It's one of the world's great sporting venues, and for many Australians the 'G' is considered hallowed ground. In 1858 the first game of Aussie Rules football was played where the MCG and its car parks now stand, and in 1877 it was the venue for the first Test cricket match between Australia and England. The MCG was also the central stadium for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The William Barak Bridge links it to the CBD. MCG membership is a badge of honour for Melburnians of a particular class. It involves having two members propose and second your nomination and a wait of around 20 years.

If you want to make a pilgrimage, tours take you through the stands, corporate and coaches' areas, the Long Room and (subject to availability) the players change rooms and out onto the ground. They run (on non-match days) between 10am and 3pm. Bookings are not essential but recommended. The MCG houses the National Sports Museum. Pedestrians can head along Birrarung Marr

and take the musical trip along the William Barak bridge (listen out for the soundscape).