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Welcome to The Nursery Information Portal

The Nursery lets members design their very own race day experience for memories that will last a lifetime. Make it as grand or as casual as you wish and have fun playing host to friends, family and colleagues, with your own personal style and taste. You can choose to do it all yourself or let our accredited hirers and caterers take care of everything for you.

You and your guests will enjoy the wonderful atmosphere that is The Nursery, along with comprehensive racing coverage, betting facilities and easy access to all amenities.

 PEDESTRIAN PASSES  | BEHAVIOUR PROTOCOLS & SAFETY  | IMPORTANT INFORMATION  |  SITES MAP  | VEHICLE TRAFFIC FLOW MAP | ACCREDITED CATERERS  |   ACCREDITED HIRERS   |   FAQS 

Pedestrian Passes

All guests entering The Nursery will require a Nursery Pedestrian Pass which will provide access to The Nursery and General Public areas of Flemington Racecourse.

The Nursery Sites and The Nursery Super Sites accommodate up to 25 members and/or guests on Howden Victoria Derby Day, Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, TAB Champions Stakes Day.

VRC Members, Annual Guest Card holders and Daily Guest Ticket holders do not need to purchase a Pedestrian Pass as they can simply scan their VRC Membership card or ticket for access. A Pedestrian Pass does not give your guest access to the Members Enclosure. If your guest wishes to enter the Members Enclosure (The Club Stand and The Grandstand) or The Birdcage, they will require a Daily Guest Ticket.

Purchase your Pedestrian Passes using your Membership Barcode for the following days:

Howden Victoria Derby Day

Crown Oaks Day

TAB Champions Stakes Day

Important Information

Please review the Race Day Information factsheet carefully for additional information related to The Nursery Car Parks.    

Race Day Opening and Closing Times

Race Day

Vehicle Gates Open

Vehicle Gates CLOSE FOR ENTRY

LATEST VEHICLE EXIT

pedestrian entry closed

Car Parks Closed

Howden Victoria Derby Day

7:00am

9:15am

10:30am

7:00pm

7:30pm

Crown Oaks Day

9:30am

11:00am

11:30am

7:00pm

7:30pm

TAB Champions Stakes Day

9:00am

10:30am

11:00am

7:00pm

7:30pm

Vehicles will be allowed access to The Nursery after 8pm subject to Victoria Police approval to collect belongings from your car site.  

​​​​​​​Please be reminded that all vehicles left overnight must be collected by 10am the following morning or risk being towed.  


Vehicle access to The Nursery

To access The Nursery, please enter Flemington Racecourse via Members Drive off Epsom Road and enter through the gate at the end of Members Drive. 

All Nursery traffic entering via Flemington Drive will be directed by Events Staff towards Members Drive. Please ensure you have your Nursery pass visible for Events Staff.

View the The Nursery traffic flow map. 

The Nursery Car Pass and Guest Tickets

Please ensure your Car Pass is affixed to your windscreen or available on your phone ready to be scanned at the entry gate.  Additionally, please have your Membership Cards, Annual Guest Cards and/or Pedestrian Passes for everyone in the vehicle easily accessible for the Event Staff to scan as you enter.   

PLEASE NOTE: Each site accommodates only one vehicle. Members who have booked car park sites on multiple days must ensure the correct Nursery Car Pass is displayed for each day.

Behavioral Protocols and Safety

Members are responsible for the conduct of all guests attending the Members Enclosure Car Parks under their membership, in accordance with the Membership Conditions.

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all members and guests, the VRC works closely with Victoria Police on every race day. During the Melbourne Cup Carnival, you may notice an increased police presence across Flemington Racecourse. Please note that Victoria Police may, at their discretion, conduct vehicle searches upon entry to the racecourse.

If Members and/or their guests breach the Membership Conditions or venue policies, the VRC reserves the right to evict patrons from the venue, cancel tickets, deactivate Membership barcodes and refuse further entry to the racecourse.

Responsible Alcohol Management

The Nursery is a much-loved family-friendly tradition, and we want every member and guest to enjoy a safe, respectful and memorable day.

Anyone who appears to be aged between 18 and 25 will be asked to wear a wristband, either on entry or by roaming security. Guests under 18 must not consume alcohol - please help us respect and uphold the law.

The VRC will take a firm approach to any minors consuming alcohol, excessive intoxication, public drunkenness and inappropriate conduct, including amenities violations and may result in patrons being asked to leave The Nursery.

We care deeply about your wellbeing – to reduce the health risks from excessive alcohol, please remember these simple tips: pace yourself by alternating alcoholic drinks with water, enjoy food throughout the day, allow at least one hour per a drink, and plan your safe transport home.

The Nursery Site Information Form

COMPLETE THE FORM

To support responsible alcohol management, members must complete the required form above before their site allocation is confirmed.

The form asks for details of any guests under 18 and the anticipated amount of alcohol being brought to the site. Please note we will be unable to provide your site allocation until this form is completed.

Accredited Caterers

Curtis Stone Events

Let Curtis Stone Events handle every detail of your day – from effortless garden parties to show-stopping race day feasts. Their bespoke catering packages include everything from crafted menus and expert service to on-site chefs and live cooking stations, so all you need to do is arrive and enjoy.

EXPLORE PACKAGES

 

Accredited Hirers

Harry the Hirer

Harry the Hirer

For over 30 years, Harry the Hirer has crafted unforgettable Melbourne Cup Carnival experiences in The Nursery. Style your Carnival day with bespoke hire packages for your Nursery or Nursery Super Site. Choose from curated packages or create your own.​

EXPLORE PACKAGES
Valiant

Valiant

Choose from our curated packages for all space sizes on our easy-to-use online hire shop or contact our team for a more customised package. Valiant will take care of full installation and collection, meaning all you need to do is show up and enjoy the day! 

Please note: Valiant will be servicing standard Nursery sites only. 

EXPLORE PACKAGES

FAQ's

As The Nursery car park site holder, please ensure you download the car pass/es from the email sent from VRC Membership. This car pass must be affixed to the windscreen or available to be scanned upon gate entry on the race day. Only one car pass can be used per car and will be scanned upon entry. Car Passes cannot be used more than once unless the pass has been scanned out of The Nursery before re-entering.  

Guests require a Pedestrian Pass or Members ticketing and must scan their pass upon entry and exit of the site area. 

Passengers of vehicles entering Car Park areas must have either their VRC Membership Card, a Pedestrian Pass, a VRC Member Daily Guest Ticket, or Annual Guest Card. Attendants will be checking tickets upon entry.

Limited parking will be available for Nursery site-holders in a dedicated car park in the far-east section of The Nursery (outside the fence line). This is on a first come, first served basis while space is available. Nursery patrons will be able to enter and exit this car park at any stage to retrieve items from their car. 

General Admission parking is also available to members who do not hold Members Reserved or Unreserved parking passes for the 2026/27 racing season. Please note VRC does not guarantee the availability of the spaces in the General Admission or Members Unreserved Car Park.  

Unless a site has been purchased within The Nursery to park your car, your car MUST be parked outside of the Nursery fence line.  

VRC Members (site holder) and guests who hold an Annual Guest Card, Daily Guest Ticket or Pedestrian Pass, can assist in setting up the site, along with VRC Accredited Caterers and Hirers.  

Please note, no vehicle larger than 5.5m (length) x 2.8m (width) will be permitted entry into Flemington Racecourse at any point, and trailers are not permitted at any time. VRC Accredited Caterers and Hirers will be permitted to bring vehicles into the site area.   

Unless a site has been purchased within The Nursery to park your car, your car MUST be parked outside of the Nursery fence line.  

Car Park sites in The Nursery are a blank canvas for you to create your own vision. However, there are restrictions in place for what you can bring to your site across Melbourne Cup Carnival in 2026:

  • Gas-powered BBQ’s only

  • Maximum of two structures per standard site (3m x 3m of coverage for entire site & roof height up to 2.5m)

  • Structures must be anchored securely to the ground and no sides or flooring

  • No heaters or hay bales can be placed in the site

  • No branding or logos permitted on structures/umbrellas

  • Signage, posters, banners, and any other promotional material is not permitted

  • No beer barrels/kegs of any size

  • Generators are strictly prohibited

Super Sites: Strictly no flooring or annexe structures can be placed within your site.

Members will be permitted to return to their car park site with their vehicle after 8pm*. Members may leave their vehicles and property at the racecourse overnight, at their own risk. All equipment and property must be collected prior to 10:00am the following day or risk being towed. 

The VRC accepts no responsibility for any equipment or property that you take into or leave at the racecourse, at your site or in the general Car Park area. 

*Subject to Victoria Police approval

If you are planning on exiting Flemington before 8pm, we recommend you park your vehicle in the designated Nursery car park which sits outside of the fence line. You will be able to access your vehicle throughout the day, but it will provide you with the flexibility to leave at a time that suits you without impacting the safety of patrons still enjoying their time in The Nursery.