Moving to Australia
Ah Melbourne, so much to do, so many places to go. Better get yourself a laneway espresso because you’re going to need that shot of energy!
Arguably the most famous Melbourne event of them all for this beautiful city is the Melbourne Cup. It’s certainly Australia’s most prestigious thoroughbred horse race, a 3,200-metre race for horses aged three years and over. Every year, on the first Tuesday of November, the ‘race that stops a nation’ is held at 3pm. Total prize money is $7,300,000 and trophies valued at $250,000 are awarded.
Crowd attendance can reach 100,000 for this major event which is part of the annual Spring Racing Carnival. An important element of the day is the ‘Fashions on the Field’ event which awards generous prizes to the best-dressed man and woman. Flemington Racecourse is festooned with approximately 12,000 roses of 200 different varieties, all carefully and painstakingly nurtured to bloom in time for the big day.
Punters place bets on this day, even if they never gamble throughout the year, and some winners come away with small fortunes. It’s a day of celebration, good food and champagne, fashion, flowers and festivities.
The CBD offers loads of activities at Christmas, many of them free. Christmas Projections involves illuminating city buildings with free animated shows. Gingerbread Village at Federation Square is a 560-kilogram gingerbread creation you can go along to see. Have your photo taken with Santa at Santa’s House in front of the Town Hall.
Melbourne is a city where something fun, fascinating or frivolous is always happening. It’s justifiably considered Australia’s cultural capital and every year, the number of events grows.
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