Race is on for hard-to-find rooms in Melbourne as F1 gears up

Good news for Formula 1 fans desperate to see Aussie Oscar Piastri race in his home F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend, there are rooms still available.

If you are lucky enough to have a ticket to testing, practice and the big race on March 16, but are yet to find a roof over your head then Airb’n’b has raised a green flag and found some accomm for Travel Weekly readers.

Australian F1 Grand Prix is the opening race of the 2025 season, and the first season-opener here since 2019. Recent driver changes, including Lewis Hamilton swapping over to Ferrari, as well as fresh young Australian contender Jack Doohan on the grid for Alpine, also mean this season will be bigger than ever for local revheads.   

“Airbnb hosts have a long history of helping cities accommodate big events, while generating benefits for local families and communities. Home sharing allows places like Melbourne the flexibility to increase accommodation for a surge in visitors that events like the F1 brings,” Airbnb’s country manager for Australia and New Zealand, Susan Wheeldon, said.

Here’s a few Airbnb listings within walking distance of the Albert Park track, still available to book for a last minute F1 trip, plus we’ve included a range of homes that either: 

• Overlook the racetrack;
• Are affordable options for one person;
• Offer more of a luxury splurge for a getaway treat;
• House up to 10 guests, so the cost can be split between friends.

And the winners are…

• Private Room w/Work Desk + Pool & Gym, Apartments in Southbank
• Luxury apartment in best location in Melbourne (Overlooks race track)
• Cosy stay. Lake & sunset views.  (Overlooks race track)
• South Melbourne Gem on Emerald Hill

Melbourne No.1 search spot 

Booking.com search data also reveals an 80 per cent year-on-year increase in Melbourne accommodation searches from domestic travellers over the Australian Grand Prix weekend, with the Victorian capital taking the podium spot as the #1 most searched Australian destination for this period.

Booking.com has also pulled together a list of these last-minute stays in Melbourne over the Australian Grand Prix weekend.

• Oakwood Premier

• LYF Collingwood 

• The StandardX, Melbourne

*Correct at time of publication.

Cost of living pressures yellow flag

It’s good news for fans as the cost of living continues to challenge households across the country, and Australians are rethinking how they travel, prioritising experiences that bring value and meaning, according to a report by global strategic insights practice Canvas8.

Research from Skyscanner’s 2025 behavioural and industry trend report reveals that the demand for budget-friendly travel is rising, with more Australians than ever looking to balance work and play through workcations and local getaways.

The report, Why Aussies find ways to travel even on a tight budget, was authored by Australian writer Heidi Bain and features expert comment from Donna Berry, head of commercial revenue at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Queensland’s Gold Coast, and Brendon Matthews, the owner of Ballina Heritage Inn on NSW Far North Coast. The Canvas8 experts found that, despite financial challenges, Aussies are creatively navigating the travel landscape, seeking out opportunities that reflect their personal passions and interests.

“When things get tough, Australians are more selective about what they spend on, and experiences are what will create great memories,” says Berry. “We have animal encounters like breakfast with the koalas, and after COVID, bookings have really increased because it leaves them with a special memory.”

According to recent surveys, 91 per cent of Australians planning a trip are shifting their focus to domestic destinations. In fact, research found that Australians are overwhelmingly favouring homegrown holidays, with Queensland, NSW and Victoria topping the list for popular travel destinations. But while their travel ambitions remain intact, Australians are adapting by tightening their budgets. A recent NAB report revealed that many Aussies are setting aside about $528 a month to cover the costs of travel, with a substantial portion of the savings going toward everyday essentials or mortgage payments.

Despite the tightening of travel budgets, the desire for meaningful travel experiences has not waned. In fact, 83 per cent of Australians indicated they are now seeking ways to reduce travel expenses to maintain their vacation habits. Shorter holidays are becoming more common, with 53 per cent opting for getaways that last between two to seven days.

“We’re finding that our visitor intake numbers are up because, yes, things are tough, but that’s also what makes Australians determined to take holidays,” says Berry. “Experiences mean even more to them now, so they’re more prepared to spend on them.”

One of the biggest shifts in the Australian travel scene is the rise of workcations, where employees combine work with leisure. The 2024 research found that 77 per cent of Australian hybrid workers would consider taking a workcation if their company supported it. Workcations are benefiting both employees and employers, with studies showing that those who take workcations report 20 per cent greater job satisfaction.