Transport Alert: 2026 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix

Transport Victoria has issued a traffic alert, warning that huge crowds are expected on Phillip Island this weekend for the 2026 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

What's happening
• The final Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Phillip Island circuit is expected to bring a bigger crowd than ever.
• Delays are likely heading to and from the island on roads including the Monash Freeway, South Gippsland Highway and Bass Highway for the three-day event, running from Friday October 23 to Sunday October 25.
• A large number of motorcyclists are expected to start making the journey to the island from Thursday October 22, so motorists are urged to be vigilant for extra motorcyclists on all routes heading toward the Grand Prix circuit.

What drivers need to know
• To ensure vehicles leave Phillip Island safely and efficiently on Saturday and Sunday, the 'blue line' road marking system will be in place on the Melbourne-bound lane of Phillip Island Road. The blue line adds an additional lane of traffic for vehicles exiting Phillip Island by utilising the emergency lane, effectively doubling the capacity of the road.
• Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and drivers need to be aware that motorcyclists are harder to see and will be on our roads in greater numbers this weekend.
• It is critical that drivers lookout for people on motorbikes, while riders can improve their safety ensuring they are visible through safe road positioning and wearing protective gear on every ride.
• Motorcyclists are permitted to ride two-abreast, alongside one other rider, up to 1.5 metres apart.
• Lane-splitting, the practice of motorcycle riders travelling at high speed between moving traffic, is not legal in Victoria. Lane-filtering however, travelling at up to 30km/h through stopped or slow-moving traffic, has been permitted since 2015.

Getting there

There are many travel options from Melbourne to Phillip Island including:
• Train services to Frankston then Stony Point to meet a connecting ferry to Cowes
• V/Line bus services linking Dandenong with Cowes
• Coach services running from Southern Cross coach terminal, Thursday-Monday
• Regional bus services operating from Dandenong and Cape Paterson, Inverloch, Wonthaggi

More information

Transport Victoria provides real-time traffic conditions and the latest public transport information at transport.vic.gov.au.