Qantas Frequent Flyer - SYD - WALK TO WOLLI CREEK STATION

For some healthy exercise and to avoid the private railway fare, it is possible to walk from SYD International terminal to Wolli Creek railway station in about 20-25 minutes. I have done it three times, twice with no luggage and once with a backpack. Each time I saw airport employees doing the same walk. You start by crossing the river on the bridge behind the car park.
The only hard part is crossing busy Marsh St, which is best done near the Hilton Hotel, where the median strip is wider.
From Wolli Creek station, you pay the normal State Rail fares only, i.e. not the Airport line surcharge.
I do NOT recommend doing this walk with luggage other than a backpack.
(From the domestic terminal you would walk to Mascot Station, not to Wolli Creek).

Welcome to the QF forum, QF ExLurker. Good to see you lurking no more but inputting your knowledge to the Board.

That was discussed yesterday I believe in another topic, however you have given specific directions. One of these days when I have time on my hands and light carry-on only, I'm going to try the walk from Wolli Creek or Mascot to judge for myself. Maybe the walk isn't that far when compared with the walk from the platform to the check-in desk...

So you aren't a relation of Starwood Lurker, are you http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif??

(Editd to add last comment...)


[This message has been edited by QF WP (edited Dec 01, 2003).]

For those who are geographically challenged, I recommend getting a copy of the UBD street directory before venturing out on the walk to Wolli Ck or Mascot. I'll save some angst. Also, make sure the Directory is no older than about 4 years (the stations may not be shown).

(Also, welcome, QF exlurker)

Another clue for the geographically challenged en-route to Wolli Creek, there is no Hilton Hotel at the airport anymore.

Dave

Being a local resident of the area, and doing the walk a few times (and others on bike), I can confirm that if time (and baggage) is no hassle, then the walk to the international terminal is quite nice. Just follow the bike track, and head towards the hilton. Beats paying the reduculous fares ex dom, int terminals etc

A jackpot. I stopped lurking only yesterday, but have already scored replies from the prolific posters QF WP and og. And nobody has told me off for starting this SYD to Wolli Creek walking discussion under QF rather in the Airports threads.

Yes, a look at a street map before setting off would certainly help, especially as pedestrians do not seem to be expected or catered for by signs or safe crossings on this route, either by the airport or by the local council.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dave Noble:
Another clue for the geographically challenged en-route to Wolli Creek, there is no Hilton Hotel at the airport anymore.

Dave</font>
What happened to the Sydney Airport Hilton? I stayed there just 2 months ago. I was about to suggest walking from the station to the Hilton Hotel, walking into the foyer, then back out again and onto their courtesy shuttle bus! Sounds like that option may be gone now.

Also note - I don't get lost, but I have been known to occasionally experience temporary geographical embarrassment.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by QF ExLurker:
A jackpot. I stopped lurking only yesterday, but have already scored replies from the prolific posters QF WP and og. And nobody has told me off for starting this SYD to Wolli Creek walking discussion under QF rather in the Airports threads.</font>
Let me add my welcome too! And this topic is just fine here (I say in the absence of our illustrious moderator who is no doubt soaking up the sunshine somewhere in the UK winter).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NM:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by QF ExLurker:
[b] in the absence of our illustrious moderator who is no doubt soaking up the sunshine somewhere in the UK winter).</font>

UK Winter and sunshine - that'd only happen on the sunny side of a 744 at FL 350???

Sorry QF exlurker - we drift off topic regularly!

My cup runneth over. Replies also from NM and from Dave Noble.

To drift back onto the topic, after mastering SYD-Wolli Creek, one could then try London City-LHR, mostly along the Thames river towpath. That walk was described in detail in the BA inflight magazine about 2 years ago. It will take a full day, allowing for pub stops. I have not done it myself, yet.

"It will take a full day, allowing for pub stops. I have not done it myself, yet."

This is the QF board....With pub stops there's no way that it's going to be done in less than 3 days http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Dave

"What happened to the Sydney Airport Hilton?"

It closed a few weeks ago


"I stayed there just 2 months ago. I was about to suggest walking from the station to the Hilton Hotel, walking into the foyer, then back out again and onto their courtesy shuttle bus!"

A wonderful idea that I have myself made use of. Alas poor Sydney, no Hiltons now.

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dave Noble:
"What happened to the Sydney Airport Hilton?"

It closed a few weeks ago
..
A wonderful idea that I have myself made use of. Alas poor Sydney, no Hiltons now.

Dave</font>

Now a Mercure. Mourn the loss of double dipping and 1000 QF pts for a night's stay.

"(From the domestic terminal you would walk to Mascot Station, not to Wolli Creek)."

Mascot - along with Green Square - also have station access charges, but they are not as high as the access charges payable at International or Domestic.

Todays trivia quiz - there is one other railway station in the CityRail area which applies an access charge - which one is it?

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by QF ExLurker:
To drift back onto the topic, after mastering SYD-Wolli Creek, one could then try London City-LHR, mostly along the Thames river towpath. That walk was described in detail in the BA inflight magazine about 2 years ago. It will take a full day, allowing for pub stops.</font>

About time that this thread got on topic for the QF board.

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NM:
Also note - I don't get lost,</font>

I have been told to do so once or twice....

Dave

And now thadocta joins in, my joy is boundless. I may retire while I am ahead and go back to full-time lurking.

This thread is actually intended to be about bushwalking or hiking to airports, and should be of interest to any FT Rural Fire fighters.

As for the trivia question, is it Olympic Park perhaps?

Bring on Western Creek airport, I am ready for the challenge.

Badgery's Creek, not Western Creek. Too many creeks near our airports. Which reminds me, the bike path along the Cooks River is an alternative approach to the International terminal. In Amsterdam city centre, I have seen a technical crewmember pedalling off in the direction of Schiphol. Secure bicycle parking is available at Schiphol airport. He was in full uniform and had a small suitcase on the back of his bicycle.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by QF ExLurker:
And now thadocta joins in, my joy is boundless. I may retire while I am ahead and go back to full-time lurking.</font>

LOL

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">This thread is actually intended to be about bushwalking or hiking to airports, and should be of interest to any FT Rural Fire fighters.</font>

Well, you brought it back on topic by mentioning pubs.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">As for the trivia question, is it Olympic Park perhaps?</font>

Got it in one.

Welcome to the board, by the way. Are you current QF staff? If so, how easy is it for you to get around the rule against you accessing the QP's?

Dave

There is no secure bike parking at the airport unless I can have someone's SACL office! RE: the Cooks River bikepath, it's OK but too many tree roots across it for comfort, and too many kids on little pink bikes to make it a viable weekend bike speedway.

Sorry, thadocta, I forgot, all FT QF posts must include a reference to beer, and preferably free ones.

If I was current QF staff, would I say so? But actually, no, I am not current or former employee (or owner) of any airline. I will "buy" you a HP if I am lying.

Now, unless there are any further contributions on the subject of getting to SYD or other airports by human power (i.e. walking or cycling), I hereby declare this thread closed.

You may have declare it closed, however the only person capable of ACTUALLY physically doing it is Willyroo, who last I knew was up in Wales with ajamieson but may well have moved on from there .

Given that I think he is on his way to BCN on 1 Dec (LHR time), I think he'll now be out of contact again for a while. Enjoy the emails hitting your in-box http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif as this thread grows (as you can't change the email notification).

Yes, you may have mentioned beers, but thankfully you didn't mention the word "bus".... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

ALMOST anything is considered on-topic here on the QF Forum.

Prolific...do I post that much...I like it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by QF ExLurker:

Now, unless there are any further contributions on the subject of getting to SYD or other airports by human power (i.e. walking or cycling), I hereby declare this thread closed.</font>

Challenge!

It's quicker for me to ride a bike and dodge the little pink kids bikes for the 10 km to the airport than catch a taxi ($20-25) or drive myself. Have not tried the walking part yet (but the trip from Mascot station is certainly the go when travelling by myself - it only takes forever with a change at Central). Not sure how I'd ride home after a skin full of HPs in the QP though (one killer hill). Maybe a slow and deliberate stagger?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by QF ExLurker:
Sorry, thadocta, I forgot, all FT QF posts must include a reference to beer, and preferably free ones.

If I was current QF staff, would I say so? But actually, no, I am not current or former employee (or owner) of any airline. I will "buy" you a HP if I am lying.

Now, unless there are any further contributions on the subject of getting to SYD or other airports by human power (i.e. walking or cycling), I hereby declare this thread closed.</font>

Like QF WP said no thread is closed until Willyroo says so, you might be getting a few more emails yet. You could have always turned the email feature off.

Why does anyone need to buy anyone a HP while the QP hands them out for free.

Ok if you aren't QF staff then why the reference to QF ExLurker or was that just chosen at random.




------------------
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone. "Concorde"

I wonder if og could utilise Valet Parking after riding to the airport on his bike! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by thadocta:
I wonder if og could utilise Valet Parking after riding to the airport on his bike! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Dave</font>
Willyroo is the Valet King! Most of the local plebs used the public car park for the BNE FT gathering last month. But not our illustrious moderator! Everything in moderations, especially when collecting the car from the valet. Lateral thinking at its best. As for me, I sent Mrs NM and the Mini-NM's to a Nephew's McDonalds birthday party on the other side of town, and had her pick me up on her way home http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif.

Do you get FF points for QF valet parking?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NM:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by thadocta:
[b]Do you get FF points for QF valet parking?</font>

Maybe not, but I'm sure it's a lot cheaper than parking a car! Then again, I wonder if anyone has ever tried to park their bike there?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bundy Bear:
Like QF WP said no thread is closed until Willyroo says so, you might be getting a few more emails yet. You could have always turned the email feature off. </font>
Can't see why Willyroo would want to close this one. Its got everyting, beer, QP, beer, miles (well km at least), beer, bus etc. So it no different to any other topic on this board http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif. ok, then, maybe it should be closed as a redundant thread (it all covered in other threads).

Not when you don't pay for it like Willyroo, NM...I've never tried his trick, but now that he showed us how it's done...BNE Valet Parking will never be the same.

The name QF ExLurker was chosen because I lurk mainly on NW, KL and MH threads, but I identify with QF, being a token shareholder, Australian resident (SYD) and future QFF user. (That last point is because KL no longer fly to Australia, being replaced by MH, but MH do not give status miles on NW FF scheme World Perks, so QF is better for me now). So when I made my "virgin" posting on a NW thread, two days ago, (but now it seems like two months) I chose that name.

Now this thread has got beer, miles, bikes and virgins. It will go forever.

Getting back to the point, which I remind you all is human-powered travel to SYD and other airports, in the Netherlands you can lose your car licence for failing a breath test while driving a bicycle, which are considered to be normal vehicles.

Back on topic??...what's a topic (is that like an AXA??) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

QF exLurker, welcome to the decidedly off-topic forum, QF..a bit like a wandering mind in a classroom, where every now and again we get jerked back to (on-topic) reality

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by QF ExLurker:

Getting back to the point, which I remind you all is human-powered travel to SYD and other airports, in the Netherlands you can lose your car licence for failing a breath test while driving a bicycle, which are considered to be normal vehicles.</font>

NSW cyclists are still subject to the same road rules and responsibilities as car drivers (and expect car drivers to be aware of that and treat them as normal traffic too). It IS possible to get busted for a traffic offence (and yes, I do usually stop for the red lights!).

(edited for typo - and I'll stop being serious now)

[This message has been edited by og (edited Dec 02, 2003).]

Maybe not, but I'm sure it's a lot cheaper than parking a car! Then again, I wonder if anyone has ever tried to park their bike there?

My husband and I rode our bikes to the airport on the spur of the moment on Saturday, mostly to check out the duty free shops (as we'll be travelling soon) and because it was New Year's Day and it was likely to be the only place open!

We took the Cooks River cycleway route starting from Hurlstone Park and crossing over into Tempe. After crossing into the airport and looping down and around into the International terminal turnoff, the path just..... ended.

We found ourselves at the car park entrance/exit and 5 lanes of traffic. We hauled our bikes across and over the kerb into the carpark and tried to find a place to park our bikes. Nope... nope... cars only... maybe we should hook up to a luggage cart rack, or is that a security risk? We finally spotted a carpark employee on a bicycle and asked him where to go. He sent us to what appeared to be a staff bicycle area. Not super-secure, but ok.

For those who want to try it out, go to the South terminal arrivals area, follow around to the left past the McDonald's and the covered area leading to the train station, and just beyond that there's like a glass pyramid thing and just near there by a roller door you'll find the bike racks.

We wandered around the shops, had lunch and went up to the observation deck to watch the world go by. A fun way to spend the afternoon.

On the way back, we discovered someone had chalked in an arrow to International Airport just before the path ends, that takes you underneath the highway, which is dirt, and over to just past the carpark entrance where you only have to cross one lane of traffic, not five. We'll bear that in mind for next time.

All up, it took about an hour to cycle each way which is quicker and cheaper than public transport. Given how long I've waited for taxis sometimes (as we're only a $15 fare away) it could even be quicker than a taxi.

Good info msfi. Mrs og and I will be going to CHC at Easter time and I'm really tempted to do it by bike. No worries about the ride to T1 and can cope with the riding in NZ, but the logistics of a bike box and the packing / unpacking seems a daunting task. I'll need to do some research to see if there are bike boxes at QF T1 (can anyone help?). If this all works, we (I) really want to do an extended ride in Canada on long service leave in 2006 (a significant age for me :) .

Good info msfi. Mrs og and I will be going to CHC at Easter time and I'm really tempted to do it by bike.

I'd much prefer to fly, myself ;)

I'd much prefer to fly, myself ;)
Thankyou Mr/Ms Smartypants (AKA dannyr) :p . Perhaps I failed to adequately explain how I would ride the bike once it was in a box. But then, maybe airlines would prefer SLF to be pre-packed in boxes so they could be stacked on pallets instead of crammed into seats with ever decreasing leg room.. but I digress.

Good info msfi....but the logistics of a bike box and the packing / unpacking seems a daunting task.
Don't make my mistake, I checked my bag in, then the bike and found myself holding my carry on and a four inch long adjustable shifter, which I used to take the bike apart. Well, apparently it was classed as a weapon :confused: and they wouldn't let me take it in my carry on. :mad: Luckily they stored it for me but I had to get a new one at my destination.

Don't make my mistake, I checked my bag in, then the bike and found myself holding my carry on and a four inch long adjustable shifter, which I used to take the bike apart. Well, apparently it was classed as a weapon ....
Just think of the things that you could do with that! Undo the cockpit door - bolt by bolt, break into the customs bonded cart after duty free has closed, break apart an economy class bread roll, - the list is endless! Really, how pathetic.

Once we took a Christmas present in our carry-on bag. Unknown to me, Mrs og decided that her sister should receive a biscuit making machine. Unfortunately this looked like a flare gun when X-Rayed. It took quite a bit of explaining until a security officer who made biscuits turned up to see what all the commotion was about.

..... break apart an economy class bread roll
It was only about a 4" long model, probably not big enough :D

Mrs HeyAussie once lost half of a crown of a tooth in a QF mintie (Qantaslink) on the way to BME. It was actually only a couple of days before she became Mrs. Imagine the lawsuit if it had been a US carrier. :p