Melbourne’s Australian Open season has gained a stylish new courtside attraction, with 1 Hotel Melbourne launching the 1 Hotels Open, a riverside pickleball experience set to become one of summer’s most in-demand bookings.
Running throughout the Australian Open period, the half-sized outdoor pickleball court sits directly on the banks of the Yarra, offering the public a rare chance to play during the city’s biggest sporting fortnight. As the fastest-growing sport in the world, pickleball’s rise feels perfectly timed, and this marks the first large-scale, publicly bookable pickleball court in Melbourne during the AO.
Created in partnership with Rodd & Gunn, the experience blends relaxed competition with a refined, riverside atmosphere. Hourly sessions can be booked via the 1 Hotel Melbourne website, with each booking including premium equipment and a dedicated courtside concierge to guide players from first serve to match point.
Once the game wraps, the action naturally flows to the hotel’s Crane Bar and Lounge. Here, players and spectators can settle in with native-inspired cocktails, a bespoke courtside snacks menu and live DJs soundtracking afternoons and evenings by the water. Each booking also includes a complimentary glass of Rodd & Gunn Rosé for every registered player.
Adding to the appeal, 1 Hotel Melbourne is offering a dedicated bookable water taxi service, transporting guests up the river to the Australian Open with bubbles, canapes and a VIP arrival straight to the courts.
Open daily from 12pm to 6pm, the 1 Hotels Open delivers a uniquely Melbourne way to play, unwind and soak up summer by the river. Bookings can be made here.
