Australians are sports
mad, both as spectators and participants. Melbourne’s
weather temperate means that it is possible to enjoy outdoor sports
for most of the year and the city hosts a number of major sporting
events covering all seasons.
In January, World Series cricket takes place
at Melbourne Cricket
Ground, Yarra Park, Jolimont (telephone: (03) 9657 8879).
Victoria’s cricket team in domestic matches is the Bushrangers,
whose last notable success was defeating New South Wales to take
the Mercantile Mutual Cup in 1998 / 1999.
Also in January, the Australian Tennis Open is
held at Melbourne Park Tennis Club, now called Australia Open
Tennis, corner of Batman Avenue and Swan Street (telephone: (03)
9286 1175).
The Australian Formula One Grand Prix is now
held in Melbourne each March, at Albert Park, Albert Road, South
Melbourne. The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (telephone: (03)
9258 7100) provides further information.
The Australian Football League (telephone: (1800) 266 000)
season runs until September, when the ‘Aussie Rules’
Grand Final is held at the Melbourne
Cricket Ground (telephone: (03) 9657 8879).
Melbourne is the spiritual home of Australian Rules Football,
with 9 of the national league’s 16 teams based here, among
them Essendon,
which made it to the Grand Final in 2001 but were beaten by Brisbane.
Rugby is also popular, with local team Melbourne
Storm winning the Rugby League (NRL) Grand Final in 1999.
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
Address: 400 Epsom Road, Flemington
Telephone: (03) 9258 4666
The highlight of the Spring Racing Festival, this event takes
place in October and November every year.
Tickets for most major sporting events in Melbourne can be purchased
from Ticketmaster7
(telephone: 136 166, Australia only) or Ticketek
(telephone: 132 849, Australia only).
Fitness centres
Fitness centres include:
St Kilda Sports & Fitness Centre
Address: 97 Alma Road, St Kilda
Telephone: (03) 9510 9409
Collingwood Leisure Centre
Address: Turnball Street, Clifton Hill
Telephone: (03) 9205 5522
Waves Leisure Centre
Address: 111 Chesterville Road, Highett
Telephone: (03) 9553 1038
Golf
Golf courses that are open to the public include:
Albert Park Golf Course
Address: Queens Road
Telephone: (03) 9510 5588
Brighton Golf Course
Address: Dendy Street, Brighton
Telephone: (03) 9592 1388)
Yarra Bend Golf Course
Address: Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield
Telephone: (03) 9481 3729).
Fees for an 18 hole game start at A $21.
Swimming
Melbourne City Baths is open every day, facilities
include a sauna and spa.
Address: 420 Swanston Street
Telephone: (03) 9663 5888
Melbourne Sports & Aquatics Centre has a
pool and wave pool as well as a gym.
Address: Aughtie Drive
Telephone: (03) 9926 1555
Tennis
Tennis is a huge favourite with residents of
Melbourne and there are many tennis courts located throughout
the city, although many are open to members only. It is possible
to book a court at the famous Melbourne Park Tennis Club (telephone:
(03) 9286 1244), home to the Australian Open. |
