Centennial Parklands

Background

Centennial Park was dedicated by Sir Henry Parkes as a public open space in 1888 and was the venue for the inauguration of Federation in 1901. Centennial Parklands occupies a special place in the heart of the Australian nation as it includes a monument to the birth of the nation, the Federation Pavilion. Covering more than 360 hectares, the Parklands is one of the world’s finest and most used urban open spaces. It is situated less than five kilometres from Sydney’s central business district and just a few minutes from the city’s popular eastern beaches.

Centennial Parklands comprises three parks: Moore Park, Queens Park and Centennial Park.

Centennial Parklands sporting facilities include the ES Marks Athletics Field, an 18-hole golf course and driving range, an equestrian centre, tennis courts, netball courts and sporting fields. Other venues include Centennial Parklands café, the Hordern Pavilion, Royal Hall of Industries, the Entertainment Quarter, and the Fox Professional Studios.

In addition to its historical and environmental significance, Centennial Parklands is one of the city’s great assets. It has a total asset base of more than $650 million and attracts over five million visits each year (Centennial Parklands precinct – including the adjacent Moore Park venues – attracts more than 13 million visits). With 6% of visitors being domestic or international tourists, Centennial Parklands helps generate tourism income for the State economy.

Centennial Parklands also makes an important contribution to community service and education groups who depend on public open space for the delivery of their programs. These groups actively use Centennial Parklands facilities and open spaces saving the NSW Government an estimated $4 million a year in avoided costs.

About Centennial Parklands

Since 1983, the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust has been responsible for the co-ordinated management of its three distinct heritage-listed parks and leisure facilities.

Centennial Park

This 189 hectare grand park in the Victorian period tradition features formal gardens, ponds, grand avenues, statues, historic buildings and sporting fields.

More than a century ago Sydneysiders drove their carriages around the Grand Drive to take the air. Today, Centennial Park is a playground for walkers, joggers, roller-bladers and cyclists. It is also one of the few inner-city parks in the world to offer horse-riding facilities.

The Park is home to diverse flora and fauna and many significant tree plantings, including spectacular Port Jackson Figs, Holm Oaks and Norfolk Island Pines dating back to the early 19th century. It includes 10 ponds covering 26 hectares which are linked to the Botany Wetlands System. The Park also has a café and restaurant, a marquee site, and outdoor cinema site, and offers facilities for organised sporting activities. The Park also plays host to many outdoor concerts and recreational events. A visitor information point is located within the Trust’s offices, with a range of reference materials available. The historic Superintendent’s Residence, a Barnet designed building, located at Paddington Gates, is used as an exhibition space and an information centre. It is open from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm on weekends.

Queens Park

Queens Park is a 26 hectare park set in a natural amphitheatre at the foot of dramatic sandstone cliffs with panoramic views of the Sydney region. It was originally established to commemorate the centenary of European settlement in 1888. From 1895 to 1899 it included an 11-hole golf course established by the Australian Golf Club.

Today, the Park is used for informal recreation and organised sports, such as cricket, rugby, soccer and touch football as well as having a children’s playground.

Moore Park

The 115 hectares that make up Moore Park offer a range of leisure choices.

In addition to its generous open spaces and playing fields, the park includes the ES Marks Athletics Field, the 18-hole Group One Moore Park Public Golf Course and Driving Range, tennis and netball courts. It is also used as a venue for circuses and other outdoor events and an access point to precinct venues.

Moore Park Precinct

The Moore Park Precinct is a unique premier leisure destination providing important facilities for the sporting and entertainment culture of Sydney and New South Wales. Facilities operating in Moore Park include:

• The Entertainment Quarter – formerly Fox Entertainment Precinct (on lease from the Trust)
• Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion (on lease from the Trust)
• Fox Studios (on lease from the Trust)
• Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre (managed by the Trust)
• Adjoining Aussie Stadium and historic Sydney Cricket Ground.