Forget pre-game traffic jams, costly parking and over-crowded public transport – go by bike.
Jessica Cornelius has the details. Maps by Wayne Murphy
Why not get your friends and family together and ride to the ground? Many sports grounds are located in parklands and by rivers, making them ideal to reach by bike.
Bike panniers and baskets are great for carrying snacks and cold beer, especially if you pack a few freezer blocks to keep them chilled. Afterwards, work off the half-time hot chips on the ride home.
Bike parking could be great at most stadiums, with the ample space surrounding them but it’s rarely provided at all. Seasoned bike commuters will know there’s always something you can lock to but at sports grounds you do have to be careful not to obstruct a high-traffic area. Often there’s a parkland fringe around stadiums, so you can always lock to a tree, though you will need a cable lock to get around one. Make it a tough cable because there’s a high risk of theft when parking at an outdoor venue. Check out Ride On‘s recommended locks.
If it’s too far to ride all the way from your house to the ground, you can ride to a train station and lock up your bike there. You could try taking your bike on the train but bear in mind that it can be difficult (and against the rules) to put a bicycle on a packed train. For the same reason you’d need to time the return train journey carefully as well.
HOBART
Derwent Street, Bellerive
- The home of Tasmanian cricket
- Also hosts AFL and occasionally soccer
North Hobart Oval
Corner of Ryde and Argyle Streets, North Hobart
- Mainly AFL
- Occasionally cricket and soccer
Hobart Showground
Howard Road, Glenorchy
- Home of the Royal Hobart Show
- AFL and soccer matches
KGV Oval
Anfield Street, Glenorchy
- Home of Southern Football League and Glenorchy football and cricket clubs
- Soccer, cricket, AFL
BRISBANE
Suncorp Stadium
Castlemaine Street, Milton
- Rugby league, rugby union, soccer, AFL
- Some bike parking is available on the plaza
The Gabba
Vulture Street, Woolloongabba
- Cricket and AFL
- Home of Brisbane Lions and Queensland Bulls
ADELAIDE
War Memorial Drive, North Adelaide
- Cricket, AFL and rugby league
- Over 100 bike parking spots for bikes
Hindmarsh Stadium
Holden Street, Hindmarsh
- Soccer and rugby league
- Close to Bowden Station. Bikes can be carried on trains during off peak times.
AAMI Stadium
Turner Dr, West Lakes
- AFL, soccer, cricket and concerts
- Woodville station is a 6km ride away.
MELBOURNE
Corner of LaTrobe Street and Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
- AFL and occasionally soccer, cricket and rugby.
- Bike parking at gates 1, 2, 7 and 9.
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Yarra Park, East Melbourne
- AFL and cricket
- Bike parking between gates 3 and 4 and at end of the footbridge outside gate 1.
AAMI Park Stadium
Swan Street, Richmond
- Rugby league and soccer
SYDNEY
Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground
Driver Avenue, Paddington
- AFL, rugby league, cricket and soccer
- Bike parking in various locations surrounding
Sydney Football Stadium
Moore Park Road, Paddington
- Rugby league, rugby union, soccer and concerts
- Bike parking in various locations surrounding
ANZ stadium at Olympic Park
Olympic Park, Homebush
- Rugby league, rugby union, AFL, soccer and cricket
- Lots of bike parking, 35km of paths surrounding
- Bikes permitted for ferry and train access as well
PERTH
Subiaco Rd, Subiaco
- AFL
- Bike parking at Subiaco Station and along Rokeby Road
WACA
Nelson Crescent, East Perth
- Cricket, cricket and more cricket
- Bike parking available near Hay St
NIB Stadium
Corner of Pier and Brewer Streets, East Perth
- Soccer, live music events
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The parking and security issue is the prime concern – the yobs who get a skin full of grog can’t be trusted to leave other people’s possessions alone.
If there was parkiteer style cages, I would consofer it
Hello.
I like the maps by Wayne Murphy in this post. How did you create them Wayne? I’m looking for a way to make mine as nice. Thank you