services run towards Rosehill making stops near the racecourse. Services run every 20 minutes on weekends. Alternatively, catch a light rail service to Rosehill Gardens. See the Rosehill Gardens transport map (pdf 727KB) to find your way and plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Route 920:

• Services leave from Parramatta Station Interchange, Stand A2, and drop off on James Ruse Drive opposite Prospect Street.
• Services leave from James Ruse Drive at Prospect Street and drop off at Parramatta Interchange.

For bus service disruption information, check travel alerts or use the Trip Planner.

The closest wharf to the Rosehill Racecourse is Parramatta Wharf.

From the wharf, walk to the Robin Thomas light rail stop via the riverside and Argus Lane to connect with services to Rosehill Gardens stop to get within short walking distance of the racecourse.

F3 Parramatta River services run regularly to Parramatta, but services are very popular and may reach capacity. Keep this in mind if you’re planning on catching an F3 Parramatta River service. Plan your trip and allow plenty of extra travel time or consider the alternative public transport options available. 

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

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.

The closest light rail stop to the racecourse is Rosehill Gardens. Alight at Rosehill Gardens and continue on foot via Grand Ave and the underpass to the racecourse. See the Rosehill Gardens transport map (pdf 727KB) to find your way.

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. 

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, change for trains to Parramatta to connect with light rail to Rosehill Gardens. 

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 the Trip Planner.

From Central, change for trains to Parramatta to connect with light rail to Rosehill Gardens. 

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.

Traffic may be heavier than usual on roads approaching the racecourse as attendees travel to and from the event. Allow extra travel time on roads including James Ruse Drive and Hassall Street.   

Drivers are reminded that light rail services are running between Westmead, Parramatta and Carlingford. Trams can’t stop quickly or easily – so exercise extra caution when driving in the area. 

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

Drop-off: taxis enter Rosehill Gardens Racecourse through the Grand Avenue gates but are not permitted to stop on James Ruse Drive or Grand Avenue. 

Pick-up: taxis are located on Oak Street over the Equine Bridge located at the Might and Power entry. 

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

Free unreserved members parking is available in: 

• P4 and P5 car parks located on James Ruse Drive and Prospect Street.
• P6 Infield car park via Gate 2 on Unwin Street. 

Reserved members car parking is available for those with annual car park passes.

Accessible trips are shown in the Trip Planner with the wheelchair icon. You can check '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 (check the 'Accessibility' filter).