Melbourne Cup Day falls on Tuesday 3 November 2026. Take the Monday as annual leave and you have four days in a row, which is plenty of time to get out of town. If you live in the south-east, car rental Berwick way puts you right on the road east, with Gippsland’s hills, lakes and coastline ahead of you rather than the city traffic behind.
Here are four drives that suit a Berwick start, each with the reason to go and whether it works as a day trip or an overnighter. Travel times change with holiday traffic and roadworks, so check your maps app on the morning you leave.
Four Days Off: How the Cup Day Long Weekend Works in 2026
The maths is simple, but it is worth being clear about which days are actually holidays.
- Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November: your normal weekend.
- Monday 2 November: a regular working day. Most people take it as annual leave.
- Tuesday 3 November: Melbourne Cup Day, a public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne.
Some regional councils swap Cup Day for a local holiday on a different date, so shops and attractions in country towns may run normal hours on the Tuesday. That can work in your favour if you are touring rather than staying home for the race.
The four destinations below go further east than the usual Dandenong Ranges or Yarra Valley outings. If you would rather keep it closer to home, see our day trips from Melbourne’s south east.
Walhalla: A Gold-Rush Town at the Bottom of a Valley
Best as: a long day trip or a relaxed overnighter
Walhalla sits in a steep, narrow valley and feels like a town that time forgot. It boomed during the gold rush, and today its restored buildings line a single main street that is easy to explore on foot.
Why it is worth the drive:
- Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine: a guided tour takes you underground into the old machinery chamber. Allow about 45 to 50 minutes.
- Walhalla Goldfields Railway: a restored narrow-gauge line that runs down the valley to the Thomson River station.
- The cemetery: headstones cling to the side of the valley, and the climb rewards you with views over town.
The road in is narrow and winding, so arrive in daylight and take it slowly. If you would rather not drive it twice in one day, stay the night and make a proper weekend of it.
The Gippsland Lakes: Worth the Longer Drive for an Overnighter
Best as: one or two nights
This one suits a longer break and makes the most of four days. Lakes Entrance is the gateway to the Gippsland Lakes, the largest network of inland waterways in Australia, where calm lakes sit behind the open surf of Ninety Mile Beach.
What to fit in:
- Walk across the footbridge to Ninety Mile Beach.
- Head up to Jemmy’s Point for views over the town, the lakes and the entrance itself.
- Take a lake cruise, or hire a boat or kayak and explore at your own pace.
- Buy fresh seafood from the town’s fishing fleet, which gives Lakes Entrance its seafood capital reputation.
Treat this as an overnighter at the very least. Leave on Saturday morning, stay two nights, and you will be home on Monday with Cup Day spare to unpack and rest.
Inverloch and the Bass Coast: Beach Without the Phillip Island Crowds
Best as: an easy day trip
Inverloch makes a relaxed, easy day out. The town sits at the mouth of Anderson Inlet, so you get calm, shallow water on one side and a surf beach on the other.
Good ways to spend the day:
- Anderson Inlet: sheltered water that suits families, paddlers and windsurfers.
- Bunurong Coastal Drive: a short clifftop route between Inverloch and Cape Paterson with sweeping views of Bass Strait.
- Eagles Nest and the rock platforms: visit at low tide, when the rock shelves are exposed. The Bunurong Environment Centre explains the area’s fossil history.
A safety note: many beaches along the Bunurong coast are not patrolled and can have rips. Swim only where it is safe, and check patrol times before you head in.
Noojee and the Baw Baw Foothills: The Quiet Option
Best as: a day trip
If a long weekend for you means tall trees and very little noise, head for Noojee. This small timber town sits in mountain ash forest in the Baw Baw foothills.
The highlights:
- Noojee Trestle Bridge: at 102 metres long, it is the tallest surviving timber trestle bridge in Victoria. You can walk across it or follow the rail trail from town.
- Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls: a loop walk of about two kilometres that passes two waterfalls through cool, ferny forest. Allow around an hour.
- A pub lunch in town before the drive home.
It is an easy, low-key day, and a good choice if you plan to be back for a Cup Day barbecue.
Planning the Drive: Fuel, Breaks and Which Car Fits
A few small habits make a long weekend drive far more relaxing:
- Fuel up in larger towns before heading into the hills. Service stations thin out quickly once you leave the highway.
- Take regular breaks, ideally every two hours, and swap drivers if you can.
- Watch for wildlife around dawn and dusk, especially on forest roads.
- Check fire danger ratings before visiting bushland areas. Early November can bring hot, windy days.
- Download offline maps. Mobile coverage can drop out in the valleys.
Picking the right car matters too:
- Couples or small groups travelling light: one of our small sedans is economical and easy to park in country towns.
- Families or groups with extra luggage: the Jeep Compass wagon offers the most boot space in our fleet.
Booking a Car Rental in Berwick for the Long Weekend
Long weekends book out, and Cup Day is one of the busiest. Booking early gives you the best chance of getting the car that suits your trip, especially if you need the extra space of the Jeep.
When you book, cover the full span of your trip. Picking up on Saturday morning and returning on Tuesday means you avoid rushing back on Cup Day night along with everyone else.
Our team is just down the road in Dandenong, close to both car rental in Berwick and car hire Narre Warren customers. When you have picked your destination, you can book a car for the long weekend online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Monday before Cup Day a public holiday?
No. Only Tuesday 3 November is a public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne. Many people take Monday as annual leave to make a four-day weekend.
Can I keep the hire car for four days?
Yes, multi-day hires are standard. Book the full span so the return is not on the Tuesday night rush.
Which car suits a two-night trip for four people?
The Jeep Compass wagon gives the most boot space in the fleet. Check availability when you book.
Tip: Walhalla’s access road is narrow and winding. Leave in daylight and give yourself time.
