Sidney Myer Music Bowl
The basics
Live music concerts take place at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl come 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 festive 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.
Things to know before you go
- While the fixed seating area is covered, the venue is outdoors, so wear weather-appropriate clothing and pack an umbrella or sunhat as needed. It’s worth bringing a blanket to sit on if you’re seated on the surrounding lawns.
- Admission tickets are required for most concerts and it’s recommended 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.
How to get there
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, roughly a 5-minute walk from the venue.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Events are held at the Music Bowl all year-round. Evening concerts typically start at 7:30pm, with the gates opening an hour before and the headliner taking to the stage around 9pm. All evening concerts finish by 11pm.
Kings Domain Gardens
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 Domain Parklands are also home to the Royal Botanical Gardens; the Queen Victoria Gardens, famous for its Giant Floral Clock; and the Alexandra Gardens, which has a playground and skate park.
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