At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Anyone planning a Melbourne Cup lunch in Penrith on Tuesday 3 November 2026; bookings are essential
- What to do now
- Book through the Panthers Penrith event page, where tickets are $99 per person
- When
- Tuesday 3 November 2026, 12pm to 3:30pm (Sydney time); live entertainment 12pm to 3pm
- Where
- The Backyard at Panthers Penrith, 83 Mulgoa Road, Penrith
- Price
- $99 per person: seafood buffet, a glass of sparkling on arrival, entertainment and games
- Last checked
- Tuesday 27 October 2026, against the Panthers Penrith event page and its menu PDF
- Not yet confirmed
- Parking for the day, the event dress code, cancellation terms and what drinks cost beyond the first glass
The Melbourne Cup Garden Party at Panthers Penrith costs $99 per person and runs from 12pm to 3:30pm on Tuesday 3 November 2026. Panthers sets it in The Backyard at 83 Mulgoa Road, and says bookings are essential. This guide covers what the ticket includes, the full buffet menu, and the club rules that apply, based on the Panthers event page and its menu PDF, checked on 27 October.
What does the $99 ticket include?
Panthers lists the following in the price:
- A seafood buffet menu
- A complimentary glass of sparkling on arrival
- Live entertainment from 12pm to 3pm
- Yard games and activities to enjoy with friends
- A hobby horsing obstacle course
- Every moment of the race live on a super-sized outdoor screen
Panthers describes the day as a relaxed garden party that combines the glamour of Cup Day with an afternoon of food, fun and racing. It does not list a race time on the event page, and it does not say what other drinks cost, so check the bar prices on the day.
| Item | What Panthers says |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday 3 November 2026 |
| Time | 12pm to 3:30pm; live entertainment 12pm to 3pm |
| Price | $99 per person |
| Venue | The Backyard, Panthers Penrith |
| Booking | Essential, through the event page |
What is on the buffet menu?
The menu PDF splits the buffet into four sections:
| Section | Dishes |
|---|---|
| On the table | Chefs’ selection of prosciutto, mortadella and salami; beetroot hommus, baba ghanoush, grissini sticks and lavosh |
| Cold buffet | Oysters with lemon; Australian prawns with cocktail sauce; Asian seafood salad; rocket and Parmesan salad; baby cos lettuce, cucumber and feta salad |
| Hot buffet | Charcoal sirloin steak with bearnaise sauce; flash fried prawns with lemon and aioli; salmon fillet with pickled fennel, lemon dressing and soft herbs; steamed baby potatoes with herb butter |
| Dessert buffet | Mango cheesecake; chocolate brownie (gluten-free); mini pavlova with lemon curd and berries (gluten-free); sliced seasonal fruit platter with coconut yoghurt (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free) |
The menu marks seafood origin: the oysters, Australian prawns and salmon are marked Australian, while the Asian seafood salad and the flash fried prawns are marked imported. The key on the sheet uses GF for gluten-free, DF for dairy-free, V for vegetarian and VG for vegan. Only the brownie, the pavlova and the fruit platter carry those dietary marks. The menu does not mark any main as vegetarian, so if you have a dietary need, ask Panthers before you book.
How do I book?
Panthers says bookings are essential and the event page links to its online booking system for the 3 November date. If you have a question, the club’s phone number on its contact page is 1800 061 991. Panthers does not publish cancellation or refund terms on the event page, so ask about them before you pay.
What are the dress and entry rules?
The event page does not publish a dress code for the Garden Party, so the club’s general rules from its FAQ page are the best guide. They ask for neat, clean and occasion-appropriate clothing and footwear. Headwear is acceptable as long as it does not cover the face and caps are worn forwards, and fancy dress costumes need to be pre-approved by management. Bare feet, sports boots and studded boots are not acceptable, and neither are revealing or provocative outfits as the FAQ describes them, or bathers.
Guests must show acceptable proof of identity on entry, and minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. The FAQ says children under 18 may stay on the premises until 11pm. The FAQ lists the club’s opening hours as 9am to 6am every day, while the contact page says open every day from 10am to 4am, so check the hours before you go.
Can I get there by courtesy bus or train?
The Panthers FAQ describes a free courtesy bus for ages 18 and over. For Sunday to Thursday its stated window is 5pm to 8pm for the last pick-up or drop-off, and bookings are made on the hour by calling 02 4720 5539. A Tuesday lunch ends at 3:30pm, before that window, and the FAQ does not mention the Garden Party, so do not plan on the bus for this event.
The event page gives no train, bus or parking information for the day, and we found no Transport for NSW page for it. Use the Transport for NSW trip planner with the venue address for your route, and ask Panthers about parking when you book.
What else is on at Panthers around then?
Panthers also hosts the Rock The Backyard 3 music festival on Saturday 28 November, a separate event with its own ticket and its own guide.
Sources
- Panthers Penrith — Melbourne Cup Garden Party (price, times, inclusions; checked 27 October 2026)
- Panthers Penrith — Melbourne Cup Garden Party menu (PDF)
- Panthers Penrith — FAQ (dress rules, ID, courtesy bus, under-18 rule)
- Panthers Penrith — Contact us (address, 1800 061 991)
Featured image: The Nepean River seen from a bridge at Penrith (photo: D A R C 12345 / CC0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Panthers Penrith or Transport for NSW. Event details can change; check the Panthers event page before you go.