Centennial Parklands is managed by the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust (Trust).

The Trust is recognised as a world-class manager of public parklands, and is a NSW Government agency established by the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust Act 1983.

The Trust comes under the NSW Government's Office of Environment and Heritage. The Hon. Robyn Parker MP is the Minister for Environment and Heritage.

Find out more.

The Trust comes under the portfolio of the Minister for Environment and Heritage, the Hon. Robyn Parker MP.

Contact

Contact Minister Parker in her capacity as Minister for Environment and Heritage by:

• Level 32 Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, SYDNEY NSW 2000
• Phone  (02) 9228 5253
• Fax  (02) 9228 5763
• Email  office@parker.minister.nsw.gov.au

Yes. You can download all Annual Reports for the Trust in PDF format, or order a copy from the Trust. Find out more.

Centennial Parklands is managed by the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust.

Important phone numbers

• Centennial Parklands Office and Visitor Centre: (02) 9339 6699
• 24-hour Ranger Assistance: 0412 718 611
• Wet Weather Line: (02) 9339 6670  

Parklands Office
The Parklands Office is located behind the Centennial Park Café (off Parkes Drive), Centennial Park and is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm.

• Phone: (02) 9339 6699
• Fax: (02) 9332 2148
• Email: info@centennialparklands.com.au
• Postal Address: Locked Bag 15, Paddington NSW 2021
   

Find out more.

Like all great parks in the world, Centennial Parklands has rules and regulations to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors. The rules also help us protect the Parklands’ plant and animal life.

Park rangers enforce the rules under State law. If you ignore or break them, you could be fined. Below are the key rules.

Find the rules and regulations.

Centennial Parklands is situated less than five kilometres from Sydney's central business district - and just a few minutes from the city's popular eastern beaches.

It is easy to get to the Parklands by bus, train, car, bike or on foot.

Help us to conserve the Parklands and the wider environment by using public transport wherever possible when coming to the parks.

Find out how.

No. Centennial Parklands is a free public parklands that receives over six million visits a year.

The Trust does, however, charge a nominal fee/charge for its public programs and activities, and throughout the year a number of ticketed events are held in the Parklands, but there is no charge for entering or parking your car in Centennial Park.

The only areas of metered parking are found in Moore Park (eg. Driver Avenue, the Entertainment Quarter), and on major game days at Moore Park there may be some paid patron on-grass parking.

Centennial Parklands covers approximately 360 hectares spread across three parks - Centennial Park, Moore Park and Queens Park.

Park area

• Centennial Park: 189 ha
• Moore Park (including the entertainment precinct and equestrian centre): 144 ha
• Queens Park: 26 ha

Roads and paths

• Length of roadway within the Parklands: 8.2 km
• Grand Drive, Centennial Park: 3.8 km
• Grand Drive path: 3.7 km
• Horse track, Centennial Park: 3.6 km
• Jogging track, Centennial Park: 3.5 km
• Learners Cycleway: 0.5 km

Centennial Park has approximately 1,880 spaces available for vehicles. While there is no pay parking opportunities available within the Park, the level of availability of parking is often impacted upon by time of day, weekday or weekend, or whether a major sporting event is occurring at a neighbouring venue.

Park visitors parking within Centennial Park should be aware of a number of conditions, notably timed parking zones and gate closing times.

Timed Parking Zones

In 2007, the Trust extended a number of timed parking zones around the major gates in Centennial Park

Surrounding local councils have gradually placed parking control measures on all surrounding streets and near all access points to Centennial Park, forcing local commuters to find alternative free parking. As a result, the Trust observed that Centennial Park was becoming an opportunity for free commuter parking, minimising many key parking opportunities for actual park visitors.

In addition, at peak park visitation times, the Trust observed that shoppers and patrons going to events at adjacent sporting venues also contribute to this issue.

Signage has been erected to outline these timed parking zones, and fines may apply to vehicle owners who do not observe the time periods.

Gate Closure Times

Centennial Park's vehicle gates have varying closure times, depending upon season and usage patterns.

Find out times.

Centennial Park's vehicle gates have varying closure times, depending upon season and usage patterns.

Find out times.

No. Centennial Park closes to all vehicles as per the gate closure schedule. Paddington Gates exit gate, however, will remain open for a short time after closure time to allow the last remaining cars already in the Park to exit.

Cars left in the Parklands overnight is a breach of Trust regulations, and will attract a parking fine.

If your car is broken down, or cannot otherwise be moved due to mechanical fault, you must notify Trust Rangers in order to avoid a fine. The Trust's rangers are available 24 hours a day on 0412 718 611.

If, for some reason, you do not get your car out of Centennial Park before the vehicle gates close, you must contact the Trust Rangers to arrange for a gate to be unlocked. Fines may apply.

Trust Rangers are available 24 hours a day on 0412 718 611.

Yes. Fully serviced amenities blocks are situated throughout the Parklands.

You can locate these using our online interactive map, by downloading our Parklands map, or by referring to one the many Parklands maps available for park visitors at each of the main gates to Centennial Park and in other high visible locations.

Some of these amenities blocks feature baby change facilities.

The Centennial Parklands Restaurant (in Centennial Park) - due for opening in spring 2008 - will include both public and patron toilets, as well as baby change facilities.

Yes. There are a number of food and drink outlets across Centennial Parklands.

Find oulets in:

• Centennial Park
• Moore Park
• Queens Park

Additionally, dining and refreshment facilities are available in:

• The Entertainment Quarter
• Moore Park Golf

Yes. There are a number of free public BBQs spread across Centennial Parklands. These can be easily located using our online interactive map, by downloading our Parklands map, or by referring to one the many Parklands maps available for park visitors at each of the main gates to Centennial Park and in other high visible locations. Or visit our Picnics and BBQs page for more information.

There are Trust regulations governing the use of, and importation of barbecue facilities in the Parklands. Read the regulations.

Contact our 24 hour Ranger mobile: 0412 718 611. All Rangers are qualified first aid providers.

If you injuries are more severe the rangers will contact emergency services. If your injuries are serious you should contact 000 at first point then call our Rangers.

You can contact a ranger 24 hours day by calling 0412 718 611 or if you see a staff member around the Parklands ask them to contact a ranger and if available one will come to you.

Yes you can. However all State laws must be adhered to and any alcohol consumption must be done responsibly. Find out more about State Laws governing alcohol and young people.

Park visitors should also ensure to clean up empty bottles or cans after they are finished, and ensure that no broken glass is left behind.

Centennial Parklands features recycling bins for empty bottles and cans.

You should contact our Rangers on 0412 718 611 or you can contact the Visitor Centre in Centennial Park on (02) 9339 6699.

When reporting lost personal items, please supply:

• Your name
• Your contact details
• Description of the item
• Approximate time you may have lost the item
• Approximate place you may have lost the item

Registering a lost item is important for two reasons:

1. Trust Rangers can search for any lost items, and will try to re-unite items with registered owners
2. Other park visitors often hand on items that they find, and if registered as lost, the Customer Service Staff can contact you immediately.

All items found under $500 value will be kept in the Trust's offices. All items of value over $500 will be transferred the same day to the local Police Station.

Most sports fields across Centennial Parklands are available for casual or seasonal hire throughout the year.

For casual sports bookings, you can download our booking form and conditions of use here.

For seasonal sports bookings, send your enquiry to the Trust in the first instance by email.

Centennial Parklands receives over 10 million visits per year (six million to the ‘green space’). In 2007/08, the Parklands hosted over 17,000 participants on recreational, educational and cultural events and activities, and took around 700 individual sport and recreation bookings, attracting in the order of 730,000 participants per year (including all Trust-run and third party-run programs, Moore Park Golf, Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre).

As such, these Parklands are some of the most intensively used grounds in Australia. With this level of demand and activity for our sports fields, there is a need for the Trust to balance the needs of the social/recreational needs of the community and environmental needs of the physical environment.

Due to a range of factors (including inclement weather, carrying capacity, and time required to conduct routine and seasonal maintenance), the Trust periodically needs to close some sports fields – leading to temporary displacement of sports hirers and regular users.

Public safety

Like any public landowner, the Trust is required to maintain it’s assets in a safe and responsible manner. Public safety is critical to the provision of sports fields, and is dependent on maintaining turf in robust health over a smooth and even ground plane.

It should also be recognised that community expectations regarding the standard and safety of sports fields has been increasing, and many public landowners, like the Trust, must take an approach to sports field management that allows it to meet these rising expectations.

Environmental protection

Turf ‘recovery’ between seasons from the impact of intensive use is another serious issue. Without seasonal renovations to improve drainage, to reduce rootzone compaction, to aerate the soil and to allow the grasses to grow back, sports fields would rapidly become bare and unplayable.

Due to the demand for sporting fields in Centennial Parklands, the Trust is not able to schedule a lengthy recovery period between the summer and winter (and vice versa) sports seasons.

A mutual obligation

The Trust views the provision of public sports fields as a mutual obligation between provider (Trust) and user (public). While the Trust works hard to prepare and maintain safe and reliable surfaces, the public should treat these fields in a manner that respects their condition and assists in the ongoing viability of the turf to maintain the fields in a safe playable condition.

Closure criteria

The criteria behind the closure of sports fields are based on visual inspections where we look at the following factors:

• How much water is present on the turf surface;
• How wet is the turf surface and can it stand up to the rigours of sporting activities without the quality of the surface being affected;
• The location of the field and the soil type present (eg. Queens Park drains far more freely than Moore Park West where there are constant drainage problems);
• The provision of a safe facility for our users; and/or
• Ensuring that fields are available for use as quickly as possible and not have to be closed for extended periods to due a loss of quality of the turf surface through allowing sporting activities after during wet periods.

Programs for improvement

To assist in improving our sports fields’ performance, the Trust has a long term program to progressively upgrade the drainage of the fields, however with 35 sports fields across the Parklands, this is a high cost exercise.

Funding challenges

The Trust also uses its fees and charges process to assist in managing and improving its facilities. Sports fields have hire fees set annually to allow broad community access and use, and to assist in the cost of maintenance and improvement. Fees and charges are not the entire solution, however, as to raise these charges to fund the majority or entire cost of maintenance would be wholly unacceptable to the community.

The Trust has a 24-hour Wet Weather Line that is updated regularly to inform sports hirers and other park users of the status of sporting fields. The phone number is: (02) 9339 6670.

Additionally, the Trust will - where possible - place a Park Alert on the homepage of this website to notify of any closures.

Yes. Centennial Parklands Cycle Hire is located at the corner of Hamilton Drive and Grand Drive in Centennial Park, seven days a week - phone 0401 357 419.

Alternately, there are opportunities to hire bicycles and/or rollerblades at businesses in the surrounding suburbs:

• Centennial Park Cycles: 50 Clovelly Rd, Randwick - ph: 9398 5027
• Skater HQ: Shop 2154, the Entertainment Quarter - ph: 9368 0940

Riding a horse in Centennial Park is one of Sydney’s unique experiences. Whether you live in Sydney or are visiting for a few days, horse riding in Centennial Park is one of those experiences you shouldn't miss.

Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre is a world class venue providing horse riding experiences for everyone.

Horse riding in Centennial Park has always been part of the Parklands' history and this special association can be enjoyed by all.

Bookings

There are five riding school located in the Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre that offer horse rides and riding lessons.

To find out more, contact the Equestrian Centre on (02) 9332 2809 or visit the website for the contact details of these riding schools.

Yes - you can bring in your horse and ride along the horse track, a 3.6 kilometre horse track encircles Grand Drive.
There is a horse unloading zone, opposite Ash Paddock, close to the Randwick Gates.

However, due to stringent protections in place to safeguard against the transmission of horse-borne diseases and protection of the environment, you must note the following conditions of entry prior to arriving:

1. You must attend the Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre and supply relevant health declarations, insurance and sign the code of conduct BEFORE entering Centennial Park.
2. When in Centennial Park all riders must stay in designated riding areas.
3. All riders must wear a helmet.
4. Horses must be properly saddled and bridled.
5. Breaking-in, lunging and long leads are not permitted.
6. Leading more than one horse is not permitted.
7. Leading a dog while riding a horse is not permitted.
8. Horses are not allowed in the Parklands after dark.  
9. Horses are not permitted to gallop or canter except in designated riding areas.

Yes. The Trust can facilitate wedding ceremonies in Centennial Parklands at a number of our popular locations within (particularly) Centennial Park. Venue hire opportunities are available at a range of locations, or ceremonies can be held in the open.

The Parklands Office must be notified on (02) 9339 6699 and a small fee will apply.

Find out more.

Yes. Centennial Parklands is a popular choice for wedding photography, providing a great range of versatile locations.

Just 10 minutes from Sydney's central business district it offers the convenience of being close to the City whilst offering the perfect spot for your wedding photography.

We have beautiful vistas, ponds, woodlands, formal gardens and open spaces to suit all styles of photography.

Go to our Weddings in the Parklands page for information o wedding photography.

No commercial activities are permitted within Centennial Parklands without the permission of the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust.

Commercial photography or film shoots are a regular sight within the Parklands, however any prospective agency or film company must apply for permission through the Trust.

Find out more.

No commercial events are permitted within Centennial Parklands without the permission of the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust.

The Parklands host over 100 events annually and any prospective event organiser must apply for permission through the Trust.

Find out more.

On occasion the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust may require Public Liability or other insurances to cover clients or customers who wish to hold events or undertaken activities in the Parklands.

This may be at times of sports field hire, for catering purposes, to undertake promotion and sampling or to hold an event or social function in the Parklands.

If the Trust does request this, the following information will provide you with guidance on what is required:

• Download Guidelines for providing a public and product liability certificate of currency (PDF, 661 kb)

The Trust has a range of different birthday party themes to choose from that are designed to be both fun and informative.

If your child has a special interest, Rangers are happy to design an activity to suit your request.

We even have specially designed party invitations for you to download and send out to guests for free.

Find out more.

No. Camping is not permitted under the Trust's regulations without the written permission of the Trust.

No. Fishing is not permitted in the ponds across Centennial Parklands.

The Trust does, however, permit the Sydney Fly Rodders Club Inc. to practise fly fishing in Fly Casting Pond at various times throughout the year. If you are interested in knowing when these activities are approaching or to find out more detail, join our eNewsletter list here.

To conserve energy, lights are only turned on at the netball courts in Centennial Parklands when there is a booking.

If you would like to make a booking please submit the Casual Sports application form available at: http://www.centennialparklands.com.au/activities/bookings_guide
 
 

From time to time, people whose relatives have enjoyed a strong connection with Centennial Parklands have asked if their ashes can be scattered in the Parklands after their deaths. The Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust (Trust) understands that people wish to scatter ashes in an area that may have had a special meaning to their loved one. However the Trust believes the use the Parklands as a memorial site unsuitable for a number of reasons:

• the Trust cannot guarantee that the area in which the ashes have been scattered will remain accessible
  that the condition of the location will remain the same or that changes to the Parklands will not impact on the chosen location (eg. a tree chosen as a landmark for scattering the ashes may be removed or garden area designs may be altered rendering the site inaccessible).
• In addition, whilst the ashes from human remains do not pose a health risk, some visitors may perceive a risk to their families and pets which would impact on their use and enjoyment of the Parklands.

The Parklands also provides a social environment for a diversity of cultures - some of whom may be uncomfortable with the sight of a service, ceremony or scattering of ashes.

Family members wishing to maintain a connection with the Parklands should contact the Centennial Parklands Foundation which offers a number of ways to dedicate in memory of a loved one, and also help to conserve the Parklands for future generations. Please visit www.yourparklands.org.au for more information.

Centennial Parklands is a permanent or temporary home to a wide range of animals, fish, birds and creepy crawlies. While these inhabitants make the Parklands a wonderful place to visit and see wildlife, visitors (particularly children) should remember that the wildlife is 'wild' and should not be touched or provoked.

Parklands rangers are available to answer any questions visitors may have on animals or birds found in the Parklands, or the best vantage points to see wildlife.

Find out more.

It is not recommended to feed the native wildlife in the Parklands. By feeding the wildlife it reduces the ability to hunt for natural food sources, and at times encourages unwanted scavenging behaviour.

If you do wish to feed the ducks is it best recommended that you feed them vegetables in small pieces and small quantities.

What's wrong with feeding wildlife?

Read:

• Department of Environment and Climate Change's Keeping Wildlife Wild
• WIRES' Let Nature Feed Itself
• Victorian Department of Primary Industries' Encountering Wildlife without Feeding

Yes - but you must observe the selected on-leash areas at all times.

The Trust undertook a major consultation process with community members, professional dog walkers and general park users and identified areas that can be used as off-leash exercise areas.

It was decided that (in general) inside the Grand Drive inner ring would be on-leash at all times and outside Grand Drive would be off-leash (with a few exceptions).

For more information, you can visit the Parklands Map which shows dog zones (on-leash and off-leash), visit the Parklands Office to pick up a brochure, or ask one of our Rangers or Visitor Centre staff who will be happy to explain the conditions.

Yes.

The Trust has adopted the same legislation requirement as the Companion Animals Act 1998 - notably Section 13(4) that states: 

"A dog is not considered to be under the effective control of a person if the person has more than 4 dogs under his or her control."

Yes.

You can bring a cat to the Parklands however the cat can only be brought in accordance with Trust Regulations. These  regulations - notably Section 19(b) state:

"A person must not on the Trust lands, except with the written permission of, and in the manner approved by, the Trust or the Director, do any of the following:

(b) bring any animal (being an animal that is not prohibited from being on Trust lands) unless it is under the effective control of a competent person by means of an adequate chain, cord, leash or cage."

Yes.

The Trust ensures that all sprays used across Centennial Parklands are environmentally friendly, and pose no health risks for wildlife.

The Trust will always display warning signage on-site where any sprays have been used to alert park visitors to their presence.

If you come across injured or sick wildlife, please contact the Parklands' Rangers on 0412 718 611 or locate any of our staff in the field.

You should not attempt to touch the injured animal.

If you come across an injured animail outside Centennial Parklands, contact WIRES to assist: www.wires.org.au or phone 1300-0-WIRES or 1300 094 737.

Centennial Parklands features over 15,000 trees comprising some 200 species (including both native and exotic).

Centennial Park, Moore Park and Queens Park all have many particularly fine examples of Australian figs, evergreen oaks, exotic pines, eucalypts and paperbarks.

The Parklands also features some rare or threatened species of plants, such as the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub.

Find out more.

In 1888, Sir Henry Parkes opened Centennial Park, bringing to fruition an extraordinary asset for the whole community. Over the subsequent 120 years, Centennial Parklands has grown to encompass more than 360 hectares of land in with a planted population of approximately 15,000 trees, comprising 200 species (including native and exotic).

The effects of drought, old age and urban impacts have taken their toll on many of these trees. Reports by independent arborists and the Trust estimate that around 60% of these trees will need to be replaced over the next 40 years. More immediately, about 2,000 of these old trees including Port Jackson figs and various pines will need to be removed over the next 10 years (an expected 3,000 trees will need to be planted in their place).

Trees tagged to be replaced will have reached the end of their safe useful life expectancy (SULE) and have no prospect of being managed back to a healthy condition.

The Trust takes a planned approach to managing its trees. It has developed a strong Tree Asset Management System complemented by a comprehensive Tree Replacement Program, based on its Tree Master Plan (Plan). The Plan sets out strategies for conserving the existing tree population and provides a framework for sensitively integrating new plantings into the Parklands' historic fabric.

The Parklands needs your help

Replacing trees at the rate required to maintain a healthy tree population is an expensive undertaking. With the Trust now required to raise approximately 90% of its operating budget, this program represents a great opportunity for the whole community to get involved in caring for their Parklands and ensuring this wonderful asset is there for future generations to enjoy.

You can become involved in future plantings in Centennial Parklands through the work of the Centennial Parklands Foundation. The Foundation is a charitable organisation established by the Trust to raise funds to support projects with an environmental and educational purpose.

You can help by:

• Adopting a tree;
• Making a bequest;
• Joining our volunteer program;
• Making a donation; or
• Dedicating a park bench.

For more information contact the Foundation on (02) 9339 6699 or visit www.yourparklands.org.au

The Trust runs an extensive program of educational and visitor programs throughout the year.

Educational excursions and experiences can be tailored to your particular needs, or you can choose from our pre-planned opportunities for Years K-6 through to Years 7-12.

For visitor or school holiday programs, visit our Events Section for the complete list of available activities. All costs are listed on the respective activities webpage.

Alternately, contact the Trust directly on (02) 9339 6699 or info@centennialparklands.com.au for more information.

The Trust runs a wide range of educational programs throughout the year, with the option to choose from pre-planned curriculum-aligned programs, to flexible self-designed activities to suit the lesson plan being delivered.

Each of these programs can be led by our highly trained and skilled Educational Rangers.

Find out more.

Yes.

The Trust runs or facilitates a wide range of programs every school holidays. These vary from ranger-led tours and craft activities to sports camps to horse riding - and much, much more.

The program is released every quarter, with bookings taken from the first day of every season. Some of the more popular programs tend to book out within the first week, so it's a good idea to plan ahead.

For information on the school holidays program, visit our Events Section or call the Parklands Office on (02) 9339 6699.

If you’ve spent any time in Centennial Parklands recently, you might think all’s well. But the worrying fact is that many of the trees are in decline. Age, drought, poor soils, root compaction and the pressures of the urban environment have severely stressed many of the Parklands trees.

Our current assessment is that up to 60% of the Parklands’ 15,000 trees will need to be replaced over the next forty years.

It costs a lot of money to replace a tree. Many species need to be ordered years ahead and grown to a significant size before they can be transplanted.

We need to act now to ensure that visitors to Centennial Parklands in ten or twenty years do not see a landscape sadly diminished by the loss of major trees. Instead, we want to ensure they find the Parklands flourishing with new growth as the trees we plant today reach maturity and replace the ageing giants.

Find out how you can help.

There are many ways you can help the Centennial Parklands Foundation.

You can help the Foundation today by:

Each year, further opportunities to contribute arise, such as:

• Make a tax year-end donation
• Respond to an appeal

There are also limitless opportunities for philanthropists with a love of Centennial Parklands to get involved.

Find out more and get involved today.

The Centennial Parklands Foundation is a registered charity and listed on the Register of Environmental Organisations with the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Water Resources.

All donations over $2 to the Foundation are tax-deductible.

Yes. You can dedicate a Park Bench in Centennial Parklands through the Centennial Parklands Foundation.

Find out how.

The Centennial Parklands website is managed by the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust.

You can contact the web manager, or report any faults or error messages:

• by email: info@centennialparklands.com.au
• by online feedback form
• by phone: (02) 9339 6699
• in person: Parklands Office, corner Grand Drive and Parkes Drive, Centennial Park

No.

This website is managed by the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust - a NSW Government agency that manages Centennial Parklands.

The only third party advertising permitted on this website are for lessees, event organisers or businesses that operate within the Parklands.