There’s nothing quite like a visit to a racecourse for a great day out. It combines exciting sporting entertainment, dramatic fashion statements, a chance to socialize and top-notch food and drink. Add to that the chance of backing a winner or two and walking away with more money that you arrived with, and it is easy to see why horse racing is so popular.

Australia is lucky enough to have some world class racecourses scattered across the country. So next time you are exploring a new location, why not check one or two of them out?

Flemington

It’s impossible to mention racecourses without thinking of Australia’s horse racing headquarters. Located to the north of Melbourne, the land has been used for racing horses since 1840, a history that could even give some of the historic racecourses in the UK a run for their money. It is, of course, the venue for the Melbourne Cup, one of those events for which even those who usually have no interest in racing find themselves drawn to the Unibet horse racing site to place a small wager. This year’s Melbourne Cup will be on 05 November, so there is plenty of time to plan your trip.

Moonee Valley

There is no racecourse quite like Moonee Valley anywhere else on earth, and race fans who have never visited Australia are missing out on a unique experience. The elevated track means there are no bad views and the atmosphere is second to none. A major redevelopment, featuring an all-new track and state of the art facilities, will take place over the next six years. So if you want to see it prior to the transformation, don’t delay.

Randwick

Sydney is lucky enough to have two top-quality racecourses to choose from, and while Canterbury Park is certainly worth a visit, if you only have time to see one, then Randwick should be the venue of choice. It recently underwent some major upgrades and is now one of the best-appointed tracks in the country. It also gets to host some of the biggest races, including the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Championships and the Doncaster Mile.

Birdsville

A day at the races doesn’t have to be all about hats, champagne and three course meals. To enjoy racing for the sake of racing, you really must attend the Birdsville Races at least once in your life. Birdsville is remote, even by Australian standards, located to the far west of Queensland, but closer to Alice Springs than Brisbane. For one weekend each year, the population swells from 100 to about 7,000 for a horse racing event like no other. It’s often described as the biggest party in the outback, and everyone is welcome.

Fannie Bay

The laid-back and friendly capital of the Northern Territory is always worth a visit, and when you do so, be sure to check out Fannie Bay racecourse. If you can make it in late July / early August all the better, as the Darwin Cup Carnival is one of the most anticipated events in the racing calendar.