Pippita Rail Trail

Rail Trail
On Road
Potential RT
Other Trail
Former Railway

Why we need the Pippita Rail Trail?

Trail Potential

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This potential rail trail is a hidden gem in Sydney’s western suburbs.

It will provide a natural linkage with surrounding green spaces and pathways, including the popular Cooks River pathway between Botany Bay, Strathfield and Homebush.

It will be accessible from Lidcombe station via Bachell Avenue at the southern end, and from Edwin Flack Avenue in the northern end, just across from the Sydney Olympic Park athletics warm-up arena.

The existing link between the Cooks River pathway and Olympic Park is on-road for most of the trip. The proposed Pippita rail trail would provide a quieter off-road path via historic Rookwood Cemetery and Lidcombe T1 train station.

Cumberland Council released the detailed design for the Pippita Rail Trail on 15 February 2024. Details are available in the Council’s media release.

Funding for developing this rail trail was announced by NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes in August 2022. To see our news item about this, click here.

To see a 7News video about the announcement, click here.

Nearby Attractions

Sydney Olympic Park is the sporting hub of greater Sydney, having hosted the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games
The Sydney Olympic Park precinct connects many walking and cycling trails along the Parramatta River
Lidcombe offers culinary and cultural experiences
This short trail would connect the transport hub at Lidcombe with the greater western network of off-road trails.

Trail Guide

Last updated: 17 February 2024

The trail is relatively short at 3 km, but when completed will provide a natural linkage with surrounding green spaces and pathways.

It will be accessible from Bachell Avenue at the southern end, and from Edwin Flack Avenue in the northern end, on the edge of Sydney Olympic Park.

Lidcombe has many shops and restaurants, and Sydney Olympic Park has restaurants, cafes and hotels. It also has a regular suburban train service on the T1 line.

Sydney Olympic Park has historical sites and good tourist, cycling and walking amenities. The Parramatta River is at the north end of the area. There are off-road cycle paths to Parramatta, Liverpool and Prospect Reservoir, and safe cycling paths from Parramatta through Westmead to the 42 km M7 cycleway.

Important note: This rail trail is not yet open. The alignment is owned by Transport NSW and most of it passes through private property. Trespassing on the alignment is prohibited.

Section Guides

This trail is not yet open.

Photo Gallery

This forgotten trail is to be transformed into a viable Rail Trail

Disused Pippita railway line, facing south near Parramatta Road

Disused rail bridge over Parramatta Road

Get Around

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Further Information

Information and Links

For further information about the history of Pippita:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pippita_railway_station

For more background on the Pippita rail trail proposal and how it links Lidcombe to Sydney Olympic Park:

facebook.com/PippitaRail/

Contact Rail Trails Australia

To contact us about this rail trail, email nsw@railtrails.org.au

Background Information

Traditional owners

We acknowledge the Dharug people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail will be built.

Development and future of the rail trail

The trail will begin at the northern side of Lidcombe station, running off Bachell Ave. It will be to the east of existing warehouses in both Bachell Ave and Birnie St. The alignment ends at Edwin Flack Ave in Olympic Park.

The rail trail will be easily accessible from either Lidcombe or Olympic Park train stations.

Rail line history

The Pippita rail trail will use the former goods railway line alignment that existed before Sydney Olympic Park was constructed. A spur line from Lidcombe to a meatworks at Pippita was closed in 1995.

There are disused bridges over Parramatta Road and the M4 motorway, just to the west of the current suburban rail line, that will be re-used as part of the rail trail.

News

Pippita Rail Trail detailed design released

Posted: 17/02/24

Cumberland Council has released the proposed design for the Pippita Rail Trail, a 2.4 kilometre walking ...

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Pippita Rail Trail gets development funding

Posted: 11/08/22

NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes has announced funding of $770,000 for ...

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Rapid progress on the Pippita Trail (Lidcombe to Sydney Olympic Park)

Posted: 25/09/20

The potential of the Pippita Trail has been identified and rapid initial progress has been ...

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