Welcome to the Australian Open [Updated Jan 2024]. Anyone for Tennis? The Australian Open is played in Melbourne, a city known for its four seasons in one day weather. So let’s just say, you’d be mad not to channel your inner Girl Guide and ‘be prepared‘. I’m here to help you pack & prepare for a great day at the AO tennis!
As a veteran of the Aussie Open for the past twenty years, let me guide you through what to bring to have a successful day at the tennis.
Or for those of you in the depths of winter reading this from across the globe, come for a wander with me to Grand Slam Oval. It’s almost as good as being there!
What’s the weather like?
The Australian Open is held in the last two weeks of January, which is Summer Down Under! Die-hard tennis fans know that almost anything can happen weatherwise.
Oh my gosh, who remembers that dreadful years in 2020 which started with the much-publicised hazardous air quality during the Qualifying Tournament? Followed by tropical hail that dented our cars, and broke friend’s skylights and car windscreens in the city. On Day One the organisers were dealing with a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours… Oh, my Giddy Aunt, and then it got hotter!
Maybe I should pipe down otherwise I might put you off. However just to reassure you the Aus Open is the best-prepared Grand Slam to shield spectators from inclement weather. It was the first Grand Slam tournament to introduce a retractable roof over its main court in Rod Laver Arena. This feature allows matches to continue even in the case of rain or extreme heat.
Be Open To Anything, is their motto and that’s the right attitude to have!
How to plan & be prepared
- Check out the AO website and download the AO App.
- ‘Under VISIT’: you will find all the information you need regarding Tickets, Travel, Event info, What’s On, AO 24 Smart maps, etc
- Under ‘TOURNAMENT’: Check out both the Match Schedule and Practice Schedules. Know which courts your favourite players are playing on. With regards to match times, you need to check the Live Scores to work out match starting times.
- PRACTICE SCHEDULE shows where you can easily see players who normally play in the arenas. For instance, today you can see Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur. The good news is the times are fixed. It is a really great way to see the top players in action without a stadium ticket.
Just remember after last week’s space and easy access during the Qualifying Tournament, things will be a little crowded. In 2023, a record 839,192 fans went through the gates at Melbourne Park. Gotta love that accessibility. So plan ahead!
What to pack for the Aus Open
Here are some of the things I always pack to ensure everything runs like clockwork!
- Empty water bottles – hydrating stations are available across the site, fill up as you arrive save carrying the weight from home.
- Towel to sit on – those seats get sweaty, even on the lower temperature days.
- Cushion: if you arrive at Melbourne Park opening times they will often be giving out free seat cushions especially around the ANZ stand in the Fan Zone.
- Power bank – there are charging stations on-site but who wants to miss play?!
What to wear at the Australian Open?
While there isn’t a strict dress code for spectators, unlike Wimbledon where you may want to join the flowery summer dress brigade, or Roland Garros where you will be in the back of your wardrobe searching for the chicest outfit you possess, at the Aus Open known for its vibrant atmosphere, anything goes!
The Melbourne crowd is loving and loud in all regards, you will probably have some great times people-watching and will spot lots of people in fancy dress!
You’ll likely be spending a lot of time on your feet, so wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Can I take my own food?
Absolutely you can! Of course, you can splash out and eat in one of the many eateries around the grounds, and as Grand Slams go the food choices are not too bad, but as you would expect it’s expensive.
We always pack a classic picnic for during the day and our nighttime go-to evening is usually sushi! Take loads of snacks.
Plan your transport
Melbourne Park, home of the Aus Open has the best location of all the Grand Slams, centrally located in the city with easy public transport access. There are three entrances
Tram
On hot days take the tram (free from Flinders Street station with your Aus Open ticket) it will get you the closest to the courts at the City Entrance.
Train
Richmond and Jolimont train stations are a 5-10 minute walk to Grand Slam Oval Entrance (recommended for access to John Cain Arena and the numerous food and beverage outlets at Grand Slam Oval.
This is usually a fun start as the marketing freebies are often given out in these locations.
Rideshare
There are designated rideshare pick-up locations outside John Cain Arena along Olympic Boulevard, and further along Olympic Boulevard near tram stop 7D. Just remember if you are taking an Uber home not to order your ride until you reach the pickup point to avoid those annoying waiting surcharges.
Water Taxi
If you are looking for a cool VIP way to arrive, what about a Melbourne Water Taxi? Water taxis deliver guests to a docking platform on the Yarra River opposite Rod Laver Arena. They can accommodate parties of up to 12 people and need to be pre-booked.  For more information, or to make a booking, click here.
How to pack and handle Extreme Heat daysÂ
- Choose courts and matches wisely – find shade
- Use the AO daily schedule (free with your 2024 AO Official Program purchase) to choose courts with shade options.
- Arrive early Get there as the gates open at 10 am to make the most of the coolest part of the day. Use this time to wander and pick up the freebie ANZ battery-operated fans, free sunscreen, and other cooling goodies on offer at the Grand Slam Fan Zone as you pass through.
- Enjoy the fan experience activities early in the day. Some of us remember the big queues back the day for the L’Oreal facials and pampering tent. Many a person have commented that at the Aus Open, there is so much to see and do aside from the tennis. Aside from the Fan zone tennis-related activities, here are some great competitions to enter.
- Upgrade to a stadium seat (ask for shade only) at the Ticketmaster ticket booths. Once the Extreme Heat Policy kicks in, for those in Rod Laver, the roof will be closed and it will be relatively comfortable for all – happy days!
- Buy an expensive ice cream at Rod Laver/Margaret Court/Melbourne Arena sit on the floor in the air conditioning and enjoy!
- Seek out the Hydration fans that spray water and enjoy!
- Sun protection – sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, lip salve, a scarf to use as a coverup sun protection, and use the hydration stations for water and cooling.
- Queue up for The People’s Court at Melbourne Arena where the retractable roof can be closed to cool things off! Free entry with a Ground Pass.
- Umbrella – you are not permitted to use an umbrella in the stands, however, if we get more rain or extreme heat, protect yourself from the elements as best you can.
- Keeping cool – a towel to sit on, those plastic seats get so hot, you can also use your towel over your head (as modeled below!)
- Freeze your water bottle before you go, wet a facecloth freeze, and take ice blocks.
- A fan: paper or battery-operated you can usually pick these up from the fan zone, although some of them are a tad noisy! Paper fans are often given out at the Aperol drinks area.
- Take food and snacks (no cans allowed) so you don’t need to give up a shaded seat to nip out for food.
Haha! It can be quite a game in more ways than one, packing for the Aus Open, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
What not to pack!
You can find the full list of AO24-Prohibited-items do check this out. There may be some things you might be surprised at. You can’t bring your tennis racquet, nor your big flag to cheer on your local national hero if over 180 cm, and leave your glass water bottle behind as no glass is allowed.
You do need sunscreen at the Australian Open but the good thing is that Australians are well prepared with their slip, slap, slop policy and generally you can find free samples from Bondi Sands sunscreen being given out throughout the tournament.
Shopping
Most things that you might need (like a Koala hat) are also available to buy at Melbourne Park. The AO Fan shop is a good place to pick up a towel, cap, or your next tennis outfit. There is even a Chemist Warehouse store for all your sunscreens etc but sadly this year no Lululemon store.
Live Stage & Finals Festival
If you are joining the Australian Open from around the globe, you may not know that Melbourne Park sells evening Ground passes. It is quite the thing to join your mates down at Melbourne Park for a balmy drink in the grounds, mine is a Piper-Heidsieck, please.
Melbourne Park offers live music throughout the tournament and for the last three days John Cain Stadium swaps tennis players for pop stars. The Finals Festival continues its three-day extravaganza of tennis, music and a party atmosphere
With an Aus Open Day Ground Pass, you can stay until late, and don’t forget to have a boogie at the Live Stage!
Thank you for joining me here as I take you through my packing list for the best day ever at the Aussie Open Tennis. I hope that by considering these items and tips, you will be well-prepared for an enjoyable experience at the Australian Open.
Further tennis reading
Little Wandering Wren completed her Fan Slam in 2023, attending all four Grand Slams across the globe. You can read more here:
The Wimbledon Championships and how to be part of it in 2024
How to enjoy ace days at Roland Garros
and coming up in Thailand the WTA Thailand Open. The Thailand Open, a WTA 250 event, will commence with qualifying rounds slated for January 27-28 2024, followed by the main draw competition running from January 29 to February 4 2024
Happy Wandering!
PS Thank you so much to Liz Redfern and Danielle Phyland for being my roving reporters and photographers on the ground!
11 comments
What a useful post if you’re lucky enough to be on the spot. Sadly I’m just watching the stats but enjoying it all the same!
Hi Karen – you would have loved the stats of Federer saving 7 match points today, had us all gripped here. Such a lovely two weeks here in Melbourne although nothing gets done except watching the tennis!
That hail looked scary.
Yes, Liz, it made a huge noise for sure! Did you see the large Hail iceball I had on my Instagram stories? Wild or what! Luckily there was no tennis matches that day!
Wren x
Glad to hear fire relieving rain has arrived in Austrzlia, but I’m sure the hail wasn’t welcome. We’ve had episodes of damaging hail in Colorado so I know how destructive it is.
Enjoy the open! I attened a few tennis opens in New York and they were always very exciting
Oh, Pat, I’m sorry to hear about your damaging hail.
I would love to go to the US Open, we love cheering for our American players. I’m hoping to get there this year myself. Fingers crossed.
Wren x
I am so jealous! I love tennis and always try to get to Wimbledon but it is very, very difficult to get tickets as you have to enter a ballot forthem. Watching the AO means I am sleep deprived at the moment as it is midnight here before the matches start. Enjoy!
Hello, Marie Yes we are so, so lucky here in Australia with our Aussie Open. You can get Ground Pass tickets on the day. We’re all about the party atmosphere here.
Wimbledon has always been very exclusive! It will be interesting to see how it goes now they have gone for an on-line ballot (closed already for Wimbledon 2020!)
I hope you get some sleep, but if it helps, nothing gets done here either when the tennis is on. Happy watching.
Wren x
Enjoy!
Awesome photos! So many people enjoy their tennis matches! I think that’s too many people for me 🙂
It’s delightful to see you at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
My Corner of the World
Wow! – that’s a lot of tips. I hope you have a fantastic time and that the weather is more kind than it has been.
Hugs, Andrea