Every January, the Australian Open turns Melbourne into a tennis town. Fans fill Melbourne Park by day, and the city stays busy long after the last match.
This guide is for visitors coming for the tennis. It covers the dates, how to get to Melbourne Park, which part of the city to stay in, and how to plan your sessions. It ends with ideas for the evenings, and why you should book everything early. For company after the tennis, Ruby’s Melbourne escorts visit hotels across the city.
Australian Open dates in Melbourne
The Australian Open 2027 runs from Monday 11 to Sunday 31 January at Melbourne Park. It is the first Grand Slam of the tennis year.
- Opening Week, Monday 11 to Saturday 16 January: qualifying matches on the outside courts.
- The main draw, Sunday 17 to Sunday 31 January: the singles, doubles and mixed events, ending with the finals.
Opening Week is the quiet way in. Crowds are thinner, and you can watch players up close on the smaller courts.
The second week is the busiest. The draw narrows, the big names play on the main arenas, and the city fills with visitors.
The organisers publish the order of play the day before. Check it each evening, so you know which matches fall in your session.
Getting to Melbourne Park
Melbourne Park sits on the edge of the CBD, beside the Yarra and the MCG. You can reach it by tram, by train or on foot.
By tram
Tram route 70 runs along Flinders Street to Melbourne Park. During the tournament, extra trams run as route 70a. Three stops serve the precinct:
- Stop 7A, William Barak Bridge, for the Birrarung Marr entrance.
- Stop 7B, Rod Laver Arena, for the Garden Square entrance.
- Stop 7C, John Cain Arena, for the Grand Slam Oval entrance.
In 2026, an Australian Open ticket gave free travel on routes 70 and 70a on the day of the ticket. Check Transport Victoria before you travel, as the 2027 offer may differ.
By train
From Flinders Street Station, you can walk along the river to the Birrarung Marr entrance. Jolimont Station leads to the Garden Square entrance. From Richmond Station, take a route 70 tram to the stops above.
Where to stay in Melbourne for the tennis
Pick a base you can walk home from after a night session. Four areas suit tennis visitors.
The CBD
The east end of the city, around Flinders Street and Collins Street, puts the tram and the river walk at your door. For an evening booking near Melbourne Park, read about escorts in the Melbourne CBD and their hotel visits.
East Melbourne
East Melbourne is a quiet street grid of terraces and small hotels beside the Fitzroy Gardens. Jolimont Station is close by.
Richmond
Richmond sits just across the railway lines from Melbourne Park. Swan Street has pubs and restaurants for after the match. See our page on escorts in Richmond and Cremorne.
Southbank
Southbank faces the city across the Yarra. Its towers have river views, and the riverside paths lead towards Birrarung Marr.
Day and night sessions at Melbourne Park
The main arenas, Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena, sell day and night sessions as separate tickets. A ground pass covers the outside courts and the open spaces of the precinct.
Day sessions
Day sessions start late in the morning and run through the afternoon. You often see several matches in one sitting.
January days in Melbourne can be very hot. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. The weather can also turn cool and windy, so pack a light layer.
Night sessions
Night sessions start in the evening, and the big matches often go into them. The atmosphere under the lights is a highlight of the tournament.
A long match can finish well after midnight. Plan your way home before you go in, and keep the next morning free.
Mixing the two
Many visitors book a ground pass for the early days, and arena seats for the second week. Leave at least one evening free for the city itself.
Evenings in Melbourne after the tennis
When play ends, the city is close at hand. You do not need a taxi to find dinner or a drink.
- Birrarung Marr and Federation Square, between Melbourne Park and the city, for open space by the river.
- Flinders Lane and its side lanes, for restaurants and small bars.
- Swan Street in Richmond, for pubs and late meals close to the courts.
- The Southbank promenade, for dinner with a view back over the river.
Restaurants fill fast in January, especially on finals weekend. Book a table when you buy your tickets.
On a rest day, try a rooftop bar in the city or a walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens late in the day.
Company for an Australian Open evening in Melbourne
Some visitors spend a free evening with an escort. It suits a night when you want good company and conversation away from the crowds.
A dinner date fits well before a night session, or on a rest day. Our page on dinner dates in Melbourne explains how the evening works. After a late match, a hotel visit lets you stay in.
Planning around the draw
Tell reception your hotel, the time and whether you hold a night session ticket. If a match runs long, text reception early so the time can move.
Browse the roster once your tickets are set, and give reception a first and a second choice.
Book Melbourne early in January
The Australian Open is one of the busiest fortnights on the Melbourne calendar. Hotels, restaurants and bookings fill fast.
- Book your hotel as soon as you buy your tickets.
- Reserve dinner tables for finals weekend early.
- Plan any escort booking in advance, not on the day.
Enquire a few hours ahead on most days. Give a day or more for Friday and Saturday evenings. Same-day bookings can sometimes work. During the tennis, give reception more notice than usual.
Our Melbourne events calendar shows the other weeks when the city fills.
