Round 1 · 2026

Australian Grand Prix

Albert Park Circuit

Melbourne, Australia · 5 Mar–8 Mar, 2026

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix has finished. The 2027 dates appear here as soon as F1 publishes next season's calendar; the travel guide below stays useful for next year.

By the F1 Weekend team · Sources: Formula 1 timetable (Jolpica F1 API)

Weekend Schedule

All sessions, times & timetable

Experiences

Curated activities for every session gap

Getting There

Transport, parking & gate times

Tips & FAQ

Weather, budget, tips & FAQ

Plan my weekend

Your sessions + things to do around them

Looking for things to do between sessions? Browse Melbourne F1 2026 experiences — curated activities matched to every session gap in the weekend.

Why Melbourne Is the Perfect F1 City

Albert Park Circuit sits just 3 km from Melbourne's Central Business District — making the 2026 Australian Grand Prix one of the most uniquely explorable events on the F1 calendar. With 4+ hour evening gaps between sessions and a full day on Thursday before competitive action begins, race weekend becomes as much a city break as a motorsport event. Melbourne's laneways, beaches, bayside suburbs, and surrounding wine country are all within a 10–60 minute reach of the circuit. Over 30 curated experiences on F1 Weekend are specifically matched to your session gaps — so you never miss a lap, and you never miss Melbourne.

Albert Park Circuit — Track Map

Round

1 of 24

Dates

5 Mar–8 Mar

Circuit

Albert Park Circuit

City

Melbourne, AU

Turns

14

Race Laps

58

Top Speed

310+ km/h

Circuit Length

5.278 km

Race Weekend Format

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix runs across four days. Here is how the four days break down, and where the gaps fall.

Thursday

FREE DAY

Fan activations at the circuit and Melbourne city centre. No competitive sessions. Best day for full-day excursions or local tours. Gates open but no timing pressure.

All day — 10+ hours available

Friday

PRACTICE

Typically two practice sessions. Morning gap before gates open and evening gap after sessions end for dining and nightlife.

Morning: 3+ hrs · Evening: 4+ hrs

Saturday

QUALI / SPRINT

Qualifying or Sprint sessions. Gaps are typically shorter between high-stakes sessions.

Morning: 2+ hrs · Between sessions: 1–2 hrs

Sunday

RACE DAY

Main race start. Morning typically free until gates open — ideal for a relaxed city brunch or market visit.

Morning: 3+ hrs before gates open

Thursday — Your Free Day

Thursday is typically the only day with no competitive sessions on track. If you hold a 4-day or Thursday pass, this is your day to explore. Use it for experiences that need a full day.

Full-day experiences for Thursday will be available here soon.

Browse all Thursday options →

Data Insights from the 2025 Race

Based on historical data from the 2025 Australia Grand Prix via OpenF1, here is what to expect at Albert Park Circuit in 2025.

2025 Top Speed

312 km/h

2025 Fastest Lap

1:22.167

Winning Strategy

5-stop

*Data reflects the 2025 Australia Grand Prix, sourced from the OpenF1 API. This is an unofficial community project.

Australian Grand Prix 2026: FAQ

What is F1 Weekend?
F1 Weekend is a travel companion for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix (March 5–8). It curates activities — from 3-hour laneway food tours to full-day Great Ocean Road trips — matched to the gaps between F1 sessions, so you can explore Melbourne without missing a single lap.
What are the best things to do during Melbourne F1 weekend 2026?
Top picks: Melbourne Laneways Food Tour (3 hrs, A$99–A$130), St Kilda Beach & Pier Walk (free, 1–2 hrs), Great Ocean Road day trip (10 hrs, A$115), rooftop bar sunset at Naked in the Sky (A$40+), and Royal Botanic Gardens (free, 1.5 hrs). All fit into session gaps on Thursday, Friday, or Sunday morning.
What can I do between F1 practice sessions?
Melbourne gaps range from 1.5 hours (between afternoon sessions) to 4+ hours in the evening. A 1.5-hour gap fits a café crawl or St Kilda foreshore walk. The 3.5-hour Friday morning gap before FP1 suits a laneway food tour. Evening gaps of 4+ hours work perfectly for dinner in South Yarra or Southbank.
When is the Australian Grand Prix 2026?
The 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix takes place March 5–8, 2026, at Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne. Thursday is fan experience day, Friday hosts FP1 and FP2, Saturday features qualifying and the F1 Sprint, and Sunday is race day.
How do I get to Albert Park Circuit?
Albert Park is 3 km from Melbourne's Central Business District. Take tram routes 1, 6, 16, 64, or 67 along St Kilda Road and alight at Albert Road or Fitzroy Street. Flinders Street Station is a 15-minute walk via St Kilda Road. Rideshare drops off at the Aughtie Drive gates. Driving is not recommended due to limited parking.
How much do Melbourne F1 experiences cost?
From free (St Kilda Beach, Botanic Gardens) to A$350+ for private tours. Most curated experiences cost A$59–A$130 per person. A typical Friday — coffee in the Central Business District (A$6), laneway food tour (A$99), dinner in South Yarra (A$60–A$90) — runs around A$165–A$200 per person all-in.
What's the weather like in Melbourne in March?
Late summer / early autumn: typically 18–26°C (64–79°F) with sunshine and occasional showers. Melbourne's weather is famously variable — pack a light layer and sunscreen. Evening temperatures drop to 15–18°C, so bring a jacket for late-night outings.
Can I enjoy F1 weekend without a circuit ticket?
Yes. The free F1 Fan Village at Federation Square runs all race week with live screens, team displays, and sponsor activations. You can watch from Lakeside Park outside the circuit fence. And Melbourne's laneways, beaches, and dining scene give you a full weekend of experiences without setting foot in Albert Park.