This September marks the 20th anniversary since that unforgettable moment that Cathy Freeman lit the Olympic cauldron, marking the start of the XXVII Olympiad, better known as The Sydney Olympics.
10,651 athletes (4,069 women, 6,582 men) competed in 300 events and an astonishing 46,967 volunteers helped pull together the 16 days of world class sport. The Opening Ceremony was the show that stopped the nation, with more than 10 million Australians tuning in to watch as the athletes marched into Sydney Olympic Park. Today this vibrant area still has so much to offer in both sports and community facilities with a huge amount of FREE family fun to be found!
Park LIVE – FREE
Learn and discover Sydney Olympic Park in a new and engaging way as they bring the Park to life in your own home.
Enjoy nature talks, explore art exhibitions, watch the White-bellied Sea Eagles, hear from the Park Rangers, take virtual tours and more! There is also plenty of arts and crafts activities to keep the kids learning and entertained.
Mini Park Rangers – FREE
Children aged up to 5 years are invited to join the Mini Park Rangers Tuesday & Wednesday mornings during school terms. Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and simple crafts, as you explore the natural world.
With a different theme, story and activity each week, this will be an engaging and fun activity for children and their parents /carers alike to do in their own neighbourhoods.
Bicentennial Park – FREE
Make a day of it at Bicentennial Park! With 40 hectares of scenic parklands in Sydney, this Park has a lot to offer from BBQs, cycling, walking to self guided activities. There’s a lot to explore so a place to come time and time again.
Top tip: Go to the top of the Treillage Tower for spectacular views of the wetlands, Homebush Bay and the city skyline!
Brickpit Ring Walk – FREE
Have you met their special resident, the Green and Golden Bell Frog? This endangered beauty has made a home in the Park’s historic Brickpit.
Take the award-winning Ring Walk around the Brickpit ‘pond’ to discover its history and the evolution of the frog’s habitat. From the soaring circular walkway (18.5 metres high), get a bird’s-eye view without disturbing the tiny residents.
Blaxland Riverside Park – FREE
With arguably the best playground in Sydney, Blaxland Riverside Park is home to this famous play space spanning three hectares, providing kids of all ages and abilities a huge range of activities and challenges. Located next to the Parramatta River, Blaxland Riverside Park is a children’s paradise with a double flying fox, mega-swing, tunnel slides, scramble wall, spinning play disc, viking swing, multi-level tree house and a huge outdoor water play area. Gas and electric BBQ’s are free also.
Cycle with the family – FREE
Discover over 35km of safe cycling pathways and see Olympic icons, spectacular parklands and areas of cultural heritage along the way!
Choose from 3 great Bike Safari Circuits (for ages 5+) depending on riding ability and what you would like to see.
Enjoy child-friendly cycleways including the Children’s Loop in Bicentennial Park with fun pit-stops and facilities including playgrounds, picnic areas, bubblers and toilets.
Operation Art 2020 – FREE
This premier state-wide visual arts exhibition for school students from Kindergarten to Year 10, starts October 15 and has more than 800 artworks by students from throughout NSW. All of the children with works in the show have been asked to produce pictures that they think would cheer up other kids who have been hospitalised because of illness.
Please check SOP website to confirm dates and opening times before visiting.