Things to do on Melbourne Cup Day

If you're against horseracing, there are plenty of activities you can participate in to protest against the sport. Nup to the Cup has organised several protests across Australia and New Zealand to protest horse racing. 

The best part of the Melbourne Cup is, as it is with most things, the food. But that doesn't mean you have to go to Flemington for a good feed. Pack your own picnic and sprawl out at these lush locations across Melbourne instead.

For those craving a nostalgic cinema experience, these drive-in cinemas in and around Melbourne are brimming with the feeling of old-timey movie outings. Park yourself in front of the screen, tune into the FM broadcast and enjoy your movie.

Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Kyabram Fauna Park will all be open on the public holiday. Plan a visit to see some of your favourite wild critters.

No plans for Cup Day? The Mount Alexander Hotel is throwing an all-inclusive party at the upstairs Everage Bar. For $150 per person, you’ll be treated to roaming canapes (including mini beef pies, smoked salmon blinis, prawn mayo sliders and arancini balls), plus beer, wine and house spirits. The event is running from 1-4pm and you’ll be able to watch all the race action on two big screens. And the retractable awning means if the weather's good, you’ll be able to soak up some glorious sunshine. For more information and to purchase tickets to the Melbourne Cup Day event, head to the website.

You never know what kind of weather Melbourne is going to throw at us, but be brave and hit the beach anyway. Here are Melbourne's best bay beaches to spend some time outside, whether you're keen on swimming, wading, beachcombing or just relaxing on the sand. 

Hot weather and public holidays are the perfect best friends of ice cream and gelato. No matter how you roll, here are the super-duper scoopers serving Melbourne’s best ice cream, gelato and soft serve. 

Following its winter hibernation, Melbourne's OG floating bar and restaurant has returned for its eighth season on the Yarra. Last year, Arbory Afloat was decked out in the style of the picturesque Balearic Islands — and this year, it's a sun-drenched take on the tropical Yucatan Coast. The jungle-meets-paradise oasis will be a celebration of colour, festivity and flavours, and if the success of the floating bar's past seasons are anything to go by, Melburnians are in for a riotous treat. 

Never in the history of dining out have we appreciated the privilege of being able to eat wherever we choose (whenever we want) as much as we do now. Use your day off to make a dent in our carefully curated list of favourites.

Melbourne's bar game is strong. From world-beating cocktail lounges to down-and-divey saloons to quench our never-ending thirst, there's just about somewhere for everyone. If you're looking for a bar to head to on this sunny day, we've rounded up the best 53 bars that represent the pinnacle of Melbourne drinking.

There's something about drinking on a rooftop that is at least 20 per cent more fun than drinking at street level. So jump on those stairs, hit that lift button and check out these high-and-mighty gems. Some of these are in the city, and some in the surrounding suburbs are perfect for city views. 

You’ve had lunch by the river, now try lunch on the river. GoBoat is an electric boat hire service currently running in Melbourne that makes it super easy to have picnics at sea (well, a river). GoBoat’s five-metre-long boats seat up to eight people and don’t need a boating licence to operate. The best part? They come equipped with a built-in wooden picnic table in the middle of the boat.

Curious to try Melbourne's inland surf park? Urbnsurf has reopened, and you can learn to surf or hang ten on mechanically created, absolutely perfect waves.