Public transport guide to NPL Victoria grounds

This guide was originally established under the haughty premise that there was at least a niche audience out there who might want to get out to the various NPL grounds by public transport. 

As of December 2019 I have disowned that notion, and so this is now purely a guide for me. If other South fans find it useful, good luck to them.

All routes start from the city, providing the most general and broadly applicable route. Remember also, that just because you managed to get to a ground via public transport, it doesn't mean that you'll be able to use the same method to get back.

If you're unsure about any information on this page, double check by going to the PTV website, and check for any maintenance works, which usually take place on weekends. 

ALTONA MAGIC - Paisley Park Soccer Complex, Altona North - Issues with frequency and return journeys. I drive here.
This would have been so much easier had Paisley station not been closed in 1987, but it was. Even without that, Altona Magic playing their games on Saturday nights also makes things more irritating than they should be.

Catch the Werribee line to Newport station. From there, catch the 432 bus to Yarraville - don't worry about the name, the bus actually goes through Altona North first - and get off at the corner of Mason and Mills streets. Walk south down Mills Street for about ten minutes until you get to Paisley Park. For the return journey using this option, the options for getting back to Newport on a Saturday night suck - there's an 8:01 and an 8:58 return bus, and that's it, unless you're prepared to walk to Millers Road to catch a Smartbus which will eventually get you to Altona or Sunshine.

AVONDALE - Reggio Calabria Club, Parkville - OK if you like trams and a little bit of walking
Your best bet is to catch the Upfield line to Royal Park, then change to the route 58 tram towards West Brunswick, getting off at stop 28, then walking west along Park Street for a little bit. You also have the option of just catching the 58 tram directly from the city. I think there's also a bus that goes pretty much straight to the ground from Royal Park station.

DANDENONG CITY - Frank Holohan Soccer Complex, Endeavour Hills. Impossible.
You can't! Don't even try!

DANDENONG THUNDER - George Andrews Reserve, South Dandenong. Excellent door-stop service.

George Andrews Reserve is one of the easiest NPL grounds to get to with public transport, though being out in Dandenong means it will be time consuming, so bring a friend or a book.

Take the Cranbourne/Pakenham line out to Dandenong Station. From there, catch the 901 Smartbus toward Frankston. The bus travels south down Hammond Road, before turning into Kirkham Road. Get off at the Trewin Street stop - if you've gone past the cemetery, you've gone too far.

Being a Smartbus service, the bus runs late at half hour intervals. Dandenong station is staffed by protective services officers.

GREEN GULLY - Green Gully Reserve, Kealba - I wouldn't.
I've never taken public transport to Green Gully Reserve - I've always either been given a lift or driven to the ground myself. This year we're playing Gully there on a Friday night (Anzac Day), which will mean a Saturday timetable, and the last bus back to St Albans will be the 9:47 pm. Up to you if you want to risk it.

In terms of getting to the ground, the most efficient public transport itinerary seems to be take the Watergardens or Sunbury line out to St Albans Station. From there, catch the 421 Watergardens Station bus, getting off at Green Gully Road and Driscolls Road. Walk north across Green Gully Road into the sporting precinct. 

HEIDELBERG UNITED - Olympic Village, Heidelberg West - Long, but fine.
We'll be playing them on a Friday night, so this changes again. Having to probably walk all the way around to the Catalina Street gates does not help. But it's doable, and there are multiple bus options in the area.

Take the Epping Line to Preston Station, and from there catch the 903 Smartbus to Mordialloc, getting off at Northland Shopping Centre. Careful with crossing the road from Preston Station across to the bus stop.

With the bus now stopping at the front of Northland shopping complex, all you have to do is walk east along Murray Road until you reach the ground, though you will probably have to walk around to the main gate at the back of the ground on Catalina Street as the Bergers rarely open the turnstiles on Murray Road - even after the game. The buses run late here, making getting back easy, and Preston station is a staffed station, with protective services officers.

HUME CITY - Broadmeadows Valley Park, Westmeadows - doable, albeit unsatisfactory 
The walk from the station sucks, there's ain't much to see and it's somehow almost all uphill in both directions. Catch the Craigieburn train to Coolaroo Station, walk south down Pascoe Vale Road, turn right at Barry Road, then walk west for a few minutes. Try not to get killed crossing the road at the entrance to the ground.

Coolaroo station does have protective services officers deployed.

MELBOURNE KNIGHTS - Knights Stadium, North Sunshine - No good way home on Friday nights
Knights Stadium seems a little difficult to get to with public transport, but according to those who've made the effort, it's not as hard as it once was. But I've never taken public transport here, and it's not something I'd recommend, especially when Knights play their home games on Friday nights.

The route you'd need to use in order for you to get home finishes well before the end of a Friday night match, however. It's not really worth the bother.

MELBOURNE VICTORY YOUTH - TBC

OAKLEIGH CANNONS - Jack Edwards Reserve, Oakleigh - some walking required

Jack Edwards Reserve is among the easier grounds in the NPL to get to and from using public transport. 

To get there, take either of the Pakenham or Cranbourne lines to Huntingdale Station. Walk up Railway Avenue, past the indoor soccer complex, following the path naturally onto Parkside Avenue until you can see the brighter lights (if they're playing a night game, which they usually do).

Huntingdale Station is reasonably well lit, which makes getting back little problem. This station is listed as being one which is staffed by protective services officers.

PORT MELBOURNE - SS Anderson Reserve, Port Melbourne - generally recommended

Sometimes known by the name JL Murphy Reserve (which I believe is the name for the entire sporting precinct), this is a convenient option for both Friday and Saturday night games.

Catch the Route 234 bus to Garden City from the corner of La Trobe and Queen Streets (or alternatively, at the Banana Alley vaults), getting off at the corner of Williamstown Road and Beacon Road.

While buses run late here, be aware that buses may sometimes leave a few minutes earlier than timetabled. Also, there can be nonsense alternative stops in the city because of the stupid West Gate Tunnel project.

PRESTON LIONS - BT Connor Reserve, Reservoir

SOUTH MELBOURNE - Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park - Full marks
By far the most convenient NPL ground to get to using public transport. 

The best way to get to Lakeside is to catch any train to Southern Cross Station, and then from the corner of Spencer and Collins Streets, catch the Route 12 St Kilda tram, getting off at the top of Clarendon Street. Being an inner city tram service, there are no issues with getting back to the city. Be aware though that on days with major events at the MCG, you may have to catch a 96 or 109 tram to Batman Park or Casino stops, because route 12 trams are diverted for use to other events.

There's also the option of catching the Route 1 tram to South Melbourne Beach from Flinders Street Station, and walking south a couple of blocks down Moray Street or Clarendon Street.

ST ALBANS - Churchill Reserve, St Albans - Seemingly pretty good.
For this ground one of our readers has suggested the following. I've only ever driven to this ground in the past, but this seems like a good itinerary, with the 419 bus having good Sunday frequencies.

It's best to catch a train to St Albans Station on the Watergardens/Sunbury Line. From there catch the 419 Bus towards Watergardens Station getting off at Fox Street. Going left down Fox Street the ground will be visible after a short 2-3 minute walk.