Owned and operated by the VRC (Victoria Racing Club), Flemington Racecourse is listed on the Australian National Heritage List and Victorian Heritage Register. Located outside the city center, it’s not usually passed by on city sightseeing tours but it’s still accessible for those who want to visit. Tickets for racing events can be purchased on the Flemington website. Behind-the-scenes tours of the racecourse offer a look at historical features, horse stalls, the jockeys’ rooms, and more.
Flemington sits 4 miles (7 km) northwest of Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) on the bank of the Maribyrnong River. It can be reached via tram from the stops along Epsom Road or by train from the Flemington Racecourse station.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival takes place each November. There are 25 total race days during the year, including events such as Girls’ Day Out, Spring Classics Preview Day, and National Hall of Fame Race Day; additionally, non-racing events include fashion lunches and cocktail parties.
Dressing up for race day—especially choosing the perfect hat—is part of the fun. While there is no formal dress code for general admission, smart attire is recommended. Members of VRC and their guests must adhere to a dress code, which prohibits shorts, short jumpsuits, and stomach-baring ensembles for women; men should be in tailored slacks, a tie, jacket, and dress shoes. Melbourne Cup race day is a particularly stylish extravaganza.
