Name: Melbourne Cup Carnival
Start: 2026-10-31
End: 2026-11-07
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Rating: 5

Melbourne Cup Carnival 2026 | Official Hotel & Ticket Packages

Book official Melbourne Cup packages from £4,995pp with Racing Breaks — hotels, tickets, flights and hospitality available with a flexible low deposit. Every experience can be fully customised or built completely bespoke. Looking for hospitality only? Contact us for tailored options.

Now Available – Register Your Interest in our 2027 Packages

Why book with Racing Breaks

Official Tickets & Hospitality

We only provide official tickets & hospitality to Flemington Racecourse

Exclusive Events

Exclusive invites to the Derby Day Eve Luncheon, Call of the Card Luncheon and other unique events

Bespoke Experiences

Let our team of racing & travel experts build you your perfect itinerary with your choice of hotel, hospitality and more.

On-site Team

You’ll be joined by our team of racing & travel experts who will be on hand to assist you 24/7 to ensure you have the best trip.

Rated Excellent

Our customers rate us excellent 5* on Trust Pilot with over 1,700 reviews! Read reviews.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival with Racing Breaks

We create bespoke travel packages that immerse you in every unforgettable moment — from premium official hospitality and unrivalled race day views to personalised itineraries and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes access.

Whether you’re eager to witness the thunderous excitement of the Lexus Melbourne Cup from premium hospitality, soak up the carnival atmosphere with access to elite social events and fashion functions, or explore Australia’s iconic sights and cultural highlights beyond Flemington Racecourse, our expertly crafted packages offer something exceptional for every traveller.

All packages can be customised to suit individual preferences with trip extensions and onwards travel also possible.

Overview

Day 1-2

Thursday 29th October 2026

On your first evening you will be met by your tour host and head out for some welcome drinks and dinner at a great Melbourne venue to enable you to meet other members on the trip.

Friday 30th October 2026

After a quiet morning, you will head out to the big First Light Racing Derby Day Eve Luncheon.
With high-quality racing guests and entertainment (previous guests have included Michelle Payne, Daryl Braithwaite, Taxiride & Living Legend Apache Cat – to name a few), this is a great way to start the week. There is also a great after-party for those keen to kick on with some racing luminaries.

Day 1-2

Day 3-4

Saturday 31st October 2026

After breakfast you will head off on a beautiful cruise along the Yarra & Maribyrnong Rivers to Flemington Racecourse including a few champagnes and nibbles.
Enjoy Penfolds Victoria Derby Day.
After the massive day, you will return on the cruise with nibbles & drinks.

Sunday 1st November 2026

Today is a rest day for you to recover from a busy first few days. You may wish to head off to a winery in the Yarra Valley, visit Living Legends farm or just do some shopping and enjoy everything else Melbourne has to offer.

Day 3-4

Day 5-6

Monday 2nd November 2026

In the afternoon you will head off to the Call of the Card Luncheon where Australia’s biggest punters take on our best bookies to set the scene for the Cup.
An all-inclusive three-course meal and drinks with interviews with leading jockeys, trainers and bookies will give the edge to find the Cup winner.

Tuesday 3rd November 2026

Today you will head to Flemington for the running of the 163rd Lexus Melbourne Cup.
You will enjoy amazing hospitality for the day in the Skyline Lounge with a reserved seat and views of the finish line, beautiful fresh food, premium wines and beer, a fantastic spot to soak up all the atmosphere of “the race that stops the nation”.

Day 5-6

Day 7-8

Wednesday 4th November 2026

Today is another free day for you to head out and explore Melbourne. You may wish to head off to a winery in the Yarra Valley, visit Living Legends farm or just do some shopping and enjoy everything else Melbourne has to offer.

Thursday 5th November 2026

Today we’ll head back to Flemington for Crown Oaks Day. We’ll have tickets so that we can get out and explore more of the racecourse and experience more of the incredible atmosphere that is creating during cup week.
Following the racing you’ll be transferred back to the hotel and have the evening at leisure.

Day 7-8

Day 9-10

Friday 6th November 2026

Today is another free day for you to head out and explore Melbourne. You may wish to head off to a winery in the Yarra Valley, visit Living Legends farm or just do some shopping and enjoy everything else Melbourne has to offer.

Saturday 7th November 2026

Today we’ll head to Flemington for the final raceday of the week, TAB Champion Stakes Day.
We’ll have tickets so that we can again get out and explore more of the racecourse and experience more of the incredible atmosphere that is creating during cup week. Following the racing you’ll be transferred back to the hotel and have the evening at leisure.

Day 9-10

Day 11 / Future

Sunday 8th November 2026

After an exhilarating, action-packed week – and perhaps with some winnings to celebrate – make your way back to the airport for your journey home.
Alternatively, for those not quite ready to conclude their Melbourne Cup Carnival experience, with most flights connecting enroute to Melbourne, why not use this as an excuse to stop off and see more of another destination? Fly via Singapore or Dubai and spend a few days on your way, or way back. Or alternatively why not see more of Australia by travelling onto another city.

Day 11 / Future

Melbourne Cup Carnival Packages

Experience the Melbourne Cup Carnival with one of our carefully curated packages starting from £4,995 per person.

All experiences can be booked from just a 10% deposit and include accommodation, official hospitality, all transfers, and some truly unique excursions to make your trip a memorable one.

Our 2027 Packages will be available soon – Register Your Interest now.

Exclusive Inclusions

Our trip to Melbourne includes more than just a day at the races.

You’ll have access to some of the unique events below!

About the Melbourne Cup

The Lexus Melbourne Cup is one of the most famous horses races on the planet, dating all the way back to 1861.

It’s the centrepiece of the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival and, of course, the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

It’s also the richest ‘two-mile’ handicap event in the world, with a total prize pool of $8 million.

Saturday 31st October 2026

Howden Victoria Derby Day

The Carnival kicks off with a classic celebration of racing, fashion and tradition. The feature is the Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby for top three‑year‑olds over  2,500 m, supported by other elite contests like the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Empire Rose Stakes, all set against a backdrop of black‑and‑white style, live entertainment and family‑friendly festivities.

Tuesday 3rd November 2026

Lexus Melbourne Cup Day

The flagship raceday sees the iconic Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup over 3,200 m, known as “the race that stops a nation,” where elite stayers battle for one of the richest prizes in world racing. The day combines thrilling on‑track competition with vibrant fashion, hospitality and trackside culture, making it the highlight of the Australian spring carnival.

Thursday 5th November 2026

Crown Oaks Day

A stylish and elegant midweek meeting centred on the Group 1 Crown Oaks over 2,500 m for three‑year‑old fillies. Alongside high‑quality racing, the day delivers a blend of fashion, live music and social experiences, offering a refined yet energetic atmosphere on the Flemington lawn.

Saturday 7th November 2026

TAB Champions Stakes Day

The Carnival concludes with a strong championship programme featuring multiple Group 1 races — including the TAB Champions Stakes (2,000 m), VRC Champions Mile (1,600 m) and VRC Champions Sprint (1,200 m). It’s a thrilling finale that showcases speed and class across distances, capping Cup Week with world‑class racing and celebration.

Melbourne Cup Flights

If required, we can include flights to Melbourne within any of our experiences.

There are connecting flights from most major UK airports with a range of airlines and also one direct flight option with Qantas from London Heathrow.

Extended stopovers are possible for those looking to spend a few nights whilst connecting in locations such as Dubai or Singapore.

Flight upgrades are available to Premium Economy, Business & First Class.

Customer Reviews

"I booked the Melbourne Cup trip through Racing Breaks and it blew my expectations out of the water. Right from the welcome dinner every moment was well planned and relaxed. Hotel was central, breakfast was great, and the hospitality on both Derby Day and Melbourne Cup Day put us right in the heart of the action at Flemington. The Call of the Card Luncheon was a fun insight and made race day even more exciting. An amazing way to experience one of the world’s best race weeks!"

John, 2025

"This Racing Breaks package did us was for all 4 days of the carnival. It was fantastic, excellent hospitality, plus time to see Melbourne itself. The river cruise transfer to Derby Day was a lovely touch, and the welcome drinks and exclusive luncheons were highlights. I also enjoyed wandering around the city and sampling coffee and cafes on my free days - perfect balance of racing and sightseeing. Would recommend for first‑timers!"

Gary, 2025

"Everything about this Melbourne Cup break was top‑notch. The itinerary from Racing Breaks included hospitality on two of the days, including the main one! Events like the Derby Eve Luncheon were great fun and not something we would have even considered if booking ourselves. The hotel was comfortable with great breakfasts each morning, and having staff on site throughout the week made the whole experience feel seamless. Cup Day itself was electrifying — the atmosphere, food and views were well worth it. Can’t recommend it enough!"

Irene, 2025

Trusted by over 1,600 people

View all reviews

Melbourne Cup Carnival

Melbourne Cup Carnival 2026 | Official Hotel & Ticket Packages