Cairns Cup Race
When you think of things to do in Cairns, surely diving the Great Barrier Reef and exploring the Daintree Rainforest come to mind. Beyond the most popular activities in town, Cairns is a great place to get into horse racing. This time of year, the Cairns Cup is the principal equestrian event of the season. Over the weekend of August 8, jockeys compete in some of Australia’s hottest racing events, which have been going on for over 100 years.
Since 1911, Canon Park has hosted racers from Cairns Jockey Club. This year is an especially great time to head to the races because the park recently underwent a $1.96 million renovation. Around 12,000 people attend the carnival per day of the event, so make sure to get there early and don’t forget your fascinator!
Over the course of the weekend, there’s a lot going on in addition to the horse races. On Saturday, it’s Ladies Day. Enjoy a fashionable fete at the Myer Fashionable Fillies Lunch. It includes a three-course meal, bubbles on arrival, and prime viewing of some of the hottest race wear in fashion. On the same day, there’s also a garden party with a premium bar and live entertainment. On Sunday, catch the fashions High Tea, which includes not only tea but also champagne and fashion parades. That day, you can also see the Brothers Cairns Cup race from the top level of a two-story marquee at the Punters Club. Entrance fee to the events varies.
You can pre-purchase tickets online for $20 or buy them at the gate for $25. Children under five years old are free. Gates open at 11 a.m. The first race is at 12:45 p.m. and the final race is at 4:55 p.m.
If you plan to stick around Cairns after the event, there are tons of things to do in town. If you’re looking for unique experiences, taking a hot air balloon tour from Cairns definitely tops the charts. At sunrise, you’ll glide over Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands to catch breathtaking views of the Australian landscape. Another way to experience Cairns is to take a night walking tour of the Cairns Wildlife Dome where native creatures like the koala dwell.
-Contributed by Megan Snedden
Celebrating the Cairns Cup Carnival from Cairns & the Tropical North Things to Do