Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Concerts take place at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl rain or shine, with fans filling up the 2,000-capacity seating area and spilling out onto the sloping lawns around the stage. Big-name acts often play the venue, but equally popular are the free summertime concerts by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Carols by Candlelight series held over the holiday season. The Music Bowl has even been transformed into an ice skating rink during the winter months, and an outdoor cinema, as part of the Tropfest short film festival.

• While the fixed seating area is covered, the venue is outdoors, so wear weather-appropriate clothing and pack an umbrella or sun hat as needed. It’s worth bringing a blanket to spread out if you’re seated on the surrounding lawns.

• Admission tickets are required for most concerts, and it’s best to book in advance, especially for big international artists. Choose from stall or box seating, or purchase tickets for the terrace, lawns, or front-of-stage standing areas.

• Drinks and snacks are available to purchase at the venue.

• The venue is wheelchair accessible, but there are limited spaces available and they must be booked in advance.

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is located in the Kings Domain Gardens, on the south bank of the Yarra River. It's about a 20-minute walk east from the Southbank or south from downtown Melbourne. The closest tram stop is Grant St-Police Memorial/St Kilda Rd (multiple tram lines), which drops you off at the west side of the park, about a 5-minute walk from the venue.

Events are held at the Music Bowl all year round, with the gates generally opening 1 hour before the opening act goes on. Expect evening concerts to finish by 11pm.

It’s worth taking the time to explore the parks and gardens surrounding the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Take a stroll through the Kings Domain Gardens, where monuments include the Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden and the Shrine of Remembrance; pack a picnic and head to the riverside barbecue area; or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride around the park. The site is also home to the Royal Botanical Gardens; the Queen Victoria Gardens, famous for its Floral Clock; and the Alexandra Gardens, which has a playground and skate park.