Melbourne Cup in Newcastle and the Hunter, Tuesday 3 November 2026

Melbourne Cup is Tuesday 3 November 2026. The race jumps at 3pm AEDT at Flemington. Cup Day is not a public holiday in NSW, so it's a normal working day here. Book the afternoon off.

Here's where to watch it across Newcastle and the Hunter. If you'd rather be trackside, Muswellbrook Race Club runs its Big Dance Day races the same afternoon. Most lunches are ticketed and a couple have already sold out. Prices and times were correct at the time of writing. Check with the venue before you go.

Newcastle city & harbour

Customs House Hotel – Newcastle | Tue 3 Nov, from 11.30am | Earp spritz on arrival, three-course alternate-drop lunch and a 3.5-hour drinks package. Sweeps, Fashions on the Field and a charity raffle for Got Your Back Sista. | $169pp. Verandah table of six $1,499. | More info

Roundhouse – Newcastle | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 3.30pm | Rooftop at Kingsley, Level 9, 282 King St. Taittinger and canapés on arrival, three courses, 3.5-hour premium drinks, Fashions on the Field and sweeps. | $209pp | More info

Wharf 350 at Rydges – Honeysuckle | Tue 3 Nov, from 12.30pm | Three-course lunch and a three-hour drinks package on the harbour. Race on the big screen, $1, $5 and $10 sweeps, Fashions on the Field and live music until 3.30pm. | Price on booking. | More info

NOAH'S on the Beach – Newcastle East | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 4.30pm | Sparkling and canapés on arrival, three-course lunch, four-hour drinks package, sweeps and best dressed. Midnight Black Duo plays. Race on the big screens. | $195pp or $1,900 for a table of 10 | More info

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club – Wickham | Tue 3 Nov, from 11.30am | Three-course lunch indoors or at an outdoor high table, three-hour drinks package, live music all day, best dressed prizes. Race on a big outdoor screen. | $159 | More info

Glitz & Spritz at Pier Ninety Seven – Wickham | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 6pm | The anti-Cup option. Spritz on arrival, grazing table, canapés, DJ, Fashions at the Pier and a charity raffle. $10 from every ticket goes to Nup to the Cup. | $85 | More info

Honeysuckle Hotel – Honeysuckle | Tue 3 Nov, from 10am | Live entertainment from 12pm, Fashions on the Field, sweeps and the races on big screens. Walk-ins welcome. | VIP Birdcage $149pp. Harbourside table for 8 $400. Punters Lounge table for 4 $200. | More info

The Great Northern Hotel – Newcastle | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 7pm | VIP package with roaming canapés and a three-hour drinks package. Sweeps, best dressed, race on the big screen, live music and DJs after. | $109pp | More info

Melbourne Cup cruise on MV Calmer – Queens Wharf | Tue 3 Nov, 1pm to 4.30pm | Harbour cruise with a buffet lunch, sweeps and the race on multiple screens. Drinks at the bar. 18+. | $97 plus booking fee | More info

Hamilton, Merewether & suburbs

NJC Cup for a Cause – Newcastle Racecourse, Broadmeadow | Tue 3 Nov, 10.30am to 5pm | Charity luncheon for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW. Grazing station, main, five-hour drinks package, TAB and bookies, live auction, live music and Fashions on the Field. | Price on booking. | More info

The Exchange – Hamilton | Tue 3 Nov, from 10am | Races on the screens, Fashions on the Field, sweeps and on-site TAB. The After Party band and DJs after the race. | Free entry | More info

Nonna Bizzarro – Hamilton | Tue 3 Nov, doors 11.30am | Set menu, three hours of drinks, spritz on arrival and house-made limoncello. DJs all day, sweeps and prizes. Cocktail upgrade available. 18+. | $119pp | More info

The Nags Head Hotel – Adamstown | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 9.30pm | Three-course lunch with bubbles on arrival, or book a free table in the sports bar, main bar or lounge. 100 Club with $2,000 cash to be won. | $80pp lunch. Standard booking free. | More info

The Shorty Hotel – Shortland | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 3pm | Canapé package, with the option to add three hours of house drinks. Or $25 for a meal and a house beer or wine. Bookings essential. | $65. Drinks +$55. | More info

Chophouse Grill at Wests – New Lambton | Tue 3 Nov, 11.30am to 4pm | Three-course shared feast with sparkling or Stone & Wood on arrival. Sweeps, best dressed and best headwear. All Wests clubs also do a half lobster and prawn mornay with a glass of sparkling, $30 members, $40 guests. | $120pp | More info

Adamstown Bowling Club – Adamstown | Tue 3 Nov | Cup Day package with a cheese platter and two drinks. | $49pp | More info

The Del – Cooks Hill | Tue 3 Nov, from 12pm | Upstairs. Champagne on arrival, three-course set menu, two-hour drinks package, private bar and courtyard. 120 tickets. | $159pp | More info

Junction Hotel – The Junction | Tue 3 Nov | Garden party. French Champagne or beer on arrival, three-course lunch, Crocq Duo and DJ Amos, Earp Gin garden bar, Fashions on the Field and sweeps. | $200pp | More info

The Beach Hotel – Merewether | Tue 3 Nov, from 10am | Hosted by Jess and Rohan from HIT 106.9. General admission gets five canapés, a cheese and charcuterie station and a drink. Live music after the race. VIP and Peregrin packages sold out. | $59 | More info

Mary Ellen Hotel – Merewether | Tue 3 Nov, from 10am | Races on screens throughout. À la carte in the Brasserie with a free glass of bubbles for Brasserie bookings. Sweeps and full TAB. | No ticket | More info

Modus Merewether – Merewether | Tue 3 Nov, from 12pm | Earp cocktail on arrival, dedicated seating, Cup menu to order from, DJ all day, Fashions on the Field and sweeps. $5 a ticket goes to the Mark Hughes Foundation. | $25pp | More info

Merewether Surfhouse – Merewether | Tue 3 Nov | Long lunch and Top Deck cocktail party. | Sold out. | More info

Lambton Park Hotel – Lambton | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 3pm | Two-course alternate drop and a three-hour wine and beer package. Big screens, sweeps and lucky door prizes. | $110pp | More info

Club Lambton – Lambton | Tue 3 Nov, from 11am | In the Bistro. Sparkling on arrival and a two-course lunch. | $60pp | More info

Mayfield West Bowling Club – Mayfield West | Tue 3 Nov, from 11am | Bubbles on arrival and a buffet lunch. | $50 | More info

Central Leagues Club – Charlestown | Tue 3 Nov, from 12pm | Two-course lunch from 1pm, welcome drink, lucky door prize, best dressed and best accessories. Tickets at reception only. | $55pp | More info

Club Stockton – Stockton | Tue 3 Nov, from 12pm | Surf and turf special at 3Sicilians, $2, $5 and $10 sweeps, Fashions on the Field. Gemini Fever from 3.30pm. | No ticket. Book a table. | More info

Lake Macquarie

TINTA – Belmont | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 5pm | Three-course lunch by the lake with prosecco or a draught beer on arrival. Vinyl DJs, live outfit sketches, sweeps and best dressed. | $129pp | More info

Belmont 16s, Star Lounge – Belmont | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 3.30pm | One-course lunch, a drink and $5 of sweep tickets. Fashions on the Field. 18+. Non-refundable. | $40 member price | More info

Warners Bay Sports Club – Warners Bay | Tue 3 Nov, 9am to 7pm | Three-course lunch with a glass of bubbly. Live music from Rich & Famous, sweeps, lucky door prizes. Tickets at the bar. | $67pp | More info

Club Charlestown – Charlestown | Tue 3 Nov, 11am to 4pm | Sparkling on arrival, three-course lunch, live music and a raffle in The Courtyard. | $75pp. Sold out at time of writing. | More info

Club Macquarie – Argenton | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 4pm | Deluxe buffet with seafood and sparkling on arrival. Best dressed and best hat, sweeps, door prizes and the Zane Penn Duo. 18+. | $89.90 plus booking fee | More info

The Orana Hotel – Blacksmiths | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 9pm | Three-course set menu and a three-hour drinks package. The Years play 3pm to 6pm, then Mitch Dormer to 9pm. Fashions on the Field, sweeps, TAB and big screens. | $135pp | More info

Harrigan's – Cameron Park | Tue 3 Nov, from 11.30am | Punter's Yard. Drink on arrival, sliders and desserts, big screens, best dressed and live music after the race. | Ticketed. Price on booking page. | More info

Toronto Hotel – Toronto | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 4pm | 'Bloom Into Spring'. Lunch, Champagne on arrival, live music from 3.30pm, best dressed, sweeps and TAB, Aperol cart. | $78pp | More info

Swansea Hotel – Swansea | Tue 3 Nov | Shared-menu long lunch with bubbles on arrival, best dressed, sweeps and a lucky door prize. Live music after the race. Bookings essential. | $68pp | More info

Swansea RSL Club – Swansea | Tue 3 Nov, 11am to 4pm | Champagne on arrival, two-course lunch, live music from The Way and best dressed prizes. | $65 members, $70 non-members | More info

Caves Coastal – Caves Beach | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 3.30pm | Chandon on arrival, three-course grazing menu and a three-hour drinks package. Sweeps, best dressed and live music after the race. | $135pp | More info

Lady Mac Melbourne Cup cruise – Booragul | Tue 3 Nov | Three-hour cruise from Booragul Public Wharf. Appetiser platter, cocktail food, dessert, a drink on arrival, live entertainment and sweeps. Race on TV. | $101.30 | More info

Maitland & Port Stephens

The Belmore Hotel – Maitland | Tue 3 Nov, from 10am | Live race coverage, half-price wine bottles during the Cup races, food specials and best dressed prizes. | No ticket | More info

Club Maitland City – Rutherford | Tue 3 Nov, from 11.30am | Main and dessert, a drink on arrival, live music from 12pm, sweeps and best dressed. Courtesy bus. | $55pp | More info

The George Tavern – East Maitland | Tue 3 Nov, TAB from 9am | Canapés on the Deck with a two-hour food and drinks package, 12pm to 2pm. Surf and turf $45. Avé Pes plays after the race. | $79pp | More info

East Maitland Bowling Club – East Maitland | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 3.30pm | High tea with a glass of bubbly, sweeps, games and Trinity Woodhouse live. | $50 plus booking fee | More info

Anchorage Hotel & Spa – Corlette | Tue 3 Nov, from 12pm | Sunset Deck. Sparkling on arrival and a three-course shared grazing menu. Sweeps, best dressed and a lucky door prize overnight stay. Tables may be shared. | $149pp | More info

Shoal Bay Country Club – Shoal Bay | Tue 3 Nov | Greek feast and three-hour drinks in Atmos, grazing and pizzas with three-hour drinks in Mermaids, or free entry on Beach Level with TAB, live music and DJs. Fashions on the Field with MC Blanchy. The Patio is sold out. | Atmos $165, Mermaids $85, plus booking fee. Beach Level free. | More info

Nelson Bay Bowling Club – Nelson Bay | Tue 3 Nov, doors 11am | Three-course alternate serve lunch, race on the big screen, best dressed and live music 12.30pm to 4.30pm. | $80pp | More info

The Cheeky Dog – Soldiers Point | Tue 3 Nov | Long table lunch. Three courses, bubbles or a Cheeky Lager on arrival, sweeps, best dressed and live music. | Price on booking. | More info

Soldiers Point Bowling Club – Soldiers Point | Tue 3 Nov, doors 12pm | Drink on arrival, antipasto, alternate-serve main and dessert. Snape & Son play. Online bookings closed at time of writing. | $59 | More info

Hunter Valley

Huntlee Tavern – North Rothbury | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 6pm | Set lunch, TAB, sweeps and best dressed. Nikisha Priest plays after the race. Courtesy bus, bookings essential. | Two courses $59, three courses $79. Three-hour drinks +$45 or +$65. | More info

Esca at Bimbadgen – Pokolbin | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm or 12.30pm seating | Sparkling on arrival, three-course à la carte lunch, the race on screen, sweeps and best dressed. Teasha and Mari play 2pm to 5pm. | $100. Three-hour drinks +$90. | More info

NINETEEN Hunter Valley – Pokolbin | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 3.30pm | Beer garden. Three-course alternate drop and a 3.5-hour drinks package. Sweeps, best dressed and lucky door prizes. Lewis Howells plays 3pm to 5pm. 18+. | $155pp | More info

Bellbird Hotel – Bellbird | Tue 3 Nov | Two or three-course lunch, best dressed, sweeps and TAB. Dirt Road Tribute after the race. Courtesy bus. | $59 or $79. Three-hour drinks +$45 or +$65. | More info

Railway Hotel, Rotary Club of Cessnock – Cessnock | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 3.30pm | Lunch, welcome drink, best dressed and sweeps. Proceeds to The Rotary Foundation. | $57 | More info

Avani Cypress Lakes Resort – Pokolbin | Tue 3 Nov, 12pm to 4pm | Race on a big outdoor screen on the Bistro Lawn. Free sparkling and an Avani cap with any main. Walk-ins welcome. | Free entry | More info

Races on the day

Big Dance Day, Muswellbrook Race Club – Muswellbrook | Tue 3 Nov, 11.30am to 6pm | Seven local races at Skellatar Park with the Melbourne Cup streamed. Lunch options in Silks Members Lounge, trackside or platters. | Entry $10 online, $15 at the gate. Dining from $70. | More info

More this week

Newcastle Gig Guide | Newcastle Markets Guide

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