Where to go if you don’t want to watch the Melbourne Cup horse racing cruelty

If you’re after an ethical alternative to the traditional Melbourne Cup boozy lunch and horse racing cruelty, here are some of the venues that will be offering some horse-free fun.

• New South Wales
• Queensland
• Victoria
• Tasmania
• South Australia
• Australian Capital Territory
• West Australia

New South Wales

Sydney Says NUP to the Melbourne CUP at Martin Place

Martin Place | Tuesday, 4^th November from 12pm to 2pm 

Sydney: Join us and our comrades from other animal groups to protest the (disg)race that stops the nation.

Choose Kindness

The Stables at Highlands Centre for Healing | Tuesday, 4^th November from 12pm to 2pm    

Avoca: Join for a delicious, light lunch for just $40 and get the chance to meet an incredible therapy herd, which includes two retired racehorses PJ and George who are now able to enjoy life of care and love. This your chance to connect with these sweet animals and learn a little more about them.

Queensland

Melbourne Cup Protest Brisbane

Eagle Farm Racecourse | Tuesday, 4^th November at 11 am

Brisbane: Grab your friends and join in to protest the (disg)race that stops the nation. Organised by AnimalKIND and Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses, this event will be followed by a picnic, games and light refreshments in the nearby parklands. Meet like-minded people as you say no to horse racing cruelty.

Nup to the Cup by AnimalKIND

The Burrow, West End | Saturday, 1^st November at 6pm

Brisbane: AnimalKIND invites animal lovers to their annual ‘Nup to the Cup’ celebration, at The Burrow on the Saturday before Melbourne Cup. Tickets are $20 and include a light supper (amazing vegan pizza) as well as games, prizes and great vibes.

Victoria

Nup to the Cup Drag Bottomless Bingo Brunch

Evies Disco Diner | Tuesday 4^th November at 12pm

Fitzroy, Melbourne: Join Evies in saying a very loud and proud Nup to the Cup! Hosted by the fabulous Tilly Capulet, this event will showcase drag shows, bingo and bottomless brunch, all rolled into one!

Nup to the Cup on Derby Day

Flemington Racecourse | Saturday, 1^st November at 10:30 am

Melbourne: Join the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses to say ‘nup’ to the cup and take a stand for horses on Derby Day. This race day marks the start of the Victoria Racing Club’s Melbourne Cup carnival held at Flemington racecourse. For this one, you’re advised to dress as if you were going to the races and placards and banners will be provided.

The Official Melbourne Cup Protest & Picnic

Flemington Racecourse / Newmarket Reserve  | Tuesday, 5^th November at 10 am

Melbourne: Get ready to join the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses for their traditional protest and picnic at Flemington Racecourse on the Melbourne Cup Day to say ‘nup’ to horse racing cruelty. Greens MCL Katherine Copsey will be presenting a speech at 11:30am. Bring your drinks and some food to share, and dress as if you were going to the races.

Vegan Takeover at Welcome to Thornbury

Welcome to Thornbury | Tuesday 4^th November from 12 pm to 8 pm

Melbourne: Prepare to say no to horse racing cruelty with a Vegan Takeover at Welcome To Thornbury featuring Melbourne's best vegan small businesses and charities. This event includes delicious vegan food, animal charities, music, flash tattoo artists, cocktails and a mega raffle.

Nup to the Cup Parade

Flinders Street Station | Monday 3^rd November at 11am

Melbourne: The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses be hosting their first official Nup to the Cup Parade as a cruelty-free replacement to the (now cancelled) Melbourne Cup Parade. It’s a perfect opportunity for animal lovers to unite and raise awareness of the cruelty of horse racing and other exploitative animal industries. Banners, flags, and placards will be provided.

Tasmania  

Nup to the Melbourne Cup: Hobart

Intersection of Murray and Macquarie streets | Tuesday, 4^th November at 8am

Hobart: Come join Animal Liberation Tasmania, Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses, and various community groups to protest horse racing cruelty. Head over here before work or school or even on your morning run to show your support. Placards will be provided.

South Australia

Nup to the Cup @ The Wheaty

Wheatsheaf Hotel | Saturday 25^th October at 2:30pm

Thebarton: Join Tammy Franks MLC for a fun-filled cruelty-free afternoon raising awareness (and funds) for the Fairview Lodge Animal Centre. Celebrate the inaugural ‘Pollie Cup,’ a virtual race between fictional politicians. Tickets include a complimentary glass of bubbles (or non-alcoholic beverage) and light finger food, plus a silly hat parade, silent auction and more!

Nup to the Cup at Morphettville

Morphettville Racecourse | Tuesday, 5^th November at 10:30 am  

Morphettville: Animal Liberation South Australia will be holding a silent vigil at Morphettville racecourse in respect for all the horses exploited by the racing industry.

Nup to the Cup Events are alternative events to the Melbourne Cup and are designed to show that there can be entertainment and glamor without exploiting animals.

Australian Capital Territory

Compassionate Stakes Day

Glebe Park | Sunday 2^nd November from 10am to 4pm

Canberra: Little Oak Sanctuary is putting on an event that focuses on entertainment and ditches the animal exploitation, to raise funds for the survivors of the horse racing industry who currently call their sanctuary home. Grab your friends and sign up today to compete in the T-Rex and Unicorn novelty races, or participate in the Fashions OFF the Fields competition. There will also be kids events, a vegan sausage sizzle and more!

West Australia

Walyalup Nup to the Cup

The Buffalo Club, Fremantle | Sunday 9^th November at 6pm

Fremantle: Help Walyalup say ‘Nup to the Cup’ in style and dress in your best western cowgirl fits to help end cruelty. There will be crafts, poetry, guest speakers and live music. Entrance is $10 for members and $15 for non-members, with proceedings going toward the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses.

Melbourne Cup Protest – Perth

Ascot Racecourse | Tuesday 4^th November at 9am

Ascot: Join Animal Activism WA to protest the Melbourne Cup outside Ascot Racecourse. Dress as if you were attending the races and meet opposite Gate 4. There will be signs and banners for attendees.

Greyhound Adoptions WA Nup to the Cup Lunch

Little Beans Gourmet | Tuesday 4^th November at 12pm

Canning Vale: Join Greyhound Adoptions WA for a delicious 100% vegan lunch to take a stand against horse racing. Tickets are $40pp and include delicious bites, from ‘Chicken’ Katsu Curry to Penang Curry Noodles.

Nup to the Cup Events are alternative events to the Melbourne Cup and are designed to show that there can be entertainment and glamor without exploiting animals.