LittleKittyCat

We have lived in Sutherland Shire for 8 months, and usually if we want to take the children to the aquarium or the zoo etc, we park at Hurstville and get the train in to the centre of Sydney. It can be a bit fraught on the way back (they are 20 months and 3 and ,well you know what it is like when children are tired and overexcited), but hubby and I are more than able to manage. However, we have my 82 year old nan staying with us at the moment, and whilst I am very much looking forwards to taking her to see the sights, I am not looking forwards to travelling all that way by train with her and the children. A small train journey would be fine, but 40 minutes on the way back might be a bit much for her to manage.

Can anyone suggest anywhere else that we can park that is easy to get the train in to Circular Quay. Probably asking a bit much, especially on a weekday!

NickyC

If I were you I'd drive all the way in and park in the Opera House car park.

It's not too extortionate to park there compared to other city car parks. I think the max you'd pay is about $45 (for the whole day) but it's cheaper for less time. That's peanuts compared to some city car parks.

Alternatively, you could park in the Domain car park but it's better placed for shopping, rather than the Quay.

Redfern is not a bad station to use if you really didn't want to drive in. You can park in the car park of Australian Technology Park and walk to the station. There's a special entrance to the station from ATP.

JAJ

Coming from the south east, it would be easier to drive to the Opera House car park rather than Redfern station. Also, more scenic location.

LittleKittyCat

Cool, thank you. Hubby will be driving so makes my life even easier! I suppose $45 isn't too bad when we'd have to pay parking at Hurstville anyway and then train fare.

Again, thank you!

Kooky.

Some parks do Early Bird parking, but I'm not sure what time that would mean leaving home for you! There's one on Kent St near Liverpool St that I know has a good deal.

Parking in the CBD is extortionate - my husband has been known to pay $70 when he comes in for a business meeting (taxis would be cheaper, train cheaper still, but he's often carrying two laptops and a projector).

You could always look at parking in North Sydney/Milsons Point and starting the tour there, then take the train over the bridge, or a ferry to Circular Quay, but I'm not sure it's much cheaper.

JAJ

Sydney Opera House car park:
http://www.wilsonparking.com.au/go/w...ey-opera-house

Apparently $15 if you arrive by 10am and leave between 3 and 7.30pm, otherwise max of $45.

Remember the toll on the Eastern Distributor northbound (just before you take the exit to Macquarie Street).

canadaeh

Even cheaper is at Darling Harbour, the Coles underground Car park (across from the casino) charges $4 per hour or $18 for the day

Only a 2 min walk from the Darling Harbour Monorail stop.

JAJ

But if coming from the Sutherland Shire, Darling Harbour is much less accessible by road.

canadaeh

Thought it would be pretty easy, straight down princess highway all the way to Newtown, then through Broadway right into the Coles Car park on the Casino Side of darling harbour?

Hutch

Yea, I paid $45 for a day in the Opera House car park last week - as has been said, it maxes out at that. Worth adding that there's a flat rate in all these car parks at weekend of between $10 and $15 for a day.

IvanM

I think a parking fine is $65. Just be careful it is not a tow away zone.

plantpot

We do this it's great and the walk through the park is lovely, loads of bats in the trees!!!!

LittleKittyCat

Just wanted to say thank you all. We parked at the Opera House in the end, got there at 9.55 and left at 4.15 so got the whole day for $15! Loads of spaces to choose from. We visited the Aquarium and Wildlife World and the Opera House for the obligatory photos. Nan is now asleep in her chair because we had a very busy but great day!

Will definitely be parking there the next time we come in to the centre of Sydney and will make the effort more often because we now know where to park!

Again, thank you!

Kooky.

Wow, yes, that is worth knowing.

PS Glad Nan had a good day.