Australian Grand Prix 2027: things to do between sessions in Melbourne

2 to 4 April 2027 · ConfirmedMelbourne, Australia

Australian Grand Prix fills Melbourne with fans for three days, but the track only runs for a few hours a day. Practice starts around lunchtime, qualifying leaves the morning free and the day after the race is open. This guide fills those gaps.

Tours in Melbourne Hotels for these dates Official site

Know before you go

This is a Sprint weekend: Friday has practice and Sprint qualifying, Saturday has the Sprint race and Grand Prix qualifying, so free mornings are shorter than on a normal weekend.
Easter falls on 28 March 2027, the weekend before the race: the city is busy with school holidays.
Melbourne weather changes fast in autumn. Pack a rain jacket and sunscreen for the same day.

Airport to Albert Park Circuit

Melbourne airport (MEL) has the SkyBus to Southern Cross in 20 to 30 minutes.

Albert Park is 3 km south of the CBD. Free trams run to the circuit gates from the city on race days with a valid ticket; walking from Southbank takes about 30 minutes.

Public transport directions to Albert Park Circuit

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Southern Cross and the CBD west	Chain hotels near SkyBus.
Mid-range	Southbank and St Kilda	River or beach, trams to Albert Park.
Splurge	Collins Street	The "Paris end" grand hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Ibis Melbourne Hotel and Apartments
Mid-range: Novotel Melbourne St Kilda
Splurge: Crown Towers Melbourne

Links search the nights from 1 April to 5 April. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual Grand Prix weekend schedule for 2 to 4 April 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Thursday 1 April

Nothing on track that matters yet. Check in, then use the afternoon.

Half-dayPuffing Billy steam train Half day · Family · Low walking
Dandenong Ranges railway.
EatQueen Victoria Market Big market with food hall

Practice day

Friday 2 April

First practice rarely starts before lunchtime, so the morning is free.

Half-dayHot air balloon at sunrise Half day
Over the city skyline.
EatChin Chin Southeast Asian in Flinders Lane

Qualifying day

Saturday 3 April

Support races fill the morning. Skip them for a slow start in town and reach the track after lunch.

Easy outingLaneways and coffee walking tour Half day · Food
Street art and cafés.
FreeRoyal Botanic Gardens.

Race day

Sunday 4 April

Go to the track early and stay after the flag: leaving straight away means the worst of the traffic.

EveningPhillip Island penguin parade Evening · Family
Little penguins coming ashore at dusk.

The day after

Monday 5 April

A full free day before the flight home. This is the best day for a longer trip out of town.

Full dayGreat Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles Full day · Family
Coast drive with koalas on the way.
EatPellegrini's Espresso bar since 1954

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family · Low walking

Puffing Billy steam train

Dandenong Ranges railway.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles

Coast drive with koalas on the way.

See times and prices

Evening · Family

Phillip Island penguin parade

Little penguins coming ashore at dusk.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

MCG tour and sports museum

Australia's sporting heart.

See times and prices

Melbourne Zoo.
Scienceworks.
SEA LIFE Melbourne.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Family

Phillip Island penguin parade

Little penguins coming ashore at dusk.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles

Coast drive with koalas on the way.

See times and prices

Full day · Food

Yarra Valley wine tour

Wineries and cheese.

See times and prices

After dark

Rooftop bars and the laneways.

7 tours worth booking for Australian Grand Prix

Tour	Length	Good for
Puffing Billy steam train	Half day	Families, Tired legs
Hot air balloon at sunrise	Half day	Everyone
Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles	Full day	Families
Yarra Valley wine tour	Full day	Food lovers
Laneways and coffee walking tour	Half day	Food lovers
MCG tour and sports museum	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Phillip Island penguin parade	Evening	Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Queen Victoria Market Big market with food hall
Chin Chin Southeast Asian in Flinders Lane
Pellegrini's Espresso bar since 1954
Lune Croissanterie Famous croissants
Hochi Mama Vietnamese

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Family · Indoor

MCG tour and sports museum

Australia's sporting heart.

See times and prices

NGV.
ACMI screen museum.
Melbourne Museum.

Getting around on event days

Trams are free in the CBD zone; Myki cards elsewhere (contactless rolling out).
Tap on with a contactless card on trains, trams, buses and ferries in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Uber, DiDi and taxis are easy; distances outside the centres are long.

Day trips from Melbourne

Great Ocean Road: 2 hours
Phillip Island: 2 hours
Yarra Valley: 1 hour

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Australian Grand Prix.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Australian Grand Prix 2027?

The next edition is 2 to 4 April 2027.

How do I get from the airport to Albert Park Circuit?

Melbourne airport (MEL) has the SkyBus to Southern Cross in 20 to 30 minutes. Albert Park is 3 km south of the CBD. Free trams run to the circuit gates from the city on race days with a valid ticket; walking from Southbank takes about 30 minutes.

Where should I stay for Australian Grand Prix?

For most visitors the best base is Southbank and St Kilda: River or beach, trams to Albert Park.

What can we do between sessions at Australian Grand Prix?

Good short outings in Melbourne include Laneways and coffee walking tour, MCG tour and sports museum, Puffing Billy steam train. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Australian Grand Prix?

Family-friendly picks: Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles, Phillip Island penguin parade, MCG tour and sports museum. Melbourne Zoo.

How far is Albert Park Circuit from Melbourne centre?

About 4 km in a straight line. Albert Park is 3 km south of the CBD. Free trams run to the circuit gates from the city on race days with a valid ticket; walking from Southbank takes about 30 minutes.

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