What Makes Sydney Olympic Park an Excellent Family Destination

Sydney Olympic Park, the modern, ever-evolving colossus that once hosted the world’s biggest sporting event, has grown into a sprawling playground, where stadium lights meet the call of native wildlife.

Standing on the traditional lands of the Wann clan, also known as the Wann-gal People, when Sydney won the bid for the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games the entire district underwent the most audacious architectural project in Australian history, and put Sydney under the global spotlight.

Whether you’re chasing free family fun, training for your next triathlon, or hunting down the best coffee in the postcode, you’ll find it all here. 

Chances are, if you’re heading to Olympic Park you’ve already got tickets to something big at Accor Stadium or Qudos Bank Arena. From blockbuster NRL games to the biggest global music stars, these two Sydney stadiums are where you’ll see them.

There’s a special electricity that runs through the entire precinct on event nights. Walk through Cathy Freeman park and you’ll see the iconic Olympic Cauldron, now a spectacular water fountain, and at Accor Stadium - still the largest Olympic Stadium ever constructed  - you’ll sit in the very same seats that once hosted the Opening Ceremony. 

The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre is also something of a cherished institution for Aussies of a certain age. That legendary pool where Ian Thorpe won three gold medals? It’s yours to enjoy. Kids go wild for Splashers Playground, a dedicated zone with water slides, spray cannons and wading areas. Lifeguards keep an eagle eye on things, so you can hang back with a coffee from the onsite café while the kids wear themselves out in aquatic bliss.

Where the locals go: On the other side of Cathy Freeman park is the Sydney Showgrounds, home to the famous Sydney Royal Easter Show. While smaller than the other stadiums the Showgrounds still host an impressive roster of exhibitions and events throughout the year, including Twenty20’s Big Bash League. Find out what’s happening during your stay.

Address: Sydney Showgrounds, Grand Parade, Sydney Olympic Park

Bicentennial Park Sydney

While it's easy to get to most things in the precinct on foot, especially if you’re staying within Olympic Park, an even better option is hiring bikes for your stay. Bike Hire Bicentennial Park has fun tandem bikes, child extensions (including tagalongs and weehoos) and bikes for every age and stage. 

Bicentennial Park itself extends over 40 hectares of wetlands, mangroves and open grassland. Go exploring along boardwalks that thread through grey mangrove forests, or take a breezy circuit of the park’s trails. Pack lunch and settle in at a lakeside picnic spot or free BBQ station, and keep an eye out for water-dragons who roam around like they own the place. 

BMX Bike Track

A 15 minute ride will get you to Haslams Pump Track, the massive bike track and skate park with a sculpted course of curves and dips. Protective gear highly recommended (and the occasional graceful wipeout is par for the course). There are courses of varying difficulty levels, covering both beginners and more experienced BMX bandits. 

Archery

Keep the adrenaline flowing at the Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre and test your aim. Skilled instructors stand ready to help novices discover their inner Katniss Everdeen or Hawkeye. The centre also has laser clay pigeon shooting (no guns, no pigeons) and a special set up for even the littlest archers. 

Urbnsurf

Or get wet in the man-made waves of Urbnsurf, a dream destination for surfers promising consistent, top-tier waves for everyone from beginners to pros. Sprawling across 3.6 hectares (roughly the footprint of the Sydney Cricket Ground) this lagoon can host over a thousand visitors a day, every day. Thanks to advanced wave-making technology, you’ll encounter diverse surf conditions that are always pumping and best of all, no sharks.

Wetlands Walk

Back on your bikes and head to the Brickpit Ring Walk for golden hour. Once a massive industrial clay pit, now a peaceful urban wetland ringed by a spectacular circular walkway raised above the habitat. The ‘ring’ platform stands 18 metres above ground and as you make your way around a multimedia experience tells the stories of the pit workers.

Where the locals go: Nearby Blaxland Riverside Park is a massive playground for all ages with state of the art climbing walls, water features, flying foxes, giant slides, mega swings, net bridges and enough open space to let little ones star in their own wilderness documentary.

Address: Blaxland Park, Jamieson Street, Sydney Olympic Park 

Start your day with an excellent coffee and full breakfast at Abattoir Blues. Housed in an historic abattoir building, this café/bakery/bar is a mash-up of heritage architecture and modern menus. There’s plenty of room inside and out, and even dogs are welcome in the pretty courtyard.  Don’t go past the pistachio french toast or the baked bean pie.

If you’re serious about coffee, try the bright and airy Conservatorium on Murray Rose Avenue. Serving up bean juice by the award-winning roasters at Paradox Coffee, kids will also love their brightly coloured meals and unfussy menu.

Mellow Me Cafe is the perfect place to pick up sandwiches, poke bowls, burgers, and fruit cups to take on a picnic lunch, or stop at The Last Slice for a classic Lebanese style pizza, manoush, and a menu of kid friendly mini bites.

For a fun, casual dinner Maharaja's Indian Cuisine has a huge menu of authentic indian dishes with varying levels of spice. For special occasions, Bacar Restaurant offers up a seasonally inspired menu crafted by Executive Chef Marvin Ma, who sources the freshest local produce from the nearby Sydney Produce Market.

Where the locals go: For laidback and cheerful, the Brewery Bar and Kitchen has classic, family-friendly fare alongside an extensive, parent approved wine list.

Address: The Brewery Bar and Kitchen, 11A Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park

Finding accommodation in Sydney Olympic Park can feel like hunting for that last golden ticket in a chocolate bar when major events are on. But if you plan ahead, Novotel Sydney Olympic Park is the best hotel for families. The vibe is relaxed and family-friendly, with kids under 16 eating breakfast (and staying) free of charge when sharing a family room with their parents.

The hotel is minutes from Accor Stadium, Qudos Bank Arena, the Sydney Showground, and the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. 

Aside from the casual vibe at Brewery Bar and Kitchen on the first floor, there’s also an elevated option at the in house Boulevard Brasserie and Bar. The thoughtful menu serves everything from light plates of Huon Salmon Tartare to an impressive 800g Venetian-style mud crab for two.

For those driving in, the new Sydney Gateway means you can now reach the airport in under 26 minutes, a real gift if you’ve got an early flight and kids prone to meltdowns. It’s also 2 minutes to the local train station and a 26 minute drive to the CBD, making it surprisingly central for a spot with so much wide-open space.

Address: Novotel Sydney Olympic Park, Olympic Boulevard and Herb Elliott Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park