Melbourne · Round 1 · 2026
Weekend Schedule
All times local (Australia/Melbourne) · Subject to change
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix runs across four days at Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne (March 5–8). Thursday and Friday host practice sessions — giving fans a 3.5-hour window before FP1 on Friday morning, and 4+ hours each evening after sessions end. Saturday brings qualifying and the F1 Sprint, with Sunday reserved for the race. Melbourne's compact Central Business District means world-class food, culture, and nightlife are minutes from the circuit — making every session gap an opportunity to explore the city.
Circuit Walk
Practice
Practice
Race 2
Free Practice 1
Qualifying
Qualifying
Race 2
Free Practice 2
Race 3
Driver Autograph Session
F1 Team Principals' Press Conference
Pit Lane Walk
Fan Stage Entertainment
Pit Lane Walk
Session Gap Planner
Each session gap has been mapped to experiences that actually fit the available time. Here is what to do in each window, with links to the relevant experiences.
GAP
Thursday & Friday Morning
The 3.5-hour window before gates open on Friday is the most versatile gap of the weekend. A guided Melbourne Laneways Food Tour (10 tastings, 3 hours, A$99–A$130) fits perfectly — you're back at the tram stop with 30 minutes to spare. On Thursday, this gap extends all day, making it the right time for the Great Ocean Road or Yarra Valley. Self-guided options: Degraves Street espresso walk (free), Fitzroy street art tour (free), Royal Botanic Gardens (free, 1.5 hrs).
GAP
Afternoon Session Gaps
Shorter 1–2 hour gaps between sessions suit walking and eating rather than guided tours. The Royal Botanic Gardens (free entry, 10-minute walk from the circuit) is the best use of a tight gap. St Kilda Pier walk (free, 20 minutes by tram) is good on Friday afternoons. For food: South Yarra's Commercial Road has excellent cafés within a 15-minute tram from the circuit.
GAP
Post-Session Evenings (Thu–Sat)
Friday and Saturday evenings after sessions end at ~17:00–19:00 AEDT give you 4–6 hours. Melbourne's dining scene is at its best after 7 PM. Top areas: South Yarra and Toorak Road for modern Australian (15 min tram), Lygon Street Carlton for Italian (30 min tram), Flinders Lane Central Business District laneways for Japanese to Lebanese. Book ahead — Melbourne restaurants fill up during race week. For nightlife: the Yarra River precinct has rooftop bars open until 3 AM.
GAP
Race Day Morning (before 11:00 AEDT)
Gates open around 11:00 AEDT on race day — leaving 3+ hours for a relaxed morning. South Melbourne Market (open from 08:00, 10 min tram) is ideal: fresh produce, Melbourne's best coffee, and dim sum all under one roof. St Kilda Beach is a 15-minute walk from the market — do both. Alternatively, a short half-day Torquay coast drive (returns by 13:00) squeezes in the Great Ocean Road start if you missed Thursday.