Episode Details

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 f