Flemington Racecourse

Flemington is the best-known and oldest continuing metropolitan racecourse in Australia – no wonder it was added to the National Heritage List in 2006!

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.

Of course, 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, take a walking tour and visit the Heritage Centre's exhibition of racing paraphernalia.