Sydney Olympic Park
Time Out taps into six of the best adventures hiding in Sydney Olympic Park's sleeve.
By Fiona Olegasegarem
1 The Walks
Short walks, long walks, walks 18.5 m above the ground on steel
poles - they've got it covered. The Brickpit Ring is a circular viewing
platform where visitors can learn about the fragile Brickpit
environment. Dip your toe into the wetlands on the Mangrove Board Walk,
or relive the Sydney Olympics with the Games Trail Walk.Or just take a
short wander and check out the park's outdoor art.
Walking tours
Urban art
2 Flying Trapeze workshops
Circus Arts Trapeze School sounds like a back-up plan for a
promising dental career, but honestly it's just an excuse to wear some
glittery leotards while white-knuckle gripping a bar. Trapeze class is
open to everyone five and up. You'll nail that triple somersault in a
jiffy.
Circus Arts Trapeze School Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Olympic Boulevard, Sydney
Olympic Park (0412 402 742). Tue & Thu
3pm-8am; Sat & Sun 9am-7pm. $45 per lesson; $175 for five lessons.
Bookings essential.
3 Golf
From golf freaks to hackers, Sydney Olympic Park caters for all
levels of golfing prowess. With 60 tees, hardcore golfers can perfect
their swing at the driving range, while putting punters will dig the
18-hole mini golf course.
Try your luck too at Disc Golf - golf with Frisbees instead of balls and cups. It's crazy enough to work...
Sydney Olympic Park Golf Centre, Olympic Boulevard 2127. (02 9764 6300)
Sydney Disc Golf Club, Newington Armoury, Jamieson St 2127. (02 9714 7888)
4 Newington Armoury
Formerly a Royal Australian Naval Armament Depot, the Armoury
features over 100 heritage buildings on a 52-hectare riverside
landscape of undulating hills and woodlands. And it's packed with
things to do: Clue Trails, disc golf (see Golf), the Birds Australia
Discovery Centre, Heritage Railway Discovery Tour, art exhibitions -
including at the moment the Mao to Now exhibition. Running until 28 Sep
(10am-4pm) this exhibition showcases Chinese sport and propaganda
posters and contemporary artists' interpretations of modern China.
Newington Armoury, Jamieson St, Homebush 2127. (02 9714 7888).
5 Cycling
The Parramatta River, Wanngal Wetlands and picturesque lookouts are
the highlights of the River Heritage Circuit or cruise through the
Parklands circuit and take in the sights of Lake Belvedere, the
Mangrove Board Walk, and some shipwrecks. Take a bike ride down memory
lane and coast around the Cauldron and other icons of the 2000 Games.
For a map of cycling tracks:
Cycling Maps of Olympic park
6 Kid's zone
The park is groaning at its green, grassy seams with kid-friendly
activities. Let them eat cake and learn the art of kite-flying at
Lilies on Park. Meet the Ranger and discover wildlife secrets or bring
out the inner super sleuth by orienteering your way around the park
with a compass and clues. Splash the day away at the Aquatic Centre or
take basketball classes, learn to skate or ride BMXs at the Monster
Mountain X.
Kids in the Park