World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Melbourne  - Sport
Sport

Australians are sports mad, both as spectators and participants. Melbourne's temperate climate means that for most of the year it is possible to enjoy outdoor sports and the city hosts a number of major sporting events throughout the year. In January, world series cricket takes place at Melbourne Cricket Ground (tel: (03) 96 57 88 79) and the Australian Tennis Open is held at Melbourne Park (tel: (03) 92 86 11 75). The Australian Formula One Grand Prix is now in Melbourne - each March opening at Albert Park. The Australian Grand Prix Association (tel: (03) 92 58 71 00) can provide information. The Australian Football League season runs until September when the 'Aussie Rules' Grand Final is held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (tel: (03) 96 43 19 38). The final event of the year is the most important in the sporting calendar and is a public holiday in Victoria: the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Race Course (tel: (03) 92 58 46 66), the highlight of the Spring Racing Festival, which takes place in October and November each year. Tickets for most major sporting events in Melbourne can be bought from Ticketmaster (tel: 136 166, Australia only) or Ticketek (tel: 132 849, Australia only).

Golf:
Golf courses that are open to the public include Albert Park Golf Course on Queens Road (tel: (03) 95 10 81 44); Brighton Golf Course, Dendy Street, Brighton (tel: (03) 95 92 13 88); and Yarra Bend Golf Course, Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield (tel: (03) 94 81 37 29).

Health clubs:
These include St Kilda Sports & Fitness Centre, 97 Alma Road, St Kilda (tel: (03) 95 10 94 09), Collingwood Leisure Centre, Turnball Street, Clifton Hill (tel: (03) 92 05 55 22), and Waves Leisure Centre, 111 Chesterville Road, Highett (tel: (03) 95 53 10 38).

Swimming pools:
Melbourne City Baths, 420 Swanston Street (tel: (03) 96 63 58 88), is open daily and facilities also include a sauna and spa. Melbourne Sports & Aquatics Centre, Aughtie Drive (tel: (03) 99 27 66 66), has a pool and wave pool together with a gym.

Tennis:
Tennis is a great favourite with residents of Melbourne and there are many tennis courts throughout the city, although many are open to members only. It is possible to book a court at the famous Melbourne Park Tennis Club (tel: (03) 92 86 12 44), home to the Australian Open.




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