Perth: Optus Stadium Guided Tour

Optus Stadium is new, sleek, and built for big match energy, yet this tour shows the quieter, practical side of game day. I like that it pairs hands-on access like change-room areas with the kind of big-picture views you do not get from the seats. For me, the best part is how the tour mixes stadium mechanics with skyline payoff.

The Sky View Lounge is the other big win, with Swan River and Perth city views from the stadium’s higher vantage points. One thing to plan around, though: tours do not run on event days or public holidays, so you need to match your visit to available dates.

Key points to know before you go

• 90 minutes with a paced route that usually feels manageable for most visitors
• Change-room access plus inner facilities like the locker and coaches’ rooms
• Sky View Lounge viewpoints with playing surface, Swan River, and city views
• Photo stops built into the walk, so you can actually capture the stadium
• Small group feel and friendly guide storytelling, often with humor and lots of Q and A

Why Optus Stadium is worth a guided tour in Perth

Optus Stadium is Perth’s modern showpiece, but a regular walk around the outside only gives you half the story. On this guided visit, you get a sense of how the building works when athletes roll in, staff coordinate, and the match-day flow takes over.

Two parts keep pulling you through the experience. First, you get access to areas that spectators never see, like the changing spaces and the staff-side rooms. Second, you rise up for sweeping views, so even if you do not care about sport trivia, the stadium still feels like a proper Perth landmark.

And yes, the tour is also made for real humans with real needs. There are chances to sit during the experience, so you can enjoy it without treating it like a marathon.

Getting to the Optus Stadium tour start at The OZONE

You will make your own way to Optus Stadium, in Burswood, about a 10 to 15 minute drive from Perth CBD. Once you arrive, your tour begins at The OZONE, located below City View Cafe, past Gate D. Look for the teardrop flags out front.

Check in at least 10 minutes before your start time. It helps to arrive a touch early anyway, since you want time to settle in and find your group before the walk begins.

Getting there is pretty flexible. If you are taking the train, Stadium Station runs on weekends only on the Armadale Line. If you drive, parking is available in Marlee Loop carpark on non major event days, with additional carparks (Bus Station and Camfield) accessible via Roger Mackay Drive. There is also ACROD parking in Marlee Loop.

If you prefer a bike, you will find public access paths and over 600 bike racks around the Stadium Park. And if you are more of a roll-in-style visitor, there is a dedicated taxi rank adjacent to Victoria Park Drive.

City View Cafe as a smart add-on before or after

Right by your meeting point, City View Cafe gives you an easy way to add comfort to the trip. You can grab a coffee or a treat before your tour, or use it as a post-tour reset.

The cafe runs 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays, which works well if you like morning plans. On tour days, this spot can also be your low-stress option if you want something warm in hand before you head into the stadium walk.

I also like using cafes like this for practical reasons. You can pace your day, avoid scrambling for food later, and still keep your tour as the main event.

The tour route starts with the stadium walk and big sightlines

Once your guide brings the group together, you will head off on a walk around a state-of-the-art venue. Expect stops that build the experience in layers, starting with the playing surface perspective and moving into the inner facilities.

A highlight is the view from the stadium’s higher vantage points. You will get a look at the playing surface while taking in the Swan River and the Perth city skyline. It is the kind of view that makes the stadium feel connected to the city, not floating by itself.

Because it is a guided route, the stops are intentional. You do not just wander from one random corner to another. The walk is designed so you see both the engineering and the atmosphere, including the places that matter for how a match gets set up.

Sky View Lounge: where the Perth skyline fits right into the match

The Sky View Lounge is one of the tour’s signature moments, and it is not only about looking nice on a phone. The layout puts you at a vantage point that helps you understand the stadium’s shape and sightlines.

From here, you can take in the playing field while keeping the Swan River and Perth city in view. That combination changes how you experience the stadium. Instead of only thinking about sport, you start thinking like a designer or operations person: how people move, where energy concentrates, and how the space frames the city.

If you like photos, this is a strong time for them. You have a better angle than you would from the stands, and the background gives your photos more context than pure stadium shots.

Tip: bring your camera and use it. There are plenty of photo opportunities around the Stadium, and the higher viewpoints are especially worth the extra effort.

Changing rooms and coaching spaces: what the inner sanctum adds

This tour does not just show you the pretty parts. It gives you behind-the-scenes access, including changing-room areas, locker rooms, and access to coaches’ rooms.

That matters because it changes the story you are telling yourself about what a stadium is. From the outside, you see architecture. From inside the inner spaces, you see routine, preparation, and the behind-the-scenes side of competition.

You also get a sense of how the stadium supports different roles. Players, coaches, and media all rely on separate zones, and the tour helps you connect those zones to what you are seeing.

A recurring theme in the guides’ approach is pacing. Guides tend to take time at each stop rather than speed-running the experience. That extra time helps you look around properly, ask questions, and still have energy for the next area.

Sports memorabilia stops that connect the stadium to WA sport

Along the way, you will also see sports memorabilia connected to WA’s sporting scene. It is not heavy-handed, and it does not turn the tour into a museum lecture. Instead, it works as a quick context break between practical behind-the-scenes areas.

I like these stops because they prevent the tour from feeling purely technical or purely photo-based. You get a sense that Optus Stadium sits inside a wider sports culture in Western Australia, not just a modern building sitting alone.

What guides do well, from Bruce and Lyndsey to Rocco and Chris

The tour leader makes a big difference, and you can feel it in the way the experience flows. Several different guides have led tours, including Bruce, Lyndsey, Chris, Christine, Rocco, and Bob. Across the board, the common thread is clear explanations paired with friendly engagement.

Some guides bring humor into the walk, which helps when you have a mixed group, including people who are not die-hard footy or cricket fans. There is also a pattern of guides answering questions and taking extra care to include everyone, including kids and visitors who need a slower pace.

A standout detail from guide-led tours is how they handle time. Many groups report getting enough time to look around rather than feeling pushed out the door. That matters because you are touring a working venue, and you want a chance to really process what you see.

How long is the tour and does it feel rushed

The tour runs 90 minutes, which is long enough to feel like you got the full experience, but short enough to stay comfortable even if you do not love lots of walking.

You should still expect a walk around the stadium. However, the pacing is designed to keep it workable, with opportunities to sit if needed. Guides also tend to vary the route details based on the group, which helps explain why the experience can feel smooth even with mixed ages.

Camera time is built in. So is the chance to take in the views. You are not racing between photo spots with no breathing room.

One practical consideration: if there has been recent event activity, you might run into cleanup or preparation sounds around food outlets. It can make it harder to hear explanations during that stretch, so be ready to lean in or ask follow-up questions.

Price and value: is $24 worth it

At $24 per person, the value comes from what you actually get access to. Many city sightseeing activities are mostly exterior viewing or general museum-style browsing. Here, your money buys behind-the-scenes entry to areas like changing rooms, locker and coaches’ rooms, plus high viewpoint time in the Sky View Lounge.

The tour also includes a collectible lanyard and a live tour leader, which adds small fun on top of the practical access. For families, this price point can be easier to justify than bigger ticket attractions.

The best value angle is this: you get both the sport-side practical behind-the-scenes areas and the Perth-view reward in one package. If you only care about architecture or only want photos, it might feel like extra effort. If you like seeing how a major venue works, it is easy to call it good value.

Who this tour suits best, and who might want a different plan

This tour is a strong fit if you are into Australian rules football or cricket, because the stadium experience and behind-the-scenes areas make sense in that context. It is also a great pick for first-timers in Perth who want a local landmark that feels modern and well-run.

I also think it works well for families. Several guided experiences include kid-friendly engagement, and the route is not so intense that it becomes an endurance test. If you bring a stroller, it is worth noting that there is wheelchair and pram access throughout the tour.

If you are coming to Perth for the sole purpose of a match, keep in mind that the tour does not operate on event days. In that case, you may want to plan this on a non-game day so you do not end up with a schedule conflict.

Final verdict: should you book this Optus Stadium guided tour?

If you want stadium views, real behind-the-scenes access, and a 90 minute plan that feels simple to manage, book it. It is also a smart move if you enjoy practical tours, where the guide explains what you are seeing and where the best photo moments are built into the route.

Skip it only if you are set on touring on a public holiday or a match day, or if you only want outside views. In that case, you can still enjoy the stadium area, but you will miss the main value: the inner sanctum access and the Sky View Lounge vantage points.

FAQ

Where is the tour meeting point?

Please meet at The OZONE located below the City View Cafe, past Gate D. Look for the teardrop flags out front.

How long is the Optus Stadium guided tour?

The tour duration is 90 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $24 per person.

What does the tour include?

It includes the Optus stadium tour, a tour leader, and a collectible lanyard.

What areas do we get to see during the tour?

You will get behind-the-scenes access to areas including changing rooms, a locker room, and coaches’ rooms, plus viewpoints from the Sky View Lounge.

What is the check-in time before the tour starts?

Check in at The OZONE at least 10 minutes prior to your tour start time.

Where is the stadium located, and how far is it from Perth CBD?

The stadium is located in Burswood, about a 10 to 15-minute drive from Perth CBD.

How can I get there by train?

The stadium train station is weekends only. Train services on the Armadale Line stop at Stadium Station.

Is parking available?

Parking is available within the Marlee Loop carpark via Victoria Park Drive, and in the Bus Station and Camfield car parks via Roger Mackay Drive. Parking is only available on non major event days. ACROD parking is available within Marlee Loop.

Does the tour run on event days or public holidays?

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

What should I bring?

Bring an ID card. A copy is accepted.