Australia is renowned for its sunshine and relaxed way of life and sport plays a huge part of this.

Whether it’s learning to surf on one of Australia’s many beaches, taking in the atmosphere at the Melbourne Cup or enjoying some exciting Aussie rules football, sport plays an important role in Australian society.

Every November, Melbourne plays host to one of the most exhilarating sporting events, the infamous Melbourne Cup. Attracting all sorts including worldwide celebrities, the Melbourne Cup is not just a sporting event, it’s the place to be seen in Melbourne. 2012 saw the likes of Mischa Barton, Delta Goodrem and Prince Charles attend the annual gathering, adding to the excitement around the event. And this years, cup is set to be even more exciting. The 153^rd Melbourne Cup Carnival winner is set to bag yet another extravagant prize. With just a few weeks to go until entries for the race close, up to 400 horses are expected to be nominated for the event. Off the track though, the atmosphere is truly electric.

No matter which option of hospitality you choose, whether it be access to the village, track side viewing or a giant marquee, the week is always magical. This year’s main event will be held on Tuesday 5^th November and will be held once again by Emirates, one of the largest airlines in the world. As part of the special occasion, Emirates will be flying the iconic 18 carat gold Melbourne Cup around Australasia including Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Hobart and taking in community events and cocktail parties.

Held at Flemington Race Course, just north-west of the city centre, the 2013 Melbourne Cup will once again attract visitors from far and wide, both in Australia and internationally. Booking packages to the event is easy, although book early has hotels can get busy very quickly.