Melbourne 70.3 Logistics: St Kilda Is the Right Move

Race HQ: Catani Gardens, St Kilda

Everything revolves around Catani Gardens in St Kilda, overlooking Port Phillip Bay: race village, swim start off St Kilda Beach, transition and finish line. It's a compact urban race: no transfers between legs, no split transition. Logistically it's one of the simplest setups on the circuit, and St Kilda is a short hop from central Melbourne.

Getting There

Melbourne is a well-connected national and international hub with good urban public transport. If you're flying in from Italy, factor in the long trip and the time difference: plan to arrive at least 3-4 days early to shake off jet lag before a race with a dawn start. On parking, shuttles or weekend road closures, the available info is silent: the official athlete guide is the source to check when it drops.

Where to Stay

The city has plenty of accommodation, but St Kilda is the most convenient area: you can walk to bike check-in, the briefing and the start on race morning — a huge advantage when the alarm goes off before dawn with 11 °C outside. The downside: with a sold-out race, the area fills up fast. Book as early as possible, ideally with free cancellation.

Entries: The 2026 Situation

Entries for the November 8, 2026 edition are showing as sold out. No surprise: in past editions the race has headed toward sold out well in advance, with organiser updates flagging 85% of spots gone early. If you missed out: check the official website for any re-opened entries, charity spots or the relay category, which appears to be on the program but needs confirming for availability. On entry fees, there are no figures in the available info: it's not covered in the sources consulted and needs checking on the official website.

Your Bike: Bring It or Rent It

If you're flying in from overseas, a bike box is the standard solution; check with your airline on costs and bike transport rules. On local rental options or mechanical support, the sources consulted give no details: check the athlete guide or contact local bike shops well in advance. Either way, allow a full day between arrival and race day to rebuild your bike and do a shakeout ride.

Family and Supporters

This is one of the easiest races for your crew: lap-based courses, a race village in a lively tourist area, a real city behind it. Your supporters can see you in the water, multiple times on the bike as you pass through St Kilda, and twice on the run loop — all without leaving the area. Several race reports mention big crowds and non-stop cheering along the run: for family it's a manageable day out, not a trip to the middle of nowhere.

What to Do Now

• If you're entered: lock in accommodation in St Kilda or nearby right away, with flexible cancellation.
• If you're not entered: set a recurring check on the official website for re-opened entries, charity slots and the relay.
• Plan your arrival in Melbourne with 3-4 days of buffer and book your flight with bike transport in mind.
• Mark the athlete guide and weekend schedule release in your calendar: bike check-in times, briefing and transition opening hours are in there, not here.
• Build a plan for your supporters: spectator spots in St Kilda, estimated times for your passes based on your predicted splits.