The 2016 Melbourne Cup will take place this year at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday, 1 November, at 3:00pm local time.

This year’s field features 24 of the finest staying horses from Australia and around the world vying for the opportunity to make racing immortality and grab a piece of the lucrative $6.2 million prize pool.

The Melbourne Cup, a Melbourne horse racing event that has changed locations a few times since its first running in 1861, is Australia’s oldest and most prestigious horse racing event. Hundreds of thousands of visitors and spectators make their way to Melbourne in October and early November, taking in all the fabulous sights and sounds of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, The Melbourne Cup, and all that this terrific city has to offer.

Accommodation in Melbourne

Considered one of the world’s most livable cities, Melbourne has a tremendous number of lodging options (apartments , hotels, hostels etc.) available for visitors. A few recommended hotels include:

Crown Promenade. This hotel features modern luxury accommodations with a stylish flair. Room options include: Standard King or Twin; Corner King; Studio; and Suite. For recreation, they feature a state-of-the-art pool, gym and fitness facilities.

Hilton Melbourne South Wharf. With breathtaking views of the city, Yarra River or Port Phillip Bay, they feature 396 rooms and suites; a 24-hour fitness center; an on-site convenience store; on-location bars and restaurants; and a long list of other amenities and services provided.

Ticketing

Tickets for the 2016 Melbourne Cup:

• Adult $74
• Concession/Student $64
• Concession/Pensioner $42
• Children under 16- Free

Gates open: 8:30am

First race: 10:40am

Last race: 5:15pm

Important Ticketing Note: The Melbourne Cup Carnival is a fully ticketed event, meaning no “walk-up” tickets are sold at the event. Tickets must be pre-purchased prior to arrival at Flemington Racecourse.

General Admission tickets can be purchased from the following train stations prior to arriving at the Melbourne Cup Carnival:

• Essendon
• Flinders Street
• North Melbourne
• Richmond
• South Yarra
• Southern Cross
• Werribee

Melbourne Cup Packages

The 10 September – 5 November Melbourne Cup Carnival offers a number of ticket packages options. 2, 3, and 4-day ticket options are available for: AAMI Victoria Derby Day; Emirates Melbourne Cup Day; Crown Oaks Day; and Emirates Stakes Day.

These ticket packages, and other offers, can be found at Ticketek.com.

Betting

There are several ways you can place a bet on the races. Betting can be done with bookmakers, who can be located at a variety of locations on the course. Check the racebook for specific names, locations, and stand numbers.

Visit this page for more details about Melbourne cup betting options.

Getting to Flemington

Public transport makes getting to the Racecourse easy and convenient.

On racedays, special trains run direct to Flemington Racecourse. On non-racedays, a train will take passengers to Newmarket station, where they can either walk (10 minutes) or take the No. 57 tram to Flemington Drive.

Buses run two different routes (472 and 404) from different locations along their designated lines, dropping passengers off at Flemington Racecourse via Riverbank or Stables Drive entrances.

Public car parking is available, with limited free parking available on non-racedays; limited car parking is available in the centre car park for $20 for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Limousines, taxis, and car hires are available for drop-off and pick-up from the Racecourse.

Visit Public Transport Victoria for more details.