One of the most hotly anticipated races on the F1 calendar, the Aussie Grand Prix is a real showstopper. Held at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, the event draws in enormous crowds, eager to see the action and soak up the incredible atmosphere. If you'd like to know everything about the race and Melbourne Grand Prix accommodation, just keep reading!
Jump to:
Aussie Grand Prix in Melbourne
The event always takes place around March at the iconic Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit. Originally held in Adelaide, with the first race taking place in 1985, the Aussie Grand Prix made its move to Melbourne in 1996, but ever since, Melbourne has become the race’s true home, welcoming fans every year from all over the world.
Throughout the event, the entire Albert Park precinct is transformed into a giant F1 festival. Fans get to explore the Fan Zone and Off-Track Precincts, dedicated areas where race ticket holders can check out exclusive merchandise, marvel at the car displays, get stuck into the food and drink stalls and enjoy access to immersive, VIP experiences and premium hospitality. There’re also four brand-new precincts for between the races fun: Lakeside, Motorsport Straight, Melbourne Junction and Pit Stop Park.
The Aussie Grand Prix is basically four days packed with fun, live music and entertainment from start to finish. The season opening Fan Festival event also prominently features Aussies, with Melbourne’s very own Oscar Piastri and Jack Doohan in appearance.
The Official F1 Exhibition at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is the ultimate immersive experience, or you could grab tickets for an unforgettable Pit Lane Walk, giving you the chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at each F1 team’s garage (and maybe even bump into a few of the drivers...). Have your photo taken with the Championship trophies, soak up the electric atmosphere and enjoy four days of pure F1 excitement!
Where to stay during the Australian Grand Prix
Melbourne is the city that has it all, including excellent accommodation. For visitors with tickets, the Oaks Melbourne St Kilda Road Hotel is the perfect choice when choosing accommodation for the Melbourne grand prix. Located in the heart of the St Kilda district, just minutes from the Albert Park precinct, the hotel also boasts on-site dining, a bar, laundry, gym and parking facilities.
If you don’t have tickets but want to soak up the F1 atmosphere in Melbourne, Oaks Hotels have a range of other great options throughout the CBD. These include the Oaks Melbourne on Collins; serviced apartments set in a beautiful Victorian building which is super close to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
If you’re travelling with the family, or just want a little extra space, the 1 and 2 bedroom apartments at Oaks Melbourne on Market Hotel are a great option, plus the hotel boasts a gym, pool and restaurant on site. Perfect for relaxing after a day checking out the F1 fun!
Even without a ticket to the Aussie Grand Prix, the city has so much to offer visitors, with a free F1 Fan Festival where fans can watch the sessions on huge screens, enjoy live music, food and drink stalls and a whole host of spectacular fan activities. The city itself is the backdrop for an F1 festival-vibe, with interactive-zones, free concerts and performances, while the bars and restaurants show the races, pull in the crowds and make sure a good time is had by all!
Things to do in Melbourne that aren’t F1 related
If you fancy a break from the Aussie Grand Prix buzz while in Melbourne, this beautiful city has so much to offer visitors, whether you’re traveling solo, with friends or as a family. Its nightlife is legendary, from great pubs and lively clubs to popular cocktail bars and stand-up comedy venues. Melbourne Zoo is super fun for the whole family, plus kids can visit for free on weekends and school holidays.
The city has a museum for everyone, with everything from stunning art collections at the NGV Melbourne, to the fascinating Old Melbourne Gaol and the Immigration Museum.
Foodies are always in for a real treat in Melbourne. As a global food destination, there’s something to tickle every tastebud at one of the 3,500 restaurants serving 100 different types of cuisine across the city. Start off by heading for a bottomless brunch or to one of the legendary coffee and croissant spots like Lune Croissanterie or Bench Coffee in the CBD. The city is also famous for its street art mixed with street food at destinations like Flinders Lane, an excellent place to go if you’re looking for a spot of lunch and maybe something unexpected with a great atmosphere.
Melbourne’s multicultural vibe means you can enjoy incredible food from across the globe. Try the legendary pizzas from Little Italy on Lygon Street, Vietnamese treats from Heartbaker Bun Mee, or melt in the mouth dumplings at ShanDong MaMa Mini, just off Flinders Lane. And if you’d like to explore more options, you can always take a few screenshots of our curated Must Try Food in Melbourne CBD list.
Visitors Tips
For visitors to the Aussie Grand Prix, getting to Melbourne CBD from the airport is easy peasy. Public transport links are excellent: hop on a Skybus, the most convenient and cheapest option, which takes about 20-30 minutes and drops you at Southern Cross Station in the heart of the CBD. There’re always plenty of taxis ready to drop you at the door of your accommodation.
If you fancy squeezing in a day trip while you’re in the city for the F1 Melbourne race, there’re some excellent options to choose from. One of Victoria’s most famous landmarks, the Twelve Apostles, which are limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean, are a 4–5-hour round drive away. It’s perfect if you want to head out of the city for a day or two and get a taste of the scenic Great Ocean Road (koalas along the way included).
Another option is to head to Philip Island, about 2 hours south-east of the city, for incredible scenery, penguin watching and the Philip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
To wrap it up!
The Melbourne F1 race will always be one of those dates everyone has marked on their calendar and can’t wait for, especially in Australia. Whether you’re lucky enough to have tickets to the event or just want to soak up the atmosphere in the city itself, there’re so many options to choose from. And if you’re staying at an Oaks Hotel, you can rest assured that your accommodation will be another highlight of any trip to Melbourne.
