Flemington Racecourse

Description

Flemington is the best-known and oldest continuing metropolitan racecourse in Australia.

A National Heritage listed site, the first race meeting held here took place on rough river flats beside the Maribyrnong River in March 1840, when Melbourne was barely five years old. It wasn’t the very first documented horse race in Melbourne – that took place at a site near today’s Southern Cross Station, in March 1838.

Flemington is synonymous with Australia’s premier horse race, the Melbourne Cup, run here on the first Tuesday in November since 1861.

As well as the horses and the fashions of the Spring Racing Carnival, it's worth heading out to Flemington any time of the year to admire the landscaped gardens, including the largest public rose garden in the Southern Hemisphere.

Take a walking tour and visit the Flemington Heritage Centre, a multimedia experience including artefacts from the Club's archival collection that brings to life the history, drama, fashion and excitement of racing at Flemington.