New Melbourne beach and bar zone for Australian Open set to be hit

A huge, new beach and bar zone will be built in Melbourne ahead of a major sporting event, as part of a tourism plan to breathe life back into the city.

Melbourne’s new cocktail beach zone will stretch from Batman Ave to Tennis HQ, with a redeveloped dining precinct also planned. Picture: Supplied

A massive beach zone will built at Melbourne Park for next year’s Australian Open, amid a push to bring the city’s marvellous major event calendar back to life.

The entire northern side of the Australian Open site will be transformed into an “AO Beach House’’ with sand, bars, water features, big screens, deck chairs and a beach tennis court.

The new site – taking over space previously occupied by international broadcasting compounds – will bring the best of bayside Melbourne to the summer Grand Slam.

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said the 2500 sqm activation was part of plans to welcome big crowds back to the event.

“The AO is as much a part of summer as heading to the beach with family and friends and we’ve designed a brand new precinct to bring the best of the beach, and the best of the AO, together,” he said.

“As we all celebrate the easing of restrictions this weekend, and the wonderful opportunity to come together with friends and family once again, we are incredibly excited about what this means for the Australian Open.’’

The new beach precinct will stretch from Batman Ave to Tennis HQ, and a redeveloped dining precinct from Garden Square to the Rod Laver Arena tram stop.

A massive beach area will built at Melbourne Park for next year's Australian Open, amid a push to bring the city's marvellous major event calendar back to life. Picture: Supplied

Morning yoga and pilates sessions will be held in the beach area, with summer cocktails and food from some of Melbourne’s best restaurants served at night.

As organisers wait on state government advice on how many fans are allowed and whether foreign players have to quarantine for the two week tournament, tickets to the event will soon go on sale.

Mr Tiley was determined the event would play a big role in the recovery of Melbourne and Victoria from Covid lockdowns.

The entire northern side of the Australian Open site will be transformed into an “AO Beach House’’ with sand, bars, water features, big screens, deck chairs and a beach tennis court. Picture: Supplied

“As the biggest sports and entertainment event in the world in January, we’ll be bringing Australia back on the world stage in a big way as we launch the global tennis season,’’ he said.

“Looking ahead to January, we are planning a spectacular event that will mark the return of major sport and entertainment in Melbourne and Victoria.

“The AO will truly accelerate the opening up of our state, and provide enormous economic benefit to so many.”

Entry to the beach zone will be free for anyone with an AO ticket.

Tennis Australia premium experience director Greta Cooper said it “takes the fun factor of the AO to a whole new level.’’

“As well as being an awesome space to catch up with friends, eat and drink and watch the tennis, we’ve extended the AO day, launching a new health and wellbeing program before play starts in the morning,’’ she said.

Australian Open tickets will go on sale from November 19.