Sikh Games Melbourne 2026: Parking & Transport Guide

Published by Radio Haanji 1674 AM | Updated: March 2026

If you are heading to the 38th Australian Sikh Games in Melbourne this Easter weekend, sort your transport plan now — not on the day. The venue is at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville, crowds are expected in the tens of thousands across three days, and parking near the ground is genuinely limited. A representative from the organising committee joined Radio Haanji 1674 AM to walk through exactly what attendees need to know. Here is everything from that briefing, plus the full official transport picture.

The Honest Truth About Parking at the Venue

Let's get this out of the way first: there is no public parking at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on event days.The on-site car park is reserved for access pass holders only. A drop-off zone is available at the front of the venue, but if you are driving yourself and expecting to park at the gate, you will need to change your plan.

The organising committee has been clear about this. The Games draw over 100,000 attendees across three days, and the precinct simply cannot absorb that volume of cars. Over 2,500 parking spaces are available within walking distance across nearby car parks and street parking in Carlton and Parkville — but they fill up fast on Easter weekend, when Melbourne is already busy.

Carpooling: The Organisers' Primary Message

The parking committee representative who spoke to Radio Haanji made this the central point: please carpool.

If your family is coming from the same address or the same suburb, travel in one vehicle. If your club has members coming from the same area, coordinate before the day. Every car that stays home frees up a space for someone who needs it — families with elderly members, attendees coming from further away, people who simply have no other option.

This is not a polite suggestion. It is the practical difference between a smooth arrival and spending 45 minutes circling Carlton looking for a spot.

Nearby Car Parks (10–15 Minute Walk)

If you are driving, these are your best options. None of them are at the door — plan for a 10 to 15 minute walk to the venue from most of these.

University and major car parks:

• University Square Car Park – Carlton
• Eastern Precinct Car Park, University of Melbourne
• Royal Parade / Kenneth Myer Car Park – Parkville

Public car parks:

• Care Park – Faraday Street
• Care Park – Grattan Street

Arrive early if you are targeting these. On a normal day they have capacity. On Easter Saturday with a major community event on, the picture changes quickly.

On-Street Parking: Available, But Read the Signs

Street parking is available across Carlton and Parkville. Streets that have spaces include Faraday Street, Grattan Street, Queensberry Street, Drummond Street, Cardigan Street, Bouverie Street, and various side streets off Lygon and Rathdowne.

Here is where the parking committee's warning matters most: the local Council is strict. Do not park in front of private driveways. Do not park in any zone marked with time restrictions or permit requirements unless you meet them. Fines in this area are not light, and there will be no appeals process on the day.

Check every sign before you leave the car. If it looks ambiguous, it is safer to find another spot.

Volunteer Sevadars: Follow Their Instructions

Dedicated volunteers will be stationed throughout the streets around the venue to help direct traffic and guide drivers to available spaces. This is a seva contribution from community members giving up their Easter weekend to make the event run smoothly.

If a sevadar is directing you to a particular area or asking you not to park somewhere, please follow that instruction. It is not a request — it is part of the organised traffic management system the committee has set up. Ignoring them creates delays for everyone behind you.

Shuttle Service for Elderly Attendees and Families with Young Children

This is a detail that will matter to a lot of families: the organising committee has arranged a shuttle service specifically for elderly attendees and families with young children who are parking further away.

Two routes, nine buses, with a frequency of three to five minutes during event hours.

The shuttle connects parking areas on the outer edges of the precinct directly to the main venue entrance, meaning you do not need to walk 15 minutes if you have grandparents or prams in tow. The buses will be clearly marked and volunteers will be on hand to direct people to the shuttle pick-up points.

If you are bringing elderly family members, this changes your approach — park at a more distant (and more likely available) spot, and use the shuttle rather than trying to squeeze into the closest car park.

Public Transport: The Recommended Option

The organising committee, the official event website, and anyone who has navigated Melbourne on Easter weekend will tell you the same thing: take the train.

Train — Royal Park Station is the Winner

Royal Park Station on the Upfield Line is approximately a two-minute walk from the State Netball and Hockey Centre. That is it. Get off, walk two minutes, you are there.

From different parts of Melbourne:

• North (Craigieburn, Upfield, Mernda, Hurstbridge): Take the Upfield Line direct to Royal Park Station. Or travel to Melbourne Central, then catch Tram 19 to Royal Parade.
• East (Belgrave, Lilydale, Glen Waverley, Alamein): Train to Melbourne Central or Parliament, then Tram 19 or 59.
• South (Frankston, Sandringham, Cranbourne, Pakenham): Train to Flinders Street, walk to Elizabeth Street, then Tram 19 or 59.
• West (Werribee, Williamstown, Sunbury): Train to Southern Cross or Flagstaff, then Tram 19 or 59. Or change at North Melbourne to the Upfield Line and get off at Royal Park.

Parkville Station on the Metro Tunnel line also provides access to the Melbourne University precinct if you are coming from that direction.

Trams

Four tram routes serve the venue and surrounding areas:

• Route 58 — Stops 23 and 24 give direct access to the venue (Kabaddi area)
• Route 19, Stop 16 (Royal Parade) — Direct access to Soccer and Kabaddi
• Route 19, Stop 12 (Royal Parade) — Melbourne University access
• Route 59, Flemington Rd / Gatehouse St — Approximately five-minute walk to the venue

Trams run frequently from the CBD and are a solid option if you are coming from Fitzroy, Carlton, or the inner north.

PTV App

Download the Public Transport Victoria app before Easter weekend — it gives real-time journey planning, live service alerts, and departure times. Use it to map your exact route from home to Royal Park Station or your closest tram stop.

• Android
• iOS App Store – Public Transport Victoria

VIP Parking: A Paid Option for Those Who Need It

For attendees who need guaranteed, close-proximity parking, the organising committee has made a limited number of VIP car parking spaces available in Parkville. These cost $1,000 as a donation to the Games, covering two exclusive parking areas near the venue.

Spaces are limited and expected to sell out. If this is relevant to your situation — mobility considerations, transporting equipment, or simply needing the certainty — contact the organising committee directly at [email protected]. Details are listed on the TryBooking Australia page for the event.

Rideshare

If none of the above works for your situation, rideshare (Uber and equivalents) is explicitly recommended on the official event page. Drop-off is available at the front of the venue. Depending on your suburb and the time of day, rideshare may cost less than parking and saves the stress entirely.

Quick Reference: Transport by Day

Thursday 3 April (Opening Day) Crowds build through the afternoon. Public transport is the cleanest option. If driving, aim for early morning arrival.

Friday 4 April (Main Competition Day) Busiest day across the precinct. Carpooling and trains are strongly recommended. On-street parking will be under maximum pressure.

Saturday 5 April (Finals and Closing Ceremony) Finals and the closing ceremony draw large afternoon and evening crowds. If you are coming for the evening cultural events, consider public transport both ways — CBD parking and street parking will be in demand across Melbourne that evening.

Frequently Asked Questions Is there parking at the State Netball and Hockey Centre?

No public parking is available at the venue. On-site parking is reserved for access pass holders only. A drop-off zone is at the front of the building. The nearest public parking is in the surrounding Carlton and Parkville streets and car parks, approximately 10–15 minutes on foot.

How far is Royal Park Station from the venue?

Royal Park Station on the Upfield Line is roughly a two-minute walk from the State Netball and Hockey Centre. It is the closest and most convenient option for most attendees.

Will there be a shuttle bus?

Yes. A shuttle service with nine buses across two routes will operate during Games hours with three to five minute frequency. It is specifically arranged for elderly attendees and families with young children coming from more distant parking areas.

What happens if I park in front of someone's driveway?

The local Council patrols the area and issues fines. Do not park in front of private driveways or in prohibited zones. The organising committee has specifically warned attendees about this — follow the guidance of volunteer sevadars on the ground.

What is the best way to get there from the CBD?

Walk to Elizabeth Street or Melbourne Central and take Tram 19 to Royal Parade (Stop 16). Or take any train to Melbourne Central and switch to the Upfield Line for one stop to Royal Park Station.

Can I use Uber to get to the Sikh Games?

Yes. Rideshare is recommended on the official event site. A drop-off zone is available at the front of the venue.

What tram stops are closest to the venue?

Route 58, Stops 23 and 24 give the most direct tram access. Route 19, Stop 16 on Royal Parade also works for the Soccer and Kabaddi grounds.

Plan Early, Arrive Smooth

The 38th Australian Sikh Games are going to be one of the biggest community events Melbourne has seen this Easter — 100,000+ attendees over three days, 8,000 athletes, 120 clubs, and a full cultural and sporting program across the Parkville precinct. The last thing anyone wants is to spend the morning of finals day stuck in a parking nightmare two suburbs away.

Take the train. Carpool if you are driving. Use the shuttle if your family needs it. Follow the sevadars. And check the PTV app before you leave home.

For full event details including sports schedules, Bhangra and Gidda competition information, and club profiles, Radio Haanji 1674 AM is your official Punjabi community radio partner for the Games. Listen live at haanji.com.au.

Related coverage on Radio Haanji:

• 38th Australian Sikh Games – Complete Guide: Dates, Sports & How to Register
• Bhangra & Gidda Competition at the 38th Australian Sikh Games Melbourne
• Interview with Prabhjit Singh Biling – Sikh Games 2026 Melbourne
• Sikh Games 2026 Coaches Conference – Punjabi Podcast

Official event resources:

• Official Transport Guide – asgmel2026.com
• State Sport Centres Parkville – Venue Information
• Public Transport Victoria – Journey Planner

 

 

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