Location

Brick building in the background with railway tracks leading into it in the foreground.
Building 143 - Cooperage - Entrance to Newington Armory

Sydney Olympic Park

The Sydney GeoQuest will be held at Sydney Olympic Park, right in the middle of Greater Sydney and within the Parramatta LGA.

The whole park covers 640 hectares which includes 430 hectares of green space.

Newington Armory

Within Sydney Olympic Park is the former ammunition depot, know known as Newington Armory. Opened in 1897, the former ammunition storage site made way for the athlete’s village for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and is now partially the suburb of Newington. The remaining portion is where the event will be held.

We will be using one of the heritage buildings as our base, accessing some of the other buildings, and of course, finding geocaches. 

Please note:

  • The whole of the Armory is a protected area with no dogs or cats allowed on site
  • You are not permitted to go off paths and into the bush
  • Geocaches may not be placed or published without written permission of Sydney Olympic Park Authority as the whole area has restrictions placed on it. Speak to ziggiau for more information.

Access

The gates of Newington Armory are open from 9am to 5pm everyday. Gates to the Riverwalk are open from sunrise to sunset.

The event site is actually outside the gates and can be accessed during event opening times.

Travel and Parking

You can spend the weekend exploring Sydney Olympic Park in many ways. Walking and cycling tracks are extensive and access may be quicker than by car.

By Car

Parking within Sydney Olympic Park is available at multiple locations. See below for the best options.

  • P5b+c carparks – this is the closest parking to the event site. A new timed parking system will be in place during the time of the event. At P5 and Blaxland carparks, the following will apply:

    The first two hours of parking will be free. After the initial 2-hour free period, then $3 per hour fee on weekdays, and $5 per hour fee on weekends and public holidays.

  • Cricket NSW – free parking close to the Parramatta Bike Hub and Silverwater Hotel, about 2kms from the event site. Bring your bike, park here, and ride for the rest of the day.
  • Silverwater Park – Just outside the Sydney Olympic Park gates, this is another option that has you right outside the Silverwater Hotel. Consider parking and riding from here.

By Bicycle or Active Transport

  • Bike Valet service available for a gold coin (or tap-and-pay) donation, provided by the Parramatta Bike Hub

  • A special deal on bike hire is available through our partner
    Parramatta Bike Tours. They are offering:

    whole day bike hire on the 26 Jan for $35, available to Block Party attendees only.

    To access this offer you do need to pre-book your bike at https://www.parrabiketours.com/bike-service

By Ferry

By Train

  • Olympic Park Train Station is located in the Town Centre of Sydney Olympic Park. Connect to this line from Lidcombe Train Station.

By Bus

  • The 526 stops on the doorstep of the event site. It connects with the Ferry (see above) and with rail at Burwood, Strathfield and Rhodes.

Getting from Parking to Event Site

P5 – When parking in P5, the easiest way to the venue is to cross Hill Road at the traffic lights and then go through the small gate to your left. Take the track past the gate where and it will take you to Louise Sauvage Pathway. Turn right, under the bridge and you’ll find the event venue on your left. Approximately 400m.

Blaxland Riverside Park Bottom Carpark – Head towards the river and then enter Newington Armory through one of the two entrances (Building 143 or gates). Continue along the road, past the 5-ways, and south until you reach signage for Building 46. Turn left, cross the bridge, then right onto Louise Sauvage Pathway. Approximately 1300m.

Blaxland Riverside Park Top Carpark – Head to the carpark exit, cross Jamison Rd, and enter Newington Armory via the Jamison St Pedestrian Gate. Follow the road up and over the hill to the 5-ways and then turn right on the road. Continue along the road heading south until you reach signage for Building 46. Turn left, cross the bridge, then right onto Louise Sauvage Pathway. Approximately 1100m.

Cricket NSW/Silverwater Park/Parramatta Bike Hub – Free parking is available just outside of the parklands. Follow the Riverwalk east to the Newington Armory entrance. Continue along the internal road, past the 5-ways, and south until you reach signage for Building 46. Turn left, cross the bridge, then right onto Louise Sauvage Pathway. Approximately 2400m.

Getting from Public Transport to Event Site

Sydney Olympic Park Ferry Wharf – Head south along the path adjacent to Hill Road. Continue past Woo-la-ra onto Louise Sauvage Pathway to the venue. Approximately 2000m.

Holker St after Hill Rd Bus Stop – Walk towards the Hill Road intersection and turn right before reaching the traffic lights. Pass through the gate, continue to Louise Sauvage Pathway, turn right, under the bridge and the event venue on your left. Approximately 500m.

Hill Rd at Holker St Bus Stop – Cross at the lights at Holker and Hill. Pass through the gate, continue to Louise Sauvage Pathway, turn right, under the bridge and the event venue on your left. Approximately 400m.

Olympic Park Train Station – Exit the station and head east towards Australia Ave. Continue north along Australia Avenue, cross Marjorie Jackson
Parkway and over the Holker Busway. From here, follow directions for P5. Approximately 2500m.

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