Must-see Vivid Sydney experiences on The Goods Line

The Goods Line is a vibrant urban walkway in the heart of Sydney, a reinvention of an old railway line into a bustling passageway that connects a series of cultural, educational, and media institutions. This unique location combines heritage with innovation and is the perfect platform for Vivid Sydney events that blend art, technology and community interaction. During Vivid Sydney 2024, The Goods Line is transformed into a canvas of Light, Music, Food and Ideas. From 24 May to 15 June, visitors can experience a vibrant spectrum of installations, performances and culinary adventures that reflect the festival theme of humanity in this unique, easy-to-navigate slice of Sydney. Top tip: Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking and standing a lot throughout the night.

How to get there

The Goods Line is conveniently accessible via Central Station, connecting seamlessly to Sydney's public transport network. Visitors can begin their journey at Central, taking the Devonshire Street Tunnel and following this through northwest towards and past Lee Street. The pathway will then briefly open onto street level — continue underground, and you’ll arrive at The Goods Line.

Alternatively, arrive by light rail, disembarking at the Chinatown Light Rail Stop, which is approximately a 10-min walk to the Goods Line.

If you find yourself in nearby city locations like Barangaroo and Wynyard, we highly recommend walking there, it’s a delightful way to take in more of the Vivid Sydney artworks and work up an appetite for Vivid Fire Kitchen.

Must-see Vivid Sydney experiences on The Goods Line

Vivid Fire Kitchen

Start your evening at the Vivid Fire Kitchen, a beacon of warmth during Vivid Sydney's wintery evenings. A night market centred around cooking with fire, you can browse food trucks, markets stalls and barbecue stands. Think: wood-fired pizza, Sudanese BBQ sandwiches, Greek street food, Malaysian satay and much more. Local pit master Lennox Hastie, Australian culinary legend Christine Manfield and Michelin-starred Swede Niklas Ekstedt will also be doing live cooking demos. In amongst the food action, find the fire sculptures, flame throwers and other fiery installations of Fireplaces.

Messina Milk Bar

Post-meal, whilst still in the heat of the Fire Kitchen action, step into Gelato Messina’s whimsical twist on the classic Australian milk bar for dessert. This modern interpretation of a 'mixed business' will have you scooping up gelato-infused chocolate bars, dixie cups, tailor-made milkshakes and spiders. Not to mention their warm Milo fudge sundae, a Vivid Sydney exclusive from the cult-favourite gelato makers.  

Humanity/Humility

As you weave in and out of the stallholders and firepits at Vivid Fire Kitchen, look up and take in the Humanity/Humility installation. The letters of this large neon word flickers between Humanity and Humility, as they light up the rear wall of the Powerhouse. Not only is this a striking image glowing above the fiery action, but this piece will prompt further curiosity and discussion. What do the two words mean to you? Discuss over your brisket.

Window Dressing

This performance installation lights up several windows of the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building, a Frank Gehry-designed icon, transforming ordinary windows into dynamic vignettes of everyday life. Each window tells a different story through different scenes, turning the walkway into a theatre of sorts. Window Dressing will challenge perceptions of everyday spaces and what it means to be human, including an exploration of our voyeuristic inclinations.

Nowhere to Be

Next up, stop in and catch a free screening of Nowhere to Be, a breathtaking portrait of our bustling world in stillness. This is the Australian premiere of this compelling doco, which offers a fresh look at the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of 31 international cinematographers.  

Poem Booth

A short stroll from the heart of The Goods Line, discover Poem Booth. This is your chance to encounter Artificial Intelligence as a poet. Step up to and interact with several ‘booths’ as they translate visual stimuli into original verse. You’ll be left wondering what creativity means in this new AI-age.  

Tumbalong Nights

The nearby Tumbalong Park stage is the beating drum of Vivid Sydney’s Light Walk for Tumbalong Nights, 23 nights of free live music and DJs. Catch a diverse range of acts like Budjerah, Mallrat, grentperez, 3%, Club Broadway and Vivid Kids at Tumbalong. Make sure you explore the full program here.  

Whether you're a local or a visitor, it’s time to come and encounter something new on The Goods Line during Vivid Sydney.