Giddy up – here’s where to celebrate Melbourne Cup 2025 on the Gold Coast in style
It’s that time of year again – Melbourne Cup is hot on our heels. Get ready frock up Tuesday November 4 for a day of fabulous fashion, food and a spot of (responsible) day drinking. Whether you’re already perusing the form guide, or you’re just there for the food and door prizes, we’ve got the hot tips to help you decide where to spend Melbourne Cup on the Gold Coast in 2025.
Aquis Park, Bundall: The Gold Coast will be buzzing this Melbourne Cup Day with a string of celebrations at Aquis Park, aka the home of Gold Coast racing. For those who love the thrill of the track, general admission offers live racing, big-screen action and trackside entertainment, while ‘member for a day’ passes add a touch of luxury. Over at The Event Centre, guests can embrace La Dolce Vita at the Amalfi on the Coast celebration for $220 per person, and enjoy Italian-inspired grazing menus, roving canapes and a five-hour Lemsecco-led beverage package. For something extra-special, only a handful of tickets remain for the coveted Sky Lounge ($300 non-members, $280 members), where panoramic skyline views, Veuve Clicquot and a six-hour premium drinks package set the scene for an unforgettable cup day. Nab your tickets here.
QT Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise: Poolside glam meets raceday exuberance at QT Gold Coast’s The Green this Melbourne Cup. For just $69, your ticket gets you access into this sun-drenched oasis with a glass of G.H. Mumm Champagne on arrival, a fresh oyster-shucking station, roaming canapes, and live tunes keeping the vibe high all afternoon. Want to take things up a notch? Upgrade with a three-hour beverage package featuring endless pours of champagne, vibrant spritzes, lychee mojitos and house spirits – perfect for those who believe the race is best watched with bubbles in hand. With tables dressed to perfection and the pool glistening just steps away, QT Gold Coast is serving up a Melbourne Cup event that blends glamour with good times. Grab your tickets before they sell out!
Aviary Rooftop Bar, Southport: Up the ante (literally and figuratively) and head up to Aviary Rooftop Bar for Races & Rhythm – a sky-high celebration where panoramic views, fashion flair and flavour collide. Guests are welcomed with a Four Pillars cocktail, then stroll into three hours of bottomless drinks and bites. Choose the ‘Starting Gate’ package (think prosecco, wine, rosé, tap beers and ciders) or upgrade to ‘The Winners Circle’ for Four Pillars spritzes, Bloody Shiraz cocktails and premium spirits. Delight your taste buds with wood-fired pizzas, gourmet canapes, decadent desserts and even a build-your-own cannoli station for a sweet finale. DJs and a live saxophonist, sweepstakes and fabulous fashions round out the race day action – all with a backdrop of twinkling city skyline. Tickets start from $119, grab yours here.
Mondrian Gold Coast, Burleigh Heads: The inaugural Melbourne Cup at Haven is set to impress. The experience begins at the porte-cochere, where a fleet of luxury BMWs will welcome guests in style, before heading upstairs to Haven. A Tito’s Vodka lychee mini martini paired with caviar bumps set the tone, leading into an afternoon of gourmet seafood, a 3.5-hour premium beverage package featuring Taittinger Champagne and live race coverage. Throughout the afternoon, the atmosphere will be elevated by DJ sets from Claire Elliott and Mitchell Wick, sweepstakes and Fashions on the Field with MC Dan Anstey as your host. Tickets for Haven Restaurant are $395 per person and include a four-course seafood menu while the lively Sunset Bar are $295 per person with DJs and roving canapes. For a truly elevated experience, the exclusive VIP Cabanas are priced from $4,000 and offer private host service, roving canapes and personal TV screens for uninterrupted race viewing. Secure your spot here.
Kirra Beach House, Kirra: If you want your Melbourne Cup with a side of salty sea air, impeccable views and beachside glamour, Kirra Beach House is throwing what could very well be the southern Gold Coast’s biggest cup-day party. From 11:30 am, revellers can enjoy a three-hour flow of Mumm Marlborough Brut, Aperol and Hugo Spritz, plus an oyster bar, roving canapes, sweepstakes and fashions, all hosted by Mike Goldman. DJs will be on the decks keeping the party alive long after the race has run. Tickets are $169 per person. For the ultimate experience, the VIP Beachfront Cabanas (from $4500 for up to 15 guests) come with private host service, personal TV screens, Perrier-Jouët Champagne, seafood towers and premium canapes. Get your tickets here.
kōst Bar & Grill, Broadbeach: At kōst, it’s not just about the race, it’s about the style. Don your finest attire and sashay into Broadbeach for a sophisticated soiree that’s bringing coastal elegance to cup day. Guests will enjoy a four-course lunch crafted by head chef Billy Buchanan, paired with a three-hour premium beverage package featuring Perrier-Jouët Champagne, wine and beer. Settle into the alfresco surrounds adorned with fresh florals, with every race screened live, DJs setting the soundtrack from 11:30 am and entertainment flowing all afternoon. Tickets are $275 per person and close to selling out. Nab yours here.
Palette Restaurant, Surfers Paradise: For those who prefer their cup day with a side of culinary indulgence over canapes, Palette Restaurant is serving up a Melbourne Cup experience tailored for food lovers. Guests will be treated to a refined three-course menu crafted by Palette’s acclaimed kitchen, paired with a three-hour beverage package and a glass of champagne on arrival. All the race-day action will be shown live on the big screen, with sweepstakes and entertainment adding to the atmosphere. With its elegant setting, this is Melbourne Cup for the gourmands – a celebration where fine food, good company and a touch of glamour take centre stage. Find your tickets here.
The Valley Estate, Currumbin Valley: Experience Melbourne Cup in true style at The Valley Estate, where glitz, glamour and sweeping hinterland surrounds set the scene. The day begins in The Glasshouse with a welcome cocktail and live oyster-shucking bar, before guests move through the nine-acre estate. Sip and mingle on The Terrace with roaming canapes, drinks, sweepstakes and photo moments with show-stopping horses, then settle into The Manor for a two-course long-table feast paired with a premium beverage package featuring Veuve Clicquot, beer and wine. With a live band, fashions on the field, big-screen race coverage and decadent desserts, The Valley Estate offers a race-day celebration that’s every bit as elegant as its setting. Secure your spot at the table.
The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach: If a spot of bubbles in the sunshine is your ideal cup-day activity, pull up a seat at Garden Kitchen & Bar, where the lawn will be buzzing with DJs, fashions on the field, sweepstakes and live race coverage. Guests will enjoy three hours of free-flowing drinks alongside a chef’s selection menu of seasonal eats in one of the coast’s most iconic open-air settings for $195 per person. Up at Cucina Vivo, the spirit of Italy comes alive with a three-course feast, a three-hour beverage package and live entertainment for $175 per person. If a grazing-style celebration is more your speed, Harvest Buffet is $150 per person and invites guests to enjoy a feast brimming with fresh seafood, roasts, salads, desserts (yes, including chocolate fountains) and free-flowing drinks, all with big screens to catch the action. Sports fans can head to Sports Bar, with booth and terrace packages offering 23 mega screens and frosty beers on tap. And for those seeking sky-high glamour, Nineteen at The Star is hosting a sumptuous four-course lunch and four-hour beverage package in the restaurant ($395 per person), or a chic rooftop bar package ($195 per person) complete with Veuve Clicquot on arrival, premium canapes and sweeping views. Get your tickets here.
The Island Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise: If there’s one place that knows how to go all out for Cup Day, it’s The Island Gold Coast. This year will be no exception with a suite of luxe experiences spread across its rooftop, penthouse and glasshouse. On the rooftop, the G.H. Mumm Birdcage sets the tone with a flowing premium beverage package, wood-fired pizza station, roving canapes and all the race action on giant LED screens, while those wanting extra sparkle can secure a Perrier Jouët Private Booth complete with champagne on arrival and cocktail carafes for the table. For glamour at new heights, the Cocktail Soiree in the Island Penthouse is $190 per person and pairs oysters, charcuterie and dessert canapes with free-flowing bubbles and cocktails, all against a rooftop terrace backdrop. Or go grand at the G.H. Mumm Gala Luncheon in the Glasshouse for $195 per person and enjoy a decadent three-course feast with live music, Mumm Grand Cordon Champagne and $10 from every ticket supporting charity partner Traction. Whichever package you choose, The Island is serving up one of the Gold Coast’s most dazzling Melbourne Cup affairs, and you better believe the after-party kicks on long into the night. Find tickets here.
La Luna Beach Club and MĀRE Restaurant, Main Beach: Main Beach’s most glamorous destination is dialling up the style this Melbourne Cup, with two elevated ways to celebrate. At La Luna Beach Club, soak up the sun-drenched pool-club vibe with chic surrounds, live race action, flowing drinks and a refined yet festive atmosphere where fashion and seaside glamour go hand in hand. For those seeking the ultimate indulgence, MĀRE Restaurant offers a premium dining experience from 11:30 am including a multi-course feast with paired premium beverages, sweeping ocean views and impeccable service. Whether you’re poolside or at the table, La Luna and MĀRE promise a Melbourne Cup experience as stylish as it is unforgettable. La Luna ticket are $255 per person and MĀRE tickets are from $375 per person.
Surfers Pavilion, Surfers Paradise: If you like your race day with a side of water views, Surfers Pavilion is the place to be. From 11:00 am, the riverside hot spot will be buzzing with live race action on the big screen, DJs spinning tunes all day and roving entertainment to keep the party vibes high. Early birds can snag the Pavilion Package for just $99 and includes a three-hour premium drinks package and roving canapes, while the River Deck VIP Package is $115 and turns it up a notch with Chandon Garden Spritz, fresh seafood and prime deckside views. Add in Fashions on the Field with big prizes up for grabs, and you’ve got one of the most stylish and high-energy ways to toast Melbourne Cup on the coast. Get tickets here.
Citrique, Surfers Paradise: Make Melbourne Cup a lavish affair at Citrique, where a decadent seafood and grill buffet takes centre stage. From freshly shucked oysters to premium cuts from the grill, the spread is paired with a glass of Moët & Chandon on arrival and a three-hour beverage package featuring Chandon Brut and Rosé ($199 per person). For those wanting to truly elevate their experience, a Moët & Chandon upgrade is available for an additional $99 per person. With live racing on the big screens, entertainment, sweepstakes, raffles supporting the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation and fashions on the field (including the chance to win a luxury overnight stay at JW Marriott Gold Coast), Citrique’s cup day promises indulgence, excitement and elegance in equal measure. Grab tickets here.
Hideaway Kitchen & Bar, Broadbeach: Hideaway is bringing big race-day energy back in 2025 with its all-inclusive Melbourne Cup celebration. For $149 per person, guests can settle in for a 3.5-hour Gold Drinks package (beer, wine, bubbles and basic spirits) paired with an Asian-inspired street feast brimming with oysters, sashimi, spring rolls, skewers, karaage and dumplings. The afternoon will be packed with live music, sweepstakes and a stylish Fashions on the Field competition, ensuring the atmosphere is as vibrant as the menu. With doors opening at 12:00 pm and limited tickets available, this is one cup day party you’ll want to lock in early. Tickets here.
Sandbar, Surfers Paradise: For a more laid-back cup day by the ocean, Sandbar is serving race-day vibes with a coastal twist. The beachside eatery will roll out a $99 package featuring three hours of drinks and a generous spread of canapes, with all the race action shown live across every screen in the venue. Once the final horse crosses the finish line, the party doesn’t stop – live music kicks off from 3:00 pm to keep the good times rolling, all set against Sandbar’s unbeatable beachfront backdrop. Nab your tickets here.