The Lexus Melbourne Cup

Depart Sydney with your Ross Tour Leader, Carolyn Dwyer for your flight to Melbourne. Check into our hotel located in the heart of Melbourne. Join your fellow travellers for cocktails and Welcome Dinner.

We are heading up to the top of the Dandenong Ranges today to the charming village of Olinda. Cloudehill is our destination, the famous garden of Jeremy Francis. This ‘Arts and Crafts’ style garden is set within woodlands of 80 year old beech, magnolias, maples and Himalayan tree rhododendrons. The work of a supreme plantsmanwho gives every plant the care it needs to shine. The result is breath-taking beauty. Lunch today is overlooking the exquisite suite of garden rooms.

Heide Museum of Modern Art is our destination this morning that began life in 1934 as the home of Melbourne couple John and Sunday Reed and has since evolved into one of Australia’s most important cultural institutions. Amassing an outstanding collection of the contemporary art of their time, the Reeds commissioned the construction of a ‘gallery to be lived in’. This modernist architectural icon eventually opened as a public art museum in November 1981. They are remembered as champions of modern art and literature and remain two of Australia’s most important art benefactors. We will explore the gardens that Sunday Reed loved so much, her walled garden, the wild garden and the famous kitchen garden in which Sunday worked daily.

A special pre-race day visit has been arranged this morning at Flemington Racecourse with a walking tour of the grounds with roses all the way; 16,000 of them all looking spectacular. Without the crowds we will be able to explore the gardens and visit the Flemington Heritage Centre. Time to relax at our hotel before a special Gala dinner this evening at Crown Casino. We’ll be wined, dined and entertained, and we’ll meet racing personalities. It promises to be a great night in preparation for tomorrow’s race.

It’s race day at Flemington! Shoes polished, tiaras gleaming and we’re there. We have great seats to enjoy the festivity, the fashions and the fun of the Lexus Melbourne Cup. We have our own coach to get back to our hotel at the end of a very exciting day.

A relaxed breakfast this morning before we check-out and transfer to Melbourne Airport for our homeward flight.