Caulfield Racecourse

The basics

Whether getting glammed up for star events such as the Caulfield Carnival or the Summer Classics Carnival, or cheering on your favorites at one of the 20 annual race days, attending a race at the Caulfield Racecourse is sure to be an unforgettable experience. To learn more about the world of thoroughbred racing, join a behind-the-scenes tour to visit the stables and watch the racehorses gallop during their morning training sessions.

Things to know before you go

• Race admission tickets can be purchased at the gate on race day, but tickets for some popular events can also be purchased in advance. Children under 15 enter free of charge.

• Members areas have a strict dress code. Public areas have no dress code, but it’s customary to dress up for the races, especially for events such as the Caulfield Cup.

• The racecourse has three restaurants open to members only; there are also a number of bars and food kiosks in the public areas.

• The racecourse is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

How to get there

Caulfield Racecourse is in Caulfield, 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) south of downtown Melbourne. The easiest way to get there is by train—take the Frankston or Dandenong line from Flinders Street Station to Caulfield Station, which takes about 20 minutes. The racecourse is right opposite the station. Tram number 3 also runs from Flinders Street in downtown Melbourne to Caulfield Racecourse (Stop 25).

When to get there

Australia’s racing season runs annually from August 1st until July 1st, and there are races held at Caulfield about every two weeks. The biggest events are the Caulfield Cup in October, which is part of the two-week Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival, and the Summer Classics Carnival, which runs from December to February and features a number of different races.

Melbourne’s top sporting events

After the excitement of the Caulfield Cup, racing enthusiasts look forward to the Melbourne Cup, the most prestigious event in the racing calendar and part of Melbourne's Spring Carnival. Other major sporting events include the Boxing Day Test and the AFL (Australian Football League) Grand Finals, both held at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG); the Australian Tennis Open, held at Melbourne Park; and the Australian Grand Prix, held at the Albert Park street circuit. There’s also the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, an annual surf competition and music festival held along the Great Ocean Road each Easter.