Hutch

Going to take the sprog up to the easter show tommorow and wanted some advice from people who've been. We can either drive all the way there or park up before and get the train in. What's the parking situation like there? How far away is the car park from the actual showground? Are there long queues to get in? Ta.

Red_V_Roger

My wife has gone today. If you pre-book your ticket online, it includes free rail and bus travel to/from the show.

Hutch

Yea - unfortunately there's extensive track works going on over the easter holiday on our branch line which turns a two hour journey into four hours, so we've decided to drive up.

Red_V_Roger

Good plan.

We went to Top Gear Live using the Fastcat boat from Darling Harbour...just for something to do. However, the dockimg point is so far from the Olympic area that you need to get a bus which is timed to be as long a wait from the boat docking time as possible! We ended up jumping a taxi as it was one of those days over 40C.

Hutch

lol - sounds about right. I phoned the info line at the show because originally we planned to get the Parramatta ferry from Circular Quay. Had a fairly bizarre chat to the bloke on the info line - who clearly didn't ordinarily have someone to talk to (was on the phone to him for 15 minutes!!!). He said there'd been complaints from people arriving on the ferry that the bus driver was pulling away from the stop literally as the boat was docking. Families with young kids to entertain for the next 45 minutes because some jobsworth bus driver is keeping to the letter of his schedule.

Red_V_Roger

Yep, generally I have been quite impressed with Sydney's public transport (track work aside!), but this connection of Parramatta ferry/Jetcat to the Olympic Park was just completely wrong. On the Arena website, its says that the buses are timed for the ferries, but they defo aren't!

spottydog

We went today, can't help about parking as we caught the train, the station is very close to the entrance. No queues to get in and generally a very pleasant day.

Unfortunately for you today was the last day of the wood chop so you wont be able to see that but the racing & diving pigs are back. The queue for the racing pigs was huge and since we had seen them before we didn't bother this time but its something i would certainly say is worth waiting for. We also didn't go on any of the rides as they don't interest us but they seemed expensive at 5 tickets ($1 a ticket) for the little kiddie trains

Hutch

Yea - not bothered about the wood chop - have seen it many times down here in Berry at the country show. Will definitely be queueing to see the racing pigs though and like you, not bothered about the over-priced carnival rides.

binbird

We went on Friday and drove because the bus times were not convenient for us. You are directed to P1 which is the car park that you feel you have to drive a complete circuit of the Olympic Park to get to but it is actually right beside the Acer Arena and this is where the main entrance is anyway. We arrived at about 11.30 and there were plenty of spaces and no real queues. Flat fee parking rate of $20 so all in all not a bad experience.

Ginger3710

It's not actually free transport, there is only 1 ticket you can buy which covers show entry and public transport, even if you don't use the public transport and drive yourself. Everyone pays the same price no matter how far or close you live which seems a little unfair for those living closer.

Years ago when the Show used to be at Moore Park you got yourself there and just paid show entry separately which is fairer IMO.

Hutch

Well, back from the show and it was pretty much as expected. Had no issues parking at all in the P1 carpark -short 5 minute walk to the front gate of the show - paid the $20 flat fee for parking upfront. Went in and made straight for the first animal show. Got to see the racing/diving pigs - no dramas getting in. The midday motorbikes were unfortunately called off due to the wet conditions, but the Psycho Sideshow was very good and greatly amused my 7 year old son.

Found a Crocs shop near the entrance selling them for $10 a pair - bought three pairs as I don't wear anything else on my feet these days - three pairs for half the price of one pair locally - bargain. The missus bought some miracle hair removing pad thing which, amazingly, worked exactly as advertised though the missus was greatly amused by the lady next to her who said, "So it never grows back?" Didn't bother with showbags as they're a load of old shit for the most part.

Sprog enjoyed the big ferris wheel, the kids rollercoaster and the pirate ship ride. He also enjoyed the animal exhibits, particularly having a good laugh at the size of the bollocks on the cattle - and the hatching ducklings in the kids farmyard area and some Brahmain cattle which he christened cowmals.

Had some really nice food from the little row of specialist kiosks near the ferris wheel - great mexican grub - missus had mussells and chips for $10. Missus also enjoyed a chinese massage - even managed to knock the bloke down from $50 to $30 for the full back massage - I told her she was lucky he didn't try for reach-around at that price.

Traffic fairly heavy heading back, but then I expected nothing less at five in the evening. Took two hours and 12 minute to get back home which is pretty good going.

So all in all - successful day. Glad I went, but won't be going back next year.

Hutch