The Australian Sports Museum occupies Gate 3 of the Melbourne Cricket Ground in East Melbourne’s Yarra Park, putting the nation’s sporting story inside its most famous stadium. Formerly the National Sports Museum, it covers cricket, Australian rules football, the Olympic Games, tennis, rugby, soccer, basketball, boxing and netball, which makes it a pilgrimage stop for fans who want the MCG’s history up close (Wikipedia).
Galleries pair worn jerseys, medals, trophies and match-used equipment with multimedia displays. The museum houses the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, Australian Football Hall of Fame and Sport Australia Hall of Fame. The hands-on Game On zone lets visitors test their kicking, bowling and goal-shooting, which is a hit with kids. Staff hand out sweatbands so you can track your interactive results (What’s On Melbourne). Combined tickets add a guided MCG tour that typically takes in the Members’ Long Room, player areas and the arena’s edge.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The museum opens seven days a week with modified hours on event days. It closes on AFL match days, Good Friday and Christmas Day but stays open on Melbourne Cup Day, so check the official MCG site before you go. Weekday mornings outside school holidays are the quietest times to visit. Book museum-and-tour packages online in advance. Allow two to three hours. To get there, walk from Jolimont or Richmond stations, or catch a tram along Wellington Parade. Then cross Yarra Park toward Gate 3.
