Road Closures and Public Transport Changes this Australia Day
Sydneysiders are reminded there will be road closures and public transport changes around Circular Quay and The Rocks this Wednesday 26 January 2022 to allow people to move around safely while attending the many COVID-Safe Australia Day outdoor events on offer.
Festivities start with the Dawn projections on the Sydney Opera House at 5:30am, WugulOra Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo at 7:30am, the OzDay 10k wheelchair race through The Rocks at 9am and continue with the Ferrython and many harbour events from 10:45am. In the evening, the Australia Day Live outdoor concert at the Sydney Opera House and harbour show with fireworks in Circular Quay will kick off from 7:30pm, wrapping up around 9:30pm.
Spectators can watch the harbour activities including the maritime show, projections on the Sydney Opera House and fireworks at vantage points around the Circular Quay foreshore. No tickets are required for the foreshore vantage points, however people are encouraged to arrive early and maintain physical distance.
The best vantage points to see and hear the Australia Day Live free outdoor event and concert is along the western side of Circular Quay. Spectators can also access the eastern side of Circular Quay to view the fireworks and maritime show. Tickets are required for access to the Australia Day Live outdoor seated concert at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.
Roads around The Rocks will start closing from 4am and remain closed until midnight. Further closures will be in place from 7:30pm until 10:30pm, including the Cahill Expressway and some roads in Circular Quay. In Milsons Point, Olympic Drive along the harbour foreshore will close in the morning. Special event clearway parking restrictions will also be in effect between 3am and midnight so drivers are encouraged to check signs carefully to avoid being towed.
Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer, Howard Collins, said public transport services will operate to a weekend or public holiday timetable with some additional services to help everyone travel around safely.
“If you’re heading out this year, Transport for NSW is asking everyone to keep doing their part and be COVIDSafe when travelling on public transport - plan ahead, allow extra time, wear a mask and find a green dot,” Mr Collins said.
“When out on the water, please follow the NSW Health advice as well as NSW boating rules and any local waterway restrictions, such as speed limits and exclusion zones in effect on the harbour in the morning and evening.
Trains and light rail services run regularly to Circular Quay from early morning until late. Ferries will not run to and from Circular Quay between 11:45am and 12:30pm and between 7:30pm and 9:45pm while events take place on the harbour and exclusion zones are in effect. Some ferries, including F1 Manly ferries, will use Barangaroo wharf instead.
“Extra ferries will be running in the evening, but Australia Day is one of the busiest days of the year for ferries, and there will be changes to services while events take place on the water, so if you’re planning to catch one, have a back-up option in case services fill up.”
In the evening buses that usually run to Circular Quay will use stops at Martin Place between 7:30pm and 10:30pm while roads are closed.
“Transport for NSW will continue to adjust services where COVID-related staffing issues occur. Please plan ahead before you leave home – this is really important as changes and cancellations can happen throughout the day so allow plenty of additional travel time,” Mr Collins said.
“Our frontline transport staff have been doing an amazing job during this unprecedented time and we urge you to keep giving them your respect and understanding. We cannot thank them enough for the work they are doing to keep essential workers moving.”
For information about road closures and real-time traffic conditions, check livetraffic.com
Customers should plan ahead by visiting transportnsw.infoto get the latest timetable information and service alerts.
For information on Australia Day Events in Sydney and across NSW visit australiaday.com.au
For the latest COVID Safe health advice and guidelines visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19