The Melbourne Cup is coming to Cunnamulla!
The Melbourne Cup Tour is an annual event organized by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) in Australia. The tour is a prelude to the prestigious Melbourne Cup, one of the most renowned horse racing events in the world, held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria.
The Melbourne Cup Tour aims to bring the spirit of the Melbourne Cup to various locations around Australia, famously including Cunnamulla and even internationally. During the tour, the iconic Melbourne Cup trophy, along with other memorabilia and historical items related to the race, are to be showcased to the public. When the Cup visits Cunnamulla on September the 19th, it offers people living in our outback communities the chance to see the prestigious trophy up close and engage with the history and significance of the race.
The tour’s visits to Cunnamulla and regional areas will bring the spirit of the Melbourne Cup to a wider audience, giving people who might not be able to attend the main event in Melbourne the opportunity to be part of the excitement. This tour allows fans and communities outside of Melbourne to experience the excitement and history of the race, even if they couldn’t attend the main event.
The history of horse racing in Cunnamulla is deeply rooted in the region’s agricultural and pastoral heritage. Horse racing has been an integral part of the community’s social and cultural life for well over a century. The sport of horse racing gained popularity in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as Cunnamulla grew into an established town in the outback of Queensland, Australia.
The first recorded horse race in Cunnamulla dates back to the late 1800s. In those early days, horse races were organized informally, often as part of local fairs and celebrations. These races were an opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate their accomplishments, and enjoy friendly competition.
Over time, horse racing in Cunnamulla has become more organized, with the establishment of dedicated racecourses and official racing clubs. The Cunnamulla Amateur Picnic Race Club, for example, played a pivotal role in promoting and organizing horse racing events in the area. The club’s formation and the establishment of racing facilities brought a more structured approach to horse racing in Cunnamulla.
The Cunnamulla Fella Festival, an annual event that celebrates the region’s culture and history, has also been an essential part of horse racing history in Cunnamulla. The festival usually features horse racing as one of its main attractions, attracting visitors from various parts of Australia.
Horse racing in Cunnamulla continues to be an important aspect of the town’s identity and community life. It represents a celebration of the area’s rural heritage, and the races provide an opportunity for locals and visitors to come together, socialize, and enjoy the excitement of the sport.
If you can’t make it to Flemington for the Cup, come on out to Cunnamulla!
You will love Cunnamulla as a great place for a holiday or weekend break for several reasons, offering visitors a unique and authentic outback Australian experience. Here are some of the reasons why:
Outback Adventure: Cunnamulla is located in the heart of outback Queensland, surrounded by vast landscapes, red sand dunes, and beautiful sunsets. For travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure, the town provides an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rugged and untamed beauty of the Australian outback.
Indigenous Culture: The region around Cunnamulla has a rich Aboriginal heritage, and visitors can learn about the local indigenous culture and traditions through guided tours and interactions with the local communities.
Wildlife and Birdwatching: The area is home to diverse wildlife, including kangaroos, emus, and various bird species. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy birdwatching and spotting native animals in their natural habitat.
Historical Sites: Cunnamulla has a history dating back to the 1860s, and there are several historical sites and buildings that showcase its past, such as the Cunnamulla Fella Statue, the Cunnamulla War Memorial and of course, the iconic Hotel Cunnamulla!
Cunnamulla Fella Festival: If your visit coincides with the Cunnamulla Fella Festival, you’ll have the chance to experience the region’s cultural events, including horse racing, rodeo, live music, and local arts and crafts.
