With all the Cup Carnival events continuing around the city today, Monday really is the new Saturday for one week only. Here's the very best of it.

The Headlines

• The suits and black-and-white dresses flooding bars across the city on Saturday meant only one thing, the Melbourne Cup is well and truly underway. If you've got tickets for later in the week and need some last-minute outfit inspiration, or if you just want to have a nosey at some of the best-dressed, here's a round-up of all the top celeb fashion so far. Hats (or fascinators) off to you if you can name any of them—our Aussie Z-listers knowledge isn't quite there yet.

• With Australia’s fruit season officially back, there are plenty of places just outside the city for a wholesome fruit-picking trip. These farms may sound like an influencer’s dream with the picturesque fields full of cherries, strawberries, and peaches, but they're actually a great way to skip the Woolies mark-ups and pick your own fresh goodness. If you did your regional work on a fruit farm, it’s completely understandable if you don’t fancy reliving the trauma.

• ‘Bring your own booze'—aka absolute music to our ears. If you enjoy a drink with your meal but aren’t keen on the restaurant prices, Melbourne's BYO spots have you covered. Stop by a bottle shop en route, grab a bottle of your favourite vino, and settle in at one of these top picks. From hearty Italian to sizzling Korean BBQ, get top-tier food without the top-shelf drinks prices.

Where to Eat and Drink

Today’s pick will warm both your soul and your bank account. The Heart of Carlton is a relaxed, café-style restaurant where everything on the menu is $5 or less. Run by a lovely couple who’ve lived in the area for 15 years, the dishes are made fresh daily—from morning coffee to lunchtime baguettes and wholesome curries. This inviting spot attracts all the locals, some of whom even play on the piano for the rest of us to enjoy.

Where to Live

It's unclear whether the photos of this Richmond house are from last year or if your future housemates looove Christmas and have the tinsel up already—kind of obsessed if it's the latter. The room is unfurnished, but both Ikea and Kmart are just around the corner, so you'll have it kitted out in no time. The house exterior and backyard space look absolutely adorable, the perfect place to get settled.

Core selling point: a fireplace to make Melbourne winter a little less scary if you stick it out.

Where to Work

The Australian Open needs infrastructure attendants to wrangle equipment and coordinate deliveries behind the scenes this January. If you juggle tasks faster than Djokovic returns serves and can handle some manual work in the height of summer, this is a perfect opportunity to be part of the biggest event of the year in Australian tennis. Bonus points if you have a forklift license.

For those paying attention on Friday, the answer to the Flight Club question was: 500 million darts have been thrown by 5 million people since it very first opened.

Where to Go

Kick those Monday blues to the curb at Kent St Comedy, Fitzroy's cosiest free weekly comedy night. Tucked away upstairs, this intimate venue feels like you haven’t even left your living room—complete with armchairs and vintage charm. It's an intimate venue where every seat feels like the front row, so no hiding from being picked on by the comedians.

Enjoying the Melbourne 417? Share this link with a friend.