The Melbourne Cup is one of the major highlights of the Aussie sporting calendar. Known as the race that stops the nation, it’s viewed live from offices, pubs, houses and even airport lounges across the country. Chances are, if there’s a TV in the vicinity, the Melbourne Cup will be on it.

But when you can catch the race anywhere and everywhere on the first Tuesday of November, it’s hard to know what the best option is for you. So that’s why we’ve put together a list of  the top 4 ways to view Melbourne Cup!

Hospitality Package at Flemington Racecourse

If you’ve got the dollars and the luck to get yourself to Flemington Racecourse for the day, then you should absolutely go for it. It doesn’t take a genius to know that the best way to soak up the atmosphere and catch every second of the action is live at the event itself.

Of course, thanks to its status as the biggest race of the year, there are plenty of different packages and options to choose from. From private boxes and suites to restaurant and marquees, there are plenty of opportunities to soak up the glamour, treat yourself to some fancy food and drink or impress friends and clients. So grab your fascinators and cravats and have yourself a fabulous time at the races. But be warned, it could set you back a few dollars!

Head to the pub!

If your budget doesn’t quite extend to a corporate suite at the actual races, you can still enjoy the pomp and glamour from a pub, restaurant or club. Pretty much any pub in the country will be showing the race so if you just want to enjoy a drink with a bit of atmosphere, you can get this without much trouble.

But, if you still fancy getting dressed up or need to impress some clients, there will be hospitality packages available across the nation. From hotels and rooftop bars in Melbourne to racecourses and golf clubs in Sydney, most venues are likely have some sort of entertainment package to suit your needs. So whether you want to have a formal, expensive sit-down dinner, just a few drinks with a buffet or make it an all-day event starting with a champagne breakfast, you’re sure to find somewhere that can offer you exactly that.

But if you’re planning to have a big day out for the races, make sure you plan ahead especially if you are in a large group. Many of the best places will get booked up in advance and the best hospitality packages will have limited availability. Planning is everything when it comes to making the most of the Melbourne Cup.

Host a BBQ

If crowds and dress codes aren’t your thing, why not host your own BBQ? Fire up the barbie, get some sausage sizzles ready and enjoy the event in the comfort of your own garden. You can go all out with seafood platters and bubbly, or you can keep it low-key with burgers and sausages. You could enforce a smart dress code or keep it casual. It’s entirely up to you. And, as an added bonus, you can comfortably tell everyone to shut up and be quiet when the race is on because you know everybody in the room!

Office Party

If you’re one of the unlucky ones who is stuck at the office for Melbourne Cup, don’t worry! You are definitely not alone and there is still a lot of fun to be had. If you have a TV or some kind of screen, you can show the race. And so you can get some of that all-important atmosphere, why not make it a fundraising day too? You can do office sweepstakes, have a Melbourne Cup parade (where everyone wears their finest clothes and prizes are awarded to the best dressed) and host a Melbourne Cup trivia competition. You can have an office bake-off and get delicious food delivered too.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your fascinator and let’s go!

So there you have it. Four great ways to enjoy the Melbourne Cup. No matter what your budget or what logistical factors you are dealing with, there is a way to kick back, enjoy the atmosphere and get involved with the spirit of the Spring Racing Carnival!