One of the most notable events in Australia, the Melbourne Cup Carnival attracts millions of visitors. The event captures public fancy to such an extent that it demands a public holiday. And yes, it is a public holiday within metropolitan Melbourne and parts of Victoria. Let Drive mate be your guide!
Even outside Victoria, a large number of people call in sick. It’s not very difficult to guess the reason. Those who do attend office, college, or school, are distracted. Hardly able to focus. People across the nation, wherever they are, whatever they are doing, stop to watch, listen, tune in and get updates from the Melbourne Cup. It makes the heartbeats race, changes the pace and often makes millions hold their breath.
That’s Melbourne Cup - true to Vivienne McCredie’s poetic portrayal - the race that stops the nation.
It’s the race that stops two nations. Millions of people across Australia and New Zealand savour the pause. Taking an active and enthusiastic part in following the Melbourne Cup.
About the race
The Victoria Racing Club has been organising the Melbourne Cup at the Flemington Racecourse since 1861. It is a part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. At its core, it is a thoroughbred horse race happening annually. The turf race is a two-mile handicap, one of the richest in the world. But the horse race is just a part of the extravaganza, as off-track activities attract as much attention as on-track excitement.
Event Schedule
The event happens over four days, beginning on the first Tuesday of November. Here is the schedule of the Melbourne Cup Carnival 2022.
Explore Australia During Your Visit to Melbourne
The Melbourne Cup Carnival 2022 is scheduled to take place from October 29 to November 5. The whole week of fun and excitement gives an exhilarating vibe to the entire city. Whether you are a horse-racing enthusiast or attending it for a fun experience, the carnival week also offers plenty of opportunities for other fun outings and excursions.
Here are two memorable road trips you can plan while in the city for the Melbourne Cup Carnival 2022.
PHILLIP ISLAND TOUR
Whether you want to spend an evening, a day or a weekend, Phillip Island can be the right option. The weather is warmer from November through March, making it the best time to visit this place. A Home to Australia’s rich wildlife, it allows you to meet kangaroos, fur seals, emus, wombats, dingos and koalas.
Penguins deserve a special mention here, as they are the island's most famous attractions. The Penguin Parade is a sight to behold as they return home to their sand dunes after spending a day at the sea. Don’t miss viewing the beauty of the rocky coastline at the Nobbies.
Drive from Melbourne to Phillip Island
Not just Philipp Island, but even the journey to the island is an experience to remember. It is about an hour and 45 minutes drive, with a distance of about 140 km via M1. The majority of the route runs parallel to Victoria’s magnificent coastline. Take your time to enjoy the beauty of the landscape as you take the journey to meet Australia’s wildlife.
Driving your car is by far the easiest way to reach Phillip Island. All you have to do is take Monash Freeway (M1) until you reach South Gippsland Highway. Afterwards, take the Bass Highway to reach Phillip Island Road. Then cross the bridge to reach your destination Phillip Island.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD TRIP
Don’t miss the opportunity to plan this epic road trip if you are in Melbourne. October-November is also an overall good time for the Great Ocean Road trip.
The road itself is the world’s largest war memorial. Over 80-year old, the Great Ocean Road was built by 3000+ soldiers after returning from World War I. One of the most dangerous projects because of the nature of its work; it took about ten years to complete. The road was built in the memory of the fallen soldiers, making it a significant war memorial.
The Great Ocean Road also offers several memorable experiences and beautiful sightseeing spots listed as Australian National Heritage. Starting from Torquay and heading westwards towards Allansford, the entire stretch of the road is a little above 240 km long.
Though it is possible to complete the Great Ocean Road trip in a day, there are so many treasures to experience along the way; it is best to take multiple stops and fully enjoy the experience. We advise planning your trip over two or three days and making it a memory you can cherish for a lifetime.
Let us offer you a word of caution here. If you are a new driver, you may find it challenging to navigate through the multiple twists and turns of the Great Ocean Road. So it would be best to go for a self-drive, only if you have some driving experience.
Sightseeing Opportunities on the Great Ocean Road
The Twelve Apostles: One of the most popular tourist spots along the Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles, is a sight you must not miss. The sunset here is quite magnificent, and we would advise you to reach the spot well in time if you want to be on one of the many viewing decks best for taking photos. You can park your car at the parking lot and head to the wooden walkway, with viewing decks along the boardwalk.
The Twelve Apostles are gigantic limestone formations along the rugged coastline of Port Campbell National Park. The rocky stacks get this name as they stand close to each other along the shoreline, making it one of the most iconic sights in Australia.
Waterfalls: The Great Ocean Road trip is a treasure trove if you are mesmerised by the waterfalls' sight and sound experience trove. The road is dotted by several waterfalls, which also offer an opportunity to spot Australia’s native animals, birds and wildflowers.
Hopetoun Falls is perhaps one of the easiest to access and arguably the most picturesque.
You can view the water running down into the Aire River from the viewing deck near the car park. Other notable attractions along the road include Hopkins Falls, Erskine Falls, Beauchamp Falls, Upper and Lower Kalimna Falls, Phantom Falls, Stevenson Falls and Triplet Falls.
Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway: How can your memorable road trip be complete without a photo of the road sign? You will find this Memorial Arch pretty far after you start the trip, as it was the original starting point of the road.
Other Attractions: There are quite a few other attractions along the Great Ocean Road, like the Redwoods, a plantation of Californian redwood trees in the middle of the Otway forest, or the ‘whale corridor’ where you can spot blue whales, humpback whales and southern right whales. The road also features some incredible hiking and walking trails that allow you to connect with nature.
Take along more than your Melbourne Cup memories
The Melbourne Cup Carnival 2022 is an opportunity to be a part of the excitement alongside millions of fellow humans. Not just the race but even off-track activities pack a lot of food, fashion and tons of fun experiences.
As you participate in the Melbourne Cup extravaganza, planning to spend some time away from the hullabaloo and be in peace with nature will make your trip an overall balanced experience. It will also allow you to connect with your close friends and family if you are traveling with them.
Drive mate can help you find easy and affordable car rides exactly as per your preference. Book your car and plan a memorable road trip during your visit to the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Take home way more than the obvious by making it a more enriching experience.
Also read -
The Ultimate Weekend Getaway: Cruising from Melbourne to Phillip Island
A Culinary Journey Through Melbourne: Foodie Adventures with Drive mate
