It’s almost AFL season and no doubt fans are busy booking their holiday packages with AFL Travel (powered by Virgin Australia Holidays) to watch their favourite teams in action. If you’re travelling to the great sporting city of Melbourne, there’s plenty to see and do between matches, providing you with plenty of reasons to make a weekend of it. What’s more, AFL Travel offers a range of activities that can be booked with your footy package, making the task of organising your trip simple and efficient.
Here are 5 of our favourite things to do in Melbourne when we’re in town for the AFL.
Book an MCG tour
For diehard AFL fans, a stay in Melbourne wouldn’t be complete without a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the National Sporting Museum. First established by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 1853, this historic venue has played host to some of the most memorable sporting moments in Australian history. On the tour, you’ll experience a unique insider’s perspective of the grounds, with visits to the MCG Library, the player’s viewing room and the museum, which is housed across two levels of the Olympic Stand and showcases the very best of Australian sporting memorabilia.
Ride the Melbourne Wheel
They say that every great city in the world has a ‘wheel’ and Melbourne is no exception. Conveniently located in the Docklands precinct and within walking distance of Marvel Stadium, the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel is the Southern Hemisphere’s only giant wheel and is worth a visit on your way to, or after the game. The Star’s helpful audio tour inside the comfortable, temperature-controlled cabins further enhances the experience by pointing out significant landmarks while you enjoy panoramic views of the CBD and beyond.
Jump on the food and wine trail
Melbourne is renowned throughout Australia and the world as a food and wine lover’s paradise, with many outstanding food and wine day tours departing daily from the CBD. Step outside of the city centre and explore the region’s exceptional local offerings. Visit the Bellarine Peninsula with its outstanding wineries, cider houses and restaurants, making the most of breathtaking scenery and quality local produce. Alternatively, take a tour of the Yarra Valley to taste award winning wines, gourmet cheeses, farm-fresh fruits and hand-crafted chocolate.
Visit the theatre
Melbourne consistently hosts the very best of local and international theatrical and musical talent at the East End Theatre District, providing footy fans with an excellent reason to stay in town a little longer before or after their team’s match. The East End is home to six unique and historic theatres with world-renowned musicals, stage shows, comedy festivals, live music and children’s events regularly in residence. Exceptional quality restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops are conveniently located between the theatres, making the East End the obvious choice for a great night out in Melbourne.
See the Great Ocean Road
Make your next AFL Travel trip a truly memorable experience by including a day tour of the Great Ocean Road in your booking. Experience the spectacular and rugged beauty of Melbourne’s stunning Surf Coast region along this winding icon; see the famed 12 Apostles, enjoy stunning views of the coast from the Split Point Lighthouse, learn about the brutal history of the Shipwreck Coast at Loch Ard Gorge and take a walk through the rainforests of Great Otway National Park.
AFL Travel packages to Melbourne for the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season are now on sale. To turn your team's game into a getaway, head to the AFL Travel website or contact the AFL Travel Contact Centre on on 13 17 43 from Monday to Friday 8am–6pm AEST and Saturday 9am–5pm AEST.