First Time Info

If you are preparing for your first Medibank Icehouse adventure, here is a quick guide for first time skaters.

Getting here:

Medibank Icehouse is easily accessible by a number of different methods.

Car: Medibank Icehouse is situated across the road from Harbour Town Shopping Centre, at the northern end of Docklands. Take the Footscray Road, Docklands exit off the Bolte Bridge, travelling in an east-bound direction, simply turn right at Costco. If travelling west-bound along Footscray Road, enter Pearl River Road directly, turn left after Costco. Parking is free for the first hour and a $5 24 hour flat rate thereafter.

Tram: Take the free City Circle tram (from Flinders street or La Trobe Street) direct to the Waterfront City, Docklands stop. Tram 70 (via Flinders Street) and Tram 86 (via Bourke Street) will also take you to the Waterfront City, Docklands stop. Medibank Icehouse is only a 5 minute from the last stop. Pearl River Road is at the set of traffic lights just past the tram stop.

Address: 105 Pearl River Road, Docklands
Melways Ref: 2E D3

For more detailed direction click here

Never Skated? FREE Ice Skating Lessons:

If you’ve never been ice skating before, or you’re just looking for a refresher, Medibank Icehouse offer FREE 15 minute beginner lessons. Pull on your ice skates and let our Ice Ambassadors teach you the basics before you glide off to join the Public Skating. Taking part in a lesson will give you the confidence to maximise your experience. You will learn skills including:

- Falling down and getting up - it’s all part of learning
- Stomping/walking, balance and stopping – to get you moving (and stopping)
- Dips, swizzles, gliding and basic backwards skating – you’ll look like a professional in no time

Click here for FREE LESSON TIMES

*Lesson numbers are limited, participants are accepted on a first in basis.

What to bring:

What to wear -

• Although the air temperature in Medibank Icehouse is a mild 16 degrees, it is best to dress snug. Comfortable, warm clothes are recommended. Jeans, track suit or leggings and a t-shirt and jumper are a good idea. Beanies are also a good idea, and gloves are highly recommended, especially for children.
• A good pair of long socks are essential. Don’t worry if you forget them sports socks are available to purchase when you get here.
• Layering your clothes is also advised – although you may feel cold when you arrive, a few laps around the rink will get you warm in no time.
• With world class ice quality there are no puddles which means you won’t require a change of clothes.
• Medibank Icehouse provides lockers at a cost of $3 per locker, for storage of any personal belongings while you’re having a skate.

Equipment -

Before you hit the ice you just need one essential item – your ice skates!
Although you’re welcome to bring your own gear, Medibank Icehouse has everything you need at our brand new Skate Hire. With 2,300 pairs of quality ice skates – ranging in size from a kid’s size 7 to an adult’s 14 - and 400 helmets in stock, we have you covered.
*Skate hire is $4 for the standard figure skates or $7 for hockey skates.

When you arrive:

• The first thing you need to do is purchase your ticket and a locker token from the front desk.
• Once inside Medibank Icehouse, you will be directed to the Skate Hire area to be fitted for skates.  After collecting your skates, go to the locker area and lock up your belongings.
• Make your way over to the ice rink, enter via any of the open gates and get ready to have some fun!
• If you have children who want to skate but you aren’t keen to get on the ice yourself, you do not have to accompany them on the ice. However, we do require that children under the age of six must be accompanied by either a parent, or an older child.
• Skate Aids - a support devised to help first-time skaters on the ice - are also available for rent at the Ticketing Counter or at Skate Hire, prices start at $3 for a half hour rental public skating and identification must be left as a deposit.
• It is recommended that all children under the age of 12 are supervised by a parent or guardian. A spectator-only fee of $3 will be charged for parents and guardians who are not skating. For more detail, see ticket pricing.
• Medibank Icehouse has a fully functioning cafe serving delicious hot food, snacks and drinks, therefore it is a policy of Medibank Icehouse that no external food and beverages be brought into and consumed in the venue. For more information, visit the Medibank Icehouse Igloo Cafe.

Here are a few tips for the first-time skater:

• Wear thin socks which will help your feet fit snugly into your skates.
• Don’t tuck your pants into the top of the boots. It will loosen your boots and give you less ankle support, making it harder to skate.
• When hiring skates, make sure your skates are as small or smaller than your shoe size. If you are in-between sizes, it is best to go smaller. You want your skates to be snug, so be sure to tie them up tightly.
• Don't chew gum, or carry key rings in your pockets while skating.
• Wear gloves or mittens to keep your hands warm.
• Start out by just "marching" on the ice - lifting your knees and putting your feet back down flat in the same place.
• Make sure your knees are bent at all times.
• Hold your arms out slightly to your sides for good balance. You might feel silly at first, but if you look around you’ll see everyone else has their arms out too!
• If you have been in-line skating or roller skating you will find that ice skating has a similar action.