It’s that time of year again and while it is not an official public holiday up here, Melbourne Cup certainly is still the race that stops the Douglas Shire.

Newsport has selected a list of some of the top spots to get your Melbourne Cup fix on Tuesday 3 November. 

Iron Bar Port Douglas

The Iron Bar will have everything you need for a great Melbourne Cup day in one place including betting facilities, drinks, food, aircon, and big-screen TVs.

For the first time, punters will be able to place a bet while watching the big race on the big screen at the Iron Bar with new TAB facilities now available both upstairs and down for your convenience.

Not only will the race be screened in the new upstairs sports bar but also downstairs in the restaurant on a huge three-metre screen.

Iron Bar owner, Shane Loughnan, encourages everyone to get dressed up and come and enjoy the new facilities and recent renovations.

“Have a bet, watch the race, and book a table for lunch, or just come in for a drink,” he said.

Iron bar’s full lunch menu will be on offer, showcasing a range of charcoal-grilled meats, along with fragrant cocktails and a well-populated wine list.

“We’ve got all the facilities for the day and if you want to have a punt of the pokies after you can.”

And if horse racing is not your thing there is always various sports on the many screens in the upstairs sports bar.

TAB opens at 8:00am
Bar opens at 10:00am
Lunch runs from 12:00 to 2:00pm
And dinner kicks off at 5:00pm

Hemingway’s Brewery Port Douglas

Fancy a Melbourne Cup by the water?

Hemingway’s Brewery Melbourne Cup celebrations include a three-hour food and drinks package upstairs in the aircon, looking out over the Port Douglas Marina.

Frock up with your best fascinators and race attire, there will be prizes for best dressed, while the sweepstakes will raise money for Movember.

Tickets $105 per person

Mossman Bowls Club

Melbourne Cup at the Mossman Bowls club includes a complimentary drink on arrival followed by a two-course luncheon in the aircon.

There will be lucky door prizes, cent sales, raffles, horse auctions, sweeps, prizes for the best-dressed female, male, and best hat, a fashion parade, and entertainment from 11:00am. Raising money for the Mossman District Leukaemia Foundation.

Tickets $30 per person.

Melaleuca Port Douglas

A champagne will greet you on arrival at Melaleuca, followed by a five-course degustation menu with matching wines and live music from the talented Sea Change. Prizes for best dressed.

Tickets $150 per person per person

N17

If it's sport it will be on at N17 Burger & Co sports bar. With several large screens, a fabulous menu and bar supporting punters on every turn, it won't let you down on race day.

Free entry.

Harrison’s by Spencer Patrick (Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort)

Harrisons Melbourne Cup celebrations will feature a four-course sit down meal along with a four-hour beverage package. Champagne and snacks on arrival along with sweeps and prizes for best dressed, best hat and more.

Tickets $179.00 per person.

Salsa Bar and Grill

Salsa’s annual Melbourne Cup day is a fundraiser for Pink in the Tropics breast cancer support group, featuring raffles, a Calcutta, and auctions.

This event is sold out.

Zinc Port Douglas

Zinc’s Melbourne Cup celebrations are raising money for KIND Inc with $10 from every ticket sale donated to the children’s charity.

Day features a four-course degustation lunch accompanied by Veuve Clicquot & Cape Mentelle Wines, sweeps, raffle's, and prizes for best dressed.

This event is sold out.

Post Office Hotel Mossman

The PO is always a popular spot for locals on Melbourne Cup day to sit around the bar or out in the beer garden and watch the Cup on the many screens while having a bet at the TAB or join the sweeps and raffles.

Free entry.

Court House Hotel Port Douglas

The Courty’s Melbourne Cup celebrations will see the race shown on the big screens with TAB facilities, live music, and cold beers, wines, and spirits.

Free entry.

Tin Shed

Watch the race by the water with bubbles on arrival, followed by a three-course lunch and best dressed prizes, seeps, and raffles.

Tickets $75 per person

Paddy's Irish Pub

For a laid-back Melbourne Cup, you can watch the race on the screens at Paddy’s while enjoying an icy beverage.

Free entry.

Rattle n Hum

Or you can enjoy the race at Rattle where there is always sports on the screens and icy beverages on tap.

Free entry.