Travel Australia

Classic Railway Stations: Olympic Park, Homebush, NSW

1998: When Sydney won the bid to stage the 2000 Olympic Games, the main sporting venues had been the subject of initial master plans. In the 1995 plan, a one-way loop rail link and proposed an underground station in the centre of the Olympic site was adopted, utilising the existing the Abattoirs Branch line built originally to serve the state abattoirs and associated sale yards located in the area that is now Sydney Olympic Park.

The station had to be 500 metres away from the Stadium and 100 metres west of the main Olympic Plaza and capable of handling crowds of up to 50,000 people per hour arriving and departing. This was achieved by having platforms on both sides of each train, one for exiting passengers and the other for entering passengers. This allows for exiting passengers not having to fight their way through the crowds on a platform who are waiting to board the train.



The basic design of the structure is that of a barrel vault. The concept of a series of single span vaulted roof trusses which gave a leaf like expression with a ribbed underside was developed and studied using physical models before being tested through computer modelling. A single span system was selected in order to achieve a column-free and spacious concourse. Natural lighting and ventilation required the extensive use of glazing and favoured a columnar structure to a walled one.



Olympic Park station opened in 1998 at the same time as the new Sydney Showground nearby, which is used each year for the Sydney Royal Easter Show. As well as Easter Show attendees, the station was designed to support large crowds travelling to and from the stadiums and sports grounds in Olympic Park.

After the 2000 Olympic Games, most of the sporting facilities were retained and adapted to recreational, entertainment and domestic competition uses. The Easter Show also continues to draw large crowds each year. In addition, the Sydney Olympic Park area has seen high density residential developments, as well as the development of hotels, offices and shops. As a result, in addition to transporting crowds attending sporting and other events, Olympic Park station now also fulfils a workday commuter role.