A semi-permanent circuit around a picturesque lake in Melbourne's inner suburbs. The Australian Grand Prix opener traditionally kicks off the F1 season, with the city's coffee culture and arts scene adding to the weekend.
Albert Park Circuit is a temporary street circuit, located in Melbourne, Victoria. Drivers cover 5.278 km (3.28 miles) and 14 corners each lap, run clockwise.
The circuit opened in 1953 and holds FIA Grade 1 licensing. It appears on the Formula 1 calendar. Around 125,000 spectators can attend.
Racing came to Albert Park in 1953, on a course laid through the parkland around the lake. That first Australian Grand Prix was a non-championship Formula Libre race, and Doug Whiteford won it by six laps — a margin of some 30 kilometres. Local racing continued until 1958, running anti-clockwise, and then stopped for more than three decades.
The circuit returned as a political project. In the early 1990s the Victorian premier Jeff Kennett set out to raise Melbourne's international profile through major events, and took the Australian Grand Prix from Adelaide. The 1996 rebuild reused many of the original park roads but reversed the direction of travel to clockwise, moved the pit straight away from the lake and added the Clark Chicane. It has held the race ever since, frequently opening the season.
6 curated properties, sorted by distance from the circuit
Check availability near Albert Park Circuit
We may earn a commission on bookings made through this link. It costs you nothing extra, and it never affects which properties are listed or how they are ordered.
Hotel · 3.5 km from circuit · 11 min drive · 4.4 (8,499) on Google · $$$$$
8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Melbourne's most luxurious hotel overlooking the Yarra, 11 minutes from Albert Park's lakeside circuit. Facilities include pool and spa.
Check pricesHotel websiteHotel · 3.9 km from circuit · 10 min drive · 4.3 (3,622) on Google
8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Posh high-rise lodging offering refined around-the-world dining, plus a spa & a 27th-floor pool. — via Google
Check pricesHotel websiteHotel · 4.0 km from circuit · 12 min drive · 4.4 (3,142) on Google · $$$$$
1 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Classic luxury on the Yarra River with legendary afternoon tea, a refined F1 weekend base. Albert Park Circuit is a 12-minute drive away. Facilities include spa and pool.
Check pricesHotel websiteHotel · 5.3 km from circuit · 18 min drive · 4.6 (5,097) on Google
25 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
High-end hotel featuring bars & a modern brasserie, plus meeting spaces, ballrooms & a gym. — via Google
Check pricesHotel websiteResort · 5.5 km from circuit · 18 min drive · 4.5 (5,432) on Google
123 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Posh high-rise property offering refined quarters with city views, plus a restaurant & a gym. — via Google
Check pricesHotel websiteHotel · 6.0 km from circuit · 19 min drive · 4.5 (2,619) on Google
1 Parliament Square, off, Parliament Pl, Melbourne VIC 3002, Australia
Elegant rooms & lavish suites in a high-end property with 2 restaurants, a pool & a spa. — via Google
Check pricesHotel websiteNearest Airport: Melbourne Airport (MEL) — approximately 25 km from the circuit
Public transport is free with a Grand Prix ticket on event days. Expect waits of up to 40 minutes leaving on Saturday and up to an hour on Sunday.
Visiting Albert Park Circuit for a race weekend? Here are essential tips to make the most of your trip to Melbourne, Victoria. The circuit holds up to 125,000 spectators, so plan for large crowds on race day.
Albert Park Circuit is in Melbourne, Victoria. The nearest airport, Melbourne Airport (MEL), is about 25 km from the circuit.
6 properties are listed near Albert Park Circuit, the closest 3.5 km from the circuit. Each one is listed with its measured distance from the circuit, and every entry links to the property's own site.