The Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament is increasingly expanding its offering beyond tennis, with music, food, activities and more all adding to the sporting experience.
This year’s Australian Open (Sunday 14 January – Sunday 28 January 2024) features lots of family-friendly activities so I’m excited to take my kids along!
Here are my top tips for visiting the Australian Open 2024 with kids.
When is the Australian Open 2024?
Australian Open 2024 is on from Sunday 14 January to Sunday 28 January 2024.
buy Australian Open tickets
The best value ticket for the Australian Open is the Ground Pass, starting at $59 for week 1 of the competition and $29 for week 2 of the competition.
Kids 3-11 years can visit the Australian Open for just $10 on weekdays of the tournament and $15 on Friday 19 January 2024 and Saturday 20 January 2024.
You’ll still have to pay for your adult ground pass ($19-$75) but the combined cost offers a full day of tennis-related fun. Even if your child is not a tennis fan there are plenty of activities along Birrarung Marr and within Melbourne Park to keep everyone entertained all day.
You can buy your Ground Passes online or at the door (though I recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment).
If you’re looking for Australian Open arena tickets, children aged 3-11 (which includes 11-year-olds who have not yet reached their 12th birthday) as of the date a ticket is presented for entry may purchase a Kids Ticket.
Australian Open entrances
All three entrances to the Australian Open are accessible:
- Garden Square Entrance is recommended for access to Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena;
- Grand Slam Oval Entrance is recommended for access to John Cain Arena and the numerous food and beverage outlets at Grand Slam Oval; and
- City Entrance is recommended for access to AO Ballpark at Birrarung Marr.
In 2024 there is no direct access to the precinct via stop 7C MCG 4-7/John Cain Arena as Practice Village Entrance is not open. That means the closest entry point to John Cain Arena is the Grand Slam Oval Entrance.
Richmond Entrance will not operate for AO24.
How to get to the Australian Open
There is very little parking around Melbourne Park, so the best option is to take public transport, ride a bike or take an Uber if your kids don’t require a car seat.
Find out more about how to get to the Australian Open.
Australian Open by Tram
Travelling to City Entrance  
If you’re heading to the City Entrance for AO Ballpark (the kids zone) walk down to Birrarung Marr via Flinders Street or Batman Avenue.
You can also take the Route 70/70a trams to Stop 7A William Barak Bridge, then walk back to the City Entrance.
Travelling to Garden Square Entrance  
If you’re heading to the Garden Square Entrance for Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena your best options are to take the Route 70/70a trams to Stop 7B Rod Laver Arena/MCG gates 1-3.
There is no direct access to the precinct via stop 7C MCG 4-7/John Cain Arena in 2024. The closest entry point to John Cain Arena is the Grand Slam Oval Entrance.
Australian Open by Train
Travelling to the City Entrance  
Catch a train to Flinders Street Station, then walk to Birrarung Marr to the City Entrance.
Travelling to Garden Square Entrance  
Catch trains to Flinders Street Station, Jolimont Station or Richmond Station and then take a tram Route 70/70a to Garden Square Entrance.
Australian Open Parking
If you must drive to the Australian Open, then your options are:
NATIONAL TENNIS CENTRE (ON-SITE) 
Parking can be pre-purchased as an upgrade at the time of booking your tickets.
YARRA PARK (OFF-SITE) 
Public parking in Yarra Park is available for $10, payable by EFTPOS only. 
 
Car parking in Yarra Park is subject to capacity, so you’ll need to arrive early to secure your parking.
For more information and alternative parking options, please visit the MCG website.
Australian Open by Uber or Taxi
There are designated Uber pickup and dropoff points outside John Cain Arena along Olympic Boulevard, and further along Olympic Boulevard near tram stop 7D.
A taxi rank is located on Olympic Boulevard, adjacent to Grand Slam Oval.
Australian Open by Bike
In previous years, we have opted to cycle to Melbourne Park and there is bike parking along Olympic Boulevard. The ride along the Yarra River to Melbourne Park is lovely and we avoid all the whining associated with walking in the heat!
Bicycle parking facilities are provided at the underpass intersection of the William Barak Bridge and Entrance A, and  the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Batman Avenue. 
Australian Open AO Ballpark
The AO Ballpark presented by Emirates is a dedicated entertainment and activity area just for kids and families located at Birrarung Marr.
Get to the AO Ballpark as early as possible to beat the heat and the crowds. The site opens 10am with variable closing times.
AO Ballpark Activities
The AO Ballpark is geared towards kids 5+ years. In 2024 the AO Ballpark features an aerial course, colouring wall, Totem tennis forest, coloured balls activation, LEGO play tables, live stage shows, competitions, and a waterplay and water slide zone.
Little kids will particularly enjoy the water play area (in previous years designated for kids 6 years and under), the LEGO tables and watching shows on the main stage.
Kids of all ages (who can wield a tennis racket) can also participate in most of the Tennis Hot Shots activities, which are all drop-in.
AO Ballpark Food
There are normally only a few food options at the AO Ballpark but plenty of seating and picnic tables, so I recommend BYO food if you want more choices.
Be aware of age and height restrictions at AO Ballpark
AO Ballpark has lots of cool activities inside, but don’t promise the kids anything unless you know that they’ll meet age and height restrictions.
For instance, in previous years the aerial adventure required children to be 120cm+, while the waterslide was suggested for kids 5+ years.
Bring bathers and closed-toed shoes to AO Ballpark
If you want to do the aerial obstacle course or the quick jump at AO Ballpark you will need to wear closed-toed shoes. I don’t think of putting anyone in closed-toed shoes in 38-degree heat so Lady AB is very annoyed when she is not allowed to go on the course in her sandals!
If you think you’re going to visit the water play then bring bathers and a towel – there are handy changerooms nearby. We take our trusty Tesalate super-absorbent travel towels!
There are two parents rooms in the Australian Open precinct – once inside AO Ballpark and one inside John Cain Arena.
Family Fun Days
On Monday 22 January 2024 AO Ballpark is hosting Family Fun featuring Barbie yoga, Barbie games, and creative play.
On Tuesday 23 January 2024 it’s Family Fun with a LEGO Build station, character meet & greets, games and activities.
On Wednesday 24 January 2024 it’s Family Fun with Justice League, including character meet & greets with Batman, many more Justice League legends, stage show, challenges and photo moments.
Tickets for Australian Open family fun days are the same price as standard adults/kids ground passes in Week 2 of the tournament.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN FOOD
BYO Snacks
There are loads of trendy food options touted at the Australian Open but options are more limited within the AO Ballpark.
The main food/hospitality area is at Grand Slam Oval inside Melbourne Park, which is at the other end of the precinct and quite a hike from the AO Ballpark, especially in the heat.
So I recommend bringing at least some snacks – you can bring in most food items, just not glassware and alcohol.
BYO Water
Keep everyone hydrated by regularly filling up at water stations with a refillable water bottle – just look out for the signs saying ‘Water Station’.
The Australian Open Fan Shops also sells souvenir water bottles if you forget to bring your own.
Visit Grand Slam Oval for more eating options
If eating well at the Australian Open is your priority then either BYO or head to the Grand Slam Oval.
What is handy at the Grand Slam Oval is that you can order food from the QR codes on every table, and then go and pick it up from the food stand when you receive an SMS notification.
Pro tip: it pays to make your way to the food vendor quickly after you place your order (ie before you get the SMS notification) so that 1. you know where it is and are not circling Grand Slam Oval trying to find it (while hungry) and 2. sometimes the stalls are so busy with orders from customers who have lined up that they forget or de-prioritise the online orders. So if you’ve been waiting a while for your online order and haven’t received an SMS notification then just ask at the counter as to your order’s status. I had this experience and they gave me my order on the spot.
Note that AO24 will be entirely cashless, so be prepared.
Try the Peach Melbourne
A hot day at the Australian Open means the perfect opportunity for ice cream!
Chill out with the Australian Open‘s signature dessert, a riff on the Peach Melba called Peach Melbourne. It’s creamy vanilla soft-serve ice cream drizzled with peach syrup and topped with crushed freeze-dried raspberries.
Maybe it’ll be as iconic as strawberries and cream at Wimbledon one day!
Australian Open Accessibility
There is a lot of information about accessibility on the Australian Open website – here is just some of the key information.
If you need support for a non-visible or hidden disability, look for the sunflower badges worn by the AO24 Customer Experience Team.
Accessible seating
There are three ways to purchase accessible seating: 
- Ticketmaster website – Wheelchair and accompanying seats (either as paid tickets or with a Companion Card) can be purchased via the Ticketmaster website. On the seat selection page, use the ‘View only Accessible Tickets’ toggle or the ‘Ticket type’ filter to view available accessibility seating options.
- Ticketmaster phone line 1300 446 925, Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm (AEDT).
- Submit an Accessibility form online. Â
Companion Cards are accepted at AO24. All companion ticketholders must show their valid Companion Card for gate entry verification.
Accessibility map
Download the Accessibility Map which shows the location of accessible and All Gender toilets, Changing Place facilities, Travellers Aid assistance, Service Animals relief area and more.
Australian Open Sensory Rooms
If the people and the heat get too overwhelming there are two small Sensory Rooms that you can visit in the AO Ballpark and and in John Cain Arena. The rooms are quiet, with calming colours, bean bags and gentle games.
There is also a Quiet Room near Court 3.
I carry my noise-cancelling Airpods with me so that kids can have a rest from the noisy atmosphere if needed.
Australian Open Social Story
Downloading the AO Social Story before you go may help to reduce stress. It provides a simple text and visual representation of what happens or may happen at the Australian Open.
You can also download a Sensory Map which indicates areas with loud noise, sensory rooms, quiet rooms and where to find shade.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN WEATHER
The summer heat in Melbourne during the Australian Open can be brutal. On our visit, the UV rating is ‘Extreme’ so it’s important to bring a hat, wear sunscreen and if you can bear it, clothing that covers you. And seek out shade!
If you do forget your sunscreen, fortunately, there are lots of promotional people and stands handing out free sunscreen samples throughout Melbourne Park – so there’s no excuse not to be protected.
If the heat is getting too much then hang out in the carpeted, air-conditioned foyer area surrounding John Cain Arena. A ground pass will get you general admission seating for matches inside John Cain Arena.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN shopping
If you’re after one of those giant tennis balls (the size of a basketball) then get in quick, as they often sell out during the Australian Open!
There are 12 AO Shops around the precinct and you’ll find the largest range at Centrepiece. There’s also Click and Collect available at Kia Arena.
The other large merchandise gift shop is for Polo Ralph Lauren, which is the Official Outfitter of the Australian Open. You’ll find AO2024 commemorative and limited ranges inside their pop up store at Rod Laver Arena Terrace.
New Balance is the official Performance Apparel and Footwear provider for AO24 so they also have a shop for their co-branded range.
where to watch the AUSTRALIAN OPEN
If you’re not wanting to catch the tennis action from within Melbourne Park, there are several live sites around Melbourne where you watch matches.
Federation Square
Fed Square in partnership with Nine is set to transform into the ultimate sport-watching hotspot, broadcasting every match from Round 1 to the Finals on the big screen.
From the finals weekend, (and continuing until the end of Summer), attendees will be able to enjoy refreshing drinks while catching the games at the Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters Pop-Up Bar on the main square.
The District Docklands
District Live will be hosted at The District Docklands under the wheel with a pop-up bar and free screen live streaming the tennis, plus lots of games and activities to keep you busy all day.
Sit back and relax on beanbags in the event space with a cold beverage from Urban Alley bar, have a hit of table tennis in the sun, and snap a photo in front of the tennis court-themed swing and tag @thedistrictdocklands for your chance to win a $250 District Gift Card. All while experiencing the live tennis action in front of the big screen located under the wheel!
Summer Slam
It’s time to feel the thrill of every serve, volley, and match point as you cheer on your favourite players on the big screen in Ringwood Town Square!
Soak up the atmosphere as you sit back and relax with a drink from Suburban Rooftop & Dining’s pop-up bar or have your favourite Town Square food delivered straight to you at our Mr Yum tables – ensuring you never miss a moment of the action.
More summer holiday ideas in Melbourne
Free water play in Melbourne & Regional Victoria
Best outdoor pools in Melbourne
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase using the links there is no extra cost to you and we earn a small commission that helps us to continue to provide valuable and useful information for you.
