Perth: Optus Stadium Guided Tour

Optus Stadium gives you something a normal match ticket cannot: a look inside the players’ change rooms, coaches’ room, and warm-up areas. You also reach the Sky View Lounge, where Perth, the Swan River, and the playing surface spread out below you. I especially like the mix of sports access and building design, plus the fact that guides such as Bruce, Rocco, Chris, and Lyndsey make the tour feel personal rather than scripted.

The tour is also a good-value Perth outing at $24 per person. You get 90 minutes, a small-group feel on many departures, and plenty of time for photos. The main caution is timing: tours do not run on event days or public holidays, and cleaning or venue work can sometimes make parts of the tour noisy.

Key points to know before you book

• Sky View Lounge access: Take in high views of Perth, the Swan River, and the stadium bowl.
• Behind-the-scenes rooms: Visit changing rooms, lockers, coaches’ areas, warm-up spaces, and ice baths when available.
• Strong guides: Bruce, Rocco, Chris, Lyndsey, Bob, and others have been praised for clear explanations, humor, and patience.
• Good for non-sports fans: The design, construction, technology, and operation of the venue give the tour wider appeal.
• Accessible route: Wheelchair and pram access is available throughout the tour, with places to sit along the way.
• Plan around the calendar: No tours operate on event days or public holidays, so check the date before arranging your Perth plans.

Starting at the OZONE below City View Cafe

Your meeting point is The OZONE, below City View Cafe and past Gate D. Look for the teardrop flags outside, and arrive at least 10 minutes before your start time.

That early arrival matters because Optus Stadium is a large venue, and you do not want to begin by hurrying through the concourse. The OZONE is a clear meeting spot, but allow extra time if you are walking from central Perth or finding the right entrance for the first time.

City View Cafe gives you a handy place to pause before or after the tour. It is open from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays, so an early tour can pair nicely with coffee or a snack. Do not count on it for every departure, especially if you visit on a weekend.

The stadium is in Burswood, around a 10 to 15-minute drive from Perth CBD. You can arrive by taxi, bicycle, on foot, ferry, bus, or train on weekends. The dedicated taxi rank sits near Victoria Park Drive, while the Little Ferry Co. stops daily at Burswood Jetty.

If you drive, parking is available at Marlee Loop, Bus Station, and Camfield car parks, but only on non-major-event days. The Marlee Loop car park also has ACROD parking. Cyclists have access to more than 600 bike racks around Stadium Park, making two wheels a practical choice.

A guided walk through a state-of-the-art stadium

Once the group sets off, the tour gives you a closer look at how a modern sporting venue works. This is not only a walk around a pretty bowl with a few quick stops. The guide explains the spaces used by players, coaches, media teams, and event staff, helping you understand what happens before the crowd arrives.

The best guides make a clear difference here. Bruce has been singled out for his humor, strong stadium knowledge, and habit of giving people time to look around. Rocco has also been praised for covering the venue fully without rushing. Chris, Lyndsey, Bob, and Christine have each been described as engaging and helpful with questions and photographs.

That personal touch matters because the stadium itself can otherwise feel enormous and technical. A good guide turns corridors, rooms, and service areas into part of the story. You learn how the building supports major football, cricket, and other events, rather than simply being told that it is modern.

The tour runs for about 90 minutes. That is long enough to cover a lot, but short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon in Perth. Some departures have run closer to 90 minutes or even two hours, but you should plan around the stated 90-minute duration.

Change rooms, lockers, and the inner sporting world

The biggest draw is access to spaces you normally see only briefly on television. The route can include player change rooms, locker rooms, coaches’ rooms, warm-up zones, and ice baths. You get a better sense of the routine behind a match: preparation, team talks, recovery, and the movement of players before they enter the field.

For football supporters, this is the part that makes the tour feel special. You are not simply looking at seats from a different angle. You are entering the working areas that give the venue its sporting identity.

The tour also appeals to cricket fans. Optus Stadium hosts major cricket events, and the changing rooms and wider facilities take on a different feel during the cricket season. One useful tip is to visit in a different season if you return to Perth, since the atmosphere and sporting focus can change.

There is one point to keep in mind for supporters of particular clubs. The stadium has areas linked with both major Perth football teams, and the amount of time spent in each area can vary. One departure gave more attention to the Eagles’ facilities than the Dockers’ spaces, which disappointed a dedicated Fremantle supporter. If one team matters greatly to you, ask the guide early about the route and available access.

The playing surface and Perth views

The stadium bowl is a major photo stop. From inside, you can appreciate the scale of the playing surface and the way the seating wraps around it. The condition of the ground has impressed visitors, with the pitch described as immaculate and carefully maintained.

The tour also takes you to one of the stadium’s highest viewing points. From the Sky View Lounge, you can look across the field, the Swan River, and Perth city. This is one of the strongest reasons to bring a camera, even if you are not especially interested in football or cricket.

The view gives the stadium context. Instead of seeing only corridors and rooms, you get a sense of how the venue sits beside the river and how large the surrounding sports precinct is. It also provides a welcome pause during the walking route.

Weather can affect this part of the experience. One guide adjusted the order of stops during rainy conditions and took the group indoors first. That sort of flexibility is useful, but you should still bring sensible clothing if the tour includes outdoor or open-sided areas.

Memorabilia and the story of Western Australian sport

Sports memorabilia appears along the route, adding local context to the building. You can connect the new stadium with Western Australia’s wider sporting past, rather than treating Optus Stadium as an isolated piece of architecture.

The displays are especially useful if you are unfamiliar with Australian rules football or local teams. One visitor who knew little about Aussie rules still found the tour interesting, which says something about the way the guide and exhibits broaden the experience beyond match-day fandom.

I would not book this as a museum visit in the traditional sense. The main purpose is access to the stadium itself, and the memorabilia supports that purpose. Still, these displays help break up the walking route and give guides something concrete to explain.

Bring your own camera or phone. The playing surface, city views, team areas, corridors, and seating bowl all offer different photo opportunities. Guides have also helped take photographs for people in the group, which is useful if you are travelling alone or with a family.

How much walking is involved?

You will walk around the stadium, but the pace is generally manageable. One family found the tour well paced, with regular chances to sit, and several guides have been praised for not rushing the group.

Wheelchair and pram access is available throughout the tour. That makes the experience easier for families and visitors with limited mobility, though the speed of the group can still affect how relaxed the visit feels. If you need extra time at certain stops, tell the guide at the start so the route can be handled with that in mind.

A wheelchair-accessible route does not always mean every group experience will be equally smooth. One departure became pressed for time when a wheelchair user needed longer at points along the way. The issue was not the physical access itself, but the guide’s handling of the schedule. A considerate guide should allow the group enough time for everyone.

Wear comfortable shoes. You do not need specialist gear, but this is a walking tour through a large venue rather than a seated presentation. You may also want a light layer, since temperatures can vary between open areas, concourses, and enclosed rooms.

What $24 gets you

At $24 per person, this is one of the easier Perth attractions to recommend on value. You receive a guided 90-minute visit, access to parts of the stadium closed to ordinary spectators, and a collectible lanyard. You also get a city viewpoint and a clear look at how a major venue functions.

The value is strongest for sports fans who would otherwise pay for a match ticket but want a closer look at the building itself. It is also good for families, since children can see player areas, locker rooms, and the field without committing to the cost of a major event.

I would still compare it with your own interests. If you want an architectural or sports venue experience, the price is modest. If you dislike stadiums and have little interest in design, sport, or behind-the-scenes access, the tour may feel less essential than Perth’s riverfront, galleries, or outdoor attractions.

The collectible lanyard is a small extra rather than a major souvenir. If you want printed material or a more traditional gift-shop keepsake, do not assume the tour includes it. One visitor specifically wished there were more literature available to take home.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

You should consider booking if you fit one of these groups:

• Football and cricket supporters: The change rooms, team facilities, playing surface, and sporting displays are the core appeal.
• Families with older children: The route gives children something real to see and keeps the visit active without taking a full day.
• Architecture fans: The stadium’s design, construction, scale, and operation add interest beyond the sport.
• Perth residents with visiting family: The tour works well as a local outing, even if you have already attended a match.
• Visitors who know little about Australian sport: A good guide can explain the venue in plain terms, so you do not need a detailed knowledge of Aussie rules.
• Wheelchair users and families with prams: The route is designed for access, with seating opportunities along the way.

The tour may be less suitable if you want to roam independently or photograph every team area at your own pace. You are part of a guided group, and the available route can depend on stadium operations.

Practical timing and small drawbacks

Do not schedule the tour on a public holiday or an event day. Tours do not operate then, and major events can also affect parking and access around the stadium.

Cleaning and venue work may be underway after a busy match or concert. On one visit, noisy equipment made it difficult to hear the guide at times. This is not something you can always predict, but a morning departure after a major event may still include some operational noise.

The tour is conducted in English, with a live guide. Bring an ID card, or a copy of one. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later if that option is offered at booking.

Allow time to reach the OZONE. Driving from Perth CBD is quick in normal conditions, but event-day traffic and restricted parking can change the picture. Walking, cycling, ferry, and taxi options give you more flexibility than relying on a car.

Should you book the Optus Stadium tour?

I would book this tour if you want more than a match-day view of Optus Stadium. The combination of player facilities, high city views, sports displays, and an engaging guide gives you a full experience for a modest price.

It is not only for serious sports fans. The building’s operation and design are interesting on their own, and families often get good value from the 90-minute format. Choose your date carefully, arrive early, and tell the guide if a particular team or access need matters to you.

If you have already attended an event at Optus Stadium, the tour still adds something new. You see the spaces that spectators never reach, and you leave with a better sense of how this major Perth venue works.

FAQ

How long is the Optus Stadium guided tour?

The tour lasts 90 minutes. Some departures may run longer, but you should plan around the stated duration.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $24 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at The OZONE, below City View Cafe and past Gate D. Look for the teardrop flags outside.

What areas can I see on the tour?

The tour includes behind-the-scenes areas such as changing rooms, locker rooms, coaches’ rooms, warm-up spaces, and ice baths when available. You also see sports memorabilia, the playing surface, and views from the Sky View Lounge.

Is the Optus Stadium tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Wheelchair and pram access is available throughout the tour, and there are opportunities to sit along the route.

How can I get to Optus Stadium?

You can arrive by taxi, walking, bicycle, ferry, bus, or train on weekends. The Little Ferry Co. stops at Burswood Jetty daily, and buses stop in Marlee Loop. Parking is available on non-major-event days.

Does the tour operate on public holidays or event days?

No. Tours do not operate on event days or public holidays.