Many travellers are willing to fly for hours to a destination they’ve always dreamed of visiting, even if they’re only getting to spend a few days there. They’ll bookmark travel sites and watch airline sales in the hopes that one day their Dream Holiday Fund will be enough to take advantage of a really great deal.
Sometimes it’s not the destination that matters so much as what is happening there at the time, such as international sporting events or cultural festivals. One such event is the Australian Open, which takes place from 20 January – 2 February in 2020. As the first of four Grand Slam events in professional tennis, it marks the start of the tennis calendar and draws fans from every corner of the world.
So, when you’re not watching Novak Djokovic defend his title against Rafael Nadal, or willing Serena Williams on to claim her 24th major victory against defending champion Naomi Osaka, how are you meant to spend your time in Melbourne? Fortunately, it is a diverse city with a range of attractions that will delight no matter what your interests and hobbies are.
Melbourne Park itself becomes a festival with live viewing screens to keep an eye on what’s happening on the courts, food vendors showcasing the best of Australia’s culinary arts, outdoor concerts, and a whole host of exciting activities. And with only a few short days in the sporting capital of Australia, the best way to experience all it has to offer is by booking an Australian Open tour package.
The first step to planning your Australian Open 2020 experience is to decide which of the many AO 2020 ticket packages you’d like to take advantage of. Then you can decide how you’d like to spend your free time. With an Australian Open private tour, you can customise your entire trip and leave the organisation of every detail in the hands of experienced professionals.
MPT’s Australian Open 2020 packages
So to get you started on planning your trip, here are the unique Australian Open guided tour packages we are offering:
- VIP Dining and Hospitality Packages with Premium Match Tickets
Ideal for those who want nothing more than a first-class spectator experience. - Tennis Clinics
If you’re a tennis player, then this package is perfect for you. You’ll get to play on one of the Show Courts with a professional coach who’ll help you hone your tennis skills. You might never share the successes of the tennis greats, but you’ll get to share the unforgettable experience of playing tennis in Grand Slam conditions during the Australian Open. - “Meet the Trophies!”
Another experience for the dreamers, we’ll arrange for you to get up close and personal with the magnificent Australian Open trophies. You’ll get to spend time with both the Daphney Ackhurst Memorial Cup and the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, and a professional photographer will be there to capture the moment forever. - One on One with a Tennis Legend
Enjoy a meet and greet with an industry professional, an Australian Open Official, or other industry identities. Or catch up with a current or former player! Just let us know who you’d like to chat with, and we’ll organise everything for you.
Remember that with a private tour, you don’t have to choose just one of these packages. In fact, you could combine all four into an all-inclusive Australian Open tour!!
Ready for your unique AO 2020 experience?
Talk to our expert planning team today. They will create a bespoke tour itinerary that will fulfil your requirements and fit your schedule. Get the most out of your Melbourne trip!
What else is there to do during the Australian Open?
Every year, thousands of people head for the iconic Melbourne Park to watch tennis’ greatest stars battle it out at the only tennis Grand Slam tournament held in the southern hemisphere. Prone to heatwaves with temperatures of 35°C or more, sometimes getting away from the fierce competition in the intense heat is essential. For those who want to explore the capital of Victoria during their free time, here are a few ideas:
Discover the Dandenongs
Located just an hour from Melbourne, a private tour of the Dandenong Ranges is the perfect way to escape the city heat and the crowds drawn to the Australian Open. On this tour, you’ll enjoy a slow scenic drive through the National Park where you’ll get to breathe in the cool mountain air while marvelling at the trees towering overhead, gullies filled with crisp green ferns, and breathtaking views across the Yarra Valley and beyond.
Along the way you’ll get to stop at quaint little places where you can share in Melbourne’s caffeine addiction, sample some of the wines that the Yarra Valley region is famous for, and browse the local arts and crafts on display. Then we’ll take you up to the Sky High Lookout to marvel at the views of the whole of metropolitan Melbourne.
No trip to the Dandenongs is complete without a relaxing journey through the temperate rainforest on Puffing Billy, Australia’s oldest surviving and fully restored steam train. For those who love the outdoors, there are several shady trails that take you through Sherbrooke Forest.
The most popular short walk meanders alongside towering Mountain Ashes, the tallest flowering hardwood in the world, and ends where the Sherbrooke Falls paint a fairy tale picture of gushing water cascading over rocky outcrops.
Journey along the Great Ocean Road
One of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world, the Great Ocean Road stretches along 243km of the southern coast of Victoria. On the route, you’ll find some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the world, and dozens of hotspots that invite you to get out and explore a little (or a lot!). Find out how the Loch Ard Gorge got its name and see if you can recognise any backdrops from the 1999 Journey to the Centre of the Earth TV series
Just a few minutes away you’ll find the imposing 12 Apostles. With some of these flat-bedded limestone formations rising 65 metres above sea level, they’re a breathtaking sight to behold. If you like, you can even get a bird’s eye view with a helicopter flight over one of Australia’s most iconic natural landmarks.
You can’t drive along this stunning road without stopping at one of the many beaches to enjoy the azure blue waters, or maybe even take a surfing lesson at Bells Beach where the Rip Curl Pro is held every year. Our Great Ocean Road luxury private tour includes the option of one way or return transfers by helicopter or plane and is also one of several carbon-neutral eco-certified private tours that we offer.
Nibble your way across Melbourne
As the top-rated foodie destination in the country, Melbourne is the culinary heartbeat of Australia. With a diverse melting pot of cultures making this stunning city their home, the range of cuisines to choose from can make it seem like you’re travelling the world rather than just touring the city! With thousands of restaurants, bars, cafes, markets, and other eateries to choose from, it can be hard to decide exactly which of them you want to try.
With our Ultimate Melbourne Food Tour, you won’t have to worry that you’re missing out on anything because we’ll take you on an edible tour through Melbourne’s many fascinating multicultural neighbourhoods. Sample the best Italian, Greek and Asian cuisine that Australia has to offer along with visits to fragrant spice shops, decadent chocolate lounges, an underground fromagerie, and renowned local bakeries.
Don’t forget that a private tour means you can customise each stop of your entire day. Maybe you’d like to find the best vindaloo curry in town, or you’ve always dreamed of dining at a Michelin starred French restaurant. Whatever your epicurean desire is, let us know and we’ll use our local insider knowledge to find the best hidden gems and culinary secrets in Melbourne to share with you!
Also, why not try our Foodies Journey through the Mornington Peninsula with a memorable coastal drive and a cooking experience at a sustainable farm. This tour is one of our Eco Friendly Tours.
Enjoy Melbourne after dark
The Australian Open 2020 begins at the tail end of January, right when temperatures are consistently high and heatwaves are a common occurrence. In fact, a heatwave that broke several local records forced play to be suspended in 2019 – and it looks like the same thing may happen this year.
Fortunately for those who would rather spend their days on a beach or at one of the many local swimming holes in and around Melbourne, the city has a vibrant nightlife that is as alluring as its day time attractions. The best part about it? The setting sun brings with it cooler temperatures – which means you get to enjoy yourself without feeling like you’re about to melt!
Our Melbourne after Dark private tour will take you up to the Eureka Tower Skydeck where you’ll be able to see the twinkling lights of Melbourne spread out below you. You’ll also get to enjoy a cocktail at one of Melbourne’s popular hidden bars, a two-course dinner at a world-class restaurant, and the option of ending your night at Om Nom, the world’s very first dessert hotel!
Let us spice up your AO 2020 experience
You might be headed to Melbourne to enjoy the Australian Open, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on all the other delights the City by the Bay has to offer. From the foodie heaven of Flinders Street to the shopper’s delight of Lonsdale Street, to the wonder of the heritage buildings spread along the Golden Mile – Melbourne is a tourist’s mecca with attractions to suit everyone who visits.
We can put together a custom package for your entire trip that includes accommodation, a selection of our most popular private tours and our full range of AO 2020 packages, so fill in our contact request form and we’ll get in touch with you to help you plan a trip you’ll never forget.
Experience Melbourne and beyond along with Australian Open
We’ll help you explore hidden gems of Melbourne and regional Victoria. Get the most of your Australian Open experience thanks to a bespoke private tour!