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Melbourne is Australia's sporting capital. Football, soccer, tennis, Grand Prix, bike riding, cricket, rugby, marathon runs.... etc. So if you feel the need to get religion in Melbourne, sport may be the answer. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (pictured) has been officially declared one of the seven sporting wonders of the world.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS at the Rod Laver Arena - January
 Batman Ave, Melbourne map
www.australianopen.com
Getting there
You can walk to the Arena from Flinders St station along the Yarra River. Or catch a tram from Flinders Street station. www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND (football: March - September, cricket: December - January)
and NATIONAL SPORTS MUSEUM
 MCG Brunton Ave, Richmond map
Ph: (03) 9657 8864
www.mcg.org.au
www.nsm.org.au
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been officially crowned as one of the seven sporting wonders of the world. It is also Melbourne’s true church. This is the largest sporting stadium in Australia, seating 100,000 people, and often fills to capacity during big drawcard Australian Rules Football (AFL) matches. The grand final is held in September. During the summer, the MCG becomes the venue for cricket. The Boxing Day (Dec 26) cricket match is extremely popular.
Guided tours are available. Tour bookings are essential
The National Sports Museum is also located at the MCG and if you are a sports nut, this is well worth visiting. www.nsm.org.au
Getting there
You can walk to the MCG along the north side of the Yarra River, or walk along Flinders St, heading east, past Federation Square.
Tram - 48, 70, 75 on Flinders St. www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/maps-stations-stops/
Train – get off at Jolimont or Richmond train stations www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/maps-stations-stops/
ETIHAD STADIUM (football: March - September)
At Docklands, near Southern Cross train station map
This venue is used for sporting matches including Aussie Rules and rugby and soccer. The venue changes names every time there's a new sponsor. Previous incarnations include Optus Oval and Telstra Dome.
Getting there
Any train will get you to Southern Cross station. From there, it is a short walk across a footbridge to the venue. www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/maps-stations-stops/
GRAND PRIX - March
 Held at Albert Park Lake. map
www.grandprix.com.au
Getting there
The Albert Park lake is easily reached with public transport. Numerous tram lines run along St.Kilda Rd. Albert Park Lake is a short walk from several of the stops. The Grand Prix website has travel information, or go to www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/maps-stations-stops/
SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - February and March
 Held on Phillip Island
www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au
Getting there
Drive.
SWIMMING EVENTS
February - Phillip Island Swim Classic www.islandevents.org.au
SPRING RACING CARNIVAL - October and November
 Held at various venues including Flemington Racecourse, Moonee Valley Racecourse and Caulfield Racecourse.
The Spring Racing Carnival is huge. It starts in October and finishes in November. Each event at the Caulfield, Moonee Valley and Flemington racetracks attracts tens of thousands of dressed up punters. The Flemington horse racing events usually attract well over 100-thousand racing enthusiasts on each big day. Some of the big events are Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day and Oaks Day (ladies' day).
The Flemington Racecourse is divided into two sections for punters. The car park and Bird Cage is where the corporate tents are set up and where the better off go to. The public area has a mixture of well dressed people and Australia's largest collection of slappers and bogans. Hat wearing is essential.
www.springracingcarnival.com.au/
www.melbournecup.com
Getting there
1 - Flemington Racecourse:
Train - there is a direct train from Flinders St station to the Racecourse. The train takes approx 13minutes to Flemington.
Tram - catch Tram route 57 (West Maribyrnong) from Elizabeth Street. The tram takes approx 40 minutes to Flemington.
Drive - the Racecourse is on the corner of Epsom Rd and Racecourse Rd, Flemington
More transport information
2 - Caulfield Racecourse:
Directions
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