 As an Australian master runner now living in America I'm excited that the 2009 World Masters Games are in Sydney, Australia. I can run, enjoy great competition and visit family and friends. Now, that's my idea of the perfect holiday. My husband and I were in Australia last November for a pre-Christmas family get together. We stopped in Sydney to check out the venue.
Sydney Olympic Park Station
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Consider adding this event to your racing calendar. By the way, I'm not affiliated with the World Masters Games. I love masters competition and my home country so I hope you find this helpful.
Why Go?
Exchange Rates
Official Website
When?
Weather
Venue
Getting to Olympic Park
From the Airport
Staying at Olympic Park
Eating at Olympic Park
Main Stadium while new track is being laid.
Sightseeing Around Sydney
Travel Visa
Some Aussie Sayings
Why Go to the World Masters Games?
Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. That's saying something from a girl from Melbourne (another wonderful Aussie city, further south). Melbourne and Sydney have a long rivalry with the residents forever debating which city is the best. Sydney is up there with my other favorites, Melbourne, Paris, San Francisco, New York and London. So many Americans say they'd love to visit Australia so here's your chance. Combine the fun of competition with a trip down under. We Aussies love sport (think national obsession) and know how to put on great sporting events. Australia held the 2001 WMA World Outdoor Championships. The 2002 World Masters Games were held in Melbourne. Both were great events, well organized, run and supported by the Australian masters running community. Exchange Rates
In June this year (2009) the Australian dollar has hovered around .80 to the US dollar. So there's a possibility that Americans will get more bang for their buck. Official Website World Masters Games
The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games website gives you good information on the sports, rules, calendars, how to register on line, accommodation and travel options. Registration closes at 5pm, Sydney time on 31 July 2009. The organizers are estimating participation of more than 25,000 athletes across the 28 sports. There's a link to Goway Travel who has put together travel packages for USA and Canada.
Click here for the official website.
Top of Page When are the World Masters Games?
The athletic program of track and field, 10 & 20K Road Walks, 10K Road Race, 8K Cross Country and Half Marathon will be held from Sunday 11 October to Sunday 18 October 2009. The full schedule and registration details can be found on the website.Weather
October is spring time in Australia. Not many of us are good at predicting the weather but to get some idea let's look back. For the same dates in October 2008, there were two days of rain. The lows ranged from 11C (52F) to 16C (61F). The highs ranged from 18C(64F) to 31C (88F). Your best bet is to pack clothes for warm and cool conditions and throw in a waterproof jacket.
Venue for World Masters Games
 Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush Bay was the site of the 2000 Olympic Games. The main stadium for track and field was used as the warm up track at the 2000 Olympics. A new mondo track has recently been installed. Within 200m of the main stadium is another track which will be used for some events and as a warm up track. Both these tracks are a short walk (5 minutes) from Olympic Park Railway Station. There are stands and trees that offer shade and sun protection.
Warm Up Track
Top of Page Getting to Olympic Park
As part of your registration fee for the World Masters Games you receive free public transport. Sydney's transport system is easy to use. Bus lines connect to train services which link to ferries. Like most big cities driving can be chaotic and remember we Aussies drive on the left-hand side of the road.The quickest way to Sydney Olympic Park is by train. Depending on where you're staying in Sydney you might need to change trains a few times. You're heading for Strathfield and Lidcombe Stations which have direct services to Olympic Park Station at Sydney Olympic Park. You can also catch the bus to Olympic Park Station. Bus number 401 from Lidcombe Station or Olympic Park Wharf. Bus number 525 from Parramatta or Strathfield Stations. Bus number 533 from Chatswood Station. For fun and if you have time catch the ferry to or from Circular Quay (pronounced key) to Olympic Park Wharf and then bus to Olympic Park. From the Airport
Your public transport pass for the World Masters Games doesn't include travel to and from the International Airport. This service is owned by a private company. It'll cost you around (Aus) $23 for the return fare to the airport. Once you come out of customs follow the signs to the station which is located in the airport. Catch the train to Central Station (12 minute ride) where you can change to any of the other lines to get to Olympic Park or your accommodation. Another option is to catch an airport shuttle from one of the many operators that provide this service. You can prebook over the internet and have a driver waiting for you. Or locate one at the airport.
See Who's Going To Sydney.
Staying at Olympic Park
There are four hotels within five minutes walk of the track in Olympic Park. They are the two-star Formule 1, three-star Ibis, four-star Novotel and the brand new five-star Pullman. All can be booked through Goway Travel on the official website. Eating at Olympic Park
There are a number of restaurants and fast-food places located in Olympic Park. In the Ibis Hotel is Subway and McDonalds. In the Novotel you'll find Gloria Jeans, Muffin Break and the more pricey Arena. There's The Brewery which offers a bistro menu with good sized servings. Also Sushi and Rice, Bar & Grill, a Thai restaurant and the up-market Ribs & Rumps and Bacar (in the Pullman hotel). In the Aquatic Center, a short walk from the track is Cafe Aqua. It serves coffee, breakfast, soups, burgers, salads and pastas. Prices range from (Aus) $3 to $10. Opposite the Railway Station is a convenience store with Internet Access
(5 computers).
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Top of Page Sightseeing Around Sydney
While there's no shortage of organized tours available here's a few suggestions for low cost do-it-yourself day trips while you're at the World Masters Games.Walkabout Sydney
 Take a train or bus to Circular Quay. From here explore by foot some of Sydney's famous landmarks. To the left is the Sydney Harbour Bridge which offers great views of the city. Underneath the bridge is The Rocks, the oldest part of Sydney. Wander through narrow lane ways, cobblestone streets, gardens and read the historical markers. The Rocks is home to art galleries, museums, bars, cafes, up-scale restaurants and shops and weekend markets. Walk back to Circular Quay and to the right past the water front cafes is the Sydney Opera House. Continue through the gates for a waters edge walk past Government House and up to Mrs Macquaries Chair, a scenic lookout. Continue on to enjoy the Royal Botanic Gardens, the NSW Art Gallery and Hyde Park. Ferry ride to Manly
At Circular Quay take a 30 minute ride on a Sydney Harbour ferry to the seaside town of Manly. The views are stunning as you cross the harbour. If you're feeling active take one of Sydney's most spectacular walks along the Fairfax Walking Track to the top of North Head. You start at Manly Beach along the pine-lined beach promenade and walk along the boardwalk to the Fairfax track. Plaques provide you with stories of Sydney's cultural and natural history. Follow the signs to Collins Beach, Little Manly Cove and up to North Head. Back at Manly reward yourself with some fish and chips on the beach or lunch in one of the many cafes. Bondi Beach
 From Circular Quay take the number 380 bus to one of Sydney's most famous beaches, Bondi. Take a walk along this long stretch of white sand and rolling surf. It's the perfect place for people watching with sun lovers, surfers and tourists all strutting their stuff. Funky shops and cafes line the shore. At the southern end of the beach is the Bondi Icebergs Club. It's a great place for a drink or meal at very reasonable prices. The floor to ceiling windows and outdoor deck let you watch the swimmers do laps in the rock pool below while the surfers ride the waves just behind them. Cruise Sydney's Bays
Explore Sydney by riding the ferries that cruise around the water ways. Jump on and off, have a cliff walk, a seafood lunch, a stroll around Darling Harbour, historic Parramatta or the Taronga Zoo. Or relax on the deck and watch the world go by. Blue Mountains
For a day trip or an over night stay take a scenic train ride out to the Blue Mountains National Park. Trains depart from Central Station hourly and travel through Parramatta and Penrith before you change to the Blue Mountains line. Hop off and wander through the many charming towns. Katoomba (a 2 hour train journey) is the most visited and is home to the Three Sisters, a spectacular rock formation at Echo Point. From there you can walk down the Giant Stairway across the Jamison Valley floor, past the Katoomba Falls and catch the Scenic Railway back up to the top. Top of Page Travel Visa for World Masters Games
For US and Canadian citizens you'll need to apply for an online visa for entry into Australia. The cost is (Aus) $20. Europeans also use this process.
Click here for the website.
Some Aussie Sayings
To help you understand the locals here are few words and their translations.barbie/barby - a barbecue
barrack - (not to be confused with the new US president) support one's team or team mate, cheer them on, usually noisily
beaut or bewdy - a cry of delight or total approval
blue - a fight or argument or mistake
bloke - Australian male
bushed - (not to be confused with the former US president) feeling lost or bewildered or very tired
chockers - very full
choof off - to leave or go
cozzie/cossie - a bathing costume e.g. bikini
crikey - an exclamation of surprise
crook - to be or feel unwell
fair dinkum - genuine, honest, true or truthful
g'day - hello
mate - form of address for men, often used instead of a name or if someone has forgotten your name
spitting chips - very angry
wanker - person who carries on in a self-indulgent, egotistical, pretentious manner
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