# Melbourne Cup Carnival: what to do between sessions in Melbourne

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/melbourne-cup/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 31 October to 7 November 2026 (confirmed)
- **Where:** Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia, about 5 km from the centre
- **Free time:** Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.
- **Best base:** Southbank and St Kilda: River or beach, trams to Albert Park.
- **Getting there:** Melbourne airport (MEL) has the SkyBus to Southern Cross in 20 to 30 minutes.
- **Weather:** In October and November, Melbourne averages highs of about 21°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 74 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 45 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles; Yarra Valley wine tour; Laneways and coffee walking tour

## Know before you go

- Cup Day is the first Tuesday in November and a public holiday in Melbourne.
- Derby Day (Saturday) and Oaks Day (Thursday) are part of the carnival.

## Weather and what to pack

In October and November, Melbourne averages highs of about 21°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 74 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 45 min of daylight.
- A warm layer for the evenings.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

## Airport to venue

Melbourne airport (MEL) has the SkyBus to Southern Cross in 20 to 30 minutes.

Trains to Flemington Racecourse on race days.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Southern Cross and the CBD west. Chain hotels near SkyBus.
- **mid:** Southbank and St Kilda. River or beach, trams to Albert Park.
- **luxury:** Collins Street. The "Paris end" grand hotels.
- Hotels we would book: Ibis Melbourne Hotel and Apartments (budget), Novotel Melbourne St Kilda (mid), Crown Towers Melbourne (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: Laneways and coffee walking tour. Street art and cafés.
- Eat: Lune Croissanterie, Famous croissants

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Full day: Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles. Coast drive with koalas on the way.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- Evening: Phillip Island penguin parade. Little penguins coming ashore at dusk.
- Eat: Hochi Mama, Vietnamese

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: MCG tour and sports museum. Australia's sporting heart.
- Free: Hosier Lane street art.

## Tours worth booking

- [Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Great%20Ocean%20Road%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-melbourne-cup): Coast drive with koalas on the way.
- [Phillip Island penguin parade](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Phillip%20Island%20penguin%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-melbourne-cup): Little penguins coming ashore at dusk.
- [Yarra Valley wine tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Yarra%20Valley%20wine%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-melbourne-cup): Wineries and cheese.
- [Laneways and coffee walking tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Melbourne%20laneway%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-melbourne-cup): Street art and cafés.
- [MCG tour and sports museum](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=MCG%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-melbourne-cup): Australia's sporting heart.
- [Puffing Billy steam train](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Puffing%20Billy%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-melbourne-cup): Dandenong Ranges railway.
- [Hot air balloon at sunrise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Melbourne%20hot%20air%20balloon&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-melbourne-cup): Over the city skyline.

## Where to eat

- Queen Victoria Market: Big market with food hall
- Chin Chin: Southeast Asian in Flinders Lane
- Pellegrini's: Espresso bar since 1954
- Lune Croissanterie: Famous croissants
- Hochi Mama: Vietnamese

## With kids

- Melbourne Zoo.
- Scienceworks.
- SEA LIFE Melbourne.

## Rainy-day backups

- NGV.
- ACMI screen museum.
- Melbourne Museum.

## Getting around

- Trams are free in the CBD zone; Myki cards elsewhere (contactless rolling out).
- Tap on with a contactless card on trains, trams, buses and ferries in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.
- Uber, DiDi and taxis are easy; distances outside the centres are long.

## Questions people ask

### When is Melbourne Cup Carnival 2026?

The next edition is 31 October to 7 November 2026.

### What is the weather like during Melbourne Cup Carnival?

In October and November, Melbourne averages highs of about 21°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 74 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 45 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Flemington Racecourse?

Melbourne airport (MEL) has the SkyBus to Southern Cross in 20 to 30 minutes. Trains to Flemington Racecourse on race days.

### Where should I stay for Melbourne Cup Carnival?

For most visitors the best base is Southbank and St Kilda: River or beach, trams to Albert Park.

### What can we do between sessions at Melbourne Cup Carnival?

Good short outings in Melbourne include Laneways and coffee walking tour, MCG tour and sports museum, Puffing Billy steam train. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Melbourne Cup Carnival?

Family-friendly picks: Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles, Phillip Island penguin parade, MCG tour and sports museum. Melbourne Zoo.

### How far is Flemington Racecourse from Melbourne centre?

About 5 km in a straight line. Trains to Flemington Racecourse on race days.

More in Melbourne: https://eventweekends.com/city/melbourne/