Visiting the Australian Open 2026? Discover the best things to do in Melbourne beyond tennis, laneways, food, beaches, nightlife, and unforgettable day trips.

The Australian Open 2026 isn’t just a tennis tournament.
It’s Melbourne at its loudest, liveliest, and most magnetic.

Yes, the world comes for Grand Slams, match points, and night sessions at Rod Laver Arena, but what makes people fall in love with Melbourne is everything that happens outside the courts.

The coffee conversations, the laneway surprises, sunset views, music drifting through parks, and the feeling that the entire city is hosting a global festival.

If you’re traveling to Melbourne for the Australian Open 2026, this guide is for you, whether you’re watching every match or simply soaking in the atmosphere between sessions.

Welcome to Melbourne, beyond tennis.

1. Feel the Australian Open Energy Outside the Stadium

You don’t need a ticket to feel the Australian Open.

During the tournament, Melbourne Park transforms into a city-within-a-city.

 Live screens, fan zones, pop-up food stalls, DJ sets, sponsor experiences, and open spaces buzzing with international fans create an electric atmosphere.

Even if you attend only one match, spend time wandering around the precinct:

• Watch matches on giant outdoor screens
• Join interactive fan games and brand activations
• Enjoy live music in the evenings
• Experience crowd reactions collectively win, feel louder, losses feel heavier

It’s one of the rare sporting events where being outside the stadium is almost as thrilling as being inside.

2. Melbourne’s Laneways: The City’s Best-Kept Secret

Melbourne doesn’t reveal itself on main roads.
It hides in laneways.

Step away from the tennis crowds and explore iconic streets like Hosier Lane, Degraves Street, Centre Place, AC/DC Lane, and Hardware Lane. These narrow passages are filled with:

• Ever-changing street art murals
• Independent cafés serving world-class coffee
• Cocktail bars hidden behind unmarked doors
• Vintage shops and creative studios

During Australian Open season, these laneways feel even more alive athletes, fans, locals, and artists blending into one global crowd.

Pro tip: Walk without Google Maps for an hour. Melbourne rewards curiosity.

That said, having reliable mobile data makes exploring laneways much easier, especially when hopping between cafés, bars, and street art spots. 

Many international visitors use travel eSIMs like eTravelsim to stay connected without relying on public Wi-Fi or dealing with roaming charges.

3. Café Culture That Rivals the Tennis

Melbourne takes coffee personally.

Between matches, mornings often begin in cafés rather than stadiums. The city is globally known for its brewing techniques, ethically sourced beans, and perfectly balanced cups.

Don’t rush your coffee breaks. Sit. Observe. Talk.

Look out for:

• Flat whites done right
• Brunch menus that feel like art
• Long communal tables full of travelers
• Baristas who remember your order by day two

During Australian Open weeks, cafés near the CBD and Southbank become informal meeting points for tennis debates, travel stories, and post-match analysis.

4. Walk the Yarra River at Golden Hour

The Yarra River runs through the heart of Melbourne and offers one of the city’s most calming escapes during the tournament rush.

A riverside walk is perfect:

• Before evening matches
• After intense five-set thrillers
• On rest days between sessions

Start near Federation Square and walk toward Southbank, passing skyscrapers, riverside bars, and quieter stretches where the city slows down.

As the sun sets, Melbourne lights up, reflections shimmer on the water, music drifts from nearby bars, and crowds slowly head toward night sessions.

Staying connected during these walks helps with navigation, photography, and discovering nearby cafés or bars, something a travel eSIM like eTravelsim makes effortless for visitors.

5. Explore Melbourne’s Art, Culture & Museums

If your body needs a break from long match days, Melbourne’s cultural scene offers the perfect reset.

Top places to visit:

• National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) – world-class exhibitions and free galleries
• ACMI – film, digital art, and interactive experiences
• State Library of Victoria – iconic architecture and peaceful reading spaces
• Melbourne Museum – insights into Australia’s history, nature, and Indigenous culture

These spots are centrally located, air-conditioned (ideal for January heat), and perfect for slower afternoons.

6. Beach Escapes Just Minutes from the City

Melbourne surprises many visitors with how close the beaches are.

On a non-match morning or after an early session, take a short tram or train ride to:

• St Kilda Beach – lively, social, sunset-friendly
• Brighton Beach – famous for colorful bathing boxes
• Elwood Beach – quieter, with a more local vibe

Getting to Melbourne’s beaches is easy with public transport, and having mobile data helps with tram routes, café searches, and planning your return.

 A travel eSIM for the Australian Open, like eTravelsim, keeps things simple while you’re on the move.

7. Melbourne by Night: Bars, Rooftops & Live Music

When matches end, Melbourne doesn’t sleep.

The city is known for:

• Rooftop bars overlooking the skyline
• Jazz clubs and live music venues
• Speakeasies hidden behind alley doors
• Casual pubs buzzing with post-match discussions

During Australian Open nights, many venues host themed events, live screenings, and after-match celebrations.

You’ll hear accents from every continent, all bonded by sport and shared excitement.

If you enjoy nightlife with character rather than chaos, Melbourne delivers.

8. Take a Day Trip Beyond the City

If you’re in Melbourne for more than a few days, step outside the city.

Popular day trips during the Australian Open 2026 include:

• Great Ocean Road – dramatic coastal views and the Twelve Apostles
• Yarra Valley – wineries, vineyards, and scenic countryside
• Phillip Island – wildlife, coastal cliffs, and penguin parades
• Dandenong Ranges – forests, short hikes, and heritage trains

For longer day trips, uninterrupted mobile data is especially useful for navigation, bookings, and real-time updates.

Many travelers rely on travel eSIMs such as eTravelsim to stay connected throughout the journey.

9. Shop Local, Not Just Malls

Beyond major shopping streets, Melbourne’s charm lies in independent boutiques, markets, and creative spaces.

Explore:

• Queen Victoria Market for food, souvenirs, and local energy
• Local designer stores in Fitzroy and Collingwood
• Vintage and thrift shops around Brunswick Street
• Handmade goods, art prints, and unique fashion finds

You’ll likely leave with something that reminds you of Melbourne, not just Australian Open merchandise.

10. Soak in the “Only in Melbourne” Feeling

What truly sets Melbourne apart during the Australian Open isn’t just the events, it’s the mood.

The city becomes:

• More international
• More social
• More alive

Strangers talk to each other. Cafés feel louder. Nights feel longer. Everyone seems part of something global.

Staying connected effortlessly with tools like a travel eSIM from eTravelsim lets you focus on the moments, not the logistics.

Australian Open 2026 Is a City Experience

The Australian Open 2026 is not just something you watch it’s something you live.

Melbourne turns the tournament into a full-city celebration, where tennis is the heartbeat, but culture, food, art, and human connection are the soul.

So yes, cheer for champions.
But also wander, taste, listen, and explore.

Because long after the final trophy is lifted, what you’ll remember most is how Melbourne made you feel.