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The opening
Monday 19 January 2026. That's when Sydney's new Fish Market opens at Blackwattle Bay, replacing the 1980s Pyrmont site with a purpose-built facility on an adjacent pier. Construction started in 2020 and the finished building will handle six million visitors annually once it hits its stride.
Image credit: NSW Government
What's opening: 40+ traders mixing fresh seafood, specialty food, restaurants, cafes and bars across three levels with double the retail space of the old market. Six thousand square metres of public open space wraps the building, connecting the foreshore walk from Woolloomooloo to Rozelle Bay.
Opening week will be chaos — expect crowds, limited parking, and delays everywhere. Here's how to navigate it.
How to get there
Take the light rail: Parking is genuinely limited, and Bridge Road will be packed.
Your stop is Wentworth Park on the L1 Dulwich Hill Line. It’s about 400 metres from the market entrance. Don't get off at the old Fish Market stop (now renamed Bank Street) as it's further away and will leave you walking further than you need to.
Transport NSW added 150 extra weekly services late last year to handle demand. Weekend services now run every six minutes between 10am and 7pm. Evening services run every 10 minutes until 9pm Sunday to Thursday, and until 11pm Friday and Saturday.
Buses: Routes 389 and 501 along Harris Street stop about 400 metres away.
Driving: If you absolutely must drive, factor in delays and know parking is scarce. Bring an esky or chiller bag, your seafood won't last long in a hot car.
Future transport: A $40 million upgrade to Wentworth Park light rail stop is planned (lifts, ramps, better access). A $30 million ferry wharf at Blackwattle Bay is also in the works, but won't be ready for opening day.
Trip planning: transportnsw.info
Image credit: NSW Government
Who's opening
New operators:
Lua — Luke Nguyen's flagship Southeast Asian restaurant
Tam Jiak by Ho Jiak — Junda Khoo's hatted Malaysian spot
Hamsi Taverna — Turkish charcoal dishes from Somer Sivrioglu (Efendy Group)
Little Red & Touch_wood — Dirty Red's (an Inner West fave) newest venue: all-day waterfront cafe plus a wine bar for cocktails and small plates
Cow & the Moon — Enmore gelato favourite making the move
Ichié — Ramen, donburi, seafood BBQ and sake bar
Tin Tin Harbour — Yum cha and live seafood
Lüneburger German Bakery — Authentic German baking
Olivetta — Australia's first specialty olive oil concept store
The originals:
Nicholas Seafood, Peter's Fish Market, GetFish, Claudio's Seafoods, Christie's Seafoods, Boatshed Cafe, Fish Market Cafe, and Blackwattle Deli are all relocating with enhanced setups, think Takoyaki bars, Aburi bars, and expanded cooked-to-order menus.
Full trader list: sydneyfishmarket.com.au
Land Of The Giant Pippies By Alison Page. Image credit: NSW Government
What else is available
Sydney Seafood School is offering masterclasses. Behind-the-scenes tours show how the wholesale auction works. Cultural programming highlights First Nations fishing traditions through installations and storytelling along the foreshore.
The building achieved a 5 Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, with rainwater collection and recycling systems, plus five Seabin units filtering harbour water. The 15km foreshore walk now connects Woolloomooloo to Rozelle Bay for the first time since industrial uses closed it off in the 19th century.
Opening week survival tips
Get there early morning or late afternoon to dodge peak crowds
Light rail is likely your best option
Bring an esky or chiller bag for seafood purchases
Check individual trader websites for specific opening hours
Be patient with staff learning the new space
Key details
📍 Where: Blackwattle Bay, Bridge Road at Bank Street
📅 When: Monday 19 January 2026
🚋 Light rail: Wentworth Park stop (L1 Dulwich Line)
🚌 Buses: 389, 501
🅿️ Parking: Limited
🌐 More: sydneyfishmarket.com.au
