Melbourne Cup at NOAH'S

NOAH'S on the beach is hosting its Melbourne Cup luncheon on Tuesday 3 November, from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm. It's a full-day affair that runs right through the race, so you can settle in for the afternoon without having to move.

The day starts with a glass of sparkling wine and canapés on arrival, followed by a three-course lunch. That's paired with a four-hour beverage package, which should more than cover you from the first course through to the final furlong. The race itself goes up on big screens, and there are sweeps, lucky door prizes and prizes for best dressed running alongside.

NOAH'S on the beach is a modern Australian restaurant sitting directly opposite Newcastle Beach, inside the Noah's on the Beach Quality Hotel. It's got floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the beach and the Pacific Ocean, and it's known for its seafood chowder and for sourcing fresh produce from local and Hunter Valley farmers, with a menu that changes seasonally. The luncheon leans into that setting: you're eating and drinking with the ocean right in front of you while the race plays out on the screens.

Live entertainment is provided by the Midnight Black Duo. Tickets are A$195 per adult for seating at party tables of ten, or A$1,900 for a full table of ten. The whole thing runs from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm at 29 Zaara Street, Newcastle East.