Housed in the old Eveleigh Rail Yards on Wilson Street in the Redfern Waterloo precinct, sits a hub of contemporary arts and culture, CarriageWorks. Having only opened in January 2007, it has made a huge mark on Sydney's art scene, with a large program of events, unforgettable festivals, plays, musicals and fashion, it's one of a kind.

CarriageWorks is a new home for physical theatre, spoken word, music, dance, visual and hybrid arts. In its unusual and flexible creative space, CarriageWorks is a multi-venue centre, embracing galleries, theatres, its own cafe and bar. Starting with the cathedral-scale foyer, the physical beauty and scope of CarriageWorks is inspiring. The distinctive nineteenth century industrial atmosphere of the former railway carriage and blacksmith workshops have been retained, with many heritage iron and brick details featured in the regeneration of the building.

Highly acclaimed for its architectural genius, CarriageWorks blends the new with the old, transforming this 1880 steam engine carriage workshop into flexible theatre spaces, administration offices, workshop spaces and amenities in discrete concrete boxes articulated from the heritage fabric, while still retaining its existing features and structure, thus maintaining the old feel of this landmark and wasting no material on additional construction. Encouraging people to cycle there, CarriageWorks is very environmentally minded, both in practice and design.

There are some exciting events and shows coming up, including Winterland, a European-style winter festival from 5th July-31st July. With an indoor ice-skating rink, live music, day and night markets selling arts, crafts and alpine food plus a cafe and bar. With free entry there's nothing to lose. If you're after something a bit warmer though, get flustered at the Wrong Prom where good music and daggy dancing collide, 28th July-25th August, followed by fashion markets to exchange clothes, or buy some new threads, it's all exciting, fresh and fun.

So jump on the bandwagon, come for a ride and get involved in Sydney's beloved artspace.