Australian Open Tips: A Practical Guide to Enjoying the Tennis
Even if you never step inside Melbourne Park, you can feel it.
During the Australian Open, the city shifts gears. The CBD hums from early morning. Cafés fill faster than usual. People chat in queues. Shop windows lean into tennis whites and neon yellow balls. Melbourne feels upbeat, social and quietly proud — like it’s hosting friends from all over the world.
That atmosphere alone is reason enough to enjoy January in the city. But if you are planning a visit to the Australian Open, a little local know-how makes all the difference.
To help make sense of it all, we reached out to Little Wandering Wren blogger and Australian Open regular Jenny Littlewood to share her practical tips and first-hand insights.
This guide brings together local observations and expert advice to help you plan for AO27 and enjoy the tennis comfortably.
The Australian Open isn’t Just About the Tennis
One of the biggest surprises for first-time visitors is how much there is to do away from the courts. Melbourne Park becomes a mini city: big screens, shaded lawns, pop-up bars, food stalls, live music and plenty of spots to sit and watch the excitement.
Many visitors spend only part of the day watching matches, then drift between fan zones, exhibitions and riverside walkways. It’s perfectly acceptable — and very Melbourne — to treat the Open as a social day out rather than a marathon of back-to-back matches.
AO regular and tennis writer Jenny Littlewood says the biggest mistake people make is underestimating just how busy Melbourne Park has become.
“With around 1.3 million people enjoying the tennis, Melbourne Park is a very different place from when you might last have been there,” she says. “You need a plan.”
Her advice is to do a little preparation before you go: familiarise yourself with the Australian Open website, download the AO App, check the Order of Play (usually released around 6pm the night before) and, where possible, choose seats with shade for the full day using the Ticketmaster and stadium seating plans.
Planning Your Day: Why a Loose Plan Helps
It’s tempting to just turn up and see what happens. You can do that — but Melbourne Park is large, busy and spread out. Without even a rough plan, you’ll often miss the very things you would have loved most.
A good approach is to:
- Decide whether tennis or atmosphere is your priority
- Choose one or two courts or experiences as your anchors
- Build in breaks, shade and time to sit
If you only have one day, Jenny suggests thinking beyond just the matches.
“Whilst it is all about the tennis, there is so much more at Melbourne Park,” she says.
“If you want a taste of the attractions, food and drink, music, entertainment and shopping, arrive early. Staying late doesn’t really work, because evening ground pass holders swell the numbers.”
Jenny and her family aim to be waiting when the gates open.
“You’ll have about an hour where you can take photos without queues, explore activations — and there are some fabulous prizes to be had — and do any merchandise shopping before the crowds hit.”
If you have a reserved stadium seat and are there primarily for the tennis, she notes that many people barely move from their court until the end of play.
“Your entry ticket allows you to stay at Melbourne Park into the evening, even if your stadium matches have finished.”
Lunch breaks can be tricky, so Jenny recommends bringing a picnic or buying food early from Grand Slam Oval or Garden Square. Once your scheduled play is done, the screens around the site show which courts still have capacity, making it easier to decide where to head next.
“The perfect finish,” she adds, “can be a glass of wine and a relax in the deckchairs in Garden Square, watching the big screen.”
Choosing Where to Watch: Courts, Comfort and Shade
The Australian Open offers everything from blockbuster matches in covered arenas to relaxed viewing on smaller courts where you can get surprisingly close to the action.
For visitors who value comfort, weather protection and easy access, the main arenas with retractable roofs provide peace of mind. For others, the outdoor courts offer a more intimate experience — especially in the morning.
Shade, seat height and walking distance matter more than many people expect. Knowing where to head first can make the day far more enjoyable.
Shade and comfort can make or break a day at the tennis. Jenny notes that almost all courts offer some shade, but the larger covered seating on Western Courts 12, 13 and 14 is often a reliable choice.
For a calmer experience overall, she highly recommends attending the Qualifying Tournament during Opening Week (Monday to Thursday).
“You’ll see returning players outside the top 100, rising stars, and there’s nothing better than watching a qualifier go deep into the main draw,” she says.
Jenny also believes the practice courts behind John Cain Arena are often overlooked.
“You won’t necessarily see the top 10 players there, but you learn so much about the preparation and hard work that goes on. It offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse of the sport.”
Getting There without the Stress
One of the Australian Open’s great strengths is its location. Unlike other Grand Slams, it sits right on the edge of the CBD and is exceptionally well serviced by public transport.
Trains, trams and riverside walking paths all funnel into Melbourne Park. That said, where you exit and which entrance you use can make a noticeable difference to queues and congestion.
One small but useful tip from Jenny: arriving or leaving by tram often involves less walking than the train. Trams stop at 7B (Garden Square Entrance) and 7C (John Cain Arena), putting you closer to the action with fewer crowds to navigate.
If you are travelling by train, allow extra time at Richmond Station and be patient — the Open draws crowds on a scale unlike most other Melbourne events.
Another smart option is getting off at Flinders Street Station and walking along the river.
Where to Pause, Eat and Reset
A full day at the Open isn’t about constant movement. Some of the best moments come from sitting with a drink, watching a big screen, or taking in the city skyline from a shaded spot.
Food options range from simple grab-and-go to chef-driven pop-ups, and many people return to the same favourite spots year after year.
Knowing where to take a proper break — away from the busiest walkways — can change the pace of the day entirely.
Because play runs continuously, Jenny suggests planning food and rest rather than waiting for a natural break. Buying food early or bringing a picnic can save time and energy later in the day.
Garden Square and Grand Slam Oval are popular places to pause, sit and watch the big screens, especially as the afternoon wears on.
The City During AO: Even Without a Ticket
Even without a ticket, it’s easy to soak up the action around the city. Throughout the Australian Open, many CBD bars, pubs and riverside venues screen live matches during the day and into the evening.
Places along Southbank, Federation Square and nearby laneways often have TVs on, making it easy to sit with a drink, take a break from the heat and enjoy the tennis alongside locals and visitors alike. There was even a floating tennis court at Arbory Afloat in 2026, with free tennis hits available and screens displaying the AO.
You don’t need an Australian Open ticket to enjoy the energy it brings.
One contributor summed it up perfectly:
Melbourne’s CBD was heaving with excited tennis fans. Everyone was smiling, sharing a positive greeting and more than happy to adopt Melbourne’s pastime of queuing for their favourite coffee or breakfast. Shop windows and cafés leaned into AO-themed displays, and the city felt upbeat, positive and in the mood for a party. – Angie
If you enjoy people-watching, lingering over coffee, or soaking up a festive mood, January is one of the nicest times to be in the city — tennis or no tennis.
Making the most of it
The Australian Open rewards curiosity. Wander a little. Sit often. Follow the shade. Talk to the people next to you.
Whether you’re there for the tennis, the atmosphere, or simply because Melbourne feels especially alive, a well-paced day can be every bit as memorable as a front-row seat.
For ground pass holders, Jenny’s advice is simple: head to John Cain Arena first thing. “It’s first in, best dressed,” she says, noting that the limited number of ground pass seats is part of what creates its great atmosphere.
If John Cain fills quickly, ANZ Arena or 1573 Arena are often your next best options for strong match-ups.
She also suggests keeping an eye out for wristband systems that allow evening access to John Cain Arena. “The arrangements change each year — in 2026 wristbands were allocated from 1 pm — but it’s worth knowing about if you want to extend your day.”
And if you’re visiting with grandchildren, Jenny recommends Opening Week.
“TopCourt and Ballpark are fantastic for kids, and it’s much easier to manage a pram before the main draw crowds arrive.”
Accessibility at the Australian Open
The Australian Open works hard to be welcoming and accessible to all visitors, including those with reduced mobility, sensory needs or other support requirements. Melbourne Park itself has ramps, lifts, accessible toilets and pathways throughout the precinct, and most arenas and courts can be reached with minimal difficulty.
Accessible seating is available in the main arenas, and additional options like hearing-loop and enhanced-vision seating can help make the tournament more enjoyable for guests with specific needs. Guide dogs and service animals are also welcome, and staff are on hand to assist if you need help finding your way or reaching your seat.
For full details on accessible seating types, Companion Card bookings, special services, and downloadable maps, head to the Australian Open Accessibility page.
What happens on very hot days at the Australian Open?
January in Melbourne can be very hot, and heatwaves are not uncommon during the Australian Open. The tournament has a formal Extreme Heat Policy that looks at temperature, humidity, radiant heat and wind to decide when extra measures are needed.
When conditions are high on the heat scale, play on outside courts may be paused and the retractable roofs on the main arenas can be closed so matches continue in more comfortable conditions.
For spectators, Melbourne Park provides free water refill stations, misting fans and cooling zones, and more shaded seating areas around the grounds to help you stay cool. It’s still important to come prepared on hot days: wear a hat, apply sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and make use of shaded or indoor spaces to avoid overheating.
What keeps people coming back to the Australian Open
For Jenny, the Australian Open is about far more than what happens on court.
“It means summer in Melbourne. It’s my happy place and the highlight of my year,” she says.
“I love the way the world comes to Melbourne Park each January — there’s an energy and excitement, and a real buzz in the city.”
Her connection with the tournament spans more than 25 years, including time as an official Host Family for Tennis Australia.
“We welcomed players and coaches into our home, and those friendships have endured well beyond Melbourne. That behind-the-scenes insight is what keeps bringing us back.”
Our thanks to Jenny for generously sharing her experience and tips. You can read more of her travel writing — including thoughtful, practical guides for slow and meaningful travel — on her blog, Little Wandering Wren.
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
