SEQ Melbourne Cup Event Guide 2020
Frocks at the ready, the race is about to begin

Giddyup Brisbane, the race that stops the nation is back! Find those fascinating fascinators and have your best frocks at the ready because the South East has something for everyone. Whether you want to celebrate the day in full glam with a four-course meal, or you'd prefer a secluded tranquil adventure, November 3rd is waiting at the line for you.
Worth Getting Dressed Up For
Brisbane
📷: Deleece Cook
Canadian Club Melbourne Cup Day
Where: Doomben Race Course
When: Tuesday 3 November, Public Gates Open 10am and Functions start 11:30am
What: Celebrate the races in style on the Premium Village Green, Gunsynd Gardens, Satchel Room, or the Trackside Marquee. Get glammed up for a not so regular fashions on the field with a photoshoot of you in your glorious frock on your very own movie set.
How much: From $30 for general admission and up to $350 for the Trackside Marquee, check out tickets here.
More: Fashions on the field theme is "Bold Colour".
📷: Sebastian Coman Photography
Balfour Hotel Melbourne Cup High Tea
Where: New Farm
When: Tuesday 3 November, 12-3pm
What: A luxurious high tea beginning at 12 with unlimited tea and coffee and a complimentary glass of sparkling when you arrive. Watch the race that stops the nation on the big screen at New Farm Cinemas. Cinema seats + high tea = the best Melbourne Cup Day you've ever had.
How much: $79pp find your tickets here.
More: Your ticket gets you an automatic entry into the sweepstakes for a 1-night luxury stay at Balfour Hotel with gourmet breakfast for two.
📷: Jacek Dylag
Cloudland
Where: Fortitude Valley
When: Tuesday 3 November, 11:30-3pm
What: A sweet themed scrumptious Melbourne Cup Day event with four different levels of luxury including the Birdcage, G.H. Mumm Crystal Palais Race Day Booth, G.H. Mumm Gala Luncheon Rose Room, and the Perrier-Jouet Bubbles & Pearls Pavilion Moon Room. Enjoy 3 hours of drinks, desserts, and canapes before being crowned Duke or Duchess of fashions on the field.
How much: From $139pp, grab some tickets here.
Sunshine Coast
📷: Valeria Boltneva
Miss Moneypenny's
Where: Noosa Heads
When: Tuesday 3 November, 11:30-3:30pm
What: A 4-course Lunch inspired by modern Mediterranean cuisine with a glass of champagne or lager on arrival. Choose between three delicious packages to treat yo self (and your friends) to amazing food and premium drinks. Sit back in your glorious attire and watch the Maltida COVE Fashion show (drinks and threads? Hell yes).
How much: Various packages between $115-$235pp. Check out the tickets here.
More: Prizes for best dressed on the day and heaps of sweepstakes to place a bet on.
Gold Coast
📷: Jessica Tan
Regatta Hotel Gala Event
Where: Toowong
When: Tuesday 3 November, 12-3pm
What: A cocktail party like no other, the Regatta Hotel is providing a prawn cocktail bar, summer appetizers, and a three-hour drinks package. Live it up on the Level 1 function spaces and then party like it's 1999 in the underground Walrus Club after party. Watch the race on multiple live screens and take your chances in the sweepstakes, the Gala is the event of the season.
How much: Get your tickets for $130pp here.
📷: Alasdiar Elmes
The Island Gold Coast
Where: Surfers Paradise
When: Tuesday 3 November, 12-3:30pm
What: Choose between three amazing packages for a delicious and fashun forward Melbourne Cup Day. Each package gets your three hours of food hand brought to your table, fashions on the field, and premium drinks. Each is a sit-down event for Covid regulations, but still, have the wonder of race days of the past. Put on your most fabulous outfits and enjoy a day of wonder and frivolity.
How much: Tickets are between $109-$259 and found here.
For You and Your Work Wife
Brisbane
📷: @thefoxhotel
The Fox Hotel
Where: South Brisbane
When: Tuesday 3 November, opens at 11am
What: Dress in your fabulous racewear and giddyup to the Fox Hotel for big screens, commentary, bites, and bubbles. You have the choice between the Dandys Rooftop Long Lunch with race commentary or watch Live + Loud on the ground floor.
How much: Free entry
More: booking is essential for Dandys Rooftop Long Lunch and recommended for Live + Loud. Call (07) 3844 2883 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
📷: Terje Sollie
QA Hotel
Where: New Farm
When: Tuesday 3 November, 12-4pm
What: Enjoy the cup in the exclusivity of a private function room with a four drink package and a three-course meal. Take part in the sweepstakes and get lucky with the TAB terminals, it's an event the whole workplace will enjoy.
How much: $149pp, get your tickets here.
More: Tables are sold in groups of 5.
📷: Davide De Giovanni
Parliament House Luncheon
Where: Brisbane City
When: Tuesday 3 November, 11:30-3pm
What: Dine on a four-course lunch with Piper Heidsieck or craft beer on arrival. Watch the race live in style with the glorious decor of Parliament House, it's regal, grand, and elegant (just like you). Dress for success and win the best-dressed prize while you're sipping on champers and dining on treats.
How much: $85pp. Check out the tickets here.
More: The dress code is smart casual, so work that fancy-schmancy office gear.
Sunshine Coast
📷: @scturfclub
Sunshine Coast Turf Club
Where: Caloundra
When: Tuesday 3 November, Gates Open at 9:30am
What: Celebrate in style and sunshine with the Sunshine Coast Turf Club. Take your work BBF's along for the ride in a corporate marquee or Parade Ring Terrace. Soak up the action with bubbles and treats in hand while you watch the race on the big screen.
How much: Packages vary between $25-$360. Grab your desired ticket package here.
Gold Coast
📷: @edgewaterdining
Edgewater Dining 'Not So' Melbourne Cup
Where: Surfers Paradise
When: Tuesday 3 November, 12-4pm
What: A three-course menu that celebrates Melbourne Cup the 2020 way. With sit down seating and delectable food on offer, the 'Not So' Melbourne Cup will still have you at the heart of the action.
How much: $99pp
More: To get your tickets call (07) 5570 1624
📷: Louis Hansel
Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation
Where: Tamborine Mountain
When: Tuesday 3 November, 10:30-4pm
What: Celebrate the race that stops the nation with a cocktail in hand on arrival while exploring the scrumptious dessert bar. Enjoy a main course meal along with pass Hors d'Oeuvres and try your luck at the raffles and sweeps while you wait for the heart-stopping main event.
How much: Tickets are $80pp, grab them here.
A Casual Affair
Brisbane
Finn McCools
Where: Fortitude Valley
When: Tuesday 3 November, 11-3pm
What: May the luck of the Irish be with you as you dine on the four-hour food and drink package while watching non-stop live coverage of Flemington Racecourse. Perhaps you'll even find a pot of gold when you bet on the winning horse.
How much: Tickets are $65pp, get them here.
📷: @cuisineoncue
Cuisine on Cue
Where: Brisbane and surrounds
When: Tuesday, 3 November
What: Take the stress out of Melbourne Cup Day and celebrate with your friends and fam with catering brought to wherever you want it. Cuisine on Cue has a variety of menu options for big or small gatherings including food stations, shared plates, buffets. Chill out, eat a snack, and watch the race in the comfort of your home.
How much: Price varies according to package
📷: @thecupcakepatisserie
The Cupcake Patisserie
Where: Albion
When: Tuesday 3 November, whenever you want
What: The Cupcake Patisserie makes and delivers absolutely delicious cupcakes around Brisbane for your enjoyment. Get a few boxes of their classics, try out some new flavours, or get your company logo put on them and enjoy the Melbourne Cup your way. There's no time pressure or major booking necessary, just choose a time, place, and a flavour and your day is underway.
How much: From $30. Explore the delicious menu here.
Saddle up and enjoy this Melbourne Cup Day in style, now you've got the know-how you can win the day.
📷: Sharon McCutcheon
About the Author
Melissa Sutton
Born in Scotland and a true Aries, Melissa can be found searching for her next sugar hit and writing spot. As a lifelong reader she’ll probably have a book in her hands…and one in her bag… or maybe two in her bag. An ex-martial artist turned Pilates lover, you’ll find her on her way to her next workout with a chocolate bar in hand.