The Goods Line facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Goods Line |
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The Goods Line in August 2017
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| Type | Urban linear park; public park |
| Location | Sydney () |
| Area | 800 m (2,625 ft) long |
| Created | 2012 |
| Operated by | Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority |
| Status | Open |
The Goods Line is a cool park and pathway in Sydney, Australia. It's about 800 meters (2,600 feet) long and is a great place for walking, cycling, and hanging out. This special park connects Railway Square to Darling Harbour. Along the way, it passes by the University of Technology Sydney and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) offices. The Goods Line ends near Sussex and Hay Streets in the center of Sydney.
Contents
Exploring The Goods Line: What to See
The Goods Line starts near Central Station in Sydney. You can begin your adventure by walking through the Devonshire Street Tunnel. This tunnel is 300 meters (980 feet) long and has been open since 1906!
Walk Through the Tunnel
After the tunnel, you'll enter Henry Deane Plaza. From there, you go down a ramp into another tunnel. This tunnel goes under Lee Street, Railway Square, and George Street. You can enter or leave the tunnel at these spots using stairs and escalators.
From Tunnel to Open Pathway
The tunnel then continues under a building before opening up into the main pathway. Here, you might see old steel railway tracks that used to carry trains. The Goods Line pathway uses parts of the old railway line, including an old bridge called the Ultimo Road railway underbridge. The path finishes near the Powerhouse Museum and Darling Drive.
The History of The Goods Line
The Goods Line follows the path of an old freight railway line. This railway line opened way back in 1855! It was used to carry goods from the main railway line to the shipping port at Darling Harbour. This helped freight trains move goods without getting in the way of passenger trains.
From Railway to Park
In the 1980s, the port at Darling Harbour closed down. The railway line was no longer needed for freight. A new light rail line (like a tram) started using part of the old railway corridor in 1997. This left a short section of the old railway line unused.
In 2012, this unused section was turned into a pedestrian pathway and was named The Goods Line. Later, in 2015, the pathway was made even longer. A new building, the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building, also opened with an entrance right onto The Goods Line.
Cool Design Features
The Goods Line was designed by two companies, ASPECT Studios and CHROFI. They wanted to make it a fun and useful space for everyone.
Fun for Everyone
The park has lots of cool features:
- Grassy areas where you can relax.
- Tables for eating or studying.
- Table tennis tables for a game.
- Special "study pods" where you can read or work.
- A water play area with a sand pit for younger kids.
The designers wanted the park to feel like the old railway line, but for modern times. Instead of carrying goods, it now helps people connect, share ideas, and have fun. You can still see some old railway parts, like the Ultimo Road railway underbridge from 1879 and a special lever from an old signal box. The design of The Goods Line even won an award in 2014!
What's Next for The Goods Line?
There are plans to make the first part of The Goods Line even better. Also, people are looking into extending the pathway even further, possibly using an old railway tunnel under Railway Square.
