Coach Charter to the Australian Open at Melbourne Park
The Australian Open runs from 11 to 31 January 2027 at Melbourne Park, a short walk from the CBD. A coach earns its place for school and club parties, groups staying outside the city and anyone travelling in from regional Victoria.
Setting down at Melbourne Park
Melbourne Park has not published any rules for where coaches set down. Your operator works out a legal stop from the date, the session and the size of the group, and confirms it with you before the day. What the venue does publish is aimed at cars. Taxis queue on Olympic Boulevard beside Grand Slam Oval, and rideshare uses a point by John Cain Arena. By Entrance D, next to the Eastern Plaza Car Park, an accessible drop-off gives 20 minutes before parking charges apply.
If anyone in the group uses a wheelchair, say so when you book. That drop-off may work better with a smaller accessible vehicle than a full coach. Yarra Park has some paid parking, on a first-come basis and not much of it; the organisers would rather people used public transport. A coach that sets down and leaves avoids the question.
Staying in the CBD
From a city hotel, walking often beats the coach. It is about ten minutes on foot to Melbourne Park across Birrarung Marr or Tanderrum Bridge, and trains stop nearby at Richmond and Jolimont. In 2026 the 70 and 70a trams were free to anyone holding a ticket for that day. For a CBD-based group, keep the coach for the airport and trips further out. In the city itself, signed council bus spaces permit stops shorter than 15 minutes for passengers boarding or alighting.
Dates and venue
- 11-31 January 2027: Opening Week 11-16 January, main draw 17-31 January, singles finals 30 and 31 January
- Melbourne Park (Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena and outside courts), Melbourne
Heat and late finishes
January in Melbourne can be very hot. Set collection times so no one stands long in the sun, and carry water. Night sessions can run late. The Heavy Vehicle National Law standard hours cap a bus driver at 12 hours of work in any 24-hour period. An early start followed by a night session may need a second driver or a split plan, and the operator will say which.
Questions
When are the finals?
The singles finals fall on the closing weekend, 30 and 31 January 2027. Opening Week, from the 11th to the 16th, comes before the main draw.
Can the coach wait near the venue until play ends?
Plan on it leaving after the drop. Agree a pick-up time and meeting point in advance, and give both to every member of the group.
Will the free trams run again in 2027?
Free tram travel was a 2026 arrangement. Check the organisers' transport notes before the 2027 event rather than assume it returns.