Despite early inclement weather, Melbourne Cup celebrations were as bright as ever in venues across the Douglas region.

Close your eyes and you'd never know the action was happening thousands of kilometres to the south as the atmosphere created by Port Douglas fans of Australia's biggest horse race was reminiscent of the packed lawns of Flemington.

So how do you spend a day when the main attraction - the race itself - lasts for just 200 seconds?

Check out the video from Melbourne Cup Day on our Sport Page.

Restaurants and pubs were heaving with punters dressed to impress, and to celebrate one of the key dates on the Port Douglas social calendar.

Champagne flowed as friends old and new gathered at their favourite venue, and while many of us walked away a little lighter in the hip pocket, local community organisations including animal refuge Paws and Claws, Pink In The Tropics, and Saint Augustine's Primary School were the winners after successful fundraising events.

Check out the image gallery from Melbourne Cup celebrations below.