Australian Open e-Companion Useful tips, info and website links to make your AO and Melbourne experience even better.

Australian Open
                   e-Companion

Useful tips, info and website links to make your AO
             and Melbourne experience even better.

This publication is copyright and all rights are reserved. Copyright extends to any and all
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this notice, any reference to ‘Author’, ‘we’ or ‘our’ refers to Melinda Samson, also known
as GrandSlamGal, her associates, officers, directors, employees and agents.

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claims, actions, damages, costs and expenses including legal fees which arise out of
any use of this publication and/or any application of its content.

The Author has made reasonable attempts to ensure the accuracy and completeness of
the information contained herein as at the date of this publication, however makes no
guarantee or warranty of such. The Author is under no obligation to update the
contents of this publication. All users of this publication are responsible for conducting
their own research and due diligence prior to acting on any information contained in this
publication.

To the full extent permitted by the law, the Author disclaims any and all liability, express
or implied, for any errors or misstatements in this publication. All users of this
publication acknowledge that they are solely responsible for any damages or losses, in
negligence or otherwise, resulting from their user of the information in this publication.

In creating this publication, the Author has acted independently and is in no way
associated with or endorsed by the Australian Open or Tennis Australia.

This publication contains hyperlinks to other websites. Such links are provided for
convenience only and we take no responsibility for the content and maintenance of or
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another website does not imply our endorsement, support, or sponsorship or any other
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© Melinda Samson 2012. All rights reserved.

Australian Open e-Companion

About the author and this AO e-Companion

Hi, I’m Mel aka GrandSlamGal.

I’ve been a tennis fan for most of my life, ever since I was
allowed to stay up on a school night in 1987 to watch Pat
Cash defeat Ivan Lendl to win Wimbledon.

Twelve years ago I set a goal to attend all four tennis grand
slam events the year I turned 40.

This year I achieved that goal.

And what a year it was!

I will be forever grateful to my partner and travelling companion Andrew for looking after
the logistics, carrying the bags, making the coffee, taking the photos and so much more.

Thanks also go to the family and friends who we stayed with and spent time with in the
UK, Paris and New York. And more thanks go to my tennis friends on Twitter and
Facebook, who shared their grand slam tips and supportive feedback along the way.

Aside from getting the money together and making sure I had flexible work that allowed
me to take the necessary time off, successfully completing the “fan slam” took research
and planning.

Now that the fan slam is complete, I’m creating a series of e-Books which share the
useful tips, info and links that will enhance your fan experience at each tournament. The
aim is to save you from spending time doing research that I’ve already done. The
Grand Slam e-Companion series expands on information previously shared on my blog
www.grandslamgal.com, as well as providing new and exclusive content.

I live in Melbourne, and have been going to the Australian Open regularly for over
twenty years, so I’m pleased that this, the Australian Open e-Companion, is the first in
the series.

The information included is based on my experience. If you find that anything needs to
be updated, or have new tips to share, please email and let me know.

Grand Slam Gal

grandslamgal@gmail.com

www.grandslamgal.com

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Australian Open e-Companion

   Contents

Part 1: Prior to the Australian Open………………….6
About the Australian Open
Australian Open Tickets
Which Australian Open tickets should you buy?
  Rod Laver Arena
  Hisense Arena
  Margaret Court Arena
  Ground Passes
Tour and Hospitality Packages
Australian Open Memberships
Tournaments held in Australia and New Zealand prior to the Australian
Open

Part 2: During the Australian Open………………..16

About Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open
Getting to Melbourne Park
What you can bring to the Australian Open
AO Essentials
Australian Open Tennis Championships App
New Initiatives for 2013
Australian Open Prize Money
Places where you can watch the AO on TV
Internet Access and Mobile Phones

Part 3: Other Australian Open information……….26

The Rod Laver Arena Tour
A few Melbourne Park Memories
Redevelopment Plans

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Australian Open e-Companion

Part 4: Enjoying Melbourne…………………………28

About Melbourne
Where to stay in Melbourne
Arriving in Melbourne
Getting Around Melbourne
Things to see and do in and around Melbourne
  Melbourne Attractions
  Sights to see for Free in the Melbourne CBD
  Day trips from Melbourne
Melbourne’s Bars, Restaurants and Cafes
  Useful Guides and Apps
  Melbourne’s Neighbourhoods

               Download a map that will help you get your bearings for where the
               places are that are mentioned throughout this e-Companion.
               Melbourne Park is located near the bottom right hand corner.
               http://thatsmelbourne.com.au/Documents/Maps/citymap.pdf

      To read more, buy your complete copy of the
                Australian Open e-Companion at
www.grandslamgal.com/australian-open-e-companion

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