Last updated: October 24, 2026 · By Ronen, Stay Near The Venue
The Australian Open takes over Melbourne Park for three weeks every January, and the 2027 tournament fills hotels across the inner city. Melbourne Park sits on the eastern edge of the CBD, between Flinders Street Station, the Yarra River and Richmond. That means you can walk to the tennis from a lot of neighbourhoods, or take a short tram or train ride. This guide covers the best areas, real hotels with their distances to the courts, and how the trams and trains to the AO work.
Quick answer: For the shortest walk, stay in East Melbourne. Quest Jolimont and Pullman Melbourne On the Park are both under 10 minutes on foot from Rod Laver Arena. The east end of the CBD (Collins St, Flinders St, Flinders Lane) is about 1–1.2 km away, with the most hotel choice, and you can walk or catch the Route 70 tram. Southbank is about 1 km away across the river. Richmond and South Yarra are often better value and one train stop or a short walk from the courts.
Top hotel picks at a glance
| Hotel | Location & highlights | |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Jolimont | on Wellington Parade South in East Melbourne. About a 3-minute walk to Melbourne Park… | Check price |
| Pullman Melbourne On the Park | 192 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne. About a 7-minute walk to Melbourne Park and about… | Check price |
| Grand Hyatt Melbourne | on Collins St at the east end of the CBD, about 1.1 km from… | Check price |
| Park Hyatt Melbourne | about 1.2 km, beside St Patrick’s Cathedral on the CBD–East Melbourne edge. A calm… | Check price |
| The Langham, Melbourne | on the Southbank Promenade, about 1.1 km from Rod Laver Arena. Classic luxury with… | Check price |
| Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Southbank | about 1 km from Rod Laver Arena. A no-frills, good-value Southbank option with breakfast… | Check price |
| Quay West Suites Melbourne | about 1 km from Rod Laver Arena, on the Southbank side. Apartment-style suites with… | Check price |
| The Motley Hotel Richmond, Tapestry Collection by Hilton | 205 Bridge Road, Richmond. Per Hilton, it’s about 1.5 km to the Melbourne Park… | Check price |
Prices change daily – tap “Check price” for live rates on your dates.
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Australian Open 2027 dates: January 11–31 – book early
Per Melbourne Park, the Australian Open 2027 runs from Monday, January 11 to Sunday, January 31, 2027. Opening Week runs January 11–16, and the main draw runs January 17–31, with the finals on the last weekend (January 30–31). The first week of the main draw has the most matches across the grounds. Finals weekend is when CBD and East Melbourne hotels charge the most. Book a free-cancellation rate now and rebook if prices drop, because the closest hotels often sell out for the whole fortnight.
Best areas to stay for the Australian Open
| Area | Distance / walk time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| East Melbourne / Jolimont | About 3–10 minutes’ walk | Walking to the courts, quieter evenings |
| CBD east end / Flinders St | About 1–1.4 km (Flinders Street Station is about a 10-minute walk) | Most hotel choice, restaurants, Route 70 tram |
| Southbank | About 1–1.1 km across the river | Riverside dining, luxury hotels |
| Richmond | About 1.5 km (Richmond Station is about a 10-minute walk) | Value, pubs and Bridge Rd/Swan St eats |
| South Yarra | One train stop to Richmond | Boutique hotels, Chapel St shopping, longer stays |
Walking distance to Melbourne Park
- Quest Jolimont – on Wellington Parade South in East Melbourne. About a 3-minute walk to Melbourne Park and about 9 minutes to Rod Laver Arena. One- and two-bedroom apartments suit couples and small groups staying the whole fortnight.
- Pullman Melbourne On the Park – 192 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne. About a 7-minute walk to Melbourne Park and about 10 minutes to Rod Laver Arena, with the MCG and Fitzroy Gardens close by. A polished full-service hotel for fans who want to walk to every session.
- Grand Hyatt Melbourne – on Collins St at the east end of the CBD, about 1.1 km from Rod Laver Arena. A big, reliable upscale hotel near the Paris End boutiques, with an easy walk through Federation Square to the courts.
- Park Hyatt Melbourne – about 1.2 km, beside St Patrick’s Cathedral on the CBD–East Melbourne edge. A calm luxury base for fans who want space and quiet after night sessions.
Southbank and riverside picks
- The Langham, Melbourne – on the Southbank Promenade, about 1.1 km from Rod Laver Arena. Classic luxury with river views. Cross the river to Flinders Street and follow the Birrarung Marr walk to the tennis.
- Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Southbank – about 1 km from Rod Laver Arena. A no-frills, good-value Southbank option with breakfast included, popular with fans on a budget.
Best value and for families
- Quay West Suites Melbourne – about 1 km from Rod Laver Arena, on the Southbank side. Apartment-style suites with kitchens and laundry make it a good family base for a long AO stay.
- The Motley Hotel Richmond, Tapestry Collection by Hilton – 205 Bridge Road, Richmond. Per Hilton, it’s about 1.5 km to the Melbourne Park tennis centre and about 1 km to the MCG. A stylish boutique hotel in a lively dining area, usually cheaper than the CBD during the tournament.
- Ovolo South Yarra – about 250 m from South Yarra Station, one stop from Richmond Station. A fun boutique hotel for fans who want Chapel St bars and cafés between sessions.
- Oaks Melbourne South Yarra Suites – right beside South Yarra Station. Apartment suites suit families and groups, and the train gets you to the courts quickly.
Getting there, shuttles & parking
Melbourne Park is built for public transport. Here’s how the 2026 tournament worked, per Transport Victoria. Confirm the 2027 details closer to January.
- Route 70 and 70a trams: Route 70 runs along Flinders St to the Garden Square and Grand Slam Oval entrances. Route 70a was an extra air-conditioned, accessible AO service, and AO ticket holders rode free on Routes 70/70a between Docklands and John Cain Arena. Trams ran back to the city until one hour after play ended each night.
- Free Tram Zone: On weekdays, the Free Tram Zone was extended to Melbourne Park for AO ticket holders, on their ticket day only. That makes CBD and Docklands hotels especially convenient.
- Walking from the train: Flinders Street Station is about a 10-minute walk via Federation Square and Birrarung Marr. That route skips the tram queue. Richmond Station is about 10 minutes from the Grand Slam Oval entrance, and Jolimont Station is about 11 minutes from Garden Square.
- From South Yarra: Frankston or Sandringham line trains reach Richmond in one stop. Then walk or take the tram along Olympic Boulevard.
- Accessibility and parking: Travellers Aid helped at Route 70 stops 7B (Rod Laver Arena) and 7D (Olympic Boulevard) during the main draw. A buggy transfer also ran from the Eastern Plaza accessible car park. Parking on site is very limited, so plan on transit.
Tips for staying in Melbourne for the AO
- Book East Melbourne first if walking matters most. It has few hotels, and they go first.
- If you only have night-session tickets, a CBD hotel near the Route 70 tram on Flinders St makes the late trip home easy.
- Melbourne summers swing from mild to over 40°C. Choose a hotel with air-conditioning (and ideally a pool) for heatwave days.
- Prices usually rise toward the second-week finals. Opening Week and the early main-draw days are cheaper.
- Apartment hotels (Quest, Oaks, Quay West) save money on longer stays because you can self-cater.
FAQ
When is the Australian Open 2027?
Per Melbourne Park, it runs from January 11 to 31, 2027. Opening Week is January 11–16, and the main draw runs January 17–31, with the finals on January 30 and 31.
What is the closest hotel to Rod Laver Arena?
Quest Jolimont and Pullman Melbourne On the Park in East Melbourne are the closest major options. Both are about a 9–10 minute walk from Rod Laver Arena and even closer to the Melbourne Park grounds.
Can I walk to the Australian Open from the CBD?
Yes. Flinders Street Station is about a 10-minute walk via Federation Square and Birrarung Marr, and most east-end CBD hotels are within about 1–1.4 km of Rod Laver Arena.
Are trams free to the Australian Open?
At the 2026 tournament, AO ticket holders rode free on Routes 70/70a between Docklands and John Cain Arena, and the weekday Free Tram Zone was extended to Melbourne Park on ticket days. Check Transport Victoria for the 2027 arrangements.
Is Richmond or South Yarra a good place to stay for the tennis?
Yes, especially on a budget. Richmond Station is about a 10-minute walk from the Grand Slam Oval entrance, and South Yarra is one train stop from Richmond. Both areas have plenty of restaurants and bars.
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We start at the venue and work outward: walking time, shuttle and transit options first, then guest review scores and value for money. Hotels can’t pay to be listed. Some links are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability change daily, so always check live rates before you book.
