The Melbourne Cup is known as ‘the race that stops a nation.’ One of Australia’s most loved and iconic world-class events, the Melbourne Cup is part of a larger event, the Melbourne Cup Carnival that runs over four days at the pristine Flemington Racecourse. Racing a distance of 3,200 metres, it’s a test of endurance for Australian and International thoroughbreds.
Held annually on the first Tuesday of November, the Melbourne Cup is steeped in history. Established in 1861, this prestigious race has grown into a cultural phenomenon, drawing around 100,000 spectators and millions of viewers worldwide. The event has become more than just a race day with visitors enjoying fashions on the field, great entertainment and plenty of fabulous food.
There is no better time to visit Corryong than during The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, where the alpine region comes to life and unveils the history of unique bush traditions. Discover the lifestyle country folk take for granted and watch as horsemen and women chase wild horses down the mountainside in pursuit of the colt that got away.
The Bright Autumn Festival is a celebration of the wonderful autumn colours and autumn produce of the valleys of Victoria’s Alpine High Country.
Embark on our 10-day Coastal Explorer tour, where coastal wonders and rich history await. Spend nights in Port Macquarie and Kangaroo Valley. Explore Bega Cheese Centre, dive into maritime history in Eden, and cruise Lakes Entrance, indulging in regional flavours at Wyanga Park Winery. Soar over the Twelve Apostles, Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and uncover Warrnambool's charm. Visit Mount Gambier's Blue Lake and Umpherston Sinkhole, explore Naracoorte Caves, and conclude in Adelaide. Join us for a coastal odyssey, discovering new wonders at every turn.
Melbourne is an ever changing, vibrant city with café lined laneways, eclectic art displays and cultural experiences at every turn. Discover the hidden treasures, iconic structures, heritage, history and past stories as we travel in and around Melbourne.
Depart for 9 days on our opulent Diamond Class coach. Our first day takes us through Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. We visit Wollongong, followed by the Sapphire Coast Drive and travel through Bournda National Park to Tura Beach and Eden. See Wilsons Promontory, affectionately known as ‘The Prom’, the southernmost point of mainland Australia with stunning coastal scenery and pristine wilderness. Explore Phillip Island Nature Park with underground viewing of adorable little penguins. Finishing up your trip in the vibrant Melbourne CBD.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure along Australia’s iconic waterways with our ‘Murray & Darling River Rendezvous’ tour. Cruise the Darling River aboard the historic PV Jandra paddleboat, marvel at the stunning Living Desert Sculptures, and step back in time with a guided tour of Wentworth Gaol. Experience the charm of the Murray River on a nostalgic journey aboard the PS Pevensey paddlesteamer in Echuca.
Join us as we unearth all aspects of Victoria as we rove the highways and byways of this diverse state. Delve into bustling metropolitan Melbourne, travel along the Great Ocean Road and enjoy a breathtaking scenic flight over the 12 Apostles. Traverse The Grampians to Ballarat and experience history at Sovereign Hill. Dig up our gold mining history in Bendigo and board a paddle steamer in Echuca before discovering the beauty of the High Country.
Jump onboard our coach to experience an overnight Zoofari experience at Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Dubbo), where we witness unforgettable wildlife, immersing yourself in the wonders of the animal kingdom. Choose between an animal view or bushland view room and listen to the sounds of the wild. As the sun rises we join a guided Zoofari tour enjoying a delicious breakfast before heading to Griffith. We explore Yanga Homestead in Mildura, take an evening dinner cruise aboard a paddlesteamer, view the heritage land mark Willandra Lakes whilst winding through the Grampians region. Take in the intriguing Silo Art Trail along the way before overnighting in Halls Gap as we make our way towards Melbourne.
Join us on an unforgettable journey from Melbourne to Adelaide, designed for travellers over 50 who seek a perfect blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. Begin your adventure with a visit to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground and Australian Sports Museum, where the rich sporting history of Australia comes to life. Explore the charming coastal town of Port Fairy with a local guide before taking a nostalgic ride on the horse-drawn tramway at Victor Harbour. Then, unwind as you board the elegant PS Murray Princess for a leisurely 4-night cruise along the serene Murray River, experiencing the tranquillity of Australia's waterways.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure along the Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island. Join us as we make tracks for Werribee Open Range Zoo, where you'll enjoy an off-road safari through the sights and savannah, encountering wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, rhinos, and inquisitive ostriches. Experience the thrill of a helicopter scenic flight over the iconic Great Ocean Road, taking in breathtaking coastal views. Explore the fascinating geological wonders of Alexandra Cave with a local guide at Naracoorte Caves National Park. Discover the unique wildlife of Seal Bay Conservation Park and the rugged beauty of Flinders Chase National Park, home to stunning landscapes and iconic Australian wildlife. This tour offers a perfect blend of nature, wildlife, and adventure, ensuring a memorable journey through some of Australia’s most remarkable destinations.
Join us for an unforgettable journey led by experienced tour hosts. You'll thrill to Thredbo's chairlift rides and scenic lunches with panoramic views, explore Corryong's Snowy River heritage, and be captivated by Bright's vibrant gardens. Lakes Entrance beckons with its tranquil lakes cruise to Wyanga Park Winery, while Foster showcases architectural marvels and a thrilling Wilsons Promontory cruise. Cowes, Phillip Island, promises wildlife encounters, including a fur seal colony and the enchanting Penguin Parade. Savour unique culinary experiences on The Q Train, and luxuriate in Melbourne's 5-star accommodations. This tour combines natural wonders, cultural delights, and the comfort of expert guidance. Join us for an adventure that promises memories to last a lifetime!
Take the inland route from Brisbane to Melbourne, discover quirky characters and hidden treasures along the way. Try your luck for opals in Lightning Ridge, enjoy a wildlife Zoofari at Dubbo's Western Plains Zoo, and visit Miners Heritage Park in Cobar. See the 'Living Desert Sculptures' in Broken Hill and the Old Wentworth Gaol before enjoying a paddleboat cruise on the Murray and a finale night in Melbourne.
The Melbourne Cup captures the thrill of horse racing while creating a vibrant social atmosphere, where fashion, food, and festivities abound. More than just a race, The Melbourne Cup embodies the Australian spirit.
Across the nation, friends, families, workmates and communities gather to don their fancy outfits and even fancier hats. For some, a flutter at the TAB or buying a ticket in a work or shop sweepstakes is a cherished annual tradition.
Melbourne Cup Day is the time to enjoy a long lunch leading up to the big race, and the sense of anticipation and excitement as the clock ticks closer to the start of the big race.
From a pub lunch in a tiny outback town to a black-tie affair in a high-end city hotel, it’s an opportunity to escape the ‘everyday’ and enjoy a uniquely Aussie blend of competition and camaraderie, celebration and commiseration.
.png)
.png)
The Melbourne Cup has become a part of Melbourne and Australian culture. The first Melbourne Cup was attended by 4,000 men and women and won by a horse named Archer who also won the following year. In 1869, The Victorian Racing Club introduced the four-day Spring Racing Carnival format. The following year, the youngest ever jockey Peter St Albans riding Briseis took first place at just under 13.
The largest ever field of 39 runners was contested in 1890 and in 1930, the legendary Phar Lap won his first Melbourne Cup. In 1972, the race distance was updated from two miles to 3,200 metres, shortening the distance by 18.6 metres.
In 2005 Makybe Diva became the first horse to win three times and 2015 saw the first women jockey win the race. Michelle Payne on Prince of Penzance created history and at odds of 100–1.
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) member and steward Frederick Standish is credited with the idea for a high-profile, two-mile race called the Melbourne Cup. His idea came to fruition in 1861 when the VRC ran the first Melbourne Cup race.
At that first race, 17 starters raced for a £710 prize and a hand-beaten gold watch, winner takes all. As a handicap race, the Melbourne Cup introduced a level of speculation that the club hoped would attract more entries, and therefore higher prize money.
The Melbourne Cup hands over $14 million in prize money and the impressive gold Melbourne Cup trophy, valued at $250,000. The winning jockey and trainer receive smaller versions of the cup worth $10,000 each and the winning strapper takes home a trophy worth $5,000.
Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday for those working within the Melbourne metropolitan area and some parts of regional Victoria. Federal public servants observe the first Tuesday in November as a holiday in the entire state of Victoria.
Our team is always happy to help if you have any questions about us or our tours. Fill out our form and we will get back to you soon.
.png)
We are a Green Travel Leader. This is awarded to businesses which have consistently proven their commitment to sustainable tourism management over ten years.
As a Sustianable Tourism accredited business, we are proud to offer engaging tourism experiences that follow sound sustainability practices and environmental appreciation.
Quality Tourism accredited businesses like Fun Over 50 lead the way by offering the highest industry standards of customer service, satisfaction, reliability, and ethical practices.
We are committed to operating in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the authenticity and integrity of living cultures of Indigenous communities.
We have incorporated strategic climate change responses across all relevant levels of our planning and operations. We are working towards becoming carbon neutral.
With Advanced Ecotourism certification, we offer outstanding experiences which let you get back to nature, help conservation, and minimise environmental impact.
We are a credible, well trained, and professional business. We conduct business in compliance with Australian Consumer Law and in accordance with ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators represents tour operators and wholesalers. As a full CATO member, we provide authentic and original holidays with sustainable travel.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
Powered by EngineRoom
Fill out your details and we will get in touch with you to reserve your place on the tour.
We roll out the red carpet so you can just sit back and relax and know that everything is included in your holiday experience, no surprises, all inclusive!
More on tour inclusions
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Falls%20Creek.png)
.png)
%20-%20Glenrowan.png)
%20-%20Great%20Ocean%20Road.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Mount%20Hotham.png)
%20-%20Phillip%20Island.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Warrnambool.png)
%20-%20Wilsons%20Promontory%20Wilderness.png)
%20-%20Yarra%20Valley.png)
%20-%20Artvo%20Gallery.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Melbourne%20Laneways%20and%20Arcades.png)
%20-%20Melbourne%20Museum.png)
%20(1).jpg)
%20-%20National%20Gallery%20of%20Australia.png)
%20-%20Ned%20Kelly%20Last%20Stand.png)
%20-%20Otway%20Ranges.png)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
.png)