Everything you need to know about getting to the Australian Open, ticket costs and what’s on

The Australian Open is back and promises to be bigger and better than ever. Here’s your ultimate guide and mega downloadable draw poster.

Staff writers

4 min read

January 14, 2023 - 11:43AM

Sunday Herald Sun

This year’s AO promises to be bigger and better than ever. Picture: Getty

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The Australian Open is back and promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a vibe the major event has not been able to enjoy for years due to Covid restrictions. Here’s your ultimate guide to getting to the international tennis event - held right here in Melbourne - and what you can see, eat, drink, and listen to when you get there.

TICKETING

The fan favourite Ground Pass is back, in week one $59 for adults and $10 for kids.

In week two ground passes are $29 for adults and $10 for kids.

Week one RLA tickets, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena all available at various prices.

TRANSPORT

CAR

Public parking in Yarra Park (MCG) is available for $10, payable by EFTPOS only. Please note that cash can no longer be accepted, and vehicles unable to pay via card will unfortunately not be allowed entry to Yarra Park. 

Carparking in Yarra Park is subject to capacity. We advise that you arrive early to secure your parking, as capacity may be reached before the start of the match.

TRAMS

AO patrons can enjoy free tram travel on the day of their attendance on route 70 and route 70a trams between stop Flinders Street West and stop MCG/John Cain Arena stops from Monday 16 January to Sunday 29 January.

The Australian Open is the tennis event the world will be watching, and lucky Victorians can be part of the action up close and personal. Picture: Ian Currie

TRAINS

Travelling to city entrance patrons can catch a train to Flinders Street Station, then walk to Birrarung Marr to City Entrance.

Travelling to Garden Square entrance patrons can catch trains to Flinders Street Station, Jolimont Station or Richmond Station and then take a tram to Garden Square entrance.

Travelling to the Richmond entrance patrons can catch trains to Flinders Street Station and Richmond Station then take route 70 tram to stop 7D Olympic Boulevard and walk to Richmond entrance. Richmond entrance is also a close walk from Jolimont station.

RIDESHARE

There are designated rideshare pick-up locations outside John Cain Arena along Olympic Boulevard, and further along Olympic Blvd in front of the outdoor courts near Richmond entrance.

TAXI

There is a cab rank on Olympic Blvd next to the Grand Slam Oval entrance

ACCESSIBILITY

All entrances are accessibility friendly and there are a number of initiatives in place to ensure a safe an accessible AO for everyone. For Travellers’ Aid, to provide support for patrons entering and exiting the AO call 0498 023 959 anytime between 10am and 11pm.

VENUES

TOP AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANTS

Andrew McConnell’s Supernormal - Centrepiece - Level 1

Penfolds Bistro – Centrepiece – Level 2

Atrium by NOMAD - AO River Terrace

AO Stokehouse at Glasshouse

Shane Delia Maha – Superboxes

Rockpool Bar & Grill Centre – Level 2

VICTORIA by Farmer’s Daughter, Federation Square

Nick & Nora’s Superbox

Fusion Fest featuring Longrain, Lee Ho Fook, Heritage, Leonie Upstairs and Glace Dessert

There are lots of ways to get to the Australian Open and plenty of things to do. Picture: Ian Currie

GRAND SLAM OVAL

For the first time giant shade wings will keep fans cool during the day, and turn into a light show spectacular at night.

The theme for GSO this year is Global Playground.

Food and drinks on GSO include:

Fishbowl

Ca Com

Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca

Rocco’s Tremilia Pizza

Tacos y Liquor

Oasis

The B.EAST

Wonder Pies

BEACH BAR

A completely new area near Tennis Australia’s HQ just behind Garden Square, the AO Beach Bar will be a place to be as the sun starts to go down at Melbourne Park.

With an elevated DJ Platform and amazing DJs all tournament, it will be a crowd pleaser.

Food by Sydney’s Charcoal Fish will impress.

There are plenty of places to ‘refresh’ at this year’s event. Picture: Ian Currie

TENNIS CLUB

Come and try Tennis Hot Shots, Padel, Pop, Cardio, Totem and Table Tennis.

The AO Tennis Club will host the semi-finals and the finals of the Australian Padel Open, a new complimentary tennis format that is taking the world by storm.

There is a $20,000 prize pool for this inaugural tournament.

BALLPARK PRESENTED BY EMIRATES

The AO Ballpark is back again, this time back at Birrarung Marr just a short walk from the City. The AO Ballpark will feature a number of rides, activities and installations for kids throughout the tournament. There will be an Emirates Fly Better adventure with an adrenaline tower and cloud jump, water slide, entertainment stage, Tennis Hot Shots and a First Nations immersive digital art experience.

MUSIC

This year music is being done differently at the AO, with the inaugural AO Finals Festival that will take place at Kia Arena on the final three days of the tournament.

The line-up is:

January 27: Vanessa Amorosi, Montaigne and Bertie

January 28: Benee, Thelma Plum, Winston Surshirt, CC. Disco!

January 29: Flight Facilities, Lastings, Forest Claudette, Willo

Tickets are just $34 through Ticketmaster, and include a ground pass entry to watch the amazing finals tennis after the music finishes.

It’s about the party at the AO as well as the tennis! Picture: Ian Currie

SHOPPING

The Australian Open collection is back with bright and bold fashions across the site including in the signature Australian Open superstores.

Ralph Lauren has an incredible store on the RLA terrace, and if you need to visit Chemist Warehouse on site it has a special AO store, also on RLA Terrace.