Page 403 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

MELBOURNE  401

World-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground backed by the city skyline
hMelbourne visitors to the members’ pavilion, p45), one of the four Grand Slam
Cricket Ground which includes the Melbourne competitions of tennis, played
Cricket Club (MCC) Museum. It under Rod Laver Arena’s unique
Yarra Park, Jolimont. Map 2 F3. Tel (03) traces the history of the MCG retractable roof (see p381)able roof (see p381)able roof . There
9657 8888. £ Jolimont. v 48, 70, 75 with an exhibition of information are also 22 outdoor and seven
(special trams run on sports event days). and artifacts. The Mythical indoor tennis courts for public use.
Open for tours (10am–3pm daily, Ashes is a fascinating display Next to Melbourne Park is the
except event days) or sports events.
& 7 8 obligatory. ∑ mcg.org.au of Ashes mementoes. Hisense Arena, which is home to
Melbourne Vixens netball team.
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) It also hosts a stadium for cycling,
is Australia’s premier sports jMelbourne dance performances, family
stadium and a cultural icon. The Park shows, concerts and other
land was granted in 1853 to the entertainment. Opposite the
Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), Batman Ave. Map 2 E4. Tel (03) 9286 park is the Westpac Centre,
itself conceived in 1838. 1600. £ Flinders St & Richmond. v which was originally built for
The MCG predominantly 70. Open for events. Tours of Rod Laver the 1956 Olympics but has
hosts cricket and Australian Arena at 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm Mon– been redeveloped.
Rules football, being the site for Fri, 11:30am, 1pm Sat & Sun (call 1300 Nearby Olympic Park, formerly
836 647 to book). ∑ mopt.com.au
test matches and the first one- the location for international and
day international match and for Melbourne Park (formerly the national athletics, is the training
the Australian Football League National Tennis Centre) on the ground for Collingwood Football
Grand Final, held on the last northern bank of the Yarra River, Club. The AAMI Park is also a venue
Saturday of September (see p44). is Melbourne’s sports and large- for soccer events. Its exterior is
Non-sporting events, such as scale concerts venue. Events covered in thousands of LEDs
pop concerts, are also held here. include the Australian Open (see that come to life at night.
There have been numerous
stands and pavilions over the
years, each superseded at
different times by reconstruc-
tions of the ground. An 1876
stand, now demolished, was
reversible, with spectators able
to watch cricket on the ground
and football in the park in winter.
Following massive redevelop-
ment of the ground ahead of
the 2006 Commonwealth
Games, the MCG can now seat
crowds of more than 100,000.
Guided tours usually take Australian Open tennis match on one of the outdoor courts at Melbourne Park