Brickpit Ring Walk in Sydney Olympic Park

The Brickpit Ring Walk is a fascinating and educational attraction in Sydney Olympic Park, built above a large pond that was once a thriving brickyard.

This unique circular walkway offers visitors a bird’s-eye view of the pond below, which now serves as a protected habitat for endangered frogs and other wildlife.

In this article, you’ll learn about the history of the Brickpit Ring Walk, how to get there, and what to do nearby.

The Brickpit Ring is located in the heart of Sydney Olympic Park, right next to Sydney Showground Stadium.

There are two entry points: one on Australia Avenue and another on Marjorie Jackson Parkway. Both have dedicated parking areas.

Parking is usually free with a time limit, but it’s best to check the signage and be aware of any events that might affect availability.

Public transport is also a convenient option. The Sydney Olympic Park train station is just a few hundred metres away, and there are plenty of nearby cafes if you’re looking for a bite to eat or something to drink after exploring the Brickpit Ring.

Map

Here is a map of the Brickpit Ring with the two entry points and car parking areas marked:

• P1: Marjorie Jackson Parkway (see map)
• P2: Australia Avenue (see map)

The Brickpit Ring Walk is more than just a short stroll with scenic views. Beyond its striking architectural design, it holds a fascinating history.

State Brickworks

The Brickpit Ring takes its name from the State Brickworks, a Homebush-based company established in 1911 by the New South Wales government to meet the growing demand for public housing.

Until then, the private Metropolitan Brick Company had a monopoly on Sydney’s brickyards. With the creation of the State Brickworks, the government was able to cut public construction costs significantly.

State Bricks thrived in the 1920s, driven by rapid urban growth, but production slumped during the Great Depression from 1929 to 1933.

After this downturn, the company was sold in 1936 to a group of private brickyards, and the Brickpit eventually closed.

Post World War II

During the Second World War, the site was repurposed as a naval ammunition depot before being reclaimed by the state government after the war. The Brickpit was then restored to meet the housing boom of the 1950s.

This boom lasted until the 1980s, and in 1988, the State Brickworks closed for good. That same year, the nearby State Abattoirs also shut down.

This marked the end of heavy industry in the Homebush and Rhodes area and the beginning of a decades-long redevelopment process.

Over its 60-year history, the Brickpit is estimated to have produced three billion bricks, many of which were used to build homes across Sydney.

The 2000 Summer Olympics

In the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games, several proposals were made to redevelop the old Brickpit site.

However, the discovery of Green and Golden Bell Frogs changed everything. Plans to turn the site into an Olympic venue were immediately halted.

Instead, the area was repurposed as a water storage facility and a protected habitat for the frogs.

Tourist Attraction

In 2005, the Brickpit Ring Walk was built above the pond as a tourist attraction, giving visitors a chance to experience both the site’s history and its current role as a protected habitat.

What makes the walk especially engaging are the multimedia exhibits that explore the history of the brickworks and Sydney’s once-thriving brick industry.

Visitors can also learn about the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frogs, along with other wildlife that now call the pond home.

If you have time after exploring the Brickpit Ring, consider visiting the shipwrecks of Homebush Bay.

A scenic walking trail along the Sydney Olympic Park foreshore leads to five fascinating wrecks waiting to be discovered.

Read more about the shipwrecks of Homebush Bay.