In pictures: Melbourne turns on perfect day for Cup

Wild celebrations erupted across the state as a sultry Melbourne Cup Day saw crowds flock to beaches, while punters returned trackside.

Melbourne was back with a bang on Cup Day, with tens of thousands of people out celebrating the state’s newly returned freedoms at the track, pubs, beaches and parks.

While it was far from a normal year at Flemington, the excitement in the limited crowd was palpable as the weather gods served up the city’s hottest day in seven months.

Many others made the most of the public holiday and the stunning weather by heading to the beach.

There was barely a spot of sand left to roll out a towel or put up an umbrella at St Kilda, with police patrolling the popular beach to ensure people were well behaved.

Thousands of people flock to St Kilda beach. Picture: Aaron Francis

Police patrol the beach looking for open beverages. Picture: Aaron Francis

Police speak to a man. Picture: Aaron Francis

Anastasia Sanchez, Lilly Smithson, Bethany Johnson, Freay McArthur, Holly Francis and Maeve McKenzie join thousands of people at St Kilda beach. Picture: Aaron Francis

Thousands flocked to Eastern Beach in Geelong crowds. Picture: Mark Wilson

Crowds stretched as far as the eye could see. Picture: Mark Wilson

The public holiday and hot weather made it an ideal beach day. Picture: Mark Wilson

Getting a park wasn’t easy for beach goers. Picture: Mark Wilson

Beachgoers take a plunge at the Geelong waterfront. Picture: Mark Wilson

Cars queuing up near Eastern Beach. Picture: Mark Wilson

Amiir, 10, performs a flip at the beach. Picture: Mark Wilson

Gates open as the first punters run for their favourite spots. Picture: Jason Edwards

Early arrivals make their way through the gates at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Punters begin to arrive at Flemington. Picture: Jason Edwards

A racegoer scans a QR code upon arrival to Flemington. Picture: Jason Edwards

Racegoers begin to arrive at Flemington. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Mike Pentecost, 35 and Katherine Dempster, 33 are among the early arrivals at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Jason Edwards

An early punter takes up a seat at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Diego Fedele/Getty Images

Race fans begin to arrive at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Michelle Payne arrives at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Olivia Molly Rogers arrives at Flemington. Picture: Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images

Delta Goodrem. Picture: Alex Coppel

VRC Ambassador Tayla Damir on the look out for style. Picture: David Caird

Racegoers enjoying the day. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Colourful racegoers. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Punters enjoy their trackside position. Picture: Jason Edwards

Taylah Dunn, 21, Nathan Anderson, 24 and Rachae Cullen find plenty of room to find a seat. Picture: Jason Edwards

Incentivise fans Jimmy Condos and Rich Gioutsos cheer on their pick during a race. Picture: Jason Edwards

Aaron fisher and Stephanie celebrate a win on race 6. Picture: Jason Edwards

Crowds return to Flemington. Picture: Jason Edwards

Punters enjoy the day while seated at trackside tables. Picture: William WEST/AFP

Racegoers enjoying the day at Flemington. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Rhonda Evans, Judy Stone and Leanne Du Plessi enjoy champagne at a trackside table. Picture: Jason Edwards

Racegoers enjoy champagne at a trackside table. Picture: Jason Edwards

Lachey Ward, Jake Brady, Harry Dean, Adrian Buckley and Danny O’Leary dressed for the heat. Picture: David Caird

Julia Warren, Ellen Wright and Shelley King from Heighton. Picture: David Caird

Punters watch the races from a trackside table. Picture: Jason Edwards

Racegoers return to Flemington. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Nat Hunter from Ch10 shows off her dress. Picture: David Caird

MasterChef judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, and Jock Zonfrillo. Picture: Alex Coppel

Victorian Fashion on the Field State finalists Peta Bell and Danny Archer. Picture: David Caird

VRC ambassador Diana Chan. Picture: David Caird

Delta Goodrem sings during her performance at Flemington. Picture: Alex Coppel

Frontline workers paediatric nurse Angela Maxwell and aged care nurse Lisa Travis bring the cup home to Flemington. Picture: Jason Edwards

Crowds celebrating a win in the stands. Picture: Alex Coppel

Spectators are seen watching race 6 from the Hill Stand Picture: Diego Fedele/Getty Images

James Mcdonald riding #4 Verry Elleegant wins race 7, the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

James Mcdonald riding #4 Verry Elleegant wins race 7, the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Picture: Jason Edwards

James Mcdonald riding #4 Verry Elleegant wins race 7, the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Picture: Alex Coppel

Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant, ridden by James McDonald returns to scale. Picture: Alex Coppel

Winning jockey James Mcdonald celebrates with the cup. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Verry Elleegant owners Brae Sokolski and Ozzie Kheir celebrate with the Lexus Melbourne Cup after James Mcdonald rode #4 Verry Elleegant to victory in race 7. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images