AUSTRALIAN OPEN & MELBOURNE

Melbourne is a fabulous city to visit year round and one of the very best times to be in our southern capital is undoubtedly in January when it hosts the Australian Open Tennis. Melbourne thoroughly deserves its reputation as Australia’s sporting capital and the city lays on great hospitality for the first Tennis Grand Slam each year. Although none of our men and women are ranked in the top, Melbournians are passionate about their tennis and vocal with their enthusiastic support of competitors from around the globe. 

Our tour includes 3 days at the Open where we will see daytime 4th round matches on Sunday and the quarter finals on Tuesday and Wednesday. We have reserved (Category 2 shaded) seats for all 3 days in the Rod Laver Arena (centre court) and excitement is guaranteed as the final 8 battle for places in the semi finals. In 2023 the quarter finals saw men’s matches featuring Karon Khachanov vs Sebastian Koria, Stephanos Tsitsipas vs Jiri Lehecka, Andrey Rublev vs Novak Djokovic, Ben Skelton vs Tommy Paul and women’s matches featuring Jessica Pegula vs Victoria Azarenka, Elena Rybakina vs Jelena Ostapenko, Aryna Sabalenka vs Donna Vekic and Karolina Pliskova vs Magda Linette. 2024 again promises to be action packed, as the world’s best battle for the Australian Open title. 

 Apart from the tennis we will enjoy lots of other highlights including a great day exploring the fabulous Great Ocean Road. Due to so many people doing this tour annually we have included some flexibility to avoid duplication from previous tours. On our Great Ocean Road day as an alternative you may prefer an extra day (and or night) at the Tennis. Ground passes now also include admission to Hisense Arena. We will also visit the fabulous Werribee Zoo and gardens and cruise back in to the city from historic Williamstown. 

Our accommodation this year is at the 4 star Best Western Plus Travel Inn located in Carlton, Melbourne. (Ph: 03 9347 7922) It is a short drive from Melbourne Park and the perfect base to explore our southern capital.

We will again have options on Friday with a choice being offered including the Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens, Federation Square and Victorian Gallery with its extensive collection of Australian art, the Eureka Skydeck for panoramic views from level 88, tour of the MCG, City Circle Tram, the Science Works Museum and Planetarium, the Immigration Museum in Old Customs House, Victoria Markets, the Shrine of Remembrance, St Pauls Cathedral, Old Melbourne Gaol, the Fitzroy and Treasury Gardens and a Yarra River Cruise. 

Highlights include: 

• Welcome lunch at Docklands 
• City sights tour
• Botanic Gardens and Albert Park 
• St Kilda and Port Phillip Bay
• Morning tea at Bells Beach 
• Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay 
• 12 Apostles and Ottway Ranges 
• Dinner at Port Campbell 
• Seafood picnic lunch Werribee Rose Garden 
• Werribee Park Zoo 
• Williamstown Cruise 
• Lunch at Southbank 
• 2 Dinners at the fabulous Lygon Street, Carlton 
• One free night to catch a show, break the bank at the casino or perhaps a night at the tennis