The Australian Open Experience with MAC Sports Travel

The vibrant city of Melbourne welcomed tennis fans from all over the world this January, greeting us with mild temperatures only to heat up by the 4th round, both in Celsius and on the court. The Australian Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, unfolds at Melbourne Park, offering an unparalleled tennis experience to fans of all ages.

MAC Sports took over 50 clients to the tournament over the two-week span. The majority joined us for 4 -6 day and night sessions over the course of a 5-night stay at the Crown Promenade Melbourne. Our guests enjoyed a private coach bus tour of Melbourne and a beautiful evening dinner cruise down the Yarra River, where clients bonded over their love for tennis and these new shared experiences. Many also took a day trip to see Koalas, and some even attended the march of the penguins!

The Crown Promenade Hotel received rave reviews from all in attendance. The rooms are spacious and luxurious. The location is perfectly situated – only a 1 mile walk to the tournament, with 100’s of restaurants lining the Yarra River. Tip: Ask to upgrade to a corner King room above floor 14! You’ll get sweeping views of the city with drapes that open with the push of a button.

Our guests weren’t the only VIP’s at the hotel. Aryna Sabalenka, Jelena Ostapenko and Qinwen Zhing were all in attendance and happy to take pictures with fans. Check out one of our favorite travelers with a great eye for who’s who, posing for a picture with Qinwen Zheng, who couldn’t have been more gracious.

Each morning before tennis, MAC Clients enjoyed the buffet breakfast at the hotel, which included a variety of British and western fare, as well as a barista who would make coffee’s to your liking, including the famous Flat white. We would then gather in the lobby and walk the 1 mile to the tournament, taking in the sights along the way. What a great way to kick off the day!

The excitement at the Australian Open is palpable, from the ticket greeters to the locals, everyone is glad you are here! Melbourne Park is large in size with 3 main arenas, Rod Laver, John Cain and Margaret Court. All three have retractable roofs which was more than ideal during this tournament, as it poured rain periodically. There are also several outside courts that you can walk around and check out.

Something different at the Australian Open vs other tournaments is the kid-friendly areas. There were ropes courses, water play areas and more. If I were considering attending any of the majors with my kids, this would be the tournament to do so.

Melbourne is renowned for its diverse culinary scene, and the Australian Open is no exception. The Grand Slam Oval transforms into a food lover’s paradise, offering a myriad of gastronomic delights from around the world. From Aussie classics like meat pies and barbecue to international cuisines, the options are as diverse as the players on the courts. Exploring the culinary offerings becomes an essential part of the Australian Open experience. Healthy options are plentiful, and you won’t find standard American fare such as hot dogs and burgers. Be sure to check out the Piper Champagne area where you can have a gourmet “toastie,” aka grilled cheese. Then pop over for a Peach Melbourne, the Open’s take on Peach Melba, which is a frozen yogurt type dessert full of the summer’s peach flavors.

MAC Sports Clients were delighted to have exceptional seats, often in the first few rows. I sat midline, courtside for Coco Gauff vs. Marta Kostyuk and Taylor Fritz vs. Novak Djokovic. MAC doesn’t mess around when it comes to exceptional seats! Tip: The earlier you book, the better seat selection we can make for you.

Beyond tennis, there are so many things to explore in Australia. Clients departed Melbourne for other parts of the country such as Sydney and Alice Springs. We can arrange any adventure you want, setting MAC Sports apart from other tennis travel companies. This year, a storm threatened a portion of our guests trips up north to Cairns and we had to pivot, and make arrangements to avoid the weather. This could have been overwhelming on your own, but we offered options to each traveler and helped make the changes to their itinerary.

The BEST time to start planning to go is – as soon as possible. Of all the majors, this has the most moving parts. Flight schedules come out in March for the following January, which is when you really want to be committing to the experience. The package we offer includes your flights from Los Angeles and any flights you take to travel inside Australia. You can also add on trips to New Zealand and Tazmania! Our owner is a native kiwi, so he knows a thing or two! This is a trip of a lifetime, so you’ll want to budget to maximize your time over there.

Is the flight long? The flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne is 15 hours but it is totally possible. You might want to consider a business class seat for this trip. We offer discounted business class seats as well as seats for points through www.mypoints4travel.com. Just ask and we can get you a quote to optimize your travel time. 

If you haven’t been to Australian Open or are simply looking for an unforgettable sports experience, the Australian Open should undoubtedly be on your bucket list. Bring your spouse, your family or come alone. When you travel with MAC Sports Travel, we are there in person to guide you through the best possible experience you can have. Learn More about our packages!