The National Tennis Centre at Melbourne Park

A spot for tennis fans to test their skills at Melbourne’s own tennis venue!

Melbourne Park is a premier sporting and events venue in the heart of Melbourne that dates back to 1988.

Over the years it has hosted events like basketball and netball games, concerts, swimming galas, motorsport, and ice skating championships. But one of its biggest achievements is hosting the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in January.

The Australian Open is the first of four Grand Slam tournaments to take place each year. The following others include the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

The History of Melbourne Park

The park itself was called Flinders Park until the main arena (Centre Court) was renamed to honour Rod Laver’s successful career. Rod Laver had won the Grand Slam twice and made a name for himself as Australia’s greatest male tennis champion.

Tennis is the most prominent event in the arena, with the sport bringing worldwide fame to Melbourne Park each year with the Australian Open.

The National Tennis Centre

Within Melbourne Park there is the National Tennis Centre which can be found opposite AAMI Park Stadium. At this part of the complex, which has been open since 2013, was most notably used as a training venue for the 2013 Australian Open Players.

Today there are eight indoor Plexicushion courts, five outdoor Plexicushion courts, eight Italian clay courts, a gymnasium, changing rooms and shower facilities. There is also a large function area that can be booked for conferences, weddings, parties, and events.

How to get here

From Melbourne City, you can do a 25-minute walk from Flinders Street Station or catch the 70 tram and get off at the 7C-MCG-John Cain Area/Melbourne Park stop. From the stop, it is only a short walk. Or from Richmond Station and Jolimont Station, it is about a 10-minute walk.

The Australian Open

Every year the Australian Open is held on its grounds. It continues to be a favourite attraction for sports lovers or those looking to delve into the lengthy history of tennis in Melbourne.

Melbourne Park is swamped by fans, and it allows visitors to view the tournaments, and the chance to go backstage and see what happens behind the scenes at large tennis tournaments.

The Australian Open runs for 15 days during summer from mid-January to the end of January. You can pre-purchase your tickets online or before entering the gates of the event.

Things to do at Melbourne Park

As well as exploring the facilities at the National Tennis Centre, there are plenty of other things for visitors to do at Melbourne Park. The most popular activity is playing on the same grounds that some of the world’s best players have won, lost, and made history on.

The park has an additional 16 outdoor Plexicushion courts available to both members and the public. Available for both performance players and beginners, letting you achieve your tennis dreams within the city centre!

Elsewhere, you can take a tour of the Rod Laver Arena and discover more about the player’s fascinating history in the sport. Or you can take a stroll through Garden Square, where you can pick out numerous busts that depict several top Australian tennis champions.

Melbourne Park and the National Tennis Centre are the perfect places for keen sports enthusiasts. These are the best places where you can learn more about tennis and its important place in Australian history.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.