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Randwick Christmas Festival

randwick races wide shot

Royal Randwick Racecourse, Randwick

Gates open 14:30
First race 15:20
Last race 19:00

Important Travel Advice

Attendees are encouraged to plan their trip and consider all the available travel options ahead of time.   

Light rail services run regularly to Royal Randwick on the L2 Line or to Kensington on the L3 Line, which is within short walking distance of the racecourse. See the Randwick Racecourse transport map (pdf 371KB) for more information. 

Remember, you'll need to use an Opal card or contactless payment card/device when travelling on public transport to and from the event. Register your details online at Opal or via the Opal Travel app ahead of time. 

If you’re driving, there’s parking on-site at the racecourse. If you’re using taxis or rideshare, use the dedicated drop-off areas available.  

Traffic in the area may be heavier than usual as attendees travel to and from the event in the busy afternoon peak. You can find real-time traffic conditions at livetraffic.com.  

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.  

Alight at Central to connect with light rail services to Royal Randwick on the L2 Randwick Line or to Kensington on the L3 Kingsford Line. 

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

The closest station to Royal Randwick Racecourse is Central.  

Change at Central for a light rail service to Royal Randwick on the L2 Line leaving from Chalmers Street. Alternatively, catch a L3 Line service to Kensington to get within walking distance of the racecourse. See the Randwick Racecourse transport map (pdf 371KB) for more information. 

Trackwork

Planned trackwork is taking place on Friday 6 December on the following lines and may affect how you travel to and from the event. Plan ahead using the Trip Planner:  

  • T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: From 12.10am to 2.30am, buses replace some trains between Cronulla, Waterfall and Hurstville. Trains run between Hurstville and Bondi Junction, some to a changed timetable. South Coast Line trains continue to run, but to a changed timetable. 
  • South Coast Line: From 12.10am to 2.30am, trains may run to a changed timetable due to trackwork between Waterfall and Hurstville. 

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.

A number of regular Sydney Buses travel between the city and eastern suburbs via Anzac Parade and Alison Road, making stops near the racecourse, including routes 339, 374, 375 and 396.  

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

Catch one of the many ferry services to Circular Quay and change for a light rail service to Royal Randwick on the L2 and L3 lines.

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

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, connect with L2 or L3 Line light rail services to Royal Randwick or Kingsford stops (leaving from Chalmers Street) to get within walking distance of the racecourse.  

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, plan your trip using the Trip Planner

Catch a light rail service to Royal Randwick on the L2 Randwick Line or Kensington on the L3 Kingsford Line to get within walking distance of the racecourse.

The Royal Randwick stop is located on Alison Road just across from the racecourse. The Kensington stop is located on Anzac Parade, a short walk from the racecourse entry on Ascot Street. See the Randwick Racecourse transport map (pdf 371KB) 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.

Traffic may be heavier than usual on roads around racecourse in the busy afternoon peak. If you have to drive or are using taxis or rideshare, allow additional travel time. You can find real-time traffic conditions at livetraffic.com

Trams are running between the CBD and South East so pedestrians are reminded to exercise caution around the tram tracks and cross at designated pedestrian crossings.  

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

Taxi entry to Royal Randwick Racecourse is via the Ascot Street entrance where there is a secure taxi rank for drop offs and pick-ups. 

Please note that taxis, rideshare and hire cars are not permitted to stop on Alison Road, Ascot Street or Doncaster Avenue. 

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

There is free parking in the Infield car park on-site, entry via High Street opposite UNSW. 

Parking

Accessible parking: Disabled car parking is available in the Infield car park, entry via High Street opposite UNSW. A disabled parking sticker must be prominently displayed in the vehicle at all times.  

Transport

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).