MELBOURNE 15-26 MARCH
Sport & Venue Summary:
Aquatics:
 This encompases diving, swimming and synchronised swimming, all of which will be contested in the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC): It is proposed that full and exclusive access to the competition venue would be made available atleast 7 days prior to the start of the Games for training and familiarity purposes.
Transport:
Tram number 112 runs from the City (via Collins, Spencer & Clarendon Streets and Albert Road) to Fitzroy Street stopping outside MSAC. Light rail number 96 runs from the City (via Bourke, Spencer and Ferrars Streets and Canterbury Road) to St. Kilda Beach. Get off at Wright Street Station.
Athletics:
Track & Field:
 The venue for the Track & Field events is the renowned Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), or sometimes referred to as the "G". Victoria's number one existing athletics facility, Olympic Park, is located within the sports precinct near the MCG making it the perfect venue for both training and warm-up.
An international-standard, eight-lane synthetic track will be installed on the MCG arena surface, together with all jump and field event areas. The sprint straight will have the recommended minimum nine lanes.
Only a 10-minute walk from Melbourne's city centre, the MCG will host the Track and Field events, incorporating events for Elite Athletes with a Disability (EAD) and the start and finish of the Marathon.
Seating Plan
Public Transport to the 'G:
Trains
There are two train stations close to the MCG. Jolimont (otherwise known as MCG Station) is north of the ground and offers a five-minute stroll through Yarra Park to the ground. From any railway station in the central business district, take the Hurstbridge or Epping lines. The other station is Richmond on the south eastern side of the MCG. It's a slightly longer walk to the ground but you can walk past the Punt Road Oval to the Great Southern Stand side.
To get to Richmond station from the city, take any train on the Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverley, Dandenong, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston or Sandringham lines.
Trams
Two services connect Flinders Street with the eastern suburbs via Wellington Parade Both the 75 (City-East Burwood) and 48 (City-North Balwyn) stop just outside the MCG. The 70 (City-Wattle Park) detours from Flinders Street along Swan Street, and it's a short walk across the footbridge to the ground.
Buses
The distinctive red and yellow National bus which links La Trobe University with Elsternwick Station is a useful service for patrons from the northern and southern suburbs. The 246 stops in Punt Road, just a punt kick from the ground.
Taxis
Taxis are available from the ground at the conclusion of each event. Otherwise the venue is a pleasant 15 minute walk from the city.
Badminton:
The Melbourne Exhibition Centre will host the badminton competition, in a purpose built temporary facility, which will comprise 6 competition and 2 warm-up courts, with seating for 2,500 spectators. It is propsed that training will be held in the Altona Badminton Centre (Paisley Park).
Seating Plan
Transport:
 The Centre is located just a short stroll from many of the city's restaurants, hotels and shopping areas making it easily accessed by foot or public transport. There are two tram stops outside the Melbourne Convention Centre and one stop at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. No. 12, 96, 109 travel along Clarendon Street from South Melbourne, Port Melbourne and St Kilda and service the CBD via Collins and Bourke Streets.
No. 70 runs along Flinders Street stopping on the north side of the Melbourne Convention Centre. Trams run every 6-8 minutes during peak times, 7.00am - 9.00am and 4.00pm - 6.00pm and every 10-12 minutes between 9.00am and 4.00pm.
The Spencer Street Station is just a short stroll from the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. The Dandenong, Frankston, Belgrave, Lilydale and Sandringham lines run every 15 minutes and St Albans, Williamstown, Werribee, Upfield, Epping and Eltham run every 20 minutes.
Basketball:
The 2006 Games will be the historical debut of this sport into the Commonwealth Games. Subject to final confirmation the preliminary rounds will be staged at the regional centres of Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and Tralalgon.
The finals will be held at Melbourne Park, an adaptable sports, entertainment and conference facility in one. Features include raiseable, retractable and removable seating, which can be altered to accommodate different events while always ensuring spectators can be close to the action. The retractable roof, which takes only 10 minutes to fully open or close, allows the venue to be transformed from an indoor to an outdoor arena.
Seating Plans
Boxing:
The melbourne Exhibition Centre will host the boxing, Located on the south bank of the Yarra River opposite Crown Casino, this 30,000 square metre venue is a distinctive, functional and adaptable complex offering advanced technical services and state-of-the-art facilities.
Seating Plan
Cycling:
 This will be hosted at Melbourne park, the track and the venue have been given the seal of approval by the world's top cyclists and officials at the 2004 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, Melbourne.
Melbourne Park is an adaptable sports, entertainment and conference facility in one. Features include raiseable, retractable and removable seating, which can be altered to accommodate different events while always ensuring spectators can be close to the action. The retractable roof, which takes only 10 minutes to fully open or close, allows the venue to be transformed from an indoor to an outdoor arena.
Spectators can expect some high-speed racing here on the 250m Siberian pine cycling track. The Basketball and Netball finals will also be held at this venue.
Seating Plan
Royal Botanic Gardens Circuit:
The Road Race event will be set around the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, minutes from Melbourne's city centre. The Royal Botanic Gardens Circuit was used for the 1998 Australian Cycling Championships.
State Mountain Bike Course: (Lysterfield Park)
This world-class mountain bike course located at Lysterfield Park in the foothills of the spectacular Dandenong Ranges, south-east of Melbourne, will be one of the tangible legacies of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. The venue will include around 14km of trails, including a 6km elite competition course.
EAD Events:
 The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Sports Program for Elite Athletes with a Disability (EAD) will feature fully integrated events in the following sports:-
- Aquatics - Swimming (four gold medals)
- Athletics - Track and Field (six gold medals)
- Table Tennis (one gold medal)
- Powerlifting (one gold medal).
Gymnastics:
 The Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park was completed in 1988 and is the venue for Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics. The Rod Laver Arena is just a 10-minute walk from the city centre and is home to the Australian Open tennis tournament, the Asia-Pacific Grand Slam.
Seating Plan
Hockey:
The Hockey competition will be contested at the State Netball Hockey Centre, which is close to the Commonwealth Games Village. This is also the venue for the Netball preliminaries.
The State Netball Hockey Centre has two synthetic, water-based hockey pitches. The pitches will be resurfaced by early 2005. Player/referee change rooms and accommodation for medical staff and media are to international standards.
Seating Plans
Lawn Bowls:
The Lawn Bowls competition will be held at the State Lawn Bowls Centre at the John Cain Memorial Reserve in the City of Darebin.
The Victorian State Government is committed to developing this centre to the highest quality for the large fraternity of bowlers in Victoria and Australia-wide, leaving a positive legacy for the sport of Lawn Bowls. The State Lawn Bowls Centre boasts all the necessary international facilities to conduct the event.
The Centre has four outdoor international standard greens and is located 30 minutes from Melbourne city centre. It is the heart of Lawn Bowls in Victoria.
Seating Plan
Marathon:
The course for both the mens and womens event will be deisgned to start and finish in the MCG, and combine the picturesque areas of melbourne with a fast but challenging course.
Netball:
The State Netball Hockey Centre is located Close to the Commonwealth Games Village, this venue includes a five-court indoor stadium designed for international competition. The Netball preliminaries will be played here as well as the Hockey competition.
In competition mode, the State Netball Hockey Centre will provide a show court with adjacent warm-up courts. The finals will take place at Melbourne Park.
Seating Plans
Rugby 7's:
 Telstra Dome is the venue for the Rugby 7s competition. Expect the crowds at Telstra Dome to make some serious noise with the Rugby 7s on show. Telstra Dome was completed in 2000 and is covered by a 160m x 100m retractable roof that can be closed in 20 minutes. The stadium hosted games of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, regularly hosts Australian Football League (AFL) matches and was the site of the first indoor one-day international cricket match.
Seating Plan
Shooting:
The Melbourne Gun Club is set in picturesque semi-rural Lilydale in the foothills of the Yarra Valley wine region, about 45 minutes from inner Melbourne, this venue will host Clay Target Shooting.
 The Melbourne Gun Club is already recognised as one of the most scenic and best equipped Clay Target shooting facilities in Victoria. In its long history it has already hosted many national and international events. Although existing technical equipment is suitable to conduct events, upgrades will be made prior to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games to meet the ever-evolving international standards.
Just 15 minutes from the city centre in Port Melbourne, this is the venue for Small Bore and Pistol Shooting events. The Melbourne International Shooting Club currently houses a 10m indoor shooting area as well as 25m and 50m ranges. The venue will undergo upgrades of its target systems and infrastructure to enhance its international standard facilities.
Set in the historic regional town of Bendigo, about two hours drive from Melbourne, this is the venue for the Full Bore Shooting event. The Government of Victoria has committed funds to a redevelopment program which includes a slight realignment of the range and new target mechanisms. The upgrade ensures a state-of-the-art facility with all technical equipment meeting the highest standards.
As one of Victoria's largest regional centres, Bendigo is looking forward to hosting the 2006 Commonwealth Games shooting fraternity, who will be accommodated in a satellite Games Village. The Wellsford Rifle Range currently hosts many regional and state championships.
Squash:
The Melbourne Sports & Aquatics Centre (MSAC) will host the squash event. This modern, international-standard sporting venue is the largest integrated sports complex of its type in Australia. MSAC is the current centre of Squash in Victoria and has hosted major Squash events, including the Australian Open Grand Prix Event and the Melbourne International Squash Festival. The venue is adjacent to the site of the Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park. The centre will also feature the Aquatics program (Swimming, Synchronised Swimming and Diving) and Table Tennis.
Seating Plan
Table Tennis:
 MSAC is the home of Table Tennis in Victoria and has the necessary rooms available for the management and administration of the competition. The venue is adjacent to the site of the Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park. The centre will also feature the Aquatics program (Swimming, Synchronised Swimming and Diving) and Squash.
The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, in its regular configuration, houses 27 Table Tennis courts in the one hall.
Triathlon:
The St. Kilda Foreshore will be the backdrop for this event. The inner-Melbourne bayside suburb of St Kilda will be the central point for both the men's and women's Triathlon events. Many local, state and national events already utilise this highly picturesque area.
The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games will provide a challenging yet spectator-friendly Triathlon course. The Triathlon Program will be staged on a single day and two gold medals are on offer: for the women's event in the morning, and the men's in the afternoon.
The men's and women's races will be conducted over the Olympic distance of 1,500m swim, 40km ride and 10km race and will be held according to the International Triathlon Union (ITU) rules.
Course Map
Walking:
The 20km and 50km walks are proposed to be contested on a circuit around the Victoria Harbour and Docklands area, which is situated near the centre of Melbourne.
Weightlifting:
The Melbourne Exhibition Centre is the venue for Weightlifting. The Weightlifting program incorporates events for Elite Athletes with a Disability (EAD).
Top of Page I Commonwealth Games 2006 I Travel Request Form & Event Tickets I Home Page |
